Date: 26 July 2026
Sermon Title: Free As Children
Scripture Passage: Galatians 3:26–4:7 (NIV)
Speaker: Sister Ho Gaik Kim
Introduction
Sister Ho Gaik Kim shared that one of the greatest blessings of the Gospel is that every believer is not merely forgiven, but is adopted into God's family as His beloved child. Through faith in Jesus Christ, Christians receive a completely new identity. We are no longer slaves to sin, the Law, fear, or worldly status, but sons and daughters of God with full rights and privileges.
The Apostle Paul wrote the Letter to the Galatians to correct the false teaching that salvation could be earned by observing the Law. Sister Ho reminded us that our relationship with God is entirely based on His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Because of Christ's finished work on the cross, we now enjoy freedom—not freedom to live according to our own desires, but freedom to live as God's beloved children.
Key Scripture
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Galatians 3:26–27 (NIV)
Sister Ho highlighted that becoming God's child is not earned by good works, religious achievements, family background, or obedience to the Law. It is received solely through faith in Jesus Christ. When we place our trust in Him, we are united with Christ and clothed with His righteousness.
1. The Basis of Becoming God's Children
Faith in Jesus Christ
(Galatians 3:26–27)
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith."
(Galatians 3:26)
Sister Ho shared that the foundation of our identity is found "in Christ." Being "in Christ" means believing in Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures, trusting Him as Lord and Saviour, and entering into a personal relationship with Him through faith.
She reminded us that Christianity is not merely following religious traditions or moral teachings. It is being united with Christ Himself.
Paul also wrote:
"...all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
(Galatians 3:27)
Sister Ho explained that "clothed with Christ" symbolizes receiving a new identity. Just as clothing changes one's outward appearance, believers are now spiritually covered with Christ's righteousness. God no longer sees us according to our sinful past but through the righteousness of His Son.
Our acceptance before God is therefore based entirely upon Christ and not upon our own performance.
2. Free as Children of God
Having established our identity in Christ, Sister Ho explained four wonderful freedoms that belong to every child of God.
i. Free from Human Distinctions
(Galatians 3:28–29)
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
(Galatians 3:28)
Sister Ho reminded us that the Gospel removes every barrier that divides people.
These include:
Ethnic distinctions
Social status
Gender distinctions
Before God, every believer stands equally in need of His grace.
She highlighted that God's family is no longer defined by race, nationality, wealth, education, occupation, or social standing. Our identity is found solely in Christ.
The Church therefore becomes one spiritual family where every member is equally loved, equally valued, and equally accepted by God.
Paul further declares:
"If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
(Galatians 3:29)
Believers inherit God's promises not because of their ethnicity but because they belong to Jesus Christ.
ii. Free from the Law
(Galatians 4:1–5)
Paul explains that before Christ came, God's people were like children under guardians and managers.
"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son... to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."
(Galatians 4:4–5)
Sister Ho reminded us that Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly on our behalf.
Because Christ has paid the full price for our sins, believers are no longer condemned under the Law nor required to earn God's acceptance through human effort.
Our relationship with God is based entirely upon grace.
This freedom does not encourage sinful living but enables joyful obedience born out of love rather than fear.
iii. Free to Call God "Abba, Father"
(Galatians 4:6–7a)
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'"
(Galatians 4:6)
Sister Ho highlighted that one of the greatest privileges believers receive is intimacy with God.
The word "Abba" expresses the warm, trusting, and affectionate cry of a child toward a loving father.
It reflects closeness, security, dependence, and confidence.
This relationship is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit living within every believer.
Instead of approaching God with fear or uncertainty, Christians may come boldly before Him as dearly loved children.
iv. Free to Receive Our Inheritance
(Galatians 4:7b)
"And since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
(Galatians 4:7)
Sister Ho reminded us that every child of God is also an heir.
Our inheritance includes:
God's Presence
"I am going there to prepare a place for you... that you also may be where I am."
