Serve One Another In Love
Galatians: SOAR! Faith Without Limits "The Gospel, Grace, Freedom" • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 40:54
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As we have studied Galatians we have been looking at the GOSPEL… GRACE… and now we are going to look at our FREEDOM!!!
Galatians 5:1; 13-14
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.
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.”
What is this FREEDOM or LIBERTY that Paul is taking about???
In defining this it is important for us to note what he is not talking about...
He is not talking about political freedom… Christ did not come to bring political freedom at this time.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -Declaration of Independence-
He is not discussing freedom from Difficulties and Hardships… Actually the opposite is true. John 16:33
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.”
He is not saying we are free to live as we selfishly please...
Rather we are freed from sin’s grip and freed for a purpose!
Paul is challenging the Galatian church to live differently… Counter culture and human nature!
Because of Christ they were now FREE to live this way!
Why do you do What you do?
(Our Outward Expressions)
Paul, I see here, gives us two motives for what we do…
1) Pride… Look at me and what I am doing.
2) Humility… Look at Christ and what He did and is doing!
These two very different motives will impact your freedom…Consider Pride’s Approach to Freedom Galatians 5:2-12
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. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.
Pride… Look at me and what I am doing.
The external things for self (Circumcision)
Attention goes to us
Energy put into making us look good to God
You cut yourselves off from the Grace God offers...
You cannot earn Christ… or half Christ...(This is NOT speaking of loosing salvation)
By attempting to earn Christ, you have cut yourself off from Him...
Grace is not given for works
Leaven… Puffed Up (Pride)
Teaching that puts the emphasis on you, works, legalism
Those in the Lord would not consider this view.
Paul has some harsh words to those who teach pride, works, and circumcision… (mutilate yourselves!!)
Humility… Look at Christ and what He did and is doing!
Humility brings a freedom to live for the purpose God intended!
Galatians 5:13-14
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.”
Pride serves self… Humility serves others!
Paul cautions his readers in their freedom… even in freedom Pride can slip in!
Balance is needed <---Legalism---Liberty---License--->
License is serving our fleshly desires… God wants us to pursue His desires.
If we sin… God’s grace is even greater… wrong perspective!!!
When we humble ourselves before God… we live differently.
“But through LOVE serve one another”…we are now free to look to others needs!
LOVE… in verse 6, 13, & 14 we see this word love.
In verse 6 & 13 it is translated “agape love”
this is the perfect sacrificial love God has and gives
“through agape” through God’s Love...
In verse 14 is “agapaos” allow God’s love through you to others
How do we LOVE OTHERS to this degree? FREEDOM!
We no longer focus on the law, but something far greater!!!
Paul answered this in Galatians 3:3
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
We have the Spirit within us… we now have the ability to serve Him truly free!
This is why Jesus could dine with sinners and tax collectors… free to love, not participate.
We have recieved grace… in turn we show grace… given so much we are free to serve Him and seek His desires Psalm 37:4
4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
God’s Spirit indwells us…
We have a greater ability to Love God with our whole heart...
We have the ability to love others… and in loving them serve them.
These two are far greater than the whole law!
Verse 15 is a somber verse to think of occuring in the church… Galatians 5:15
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
These are words used to illustrate what animals would do in their fighting!
WARNING: If you allow teachings that promote the pride of the individual, freedoms that seek the desires of the flesh to come in and divide the church...
You will consume one another
The outside persecutors will have to do nothing
Consider well those among you who seek to create dissension and respond with LOVE
Each one of you… embrace for yourself the freedom God has called us to and begin LIVING like you never have before… serving as you never thought possible… and loving with the LOVE that God wants to be given through you!