Christ Our Liberator

Nathan Klahsen

Free Indeed • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

Galatians 5:1–15

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Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage.

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Introduction

We prize nothing more highly than freedom. The trouble is that they generally want the wrong kind of freedom. Some speak of freedom in political terms: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to vote. Others work for freedom from oppressive social structures. However, what most Americans mainly want is personal freedom. Sociologist Robert Bellah has concluded that “freedom is perhaps the most resonant, deeply held value.… Yet freedom turns out to mean being left alone by others, not having other people’s values, ideas, or styles of life forced upon one, being free of arbitrary authority in work, family, and political life.” In other words, what we really want is the freedom to be left alone.

We prize nothing more highly than freedom. The trouble is that they generally want the wrong kind of freedom. In Canada we have a whole document called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Some speak of freedom in political terms: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to vote. Others work for freedom from oppressive social structures. However, what most Americans mainly want is personal freedom. Sociologist Robert Bellah has concluded that “freedom is perhaps the most resonant, deeply held American value.… Yet freedom turns out to mean being left alone by others, not having other people’s values, ideas, or styles of life forced upon one, being free of arbitrary authority in work, family, and political life.” In other words, what we really want is the freedom to be left alone.

The reason we want to be left alone is that we are naturally selfish. We want to do what we want to do, whenever, wherever, however, and with whomever we please. If this is what freedom means to us, then believing in God becomes extremely inconvenient. If there is a God, he undoubtedly has opinions about what we ought to do, where we ought to do it, and with whom.

The reason we want to be left alone is that we are naturally selfish. We want to do what we want to do, whenever, wherever, however, and with whomever we please. Think about, how do you react when someone interrupts something that you really are enjoying. If this is what freedom means to us, then believing in God becomes extremely inconvenient. If there is a God, he undoubtedly has opinions about what we ought to do, where we ought to do it, and with whom.

Galatians When Freedom Is Really Slavery

Americans prize nothing more highly than freedom. The trouble is that they generally want the wrong kind of freedom. Some speak of freedom in political terms: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to vote. Others work for freedom from oppressive social structures. However, what most Americans mainly want is personal freedom. Sociologist Robert Bellah has concluded that “freedom is perhaps the most resonant, deeply held American value.… Yet freedom turns out to mean being left alone by others, not having other people’s values, ideas, or styles of life forced upon one, being free of arbitrary authority in work, family, and political life.” In other words, what Americans really want is the freedom to be left alone.

What many Americans want these days, therefore, is not freedom of religion, but freedom from religion. Consider these words from Free Inquiry, a leading magazine for secular humanists: “Some ideas can enslave you; some can set you free.… If you crave freedom from baseless dogma … if you want to think for yourself instead of submitting to tradition, authority, or blind faith.… Put aside religion, despair, guilt, and sin … and find new meaning and joy in life.” In other words, you have to be free from God before you can be free at all.

Freedom from religion is not freedom at all, of course; it is another form of bondage. Freedom is not necessarily a virtue. We always need to ask what is meant by “freedom.” Whether freedom is worth having or not depends on what kind of freedom it is. The best and truest freedom is the kind described by John Stott: “freedom from my silly little self, in order to live responsibly in love for God and others.”

What many of us want these days, is not freedom of religion, but freedom from religion. Consider these words from Free Inquiry, a leading magazine for secular humanists: “Some ideas can enslave you; some can set you free.… If you crave freedom from baseless dogma … if you want to think for yourself instead of submitting to tradition, authority, or blind faith.… Put aside religion, despair, guilt, and sin … and find new meaning and joy in life.” In other words, you have to be free from God before you can be free at all.

What many we want these days, is not freedom of religion, but freedom from religion. Consider these words from Free Inquiry, a leading magazine for secular humanists: “Some ideas can enslave you; some can set you free.… If you crave freedom from baseless dogma … if you want to think for yourself instead of submitting to tradition, authority, or blind faith.… Put aside religion, despair, guilt, and sin … and find ” In other words, you have to be free from God before you can be free at all.

Freedom from religion is not freedom at all; it is another form of bondage. Freedom is not necessarily a virtue. We always need to ask what is meant by “freedom.” Whether freedom is worth having or not depends on what kind of freedom it is. The best and truest freedom is the kind described by John Stott: “freedom from my silly little self, in order to live responsibly in love for God and others.”

That’s what Paul is going to be talking about in this passage.

BI: Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage.

