Valuing the Cross- Freedom

Introduction

Freedom— Miriam Webster “the absence of restraint; a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated”

Freedom through the lens of independence Day - many guided by Biblical wisdom

against great odds, primitive conditions, bloody battles; bravery

liberty- civil, religious, personal

We celebrate this variety of ways- we want to remember

Greater liberty— cross- Valuing the Cross

Jesus knew we would forget

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Valuing the Cross- every first Sunday- not as ritual, but as a regular time of thanks

Focal Passage— Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1 ESV

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Pray—

Gal— written to group of churches, some of which Paul had founded and knew the people personally. - Saved-

also written to us as believers

Paul understood the danger in forgetting- sideways

Prior to conversion the Galatians, in their ignorance of the one true God, were in bondage to false gods such as Zeus and Hermes.

Acts 14:11–15 ESV

And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

But a great change took place and they came to know God. Yet having come to know the true God, the Galatians were turning back. Paul was amazed and dismayed. Did they understand that they would be going back to a state of religious slavery? Was this their desire?

Under the influence of the Judaizers the Galatians had begun to observe the Mosaic calendar of events and seasons. This legalistic approach made the events idols and was just a step away from falling back into old practices. Paul’s reaction:

Galatians 1:6–9 ESV

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 4:8–11 ESV

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

This brings us back to our focal passage

Galatians 5:1 ESV

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Valuing the Cross

Remember the Source of Your Freedom

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

For freedom Christ has set us free

Freedom— The state of liberty that results from not being oppressed or in bondage

— illustration of TV set redemption— looked for new- did research- went and got. / transaction purchased to pay the price to release from Wal-Mart

- that is what Christ did for us

Colossians 1:13–14 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

I delivered TV from darkness of WM and transferred it into the kingdom of my house

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Psalm 130:7 (ESV)

For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.

Plentiful— abundantly sufficient