Pentecost 4 - Proper 7

Galatians 3:26-29
“Who Do You Think You Are?”

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ

When Alex Haley, the author of Roots, appeared on the “Tonight” show with Johnny Carson, he received 18,000 letters asking him for help in finding who they are. Self-identity is the big question and problem for many today. A Christian should not have this problem, for Paul in our text tells who a Christian is. You are sons and daughters of God because.

1. You have faith in Christ. V. 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. You have been re-born as children of God.

A. People with a promise see their origin as children created by their heavenly Father.

1. We no not live for ourselves.

2. Rather, we live for Him who died for us making us the children of God.

B. People with a promise see their relationship to God enhancing life.

1. Your life in Christ ought to make us better people.

2. As He has impacted us we in turn influence others. This what it means to be salt and light in the world. Jesus said, You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [Matthew 5:13-15]

Transition: You are people with a promise. You were reborn to be the children of God as you are clothed with Christ.

2. You have been baptized into Christ. V. 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. You are now clothed with Christ.

A. People with a promise find identity in their saving relationship with God through Christ.

1. Ours is not a religion but a living relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.

2. A relationship assumes there will be interaction, conversation, a bonding.

B. People with a promise find motivation and assurance through the role of Christ’s grace.

1. They know that by grace through faith they are properly clothed for the wedding banquet of God’s Son.

2. They are motivated to share their clothes with those who are needy, thus expressing their faith and love.

Transition: You are people with a promise. Reborn to be the children of God you are clothed with Christ as you were baptized in the Spirit of Christ.

3. You have put on Christ. V.27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. You have been baptized in the Spirit of Christ.

A. People with a promise are washed clean of unrighteousness.

1. The water of Baptism washes away sin and assures us of forgiveness.

2. The word of Baptism miraculously creates and sustains faith, whereby we trust in the saving promise of the Spirit.

B. People with a promise are born again into the kingdom of God.

Without the saving grace of Christ proclaimed to Abraham, we have no promise. The promised inheritance of salvation is not something we earn, nor is it something that can be taken away form us by a selfish generation of pleasure-seeking people who do not concern themselves with the future. The most precious inheritance that we can be communicated to us is that we are secure as divinely destined people with a promise of salvation.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use