Ryken, P. G. (2005). Galatians. (R. D. Phillips, P. G. Ryken, & D. M. Doriani, Eds.) (p. 193). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.

Christ has set us free: Live free!

Galatians 5:1 ESV

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

This is the heading of the following passage. It’s like a very long title or the statement. It’s the Big Idea of this passage.

Creating a tension in this passage.

“For freedom Christ has set us free” The indicative —> pointing

“Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” - imperative, a command.

Because of who God is and what he has done in you are commanded to stand firm. You are to make visible to the world around you what God has already declared and sealed when he justified you by faith in Jesus Christ.

When you have been justified, you have been thrown into a world of struggle, and in-between time bounded by great accomplishment of redemption in Christ’s finished work on the cross on. Look at your life, look at what God has called you from and too. BUT on the other hand, there’s a not-quiet-yet of consummation of God’s work in you that will only happen when Christ returns. You are going to continue to struggle as a free person. I remember hearing once about the struggle of someone who has been in prison for a good amount of time and the transition of coming out.

Transition: No longer are you a prisoner in bondage, you have been set free from it, but there’s still a bit of us that still thinks it would be better to go back. Think about Exodus.

Objectively: we know what says:

Romans 5:1 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But Subjectively, we are learning to live free from the power of sin. We are free, but we do not always live free. We are in a need of becoming what we already are. That is sanctification, living as a free, justified person, resting in Christ alone.

The Christian life is marked by struggle. If you are not actively murdering the sin that is in you, standing firm against it, the question becomes, are you set free? Because if you’ve tasted the freedom of Christ, why in the world would you go back into slavery?

Romans 5:1 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The outcome of Freedom. Freedom causes rejoicing. This freedom allows us to rejoice in Christ because we have come to our final resting place. We are not under condemnation, and we do not have to be slaves.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, however, Christian believers are enabled to “stand firm” against the encroachment of such demonic forces.

We need to remember that Jesus’ words are true:

John 8:36 ESV

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

What if you’re not rejoicing? If you know this but are not glorifying Christ deeply because of it, then it raises the question, why not? One of the answers has to be that you have forgotten how terrible slavery was. The gospel is not awesome unless you see the awfulness of your previous condition. Thomas Watson said it: “Tell sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.”

BI: Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage.

The Gospel frees us from condemnation. So do not put on that yoke that says you are not free in Christ. The yoke is a heavy load. It’s a yoke that crushes people. It’s lifeless. It offers no hope and no security. On the other hand, the gospel takes people to Christ as their final resting place. In Christ, we find our peace, liberty, joy and security.

Application: Question: Do you believe you are free objectively from condemnation? Do you believe you are accepted in Christ perfectly? Subjectively, are you living out of that new identity, and not reverting to the slavery you were in?

Outside of Jesus, your life is characterized as bondage. You are a slave to the law, a slave to the evil elements that are so clearly dominating the world around us. God sent his Son into the world to shatter the dominion of these slaveholders. Now God has sent his Spirit into the hearts of believers to awaken them to new life and liberation in Christ.

As a parent, I struggle with this. So often I bring my children to Mount Sinai, the law, and leave them there. I should be bring them from there to Calvary for grace. May we be people who point others to the Liberator and Redeemer. The default mode of our hearts is self-justification. Every child, every person, is a Pharisee in the making. We must teach them the gospel, which is counter-intuitive. Say, “You can’t, but Jesus did!” Give them grace. Give them Galatians.

This freedom allows us to rejoice in Christ because we have come to our final resting place. We are not under condemnation, and we do not have to be slaves.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, however, Christian believers are enabled to “stand firm” against the encroachment of such demonic forces.

George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 353). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

John 8:36 ESV

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

If you know this but are not glorifying Christ deeply because of it, then it raises the question, why not? One of the answers has to be that you have forgotten how terrible slavery was. The gospel is not awesome unless you see the awfulness of your previous condition. Thomas Watson said it: “Tell sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.”

We need to understand what Christ has done in order to adore Him and not return to slavery. To understand freedom, think about it like this: as believers, we are freed technically, legally, from the guilt of sin, but we struggle to be experientially, daily from the grip of sin.

Objectively: we know what says:

Romans 5:1 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Transition: Objectively, the Galatians were not walking in this truth. They believed that they need to contribute to their final salvation. They were basically practicing self-atonement by believing that they gospel was “Jesus + something else).

