The Two Covenants – Sarah and Hagar
I. Opposite
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?
Romans 7:6 CSB – 6 But now we have been released from the law since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.
Galatians 1:6
Galatians 2:4
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II. The Contrast of Two & Two (22-23)
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise.
Genesis 16:2-4 CSB – 2 Sarai said to Abram, “Since the LORD has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So Abram’s wife, Sarai, took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband, Abram, as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her.
Genesis 16:2-5
Genesis 21:1–3
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III. The Contrast of Two (24-27)
24 These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery — this is Hagar. 25 Now, Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.27 For it is written, Rejoice, childless woman, unable to give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate woman, will be many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.
Isaiah 54:1 CSB – 1 “Rejoice, childless one, who did not give birth; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of the married woman,” says the LORD.
Galatians 3:19–25
Exodus 19
Hebrews 12:22
Revelation 21:2–3
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IV. The Contrast of Two Systems (28-31)
28 Now you, too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.
Genesis 21:10-12 CSB – 10 So she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave with her son, for the son of this slave will not be a coheir with my son Isaac! ” 11 This was very distressing to Abraham because of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and about your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your offspring will be traced through Isaac,
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“From bondage to freedom, from law to grace choose faith over self-effort.”
Community Life Group Questions.
- What stood out to you from today’s Sermon?
- What is the difference between being a slave to the law versus being free in Christ? (Galatians 4:24-27)
- If the law puts one under slavery and grace gives one freedom, how does this impact not only salvation but your daily Christian walk? (Galatians 4:28-31) (Read Romans 6:15-18 first)
- How can we pray for you?