Text: Galatians 4:1-19

Introduction: Are you on TIME? Ever late? I’ve heard it said, “some people would be late for their own funeral”??? But I’m glad to tell you, my friend, that God is always “On Time”! He’s an “ON TIME GOD”!!

In fact, Paul elaborates on this subject…”AN On TIME GOD.” Writing to the Churches in the Galatia area, and us today by the Holy Spirit, he refutes the false teaching of legalism and reinforces the truth of liberty in Christ Jesus. By the way, this includes before a person is saved – regenerated, and after he or she is saved – sanctification. More specifically, in chapter four, a phrase is used called, “The fullness of time.” A careful examination of the text shows three (3) benefits from “An On TIME GOD.”

1. What does the “Fulness of Time” mean? (Gal 4:1-4)

“1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

{This epistle – to the Galatians – is a letter revealing the lies of false teachers who were insinuating that a person was kept under the legalistic laws – Jews had 613 to live by to please God, at all times}

{However, these verses debunk that idea and show that Jesus came to do away with man-made rules and regulations when it comes to pleasing the Lord God}

“4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

• The word ” fullness” is plḗrōma, which means piece that is filled up, fulfillment, full
• The word “time” is chrónos, which means period of time, short, long, or delay

Personal Application: In the precise time, God sent His Son who was born under the law but condemned sin in the flesh….

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,[1] condemned sin in the flesh,” (Rom 8:3).

…. and in so doing, liberated the CHRISTian to walk in freedom and liberty.

2. Why did the “Fulness of Time” come? (Gal 4:5)

“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

• The word “redeem” is exagorázō, which means payment of a price, to buy back

Personal Application: God sent His virgin born Son, Jesus Christ, to “buy back” the guilty sinner from the slave market of sins penalty, power, and one day – presence. He accomplished this by pouring out His own precious blood on the cross.

3. How does Jesus fulfill the “Fulness of Time” today in the believer’s life? (Gal 4:6, 7, 19)

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

• The word “Abba” is Aramaic for father- papa

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

• The word “heir” is klēronómos, which means one who inherits

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”

• The word “children” is téknon, which means offspring
• The word “travail” is ōdínō, which means to feel and suffer the pains of childbirth

Personal Application: Through the inward work of the Holy Spirit, every child of God identifies with God their Father. Because of God the Son, Jesus Christ, we become inheritors of His great family and possess all that is promised to us.

• Christology – The person of Jesus Christ (v 4)
• Soteriology – The plan of Salvation (v 5)
• Pneumatology – The power of the Holy Spirit (vv 6, 7, 19)