Freedom: Marks of Freedom

Freedom - Book of Galatians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  47:16
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A Heartfelt Conclusion

Paul loved to close out his letters was a personal touch, a word of encouragement and words of grace and peace (1The5:28; 2The3:17-18; Php4:23). The letter to the church at Galatia is a little more in depth. He still has a little more to say.
Things to consider as we finish this writing of Paul tonight.
Why did Paul write an entire section to the church?
It seems that the Holy Spirit wants Paul to do a little more contrasting before closing out the letter.
Why with such large letters?
Some believe it was large so he could read it himself because the thorn in his side could be problems with eyesight.
It could be written large for emphasis purposes
Why different from other closings?
There are normal conclusions, done in a conventional way.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 NASB95
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
and add
2 Thessalonians 3:17–18 NASB95
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
2the3:
Paul’s writing her is conclusional not conventional. He still has important things he wants to make sure the church there gets!
2 Thessalonians 3:17–18 NASB95
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Paul’s writing here is conclusional not conventional. He still has important things he wants to make sure the church there gets!
Markings on the legalist (Gal6:12-13)
Markings of Jesus Christ and the cross (Gal6:14-16)
(expand on this since it is Christmas night, spend a few minutes on the end result of the Christmas story is the fulfillment of the scripture in Christ Jesus as the D,B, R, A of Christ and the promised return)
Markings of the Apostle himself (Gal6:17-18)
Galatians 6:12–13 NASB95
12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
Galatians 6:14–15 NASB95
14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Galatians 6:16–17 NASB95
16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.

Galatians 6:18 NASB95
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
You can see one more time Paul is drawing a contrast between the legalist and the Spirit filled Christian, those trusting in the flesh of works and those trusting in the works of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:28 NASB95
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Several contrasts in the last 2 chapters are clearly shown in Paul making his defense in the Magna Carta of Christian Apologitics; between bondage or liberty (Gal5:1-12) flesh or spirit (Gal5:13-26) living for self or living for others (Gal6:1-10). All this sets up one more contrast for tonight, are we living for the praise of men, or the glory of God (Gal6:11-18)
2 Thessalonians 3:17–18 NASB95
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
and
Philippians 4:23 NASB95
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Everyone is marked by life in one way or another, in the closing of this letter you will see some markings:
Markings on the legalist (Gal6:12-13)
Markings of Jesus Christ and the cross (Gal6:14-16)
(expand on this since it is Christmas night, spend a few minutes on the end result of the Christmas story is the fulfillment of the scripture in Christ Jesus as the D,B, R, A of Christ and the promised return)
Markings of the Apostle himself (Gal6:17-18)

Marks of the legalist

Paul does not mince words does he? He does not hold back and in the passage he does not hold back from four ways he uses regarding the marks of the legalist. (Gal6:12-13; Gal5:11; 1Cor1:18-31; 2Cor7:10; 1Cor2:1-4; 2Cor4:1-5; Mt23:3; Gal5:1)
They are braggarts (Gal6:12)
They want to make converts of circumcision, the law, they want to make a good showing (v.12) in the flesh. Boasting of works, things on the outside and not the inside which is what needs the circumcision
Nothing wrong with wanting converts isn’t that what we all want? To share the gospel so people would be converted to Christianity that their souls may be saved
Nothing wrong with wanting converts isn’t that what we all want? To share the gospel so people would be converted to Christianity that their souls may be saved
We want to see more people sharing in our ministries, not so we can count people but because people count as W. Wiersbe would say.
We want to see more people sharing in our ministries, not so we can count people but because people count as W. Wiersbe would say.
Their work was not for the glory of God, it was for self-glory, so that they may boast.
Their work was not for the glory of God, it was for self-glory, so that they may boast.
They are compromisers
They compromised with the flesh for something that had to be done in the Spirit.
They preached circumcision to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
Galatians 5:11 NASB95
11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.
The cross was not a symbol of victory in the 1st century, it was a symbol of shame. It represented the worse kind of death that could happen and was the ultimate in humiliation.
Paul had some drastic life changes at and after the Damascus Road; He learned to trust Christ and identified with the cross of Christ and the consequences of the cross. To the church at Corinth he wrote
1 Corinthians 1:18–19 NASB95
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”
The cross was foolishness to the Jew
The word of the cross is? _______________= foolishness
1 Corinthians 1:20–21 NASB95
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1Cor
The foolishness of the cross
1 Corinthians 1:22–23 NASB95
22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
To the Jew the cross was a _____________, to the Gentile it was ___________
Eventhough it is a stumbling block, and it is foolishness we are to _________ Christ crucified, why? (subjective question)
1 Corinthians 1:24–25 NASB95
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:26–27 NASB95
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
1cor
To those called, called by the gospel, called by the completed work of the cross by faith it is to the shame of the wise.
1 Corinthians 1:28–29 NASB95
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God.
1Cor1:26-27
1 Corinthians 1:30–31 NASB95
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
By the cross, the work on the cross, the work of Christ Jesus it is the wisdom of God, it is righteousness, sanctification and redemption! Paul calls for him who boasts to boast of the Lord and he covers that in our passage tonight too.
1Cor1:30-31
Then it was circumcision for converts vs the shame of the cross. Today it is ear tickling conversion by a prayer vs. true godly sorrow that brings repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB95
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
They are persuaders
They want to compel, want to convince believers hat legalism is the way for them.
Jesus is great, but circumcision is needed.
They were good salesmen, they were smooth talkers and many were being persuaded.
How are people today being persuaded when it comes to the gospel?
They are hypocrites
They want people to submit to the law the law they cannot even keep themselves (v.13)
They want to be able to boast by you agreeing to circumcision and obeying the law, so this is very similar to what JEsus said
Matthew 23:3 NASB95
3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.
The legalist is a marked man, see the markings, detect the markings and avoid them. for Christ did to set you free!
Galatians 5:1 NASB95
1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Marks of Jesus Christ

