Remain Free

Introduction

Good morning everyone, glad to see you here today.

Today, of course you know is our Independence Sunday service, the 4th will be here in just a few days.

We celebrate so much as we think about the 4th of July… We celebrate the fact that as a nation we were no longer subject to the tyranny of a selfish or evil king or queen.

We celebrate that we are free that we can worship as we choose, that we can go here or there, that we have the freedom of speech and of course, we celebrate the our 2nd amendment rights in here in America.

We enjoy so much in America because of the determination of our forefathers like Washington, Jefferson, Adams and so many more.....

It is great to be free and we enjoy more freedoms than any other country in the world.

It is great to be free and we enjoy more freedoms than any other country in the world.

But let me ask you a question: Would you want to give up any of your freedoms?

I think I can answer that for you… No!

No we would not want to give up any freedoms.....

We could not even think of it....

Now consider this, we have and enjoy many freedoms in Christ. We are free from sin, we are free death and hell. We are free from the law and from the burden of the law.

Would you want to go back to that? Would you want to have to keep the law and try to fulfill rule in your life?

Well, I bet you would say no....

But we do it all the time, we are guilty of it.

How?

We allow sin to reign in us, we participate in sin over and over....

We give Jesus a back seat in our life and thus we try to manage our life according to self, according to the ways and values of the world.

Sadly, the list could go on and on....

So this morning I want to take you to the New Testament book of Galatians and lets find Galatians chapter 5.

Galatians 5:1–6 ESV

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Galatians 5

So we have a beautiful text here for us, and the message is this; Stand firm and refuse to return to the captivity of the law.

And with these thoughts in mind, lets walk through this passage...

So my first thought is very familiar to us, remember what Jesus has done in your life.

1. Christ has set you free.

My friends you must remember as you walk in your Christian life, we cannot forget the reason we have life, the reason we are free is because of Jesus. Jesus died for you.

Christ has set you free

This truth is one we cannot ignore - Christ died to free us from the penalty of death, from the penalty of the law.

The law, which does refer to the 10 commandments, God’s law that was first given to the children of Israel as they stood before the mountain of God, Sinai there in the wilderness.

Now think about the children of Israel for a momernt...

They were in bondage, they had been in the land of Goshen, in Egypt for 400 years. The BIble tells us there arose a Pharoah that did not know Joseph.

The people were hated, despised, they were suffering and dying everyday in the brick making fields of Egypt. They called out to God and God answered.... He brought them out of bondage and set them free....

They were in bondage, they were suffering and dying everyday in the brick making fields of Egypt. They called out to God and God answered.... He brought them out of bondage and set them free....

He gave them life and the law was to help them walk in front of Him in a life changing way… but they forgot and began to focus on the the outward requirements of the law instead of the inward desire of the heart.

He gave them life and the law was to help them walk in front of Him in a life changing way… but they forgot and began to focus on the the outward requirements of the law instead of the inward desire of the heart.

God was giving them life and they (the children of Israel) were giving it away to satisfy self....

Now jump ahead hundreds of years to the coming of Christ… Christ came to help the people over come.... to set them free.

Hear verse 1 again....

And still today, understand and know, God is calling us to remember that for Freedom, Christ has set us free!..

Galatians 5:1 ESV

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

So consider....still today, understand and know, God is calling us to remember that for Freedom, Christ has set us free!..

Sin has ruined us, it left us desperate and without hope.

Consider my friends that sin, our sin.... and our own disobedience has left us without hope. We are guilty in front of the righteous Judge....

Death is what we deserved… and we received life..

Do we truly understand the significance of God’s love, mercy and grace?

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He saved us, released us from the penalty of sin … Why has Jesus done this?

Yes, automatically you are thinking the magic word is love. And your right, He does love us.

But, look at the beginning of verse 1..... Paul say it was “for freedom.....”

Freedom is an important word… it speaks to liberty. Personal freedom from servitude, from oppression.

Jesus spoke about the burden of the law the religious leaders placed on the people..

Matthew 23:1–5 ESV

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,

Matthew 23:4 ESV

4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

Matthew 23:3–5 ESV

3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,

The law was meant to direct people to freedom, not death…

And so it was with us....

Just as we were captive once, just as we were a slave to sin.... dying in the fields of this world being led astray by the plan and ways of the devil....

