Purchased for Freedom

Galatians 5:1-15

Freedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

The Big Idea:For freedom, Christ set us free.

The Big Question: What is freedom in Christ, and how do we experience it?

What is Freedom in Christ?

1. Freedom from the Law 2. Freedom from Sin 3. Freedom to love God and love

people from the heart

Outline:

1. Freedom from the Law 2. Freedom from Sin

1. Freedom from the Law

Galatians 5:1-4For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.

Galatians 5:1-4Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.

The Key Command:Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” G

Stand firm à a military term

Freedom requires an ongoing fight against any works based

idea of justification.

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”

Early American Proverb

How specifically were the Galatians supposed to stand firm?

How specifically were the Galatians suppose to stand firm?They must refuse to be circumcised.

The Consequences of Circumcision:

• Christ will not benefit you at all (v.2).

The Consequences of Circumcision:

• Christ will not benefit you at all (v.2).• Obligation to do the entire law (v. 3).

The Consequences of Circumcision:

• Christ will not benefit you at all (v.2).• Obligation to do the entire law (v. 3).• Alienated from Christ and His grace (v.4).

What was wrong with circumcision?

Galatians 5:4You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.

The Root IssueJustification by the law vs. Justification by faith

Why were the Galatians at a crossroads?

Galatians 5:7-12You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth? This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.

Galatians 5:7-12I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted?

Galatians 5:7-12In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

The offense of the cross:1. You are so bad you deserve to spend

eternity in hell.

The offense of the cross:1. You are so bad you deserve to spend

eternity in hell.2. You are so bad it’s impossible for you

to save yourself.

The offense of the cross:1. You are so bad you deserve to spend

eternity in hell.2. You are so bad it’s impossible for you

to save yourself.3. You are so bad only the death of God

could save you.

What does freedom from the law look like?

Galatians 5:5-6For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.

What does freedom from the law look like?

Freedom from the Law:1. An eager waiting for heaven instead

of an anxious working for heaven.

Galatians 5:5For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.

What does the hope of righteousness mean?

1 John 3:2-3Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Freedom from the Law:1. An eager waiting for heaven instead

of an anxious working for heaven.2. A life focused on loving God not

religious rituals.

Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.

Freedom in Christ is the capacity to love God and love others from the

heart the way God designed human beings to live.

Galatians 6:15For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.

2. Freedom from Sin

Galatians 5:13-15For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement:

Galatians 5:13-15Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

What is the flesh?

What is the flesh?

The flesh represents our natural desire to live and look for life independently of God.

Freedom in Christ is not freedom to sin but freedom from sin.

Galatians 5:13-14For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

What does freedom from sin look like?

Freedom from sin:A life devoted to loving other people rather than pursuing our own selfish desires.

“I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything. The sun came up like gold through the trees, and I felt like I was in heaven.”

Harriet Tubman

“Now I've been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is. I have seen hundreds of escaped slaves, but I never saw one who was willing to go back and be a slave. ”

Harriet Tubman

Romans 6:17-18But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Freedom in Christ is the capacity to love God and love others from the

heart the way God designed human beings to live.

Application

1. Remember daily how Jesus made Himself a slave to purchase your freedom.

Application

1. Remember daily how Jesus made Himself a slave to purchase your freedom.

2. Make yourself His slave daily in order to experience the freedom He died to purchase you