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TITLE: Freedom in Not Free!
Text:
Galatians 5:1, 13

PROPOSITION: What is freedom in Christ?

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Read: Galatians 5:1, 13

  2. About the day:

    1. Two days from now July 4th, the day on which we, as American Citizens, celebrate our independence as a nation.

    2. In the year 1776 on this day, the Declaration of Independence was signed by the founders of this nation.

    3. Now in the year 2006, we remember this day and celebrate our freedom.

    4. But what is freedom? Why is it so important? Why do we so cherish it?

  3. I looked up the word "freedom" in the dictionary and there were 16 definitions.

    1. There were three that stood out:

      1. Liberty of a person from slavery, detention, or oppression.

      2. The capacity to exercise choice.

      3. The power to engage in certain actions without control or interference.

    2. We value freedom because . . .

      1. We don't want to be oppressed.

      2. We don’t wish to be controlled.

      3. We want to exercise our choice.

  4. Freedom can only be understood when we understand that from which we wish to be free.

  5. We must also note that freedom does not mean complete release from restraint.

  6. To guarantee freedom to all, some restraints must be in place.

  7. Freedom is not anarchy.

  8. About the text:

    1. In the text we have just read, Paul calls attention to the freedom of these Christians.

    2. The book of Galatians deals with the problem of certain Jewish Christians who were teaching that all Christians needed to obey the tenets of the Mosaic Law.

    3. This was a problem discussed in Acts 15 (verse 1).

    4. Peter said in that chapter, "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" ( Acts 15:10).

    5. Paul's words here in Galatians 5:1 are similar, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

    6. Paul in essences reminds them that they are now free from the burden of the Mosaic Law.

    7. In verse 13, however, he reminds them that freedom is not anarchy. He says, "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

    8. Christians are free, but they are not free from everything.

 

DISCUSSION: What is the relationship of the Christian to freedom?

  1. The Christian is free from sin.

    1. John 8:31, 32 " Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

    2. Every person in the world is born free to choose.

    3. But at some point in our life we choose to be enslaved to sin by committing sin.

    4. John 8:33, 34 "They answered unto him, We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin."

    5. How do we become free from sin? Discuss Romans 6.

  2. The Christian is free from the Mosaic Law.

    1. Romans 8:2 states, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

    2. This is the point that Paul is making in Galatians 4 and 5 as well.

    3. As Peter said, the Mosaic law was a yoke which we were not able to bear ( Acts 15:10).

    4. There are many today who say that we are under no law at all.

    5. But to be under no law is to be under sin, because sin is lawlessness ( 1 John 3:4).

    6. The Christian is no longer under bondage to the Mosaic Law.

  3. The Christian is not free from Christ.

    1. Having freedom does not mean that we are free from all things.

    2. Freedom from all things is lawlessness, and John says that sin is lawlessness ( 1 John 3:4).

    3. Anarchy does not bring freedom, but just the opposite.

    4. True freedom can only be obtained when we recognize that we have limitations on our actions.

    5. The Christian is in bondage to Christ.

    6. Peter, Paul, and James both considered themselves bond servants to God and Christ ( Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1). The Greek word "doulos" literally means a slave.

    7. Remember John 8:31? If ye abide in my words…..

    8. We are no longer servants of sin, but we are servants of righteousness ( Romans 6:18).

    9. We must act like servants of Christ.

    10. We must obey Christ's word ( Hebrews 5:9 "…to all who obey him").

    11. We must follow the example of Christ: "For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps" ( 1 Peter 2:21).

    12. We must serve one another "…Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resists the proud, but giveth grace to the humble" ( 1 Peter 5:5).

    13. Galatians 5:13, 14 " For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

CONCLUSION:

  1. The Korean War Memorial – numbers of killed, wounded and missing from each nation.

  2. As you walk by these numbers, you end up at another wall wherein is inscribed, "Freedom is not free."

Invitation - Freedom is not free!

  1. It took the death of God's son on the cross to purchase our freedom and redeem us from the bondage of sin.

  2. What will you do with your freedom?

  3. Will you acknowledge the great sacrifice that Jesus made for you at the cross and give him your loyalty? Freedom is not free!

  4. Jesus paid the price for your sin, but if you reject him, you will pay for your sin yourself eternally. Freedom is not free!

 

Ideas and major outline from Freedom

By Kevin Cauley Date written: July 3rd, 2004

 


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