(John 14:2–3)
Jesus promises eternal fellowship with Him.
Salvation
"...an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade."
(1 Peter 1:3–5)
Our eternal salvation is secure because it is guarded by God's power.
God Himself
David declares:
"Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup."
(Psalm 16:5)
and
"God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
(Psalm 73:26)
Sister Ho emphasized that the greatest inheritance believers receive is not merely heaven, but God Himself. Nothing compares with knowing Him personally and living forever in His presence.
Conclusion
Sister Ho reminded us that through Jesus Christ, believers have received an entirely new identity. We are no longer slaves living under fear, condemnation, or worldly labels, but beloved children of God who enjoy His grace, freedom, and inheritance.
Our identity is founded upon faith in Christ rather than our achievements. As God's children, we are called to live free from prejudice, free from legalism, free to enjoy intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father, and free to embrace the eternal inheritance He has prepared for us.
May we continually live with the confidence, joy, and assurance that we truly belong to God's family and faithfully reflect His love to those around us.
Take-Home Message
Because we are God's beloved children through faith in Christ, let us live confidently in His grace, walk daily in intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father, and faithfully reflect His love to the world.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
1. How does knowing God as Father help us in our daily life?
Knowing God as our Heavenly Father gives us confidence, security, and peace in every circumstance. We know that He loves us unconditionally, provides for our needs, guides our decisions, forgives our failures, and disciplines us out of love. Instead of facing life's challenges alone, we can confidently bring every burden to Him in prayer, trusting that He cares for us as His beloved children (Matthew 6:25–34; Romans 8:15–17).
2. What do you think are some worldly distinctions that still exist in the church today? Discuss practical steps that we can take to help remove them.
Some worldly distinctions that still exist include differences based on race, language, education, social status, wealth, age, profession, and ministry position. These divisions can hinder genuine Christian fellowship.
Practical steps include:
Welcoming everyone equally regardless of background.
Building friendships across cultures and generations.
Serving together in ministry instead of forming exclusive groups.
Valuing every person's spiritual gifts rather than their social status.
Remembering that every believer is equally loved and accepted by God through Christ (Galatians 3:28).
3. Why do you think some Christians have difficulty addressing God as "Abba, Father"? Besides praying, what are some things that can be done to help overcome it?
Some believers struggle because of painful experiences with earthly fathers, feelings of guilt, shame, insecurity, or an incomplete understanding of God's grace. Others may still see God primarily as a distant judge rather than a loving Father.
Besides prayer, we can:
Regularly study Scriptures that reveal God's fatherly love.
Meditate on our identity as God's children.
Join small groups or Disciples Groups where encouragement and accountability are provided.
Seek healing for past emotional wounds through biblical counselling or mature Christian mentoring.
Practise thanking God daily for His love and faithfulness.
As we grow in knowing God's character, our confidence in calling Him "Abba, Father" will deepen.
4. Reflect on our inheritance as God's children. What can cause Christians sometimes to lose sight of their inheritance in Christ?
Christians may lose sight of their inheritance when they become consumed by worldly success, material possessions, career pressures, personal disappointments, suffering, or the distractions of daily life. Fear, comparison, and spiritual complacency can also shift our focus away from eternal realities.
To remain focused on our inheritance, we should:
Spend regular time reading God's Word.
Keep an eternal perspective through prayer and worship.
Remember God's promises concerning our future hope.
Serve others faithfully as good stewards of God's grace.
Continually rejoice that our greatest inheritance is not merely heaven itself, but an everlasting relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Psalm 73:26).
Opening Prayer
Disciples Group Meeting
Sermon Discussion: Free As Children
Galatians 3:26–4:7 (NIV)
Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father,
We come before Thy holy presence this evening with grateful hearts, giving Thee all praise, honour, and glory. We thank Thee for gathering us together once again as brothers and sisters in Christ to study Thy Holy Word and to encourage one another in our journey of faith.
