The Gospel of Grace – Part 7

Galatians chapter number four.
Dr. Terry LeQuieu

Scripture Reference

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Galatians 4:8-11

Introduction

Today’s message, “The Gospel of Grace – Part 7,” continues our walk through Galatians chapter four. The focus is on the sufficiency of God’s grace, the dangers of returning to legalism or sinful habits, and the spiritual realities that separate children of the flesh from children of promise. Paul confronts a very practical and painful issue: Christians who, though they know God, are turning back to “weak and beggarly elements” and placing themselves once again in bondage. This message is for every young adult and every church member who has experienced the tug-of-war between the flesh and the Spirit. It calls us to evaluate our zeal, our direction, and our faithfulness—and to remember that God’s grace is sufficient.

Galatians chapter number four. We are continuing our study through the book of Galatians. When you get there, go ahead and stand with me. Galatians chapter number four. As I told you at the beginning of the year we are working our way through several of the epistles here in the New Testament.
Dr. Terry LeQuieu

Quote from Preacher

Howbeit then when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them, which by nature are no gods.
Dr. Terry LeQuieu

Outline

The Problem Identified: Retreating Despite Knowledge
1. Backpedaling in spite of intelligence
  The Galatian church understood doctrine. Paul had already instructed them on law and grace (ch. 3), yet they “turned again” to the old ways. Knowledge alone isn’t enough—obedience and the Spirit’s power are required. Intellectual assent without spiritual affiance leads to regression.
2. From serving self to serving the Savior
  Before salvation people serve the “God of self”—what pleases the flesh. After salvation the call is to serve Christ. The temptation is to revert to former allegiances because the flesh still desires its old pleasures and the world still offers counterfeit fulfillment.
3. The danger of wasting investment—labor in vain
  Paul feared his ministry might be nullified if converts returned to bondage. When believers abandon Christ, it’s not merely a personal tragedy; it wounds those who invested in their spiritual growth and dishonors God’s work. Yet we continue investing because grace called us first.
The Cowardly Church: Four Marks of Retreat
1. Retreat despite intelligent knowledge (vv. 8–11)
  They had sound teaching but allowed legalism to creep back in. Paul asks why they would re-adopt practices that never saved them.
2. Retreat despite the infinite love of God (vv. 12–16)
  Paul preached lovingly and sacrificially. True pastoral love corrects and protects—it does not seek its own glory. Loving correction can be offensive to the flesh, but it is for spiritual growth.
3. Retreat despite inclusion by God (vv. 17–18)
  God had already included them in the family of God. Zeal is good, but it must be directed to the right object. Passion without proper focus devolves into bondage to human precepts.
4. Retreat despite God’s earnest concern for their progress (vv. 19–20)
  Paul longed for Christ to be formed in them. He planned to change tone and speak plainly in person because real discipleship requires courage, clarity, and sometimes sternness for their growth.
The Contrast of Covenants: Flesh Versus Promise
1. The covenant of promise vs. the covenant of bondage (vv. 21–27)
  Paul uses Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah to illustrate two covenants. Hagar (bondwoman) and her son (Ishmael) picture the flesh and bondage; Sarah (free woman) and Isaac picture promise and freedom. The law (Mount Sinai) brings bondage; the promise (heirship through Isaac) brings liberty.
2. Children of promise (vv. 28–31)
  Believers are children of the free woman—born according to promise, not according to the flesh. That new identity calls us to live in freedom—not to return to former chains.
3. Persecution: the inevitable opposition (v. 29)
  Just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, the flesh will oppose the Spirit. Expect opposition when you live by promise; persecution does not invalidate the promise.
4. Clarification and conclusion: cast out the bondwoman (v. 30)
  God’s eternal purpose is fulfilled through promise, not fleshly attempts. Abraham’s casting out of Hagar pictures the necessity of living by the covenant of promise, not reverting to the law’s bondages.
Practical Doctrines: How Grace Is Sufficient
1. Grace provides salvation, service, and sanctification
  Paul reminds them—and us—that grace is not a partial help; it is entirely sufficient for conversion, ongoing service, and spiritual growth. The law has a function (to show sin), but it does not provide the power to live a holy life.
2. Zeal redirected: from fleshly pursuits to godly pursuits
  The energy that once fueled sinful habits should be repurposed for spiritual disciplines: prayer, Bible study, evangelism, and church service. Passion without direction is wasted energy; passion with biblical direction is kingdom power.
3. Pastoral responsibility and personal accountability
  Leaders must speak truth lovingly and persistently; believers must let truth be formative rather than offensive. When correction comes, receive it as loving care aimed at Christlikeness.
Warnings and Encouragements
1. Warning against deifying leaders
  Paul refused to be idolized. Leaders point to Christ; they are not replacements for Christ. Follow godly leadership, but not in a way that displaces Jesus as the ultimate object of faith.
2. Encouragement to those who invest
  Even if some turn away, continue to invest. Grace changed you because someone invested in you. Keep sowing—God will honor faithful labor, and many will reap later fruit even if some seeds seem wasted.