The subject of the cross is a major issue throughout the book, you can look at many passages on that. I think it is necessary to come to the cross again with Paul with a brief look back (Gal2:21) for from there Paul is able to glory in the Cross.
Galatians 2:21 NASB95
21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
The wounds suffered on Calvary certainly make Christ a marked man. His markings make liberty, make freedom available to us who trust in Him.
The Judiazers/legalists boasted in circumcision; Paul boasted in a crucified and risen Savior! There are a few things we can know about Paul and we should know too for our personal faith journey.
He knew the person of the Cross (Gal6:14)
Jesus Christ, the person of the cross mentioned 45 times in this 6 chapter book. 1/3 of the verses reference Jesus. It is the person of the cross that make the cross glorious to Paul.
What about you, you say you know the person of the cross, but how much do you reference Him?
He knew the power of the Cross (Gal6:14; Gal3:13; Gal2:20; Gal5:24)
Out of the question that the educated, above his contemporaries, persecutor of people of the Way would think that the doctrine of sacrifice on the cross would be acceptable.
As mentioned before the cross of the day was a place of shame, but it was also the place of curse, for cursed is the man who hangs on a tree (see Gal3:13).
But to Paul the apostle he understands the power of the cross, the necessity of crucifixion for he even considered himself crucified.
Galatians 2:20 NASB95
20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
And those who are Christ’s too have crucified their flesh, how? through baptism (see Rom6:3-4)
Galatians 5:24 NASB95
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
In the death and resurrection of Christ the mark of freedom is released to give the believers deliverance and victory. It is no longer about us, it is about Him who lives in us and through us.
He knew the purpose of the Cross (Gal6:15; Rom5:17; Gal6:16; 1Pt2:9
To bring a new creation, the church
Galatians 6:15 NASB95
15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
To make us able to reign through Christ
Romans 5:17 NASB95
17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
To create a new nation and people
Galatians 6:16 NASB95
16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
The Israel of God!
1 Peter 2:9 NASB95
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
God’s own possession!
Do we bear the marks of Christ in our life today? If so, how? - - - we bear the marks when we deny self, pick up our cross (our burden) and follow Him; and we know that is contrary to the world. - we bear the marks when we are set apart from the world and we impact the world and not let the world impact us.
That brings us to the next example offered up.

The marks of the Apostle Paul

Paul made his marks well known prior to Damascus road (Gal1:13-14) and he served God with a clear conscience (2Tim1:3). The marks of Christ on Paul, and Paul’s distinguishable marks are there for us to see here in our passage.
Galatians 1:13–14
Previous marks, circumcision, pride (Php3:4-6)
Marks after Damascus, from suffering for Christ (Gal6:17-18)
Legalists want to mark for bragging rights; Paul bears marks of Christ for God’s glory (2Cor11:18-33)
In the passage from 2Cor11, Paul gives some history of what he has endured, the entire passage is worth reading, but let me highlight a few things.
5 times given 39 lashes (v.24)
3 times beaten with rod; 3 times ship wrecked (v.25)
But, I have to give you one verse at least
2 Corinthians 11:30–31 NASB95
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
Paul has a different boast then the legalist, the Judiazers.
Sin brands us (it marks our mind, our personality even as well as the body too), but love covers that brand, but as was Paul’s case it came with suffering for us, to it may include suffering (Php3:10)
A final thought on the marks of freedom
Sin brands us (it marks our mind, our personality even as well as the body too), but love covers that brand, but as was Paul’s case it came with suffering for us, to it may include suffering (Php3:10)
Our marks of freedom will come through tribulation, trouble (Jn16:33)
John 16:33 NASB95
33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Our marks of freedom will come with suffering (1Pt5:10)
1 Peter 5:10 NASB95
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Our marks come with great reward (Act14:22)
Acts 14:22 NASB95
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
But then look how he finishes this letter of freedom
Galatians 6:18 NASB95
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
(Encouragement slide- God’s grace is bigger than your sin)
Grace of our Lord, not grace in the Law of Moses, but our Lord Jesus Christ. May God’s grace and God’s assurance be with you.
Encouragement, prayer (exit slides)
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