Galatians 5

Intro

Good morning church family. Today we are continuing our journey through the book of Galatians. We have been learning over the past few weeks that whenever we add to the simple Gospel message of Jesus Christ, we end up creating a different Gospel than the one Jesus intended.

Our main idea for this series is:

Jesus + Nothing = Freedom

Turn with me to Galatians chapter 5 as we continue this journey. Last week we seen how Paul changes his tone from a sharp rebuke to a pastoral tone where correction was and is needed. Paul understood that if you begin to add rules and regulations to the simplicity of the Gospel, you end up harming yourself and others and instead of being free, you end up back into bondage.

So many today live in a religious bondage. No matter what kind of bondage you call it, you are not free. This is what was taking place in Galatia.

Not soon after Paul preached the message of freedom through faith in Christ, there were those who came in and began to preach a different Gospel. A false Gospel. A religious Gospel. So Paul is fighting hard to steer these believers and us today, back onto the path to freedom.

The world defines freedom as the absence of restraint—"I can do whatever I want." Paul defines freedom as the power to do what we ought.

Just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should.

1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB95

23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

We are so terrified of being enslaved that we accidentally enslave ourselves to our own appetites. True freedom is never found in doing what we want, but in being empowered to do what God designed.

As I mentioned last week and as we will see today, Gospel freedom doesn't give us a license to sin; it gives us the power to love.

Freedom Has Purpose

Galatians 5:1–6 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. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Your freedom that was purchased by Christ has a purpose. That purpose is not to abandon what Christ did on the cross to purchase your freedom. Paul uses some strong language again which reveals to us the seriousness of understanding that you CANNOT earn freedom.

When we choose to try and walk out our salvation by keeping the law, Paul says we are severed from Christ.

Take a fresh branch from a fruit tree.

As long as it is connected to the tree, life flows into it. It receives nutrients, water, and strength. It bears fruit because it remains attached to its source.

But the moment you cut the branch off, it may still look healthy for a while. The leaves remain green. The fruit may still hang on it. Yet the branch is already dying because it has been severed from its source of life.

Paul's warning is similar. The Galatians still looked religious, but by trusting in the Law instead of Christ, they were cutting themselves off from the very source of spiritual life and righteousness. Jesus Christ.

Jesus doesn’t love them any less. He is still very much in love with His bride. We can do nothing to make Jesus stop loving us. No matter what you do or don’t do.

Our relationship with Christ isn’t based on our works. It is based on grace and faith alone. It is when we tamper with this we begin to wither away because we think we can do this in our own power. The truth is…you can’t. Eventually you will fall.

Think of it this way. Try standing with one foot on the dock and one foot on the boat. Eventually you will fall in. You have to make a decision. Get on the boat and trust Jesus as your captain, or get off and stay on the dock and be stranded right where you are.

It is for freedom that Christ died for you. Not to leave you tethered to a dock. God has a purpose for your life. That purpose is to give you a hope and a future. That hope and future is not found in living life the way you want to.

Proverbs 16:25 NASB95

25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Freedom is Not a License to Sin

Your new found freedom in Christ is not a license to go out and do what you want, when you want, and how you want.

Freedom is NOT a license to sin

Listen to the words of Paul.

Galatians 5:13–14 NASB95

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.”

Paul is teaching that Christian freedom is not "I can do whatever I want." Instead, Christian freedom is "I am free from sin so I can love and serve others."

Loving your neighbor shows people we belong to Christ. According to Christ your neighbor is anyone no matter their race, religion, political status, or whom or what they identify as. We are called to love and serve.

Let me give you an example.

1. Social Media Freedom

A Christian has the freedom to post whatever they want online.

The flesh says:

"I'll say whatever I think. If people get offended, that's their problem."

Love says:

"Even though I have the right to post it, will it help people? Will it honor Christ? Will it build others up?"

Write this down: Just because I can say something doesn't mean I should.

I get it. I get stirred up to at social media. I see the hypocrisy. I see the ungodliness. I see and hear what people say and do. I get angry. Social media will stir your emotions like no other. But as we will see shortly we are to have control over our emotions. Emotions should not be controlling us!

2. Marriage

A husband or wife may say:

"I shouldn't have to apologize. I'm not the only one who was wrong."

The flesh protects pride.

Love says:

"The relationship is more important than winning the argument."

Serving one another often means surrendering your rights for the sake of unity.

5. Church Preferences

A believer may prefer a certain worship style, ministry approach, or church program.

The flesh says:

"If I don't get my way, I'm leaving."

Love says:

"This isn't about me. How can I help others grow in Christ?"

Freedom becomes service rather than self-centeredness.

Paul warns us,

Galatians 5:15 NASB95

15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

This word bite means to wound the soul. I have to ask myself before I post or respond to a post or in the middle of the argument:

“Will this hurt or heal this persons soul?”

If you wound someones soul, how can you preach the saving message of Jesus Christ? Is my opinion more important than the Gospel of Jesus? Are my thoughts more important than what Jesus thinks about them?

When you being biting and devouring others, online or offline, you will be consumed. Consumed in the Greek means destroyed.

Our purpose is not to destroy people or be destroyed. Christ didn’t die for this to take place. We are called to love and serve people. Why? Because that is what Jesus did.

Walk by the Spirit

I know what you are thinking. How? How is this possible with living in such a corrupt world. How do we do this?

Listen to what Paul says.

Galatians 5:16–17 NASB95

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.

To walk by the Spirit is to keep in step with Holy Spirit. A train is most free when it stays on the tracks it was designed for. Christians are most free when living according to God's design.

