On April 12, 2026, Kuala Lumpur Immanuel Church held its first Sunday service after Easter and began its journey toward Pentecost.

Pastor Samuel Chang delivered a sermon titled “You Are No Longer a Slave, but God’s Child,” based on Galatians 3:15–4:31, urging believers to reaffirm their identity as children of God as they move toward Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Drawing from Galatians chapters 3 and 4, Pastor Chang explained the dramatic shift from the “era of the law” to the “era of grace.” Under the law, humanity lived like slaves—bound and unable to attain true freedom. However, through Jesus Christ, a new era has begun: the era of sons. By faith, believers are no longer slaves but adopted as God’s children, able to call Him “Abba, Father,” expressing a close and intimate relationship.

He emphasized that faith is not merely belief, but accepting and experiencing God’s love. Through this faith, Christians gain a new identity and freedom. Referencing Galatians 3:28–29, Pastor Chang highlighted the radical equality found in Christ—where distinctions of race, status, and gender are abolished. In contrast to the rigid social and religious divisions of the past, the gospel proclaims that all are one in Christ and equally valued as God’s sons and daughters.

Pastor Chang also warned against returning to a “slave mentality.” Just as the Israelites were freed from Egypt but longed to return, believers today may be tempted to revert to legalism or worldly patterns. He urged the congregation to stand firm in the freedom of the gospel, rather than going backward into spiritual bondage.

The sermon further explored the apostle Paul’s pastoral heart. While Paul had previously rebuked the Galatians, he now appeals to them with deep love, reminding them of their earlier devotion. Pastor Chang noted that restoration in faith comes not through fear or condemnation, but by recalling and rekindling one’s first love for God.

In a theological reflection on Book of Genesis, Pastor Chang explained Paul’s allegory of Sarah and Hagar. Ishmael, born through human effort, represents life according to the flesh, while Isaac, born through God’s promise, represents life by faith. Believers, he stressed, are children of promise and must live accordingly—trusting in God rather than relying on human strength.

Concluding his message, Pastor Chang called on Christians to fully depend on God, especially in times of weakness. Rather than striving through human effort, believers should humble themselves, pray, and trust in God’s promises. This posture of faith, he said, is essential for fulfilling their calling and advancing the Great Commission.