Summary

Paul’s message to the Galatians calls us to examine whether we are living as children of the promise or returning to bondage. Though they were taught and loved, some were turning back to elements that could not save. The cure is not better legalism but a clearer grasp of the sufficiency of grace. God’s promise came through Isaac—the picture of God’s sovereign work, not human effort. As believers we are called to be zealously directed toward Christ, protected by faithful love, and steadfast in the freedom Christ purchased. Grace is sufficient—salvation, sanctification, service—everything rests on the finished work of Jesus, not our attempts to relive the old bondage.

I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Dr. Terry LeQuieu

Quote to Ponder

Paul’s fear captures pastoral grief: genuine investment in souls can be frustrated by willful backsliding. Let it drive us to prayer, watchfulness, and compassion rather than despair.

Application for the Week

Take concrete steps this week to live as a child of promise and to help others do the same. Below are practical, actionable applications designed for personal growth and community impact.

Daily Scripture and Prayer Rhythm
Commit to 15–30 minutes daily this week in Scripture and prayer. Focus on Galatians 4 each day. Ask God to help you see where the flesh is tempting you to return to old patterns and to give you the strength to stand in grace.
Identify One Area of “Retrogression”
Choose one habit, relationship, or practice where you sense a pull back toward bondage (speech, media, dress, friends, substance use, etc.). Write it down, confess it to God, and create an accountability step (tell a mature believer, set a phone reminder, remove the temptation).
Redirect Zeal
Take a positive step to channel your passion: volunteer for one church ministry (soul winning, youth, bus ministry, music, visitation) or begin a biblical habit (start a Bible reading plan, memorize Galatians 5:1 and 6:14). Passion for sin must be redirected into passion for Christ.
Encourage and Invest One Person
Reach out to someone younger or newer in the faith. Pray for them, send a text of encouragement with a Bible verse, invite them for coffee, or offer to disciple them for a short season. Remember that even when some fall away, faithful investment bears eternal fruit.
Evaluate Who You Follow
Audit the voices and leaders you follow (social media, podcasts, teachers). Remove or reduce time with influencers who elevate self above Christ. Recommit to following Christ-centered teaching that honors Scripture as final authority.
Pray for Those Who Have Turned Back
Paul’s heart was sorrowful for those who returned to bondage. Spend time praying specifically for people you know who have walked away. Ask God to intervene, to revive conviction, and to bring them back under grace.
Attend Midweek or Small Group Study
If possible, come to the Wednesday study where the series continues. If you cannot attend, start or join a small group to discuss Galatians 4 and to hold one another accountable in love.

May the sufficiency of God’s grace move you to steadfastness. As Paul said, let Christ, not the law nor the flesh, be formed in us. Live as children of the free woman—free indeed.