God’s design is to walk by the Spirit

What Walking by the Spirit Is Not

Many believers think walking by the Spirit means:

Constantly hearing audible voices

Having emotional worship experiences all day

Being super-spiritual or mystical

While God can speak in extraordinary ways, Paul's command is much more practical.

Walking by the Spirit is living every day in dependence, obedience, and sensitivity to God.

Here’’s what it looks like:

Surrendering Each Day to God

Before your feet hit the floor:

"Lord, this day belongs to You. Lead my thoughts, words, attitudes, and decisions."

The flesh says:

"My will be done."

The Spirit says:

"Your will be done."

Walking by the Spirit begins with surrender.

A car cannot be driven from the passenger seat. Someone has to take the wheel. Walking by the Spirit means letting the Holy Spirit drive instead of trying to stay in control.

Feed Your Spirit More Than Your Flesh

Whatever you feed grows. Whatever you starve dies.

If you spend:

Hours on entertainment

Hours on social media

Minutes in prayer

The flesh gets stronger.

Walking by the Spirit means intentionally feeding your spiritual life through:

Scripture

Prayer

Worship

Fellowship

Paul isn't saying the flesh disappears. He's saying the Spirit becomes stronger as you yield to Him.

Obeying Promptings Immediately

Many times the Spirit speaks through convictions and impressions.

Examples:

"Call that person."

"Pray for them."

"Apologize."

"Give that offering."

"Don't say that."

"Turn that off."

Walking by the Spirit often looks very ordinary.

The difference between mature and immature believers is often not hearing more from God but obeying more of what God says.

Choosing the Spirit Over the Flesh in Everyday Moments

Walking is made up of steps.

Likewise, walking in the Spirit happens one choice at a time.

When someone insults you:

The flesh says:

"Get even."

The Spirit says:

"Show grace."

When temptation comes:

The flesh says:

"Nobody will know."

The Spirit says:

"Honor Christ."

When gossip starts:

The flesh says:

"Join in."

The Spirit says:

"Speak life."

Walking by the Spirit is choosing God's way repeatedly.

Staying Connected to Jesus

Paul's teaching aligns with Jesus' words in Gospel of John 15:

"Abide in me, and I in you."

You don't produce spiritual fruit by trying harder.

Fruit grows because the branch stays connected to the vine.

Walking by the Spirit means:

Spending time with Jesus

Talking with Jesus

Listening to Jesus

Depending on Jesus

Being Filled Continually With the Spirit

As Pentecostals, we believe not only in the baptism in the Holy Spirit but also in continual fillings of the Spirit.

Walking by the Spirit includes:

Regular prayer

Worship

Praying in the Spirit

Yielding to the Spirit's work

The same Spirit who filled believers in the Book of Acts desires to empower believers today.

"Walking by the Spirit is moment-by-moment dependence upon the Holy Spirit, expressed through obedience to God's Word and sensitivity to God's leading."

Life is complicated enough. Let’s not over complicate walking by the Spirit.

Imagine using your phone's GPS.

You enter the destination and begin driving.

The GPS doesn't give all the instructions at once.

It says:

Turn here.

Go straight.

Take the next exit.

Turn left.

The Christian life works similarly.

The Holy Spirit usually doesn't show us the next ten years. He guides us one step at a time.

Walking by the Spirit means trusting Him enough to obey the next instruction before demanding the whole map.

That's why Paul says "walk" in the Spirit—not run, not leap, not sprint. Just keep taking the next obedient step, and the Spirit will guide your path.

Fruit of the Spirit

When you walk by/in the Spirit, you will begin to show the fruit that is produced. What you are rooted in will be produced in your life. I told you last week to read Galatians and write down to columns and label them fruit of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit.

Paul explains what happens when we do not walk by the Spirit and what happens when we do.

Fruit of the Flesh

Fruit of the Spirit

As a follower of Christ, which list do you display the most?

Notice there are 16 things Paul lists out for the flesh and only 9 for the Spirit.

Here is what I heard the Spirit of God say: “When you live your way, you exhaust yourself”.

It is exhausting living life according to the flesh. It will wear you out.

Stand with me church as we close.

Closing

Maybe this is why Jesus said,

Matthew 11:28 NASB95

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Notice Jesus didn't say, "Come to religion." He didn't say, "Come to more rules." He didn't say, "Come to trying harder."

He said, "Come to Me."

The flesh always demands more. More striving. More proving. More chasing. More fighting. More pretending.

But Jesus offers rest.

The rest that Jesus offers is not found in doing whatever you want. It is found in surrendering to who He is.

That's exactly where Paul ends Galatians 5:

Galatians 5:24–26 NASB95

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Paul says if you belong to Jesus, you don't have to keep feeding the flesh. You don't have to keep carrying its burdens. You don't have to keep living under its control.

The flesh says, "Fight for yourself." The Spirit says, "Trust God."

The flesh says, "Prove yourself." The Spirit says, "You belong to Christ."

The flesh says, "Carry it all." Jesus says, "Come to Me."

Today, the question is not whether you're producing fruit. The question is which tree are you drawing from?

Because whatever you're connected to will eventually show up in your life.

If you walk in the flesh, the works of the flesh will appear. But if you walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will grow.

So today, Christ is inviting us to lay down the exhaustion of the flesh, crucify those passions and desires, and begin walking in step with the Holy Spirit.

And when we do, we discover that the Christian life was never meant to be lived by our strength—but by His Spirit.

The invitation today is simple: Come to Jesus. Crucify the flesh. Walk in the Spirit. And let God produce in you what you could never produce on your own.