Freedom: Opportunity flesh or Spirit
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Land of the Free!
Land of the Free!
We live in a Country that claims to be the land of the free and the home of the brave, but is that enough? In our Country just like in our Christian walk you have choices in your freedom, what you do with it, or not do with it. Paul is going to elaborate on freedom, the opportunity to live in the flesh or in the Spirit.
(FDR Picture)
On Jan 6, 1941 at the end of a speech to Congress FDR shared his vision of the kind of Country, kind of world he wanted to see after the war was over. He elaborated on 4 freedoms
Some basic desired freedoms
Freedom of speech
Freedom of worship
Freedom from want
and Freedom from fear
Does man need any other freedom?
The answer is yes, man needs another freedom, one they cannot obtain on their own.
Man needs freedom from himself and the tyranny of our sinful nature.
Legalists, or in the case of the Galatians Judiazers believe more rules, more regulations, that legislation and bigger government will solve the problem. But, in reality legislation cannot change a man’s sinful nature. It’s not the law on the outside that changes things, it is the love on the inside that changes things!
Its not the power of the people that changes things it is the power of God, the Holy Spirit that changes things.
Galatians is filled with contrast of flesh and Spirit and this is a great reminder to us today that we too have the Spirit when we received Christ and our sins were forgiven.
How did you receive the Spirit (Gal3:2)
Did you get it in the flesh by works? Or was it by faith?
You were born of the Spirit (Gal4:29)
You were born, reborn, according to the Spirit
The Spirit cries out “Abba Father” on your behalf as a child of God saved by faith.
It is the Spirit that empowers and enables us to live for Christ.
It is the Spirit that assures us of our salvation (Gal4:6)
He is the divine person God gives to us, to live, dwell in us.
In a paraphrase quote from W Wiersbe
What God the Father planned, God the Son purchased for you on the cross. What the Son purchased the Spirit personalizes it for you and gives you everything you need to apply it in your life as you yield to Him.
Before we were born of the Spirit (Jn3:5) we were ruled by sin (Rom5:21), even if we do not want to admit it. Sin brings death, death to joy, relationships, and it even destroys families.
Praise be to God that we were called from that and that is not who we are anymore when we surrender in obedience to Christ through the gospel message.
(Freedom’s cost picture)
This liberty, this freedom, this opportunity is not liberty to sin, but liberty from sin. No longer in bondage to it!
Our liberty, our freedom, just as there was a, is a great cost to our Country to protect it came at a great cost to God. The cost was His only begotten Son. To the Son it was a great cause becoming a curse and dying on a tree for you and me.
Remember Paul is writing to Christians and his words may be hard to hear, but all the more necessary so they do not give up, loose their freedom. We have freedom, we have an opportunity walk in the flesh or walk in the Spirit, so chose wisely.
Chose our Christian Freedom!
Chose our Christian Freedom!
God sent the Christ so that all may come to repentance and have freedom from bondage and the wages of sin, but man has a choice. our choices matter.
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.
(Freedom-1 picture)
In our Christian freedom we can be extremists can’t we?
Liberty, Freedom = Licence to do whatever we want
Liberty, Freedom = legalism, rules, regulations for everything
True freedom is not a license and it is not legalism, it is love!
Christian freedom we are no longer slave to sin (Rom6:6)
The body of sin is done away with and we are no longer slaves to sin, so don’t enslave yourself to something God set you free from.
Christian freedom is free from penalty of Sin (Rom3:23; Rom6:23)
Wages of sin is death, but God, through Jesus took on those wages, that penalty for you.
Christian freedom is free from the power of sin (1Cor15:56-57)
Death loses its sting, for the power of sin is the law, but our victory is found in the death of Christ, confirmed by the resurrection of Christ and promised by the ascension of Christ.
Jesus purchased our freedom on the cross, we received our freedom when we were buried and raised with him (you can read on that in Rom6:1-7) for then we know the truth and the truth sets us, makes us free (Jn8:32)
The truth has made us free! This is important, we do not want the freedom that He purchased for us, that we received by faith to become a license for the flesh since the flesh has already been done away with.
Don’t desert the Gospel, the grace of God (Gal1:6)
Don’t cut yourself off or fall from grace (Gal5:4)
So, be sure to make the best of your opportunities today, love one another (Gal5:13)
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.
We live in what is known as the land of the free, a democratic Country. A government of the people, for the people as the constitution says, take a second and think of forms of government.
Monarch - governed by one
Oligarchy - governed by few
Aristocracy - governed by the elite
plutocracy - governed by the wealthy
Democracy - governed by the people
Christianity is the only true democracy because a Christian thinks of his neighbor just as much as he does himself. So, may we learn to be a promoter of Christianity by our love.
I don’t want us to loose out on the opportunity we have to love, to grasp the freedom we have, having been set free from the bondage of sin and the bondage of our flesh, we know that our faith speaks through the working of love.
May your working of love speak of your faith (Gal5:6)
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Faith working in love has set you free from law (Gal1:1-5, 12)
Faith working in love has set you free from flesh (Gal5:14-21)
Faith working in love will result in change in your life when you apply it (Gal5:22-6:18)
Oglivie says it like this
“When we focus on the ‘thou shall” and not the “shall not’s” then we will see the love that set’s man free and keeps man free in the grace of God.”
Law builds fences; love builds bridges
Bridges to ways and places we can serve and love one another better so we do not devour one another.
Devouring was going on for there were two camps going on, one grace alone, the other grace plus the law
Today we can have the same problem when we get legalistic for that tears down when love wants to build up.
