Tree of Life, Week 3: Slave vs. Son

Don’t miss this compelling look at the very first relational story in the Bible. Within this incredible story lies absolutes that define how we read and interpret the rest of the Bible but most importantly how we live as followers of Jesus.   Title of message is: Slave vs. Son (Galatians 3:26) (NLT) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 4:4-5) (NLT) But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. Are you a Slave or a Son? The slave has a master. The son has a father. (Galatians 4:6) (ESV) And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” The slave is poor. The son is rich.  (Galatians 4:7) (NLT) Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. The slave is driven by duty. The son is driven by devotion. (Galatians 4:9) (NLT) So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? Your relationship WITH Him is far more important than anything you can DO for Him.  (Matthew 7:21-23) (NIV) Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ What does it mean to know Him? 1.    View Him as a perfect Father. (Matthew 7:9-11) (NIV) “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Deuteronomy 31:8) (NLT) Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. 2.    Approach Him through relationship not rules. (John 14:15) (NLT) “If you love me, obey my commandments. (1 John 5:3) (NLT) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 3.    Seek Him with your whole heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) (NLT) If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Hebrews 11:6) (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  4.    Respond to sin with life. (Romans 8:1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:2) …because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.