Christian Freedom is Doing What Pleases God Galatians

Christian Freedom is Doing What Pleases God! Galatians 5: 13 -15

Are we truly Free? �Paul referred to himself has the bond servant of Christ � Romans 1: 1 �Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God � Philippians 1: 1 �Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus �Bond-servant is from the Greek word doulos which truly means slave.

Thought It is erroneous that we should have the expectation that God will always be present for us in our daily lives for provision and protection, but to only devote to Him when it is most convenient for us.

Our Christian Freedom Galatians 5: 13 -15 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Big Idea Galatians 5: 13 -15 Our freedom that was purchased by the blood of Christ is not a freedom to do as we please but to do what pleases God.

I. The Call � We were called to freedom (v 13) � For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. �A. We were called out of sin � Love – is a one way unconditional act of the will that seeks the highest good for another regardless of the cost and all for the glory of God.

I. The Call � We were called to freedom (v 13) � For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. �B. We were called to serve one another � Matthew 20: 26 -28 �“ 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. ”

Thought “The modern cry 'less creed and more liberty' is the degeneration from the vertebrate to the jelly fish, and means less unity and less morality, and it means more heresy. ” B. H. Carroll

Legalism Vs. Libertinism Stream of Legalism Stream of Libertinism �Clear �Quiet �Sparkling �Still �Pure �Easy �Deep �Contaminated �Furious �Polluted

Luke 10: 24 “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ”

II. The Command � We are commanded to love each other as ourselves(v 14) � For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ” �A. We must accept ourselves � We must appreciate and accept our standing of who we are in person and in Christ before we can properly serve one another.

II. The Command � We are commanded to love each other as ourselves(v 14) � For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ” �B. We serve because we love not because of law � True freedom is not to be without guidance and restrictive laws are not guidance. It is the guidance of the Spirit and the guidance of loving others as yourself and to fulfill the motivations of the commandments of God.

III. The Caution � We are not to strive with one another, but if we do we are to seek restoration (v 15) � But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. �A. We must apply restrictions to our action; for love does not harm another. � If love is not the motivator, we run the risk of harming one another and breaking the unity of the Church.

III. The Caution � We are not to strive with one another, but if we do we are to seek restoration (v 15) � But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. �B. We each bring something to the fellowship of the saints. � When we forget the joy of our salvation we can easily become bitter and prideful, but when we remember the joy we have in Christ we shall always be willing to serve one another.

IV. Conclusion �If we are not engaged with the body of Christ how can we serve the body of Christ? �If we are not with the body how are we part of the body? �We each play a pivotal role in the body and if we are missing, even for what is perceived as a small event like a Thursday night bible study, how effective can the body be? �Is a Thursday night bible study a small thing?

Thought The church is a family, bound together by the blood of Christ and a body stitched together by the sinew of the Holy Spirit.

Thought “It is a positive and hurtful sin to magnify liberty at the expense of doctrine. ” B. H. Carroll