Bible Lesson:  In The Fullness Of Time

Text: Galatians 4:1-7

Introduction:

1. “Operation Overlord” was the code name given to what we call “D Day”, a turning point in World War 2. June 6, 1944 was the culmination of careful and secret planning, and the movement of millions of troops. To the Germans it was all a mystery -until the assault was launched. That offensive turned out to be a crippling blow to the Axis forces.

2. We don’t know the date of Christ’s birth, though the world has chosen December 25 for that event. The focus of millions is on that scene in Bethlehem, and the amazing events that took place there. But Scripture reveals that the birth of Jesus was not the pivotal event in the history of man’s conflict with Satan. That event came later.

3. As the world dwells on a beautiful moment in world history, let us take this occasion to look even further. We will find that there was another event that should claim more of our attention and devotion. Instead of thinking of it only once a year, we are commanded to consider it each and every week!

Discussion:

1. The Mystery Begins To Unfold

1. The people who lived in England in the spring of 1944 had no idea what was about to take place. They only knew that thousands of troops from the U.S. and other countries were being massed in their towns and villages. There was great anticipation, but no one knew what to expect.

1. The beginning of God’s final assault on Satan:

1. Gal. 4:4 -Important information about this beginning:

1. Technically speaking, this was not the beginning. God had been planning for this for a long time. This was now the “fullness of time”.

1. The Son that God sent forth was “made (“born”, NKJV) of a woman”.

2. Jn. 1:3 -But this is the same Word who made all things in the beginning. He who made the woman was now made by her?
3. Jn. 1:14 -It was not the beginning of the Word, but the beginning of His experience in the flesh.

4. 1 Tim. 3:16 -Paul spoke of this fact of the Incarnation as a great mystery of godliness. God manifested Himself in the flesh? That is what we see at Bethlehem, the beginning of the unfolding of this mystery.

5. Heb. 2:9a -The Hebrew writer also marveled at this fact, that Jesus was made a little lower than the angels. The One who created the angels was now put in a position lower than them? What could all of this mean?

6. Micah 5:2 -All of this fulfilled the prophecy of Micah. The birth in Bethlehem that night was not just of a person who would one day become great, such as the birth of Washington or Lincoln. The One who was born in Bethlehem was He “whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting”. Only God could have fulfilled that prophecy.

1. Truly, the doctrine of the Incarnation is mind-boggling. Would God really leave heaven to experience life on earth in a body of flesh? What could have been His reasons for doing such a thing?!

1. The Mystery Revealed -And Remembered

1. As impressive as the massing of troops in England in 1944 may have been, that’s not the event we remember. The day to remember was when those troops were sent to accomplish their mission. The ensuing victory is what we all remember! The birth of Jesus, in a similar way, was impressive and even breathtaking. But that’s not the event we are told to remember.

1. The mission Jesus fulfilled:

1. Heb. 2:9 -The writer saw the reason why Jesus was made lower than the angels: to suffer and taste death, but in a way that brought glory and honor. Yes, He was made lower, but there was a reason for that subjugation.

2. Gal. 4:4,5 -Paul also went on to speak of that mission. He took on a body of flesh so He might redeem mankind and enable them to be adopted as sons of God.

3. Gal. 3:13 -The word “redeemed” is translated from exagorazo, a word that means to “buy out of the market”. Christ bought us out of the curse. But the price of that purchase was for Him to be made a curse for us.

4. Rev. 5:9 -The new song heard in heaven spoke of Christ’s redemption, and the price it took -His own blood. What an extraordinary sacrifice He made! The One who had lived in heaven was willing to come down to earth and die for us? It would seem this is the event that ought to be celebrated!

5. Lk. 22:19 -That is, in fact, just what Jesus desires. This act in which we were redeemed from the curse of the law is what ought to be celebrated. And if we follow the pattern of the earliest Christians, we celebrate that event every Sunday.
6. It’s hard to imagine the life that people in France had to accept when a surrender to Nazi Germany was signed in 1940. Life became very different; their freedoms were greatly restricted. How sweet, therefore, must have been the news that Paris had been liberated! Freedom was won! But how much greater is the victory won by Jesus! The results of that emancipation will last into eternity for those who align themselves with Him.

Conclusion:

2. “Glory” is a word that has been used often to describe the concept of the Incarnation. To look upon a baby is itself a glorious thing. But to look upon this Baby and to know that this is “God with us” is indescribably glorious!
3. Col. 1:26,27 -But there’s one more step before we see the fullness of that glory. What God desires in revealing this mystery is not just that you stand in awe of His Son. What He wants is more than Christ in the womb of Mary. What God desires most is “Christ in You”. Will you receive Him into your life?

Timothy Hall