In the Fullness of time

In the Fullness of time

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law….. Galatians 4:4

This Sunday at CDC, we were privileged to have our own Pastor Micky give the message on Galatians 4:4, “In the Fullness of time”. Having just completed the character study on the life of Joseph, we were given a powerful picture of how the unseen hand of God worked miraculously behind the scenes throughout his life. Although his life seemed totally out of control - being sold as a slave, falsely accused and thrown into prison, God was actually there all along, using his apparent misfortunes to bring him into the position that was destined for him all along, as ruler of Egypt and the savior of many lives.

Many events are outside our control, but with God, all things are within His control and He works powerfully throughout history. No one can stop God’s purpose, as the Master skillfully weaves the free will and choices of men into His plans.

At the very beginning of history, God announced His great plan of redemption. In Genesis 3:15, after the fall of Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden, God prophesied that the offspring of man would crush the head of the serpent and the serpent would strike his heel. The offspring spoken of was to be the Lord Jesus, and though He was struck a fatal wound, He crushed and destroyed the power and work of Satan and rose victorious.

In 2000 B.C., God weaved the great Abraham into His grand plan, promising him that through his seed, he would become a blessing to all nations. The Seed spoken of, our Lord Jesus Christ, indeed has become a blessing to all nations, giving salvation to anyone who would receive him.

Later, in the time of the kings, God weaved the great king David into His plan, promising him through the Prophet Nathan, that He would establish a throne for him that would last forever. The earthly reign of David and even the great Solomon has ended, but the Son of David, Jesus Christ will indeed reign forever.

In the time of the prophet Isaiah, God gave an even more precise insight into His plan, as Isaiah prophesied “The virgin shall be with child and she will give birth to a Son, and they will call him Emmanuel which means God with us” and “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and He will reign on David’s throne with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever!” Indeed, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, born of the virgin Mary, God with us. His destiny is to rule forever.

Furthermore, in the time of the prophet Micah, God even pointed out where the Ruler of Israel would be born – In Bethlehem Ephrathah, one will come who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from days of eternity. And indeed, in the days of Caesar Augustus, a census was called, and by fate, Joseph and Mary were required to go back to their hometown in Bethlehem, where the baby of destiny would be born.

The coming of our Lord Jesus at that particular time was the most perfect in history. Under the Roman government, there was political unity and peace among all the known world. Extensive roads and good shipping routes ensured superb communication and ease of traveling throughout the Roman world. Booming trade and commerce led to the rise of cities, and Alexander the Great’s Hellenization resulted in a common language among all the people. There was also a general sense of moral and religious dissatisfaction in light of the decadence and corruption in the Roman world. Furthermore, Jewish synagogues had already been established in all the major cities, and the Word of God had already begun to be spread as Old Testament Scripture was read every Sabbath. Everything was set for the arrival of the Lord Jesus, His growth and ministry, and subsequent calling of Paul and the early missionaries who evangelized to the whole known world.

4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7

And now Pastor Micky drew our attention the reason that God sent His Son. Firstly, He sent His Son to redeem us. We were condemned under the law but Jesus set us free by the power of His blood! Secondly, God sent His Son to make us children of God. To all who receives Jesus, He gives the right to become Children of God! Thirdly, God sent His Son so that we would have the Holy Spirit who confirms our Sonship in Christ Jesus. Finally, God sent His Son so that we too would become heirs, destined to inherit all good things from our Heavenly Father.

In closing, Pastor Micky issued us three challenges.

Firstly, since God has done everything for us, have we truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Secondly, are we actively involved in God’s plan to show His salvation to others?

Thirdly, do we trust that God is sovereign and has full control over what happens?

May the Lord help us always trust Him, join Him in His great plan of salvation, and always hold on to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

God bless,

Jason