May we remember it is not about the physical (circumcision) but the spiritual, faith working through love (as mentioned Gal5:6; and see in Gal5:22-23)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
We will get into these verses next week, but the point tonight is the opportunity of flesh or spirit, may we chose the spirit and the spirit is love. For the Spirit works in the people of God through the Word of God to accomplish the will of God all for the glory of God. Paul calls, challenges them and us today to chose to walk in the Spirit.
Choose to walk by the Spirit
Choose to walk by the Spirit
The flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another,there is a conflict, but thanks be to God there is conquering through love too (Gal5:16-17).
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
The spirit and the flesh do not get along, maybe like you and a sibling when you were growing up; maybe like Ismael and Isaac.
If the Holy Spirit controls the body, then we walk in the Spirit, but if the flesh controls the body, then we walk in the lusts (desires) for the flesh. Both have different appetites, so which one are you going to feed?
In this battle between flesh and the Spirit we need the power of the Spirit, not the spirit of legalism that days deal with the flesh by doing this or not doing that. We are called to surrender to the Spirit to the power of God to work i and through us.
Paul puts it like this, if sin is preoccupying your thoughts; choose to walk in the Spirit
If the lusts of this world (eyes, flesh, pride of life - Jn2:15-17) are taking your thoughts; choose to walk in the Spirit.
The simplest way to walk in the Spirit is to know and to embrace the goodness of God. Let His spirit lead you if it be a practical expression of love, or a powerful word of prayer for someone, maybe even an encouragement offered or an act of mercy given.
We cannot overcome the flesh by our power, we need God’s power, God’s Spirit to do it. We may thing we are ready, willing and able, but the flesh is weak (Mt26:41; Ro7:15-25)
Jesus says the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Paul struggled with the flesh and gives great example in Romans 7, for the fight, the battle is real
15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
Paul knows why and acknowledges the issue
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
He knows the source too
17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
Paul also knows the hope
25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
True power is found in the law of God; which is love (Rom5:5)
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The power of God that was poured out! The Spirit of God given to the heart of man to overcome the flesh so as to be able to walk in the spirit.
That now brings us to the conquering conquest!
The assurance of our freedom (Gal5:18)
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
No longer bound to a system of works; or the law of sin and death.
The promise of our freedom (Rom8:1)
For there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus
The source of our freedom (Heb10:14-17)
I should give you these verses
14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says, 17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
The results, proof of our freedom (Ps40:8)
God puts his law within our hearts so we delight to do His will
The desire from our freedom (php2:13)
God works in us to both will and to work for His good pleasure.
Paul is now going to list some things that were put to death at the cross when we received forgiveness and given the Spirit. May we remember there is no room for these things in the life of a Christian for they are replaced by the fruit of the Spirit.
Death notice
Death notice
As we look at this next passage, as hard as is it to look at, may we remember Christ died on the cross so these things could be put to death when you were resurrected at baptism. Our flesh may try to manufacture these things again, but the Spirit has given us victory over things.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
These sins can be seen in three categories:
Sensual sins (Gal5:19, 21)
Immorality: There are things that we may consider immoral today that at the time of this writing was not considered immoral. promiscuity was common practice in the culture then. It was not considered impurity
Impurity: This could be anything considered impure that would keep a person out of the temple, or anything that would be considered repulsive to God. This one makes me think of another passage, listen to what Paul is saying to Titus (below is not on screen, leave it that way)
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Sensuality/debauchery: This is total disregard for decency. This is the person who does not care about public censure or the wrath of God.
Carousing: This goes hand in hand with immorality
Superstitious sins (Gal5:20; Deu18:10-12)
Idolatry: That is anything you put before God. Anything that would keep you from seeking God through His Word and through His people. Don’t let Sunday’s NFL package or anything else keep you from God’s call. Idolatry does not have to be a graven image. It can be a busyness that keeps you from assembly and a deeper call, walk with Christ.
Witchcraft/Sorcery) - this is the Greek word “pharmakeia” which I’m sure you can guess we get the word pharmacy from. What does a pharmacy provide, drugs. Now witchcraft/sorcery want to take away your sound mind by dark powers and potions that keep you from your walk, or hinder your walk with Christ.
Listen to what the law says about these things from Deu18:10-12 (Below not on the screen, leave it that way)
10 “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
12 “For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you.
Detestable things to the Lord your God.
Social sins (Gal5:19, 21)
Enmities, strife, jealousy - the attitude, the mind that challenges, leads to strife divisions, jealousy which are the outworking of enmity.
Outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions and envying - whew, what a list there and many of them come from our self seeking; self ambitious ways without care or concern for others, promoting self over promoting the the Lord. Dissensions/factions can cause church splits when people follow a person and not the Bible. Its about the message not the messenger! Envy is wanting what someone else has, it is holding a grudge against someone who has something.
Drunkenness - Don’t thing I need to elaborate on this one much, some of your versions in this verse may have added the word murder, and that is great too, and that too does not need to be elaborated on does it?
Look at the end of (v.21) again
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is a salvation issue! We are not talking about a one time occurance but a lifestyle of the flesh not the spirit. Paul wanted the Galatians to be in shock bythe list, just as we should be in shock from it, uncomfortable in it, knowing that the grace of God is at risk.
We cannot end the night on a negative note, a solemn warning without a great truth, promise, encouragement from the Word too.
To the believer we are no longer under the law of Moses, or the law of sin and death, but we are under grace, justification by faith, where there is no free license to sin but freed from sin.
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!
Christ has removed the penalty of sin when we were buried and rose with him! The power of sin has been broken the chains are gone and you are free to walk in the spirit and not under obligation to the flesh.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
(Encouragement slide - Let the Spirit Lead you picture)
The Spirit is in you, the Spirit does the work and the Spirit will lead you because you are a son of God, a child of God! (expand encouragement but be careful of the time).
(Encouragement slide 2) Prayer, Exit slides