Lord, we thank Thee for speaking to us through last Sunday's sermon, "Free As Children." Thank Thee for reminding us that through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin, fear, condemnation, or the burden of trying to earn Thy acceptance, but have been adopted into Thy family as Thy beloved sons and daughters.
As we begin our discussion tonight, we humbly invite Thy Holy Spirit to be present among us. Open our hearts and minds to understand Thy Word more deeply. Grant us wisdom and spiritual discernment as we reflect upon the truths found in Galatians 3:26–4:7.
Teach us to live confidently in the freedom that Christ has purchased for us. Help us to remember that our identity is found not in our achievements, failures, status, possessions, or the opinions of others, but solely in Thy unfailing love and amazing grace. May we truly know what it means to cry out to Thee, "Abba, Father," with complete trust, childlike faith, and joyful confidence.
As we share our reflections tonight, grant each one of us humility to listen, courage to speak honestly, and love to encourage one another. May our discussions strengthen our faith, deepen our understanding of Thy Word, and draw us into closer fellowship with Thee and with one another.
We also pray for every member of our Disciples Group, especially those who are unable to join us this evening. Bless them wherever they are, strengthen those who are weary, comfort those who are burdened, heal those who are unwell, and remind every one of us that we are dearly loved children of God.
Bless Wesley Methodist Church Melaka, together with Bethany Church Melaka, Seremban, Nilai, and Kajang. Continue to unite Thy people in love and truth. Raise up faithful disciples who will boldly proclaim the Gospel and faithfully serve Thee in every generation.
May everything we do tonight bring glory to Thy holy Name and deepen our desire to live as faithful children who honour Thee in every area of our lives.
We commit this Disciples Group meeting into Thy loving hands.
In the precious and mighty Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Disciples Group Meeting
Sermon Discussion: Free As Children
Our Gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank Thee for Thy wonderful presence throughout our Disciples Group gathering this evening. We are grateful for Thy Holy Spirit who has guided our discussions, spoken to our hearts, and reminded us once again of the immeasurable riches of Thy grace.
Thank Thee for teaching us that through faith in Jesus Christ we have been adopted into Thy family as Thy beloved children. We rejoice that we are no longer slaves living in fear, but heirs of Thy glorious promises. Thank Thee that we can confidently come before Thee and call Thee, "Abba, Father," knowing that Thy love for us is unconditional, steadfast, and everlasting.
Lord, help us not merely to understand these truths with our minds but to live them out each day. When we are tempted to measure our worth by our successes, failures, or the expectations of the world, remind us that our identity is securely rooted in Christ alone. Teach us to walk in the freedom that Thy grace has given us, living lives marked by humility, holiness, love, and obedience.
Help us to remove every barrier of prejudice, pride, selfish ambition, and worldly distinction within Thy Church. May we truly love one another as members of one family in Christ, reflecting Thy compassion, unity, and acceptance to everyone we meet.
Strengthen each member of our Disciples Group as we return to our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. May our lives become living testimonies of Thy transforming grace. Give us opportunities this week to encourage those who feel rejected, discouraged, or burdened, reminding them that in Christ they too can become children of God.
We continue to lift up Wesley Methodist Church Melaka and all her ministries before Thee. Bless every pastor, preacher, leader, Disciples Group, ministry team, youth, children, families, and congregation. May Thy Church continue to shine brightly as a faithful witness of Christ in our community.
We also pray for our nation, Malaysia. Grant wisdom to our leaders, peace throughout our land, unity among all races, and revival within Thy Church. May many come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
As we depart from this meeting, may Thy presence go before us, Thy peace guard our hearts, Thy wisdom guide our decisions, and Thy love overflow through our lives so that others may see Christ in us.
May we continue to live each day with joyful confidence, knowing that we are Thy beloved children and heirs of Thy eternal kingdom.
We commit ourselves completely into Thy loving care.
In the glorious Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we pray with thanksgiving. Amen.
