Living Like a Son

If you happen to come by my office on a Sunday morning between services, you are bound to see at least one of my children. My son may be hanging out waiting for Club 56 to begin, my youngest may be pulling books off of my bookshelves, and my other children may be searching through my desk for mints or other snacks. Thankfully, my office is not open to every child in the church or I would be completely overrun. I do not allow other children to rummage through my desk or rifle through my books. However, my son and daughters have rights that others do not. They are my children and therefore they have access to my space, my resources, and my time.
This freedom that they have might seem presumptuous. There is a boldness that they possess that allows them to come into my office without invitation. However, it is my joy to share with them all that is mine. As pastor’s kids, they each have unique struggles and responsibilities in this body. Yet they also receive unique blessings, opportunities, and rights. Other children in the church call me Pastor Weber or even Doctor Weber. My children call me daddy. Other children must be invited into my space. My children come in at will. Other children have to wait to be offered a treat. My children know if they find a snack in my desk, they can eat it.
In our passage for this week, Paul is teaching us that every Christian has the right to relate to God, not as a servant, but as a son. Paul is explaining that by the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit we have the right to call God, “Abba Father” (Galatians 4:6). This sonship means that we have gained boldness and freedom in our relationship with God. We no longer relate to Him as a stranger seeking to earn privilege, but as a son confident in his acceptance. Often, we can relate to God as a servant. We can seek blessing through deeds and effort. However, what we learn in our passage is that the Lord invites all of His children to boldly live out their sonship in confidence and faith. Our Father delights to freely give all things to us, His children. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Galatians 4:1-7, Psalm 2, Romans 8:12-17, Ephesians 1:11-14, Colossians 2:8, Revelation 21:5-7, and reading this article on Sonship.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder”, the Acclamation of Praise “Before the Throne of God Above” and the Hymn of Response “By Grace I Am an Heir of Heaven” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Text: Galatians 4:1-7
Title: Living Like a Son
Outline:
Why you do not live like a son (vv. 1-3)
Why you can live like a son (vv. 4-5)
How you can live like a son (vv. 6-7)
Sunday's bulletin