Born Free!
The sermon emphasizes that true freedom and fulfillment of God's commandments come only through grace and faith in Christ, not through human effort or adherence to the Law.
Theodore Epp emphasizes in his sermon 'Born Free!' that true fulfillment of God's commandments cannot be achieved through human effort but only through accepting Christ as Savior. He contrasts the births of Ishmael and Isaac, illustrating that Ishmael represents human effort and bondage, while Isaac symbolizes divine promise and freedom. Epp argues that believers, as children of promise, are called to live by grace, not by the Law, and that grace empowers us to live righteously rather than giving us a license to sin. He encourages believers to stand firm in their freedom in Christ and reject any teachings that mix grace with the Law, as they cannot coexist. The sermon calls for endurance in the face of opposition while maintaining a clear stance on the grace of God.
Text
Galatians 4:19-31
The lesson God has for us in Galatians 4:19-31 is that we cannot ever fulfill the commandments of God by our own human efforts. They can be kept only as we accept Christ as Saviour.
Then, through the indwelling Spirit, the life of Christ is fulfilled in us.
The bringing of Ishmael into the world was all of man's planning. God had nothing to do with it. That which is of the flesh displeases God, and He will not accept it.
Ishmael was a child born after the flesh; and since his mother was a slave, he, too, was a slave.
With Isaac it was entirely different. He was born of a freewoman. His coming into the world was due to God's work.
So the point made here is that we are considered through faith in Christ to be the brethren of Isaac. We are the children of promise, born through divine power and not through human effort.
There is a strong tendency on the part of those who insist that Law is necessary for salvation to persecute those who preach salvation by grace plus nothing. Those who insist on Law say that we who preach grace are making it easier for people to sin.
But this is not the case. Grace does not give people license to sin. It teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously in this world. So even though opposition or even persecution comes, we should be ready to endure it.
But what is to be our attitude in this teaching of Law and grace? Are we to go along with the teachers of Law and say nothing?
The answer of Scripture is, "Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir to the son of the freewoman" (v. 30). The two will not mix. We are saved by grace. We are not in bondage to the Law. We cast it from us.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding the limitations of human effort in fulfilling God's commandments
- The role of Christ as Saviour in our lives
- The indwelling Spirit and the life of Christ in us
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II
- The contrast between Ishmael and Isaac
- The significance of being children of promise
- Divine power versus human effort
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III
- The conflict between grace and the Law
- Persecution faced by grace preachers
- The true meaning of grace in relation to sin
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IV
- Our response to the teachings of Law
- The call to cast out the bondwoman and her son
- Embracing the liberty found in Christ
Key Quotes
“Grace does not give people license to sin.” — Theodore Epp
“Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir to the son of the freewoman.” — Theodore Epp
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Embrace the grace of God and reject the bondage of the Law in your life.
- Live out your faith by allowing the indwelling Spirit to guide your actions.
- Stand firm in your liberty in Christ, even in the face of opposition.