We were captive once, just as we were a slave to sin.... dying in the fields of this world being led astray by the plan and ways of the devil....

Jesus has rescued us so that we can be free....

Not for us to return to sin or to the bondage of the man made obligations.

So what are we to do????

How can we overcome? Paul reminds us to stand firm...

2. Stand Firm.....

Standing firm means to be un-movable. un-willing to fall back into the old ways or the old practices of man.

Why is this “phrase” “stand firm” so important… if you walk through the Bible you see God reminds man to “stand firm” in so many places.

Lets go back to our text....

Galatians 5:1 ESV

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

So break this verse down… Christ has set us free… because of this… Stand firm.... and do not do anything else..

So the idea of “standing firm” is the natural response to the fact that God has chosen to bless us, to help us The work of Christ compels us to stand firm.

Consider this giant from the Old Testament...

Joshua, he has been the servant of Moses, he walked with God… but after the death of Moses.... God calls Joshua from the “minors’ if you will… It is your time to lead Joshua.

And listen to what God says to Joshua....

Joshua 1:7–8 ESV

7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:7 ESV

7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

Joshua 1

Joshua 1:1–10 ESV

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people,

The phrase “Strong and Courageous” speaks to the meaning of facing trouble, opposition without being moved or pulling away.

My friends it is that important...

Failing to stand in our faith, Failing to stand when God directs us, and failing to live for Jesus brings us death, it brings despair and it brings bondage.

You see Paul directs a warning to us...

Do not submit yourself again to a yoke of slavery.

And this leads us naturally into my next thought....

3. Do Not Submit Yourself to a Yoke of Slavery....

The third portion of verse 1 is a picture of where we once where....

Q. Let me stop right there and just ask you a question...

Can you look back in life, physically or even spiritually and say… Man; I’m glad i don’t live there anymore… Man; I’m glad I don’t have to work there or do that anymore… or Man, I’m glad that’s not me anymore, I’ve changed, grown, matured… whatever.

The whole idea for all of this is: This is where I was.... and this is where I am now i am incredibly grateful.

Now here is a second question: Could you imagine going back... ?????

I’m sure the answer is a resounding no!!!!

I’ve never known a drug addict who once clean wants to return, and the same should be our old way of life before Jesus.

Now some might say, Preacher… you cannot compare drug addiction to spiritual issues… Why not? The Spiritual man is more important that the physical… For the Spiritual man helps direct the Physical...

Now back to verse 1 again please.

Galatians 5:1 ESV

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

So consider what Jesus has done in your life, consider the life you have received in Christ Jesus. He saved you, He set you free, He has given you heaven instead of hell.

So stand firm, hold onto Jesus and do not return to your old ways of life.

Of course Paul is referring here in this passage to those who fell back to the old ways of the law. They were trying to live for Christ while also holding themselves accountable to the requirements of the law and forcing others to do so as well.

For some, they were teaching you could not be in Christ unless you kept the law of God. falling back into a salvation based on works..

In a sense, they were willingly returning to the captivity of the law.... instead of enjoying and living in Jesus....

Look back now at verses 2-6

Galatians 5:2–6 ESV

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Paul says if you accept one measure of the law, you have to except it all! You have to keep the whole law and grace no longer has any hope in your life...

Honestly you say… I would rather take my chances with the value of my works than to take advantage of the Salvation Christ has to offer....

Compare it this way...

We are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day.

It is the day set aside remembering we pulled completely away from the England and its Monarchy, saying we dared to be free men and women. We no longer wished to be told what we could or could not import. Freedom to receive better money for crops and of course the freedom to worship and support the religious practices of our choice..

Our founding Fathers knew the importance of this freedom, they bet their lives on it.

Do you want to return to the rule of another King over you? You would say no!

By the same token why would you want to return to the captivity and death the law brought to life… no hope, because there is no way to keep or fulfill the law.

The law was meant to show us our need for something greater, A Savior!

Jesus has set you free, do not return again to the burden and bondage of the law.

Stand firm in your faith and hold fast to Jesus… He is our true Freedom!

Now let me ask you a question,,,, are you burdened, are you captive to your past, your thoughts, your worry....

Let it go… give it to Jesus..

Be free....................

4. This is not the work of God but the rule of Satan

Galatians 5

Galatians 5 ESV

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And 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 keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.