Christ came to deliver us from the grip of this age: the flesh, elemental spirits

Question: Do you believe you are free objectively from condemnation? Do you believe you are accepted in Christ perfectly? Subjectively, are you living out of that new identity, and not reverting to the slavery you were in? Objectively, the Galatians were not walking in this truth. They believed that they need to contribute to their final salvation. They were basically practicing self-atonement by believing that they gospel was “jesu + something else) Christ has saved you “to be free” and in that freedom you are called to live.

Christ has saved you “to be free” and in that freedom you are called to live.

But does freedom lead to loss living? Some think that if you teach freedom in Christ, no one will want to serve him, but that’s isn’t true. The opposite actually happens. When you recognize that Christ has done it all and you truly work this into your heart, you will adore Christ. And an adoring heart does not lead to a sinful life, but a holy life.

BI: Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage. Christ has freed us through his atoning work. It’s a glorious freedom. His freedom should lead us to rest in Him and rejoice in Him. He freedom should case us to do what He wants us to do.

Transition: If Christ has set you free, you are free, and the next point is that Christ has set us free so we can live in truth.

Christ has set us free: Live in truth!

Galatians 5:2–12 ESV

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 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. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Application: We won’t wander off if our liberty is grounded on the our relationship with Jesus on one hand and with the community of faith on the other. It’s why church membership is talked about in the Bible. We aren’t called to go in on this alone. God calls us to himself and calls us to each other and Membership is the locking of arms together. It’s saying, “I’ve got you.”

Transition: If you are believing the Gospel, you are free. Not from political, or psychological hardships. Not free to theological anarchy and thinking you get to believe whatever you want, because the question is always: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY. We are grounded in Christ. And that firm foundation sets us free.

A False Message

What is the result of moving back under the heavy yoke? What happens when you believe the false message that you can do something to make yourself better before a holy God?

Four things come out of putting yourself under this yoke, believing this message.

If you accept this false message, then you view Christ as insufficient.

Galatians 5:2 ESV

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.

If you accept this message, you must obey all of the law.

Galatians 5:3 ESV

I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

You are turning away from the doctrine of grace

Galatians 5:4 ESV

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

You lose the hope of future glory

Galatians 5:5 ESV

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

In Christ, we have hope. We received this hope by trusting in Christ by grace alone. It’s like the song says, “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” This hope keeps us running!

Samuel Rutherford: “If Christ Jesus be the period, the end and lodging-home, at the end of your journey, there is no fear, ye go to a friend…ye may look death in the face with joy.”

Liberated people live “by faith” as they “eagerly wait for” the hope of righteousness. As Paul points out in verse 6, the marks of a life that are justified are found in: faith, hope, and love. Works-based righteousness lead to fear, bondage, and despair…BUT the opposite happens when we believe in the doctrine of grace and trusting in the finished work of Christ! Our works come out of the faith we have in Jesus, they are a result of faith, not a way to get more brownie points.

Like any message, there are messengers, and you can point them out by looking at their followers.

Galatians

You can spot them because False messengers hinder obedience to the truth.

Galatians 5:7 ESV

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Galatians

False teachers aren’t from God.

Galatians 5:8 ESV

This persuasion is not from him who calls you.

Don’t believe the messenger if they are teaching a gospel that is not the gospel that you see here. It is so important to know the Bible for yourself so you can help fight against this.

False teachers contaminate others

Galatians 5:9 ESV

A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

I’ve been criticized by being to harsh on people who deviate from what the Bible says is the gospel. But I go passage like this and see what the dangers of allowing even a little bit can do.

False teachers will be judged

Galatians 5:10 ESV

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.

False messengers persecute true teachers

Galatians 5:11 ESV

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Galatians

Why are they persecuting Paul? The cross offends people. People would rather you make much of them and preach a salvation-by-works system than to stand up and brag on Jesus and the cross and point people to Him as the only way.

Application: Why does the cross offend? It crushes human pride. It says to you and to me, no, you aren’t okay. No you aren’t special. No you can’t do it on your own. It obliterate the religion of human achievement.

And we see how much the gospel meant to Paul:

Galatians 5:12 ESV

I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Galatians

I’m a pretty blunt guy. I can say some coarse things. But I have never said this. The gospel meant everything to Paul. Does it to you? If we really cared about the gospel and people’s souls, we too would want false teachers to cease from existence.

Oh, Pastor Nate, that’s not very Christian you may say. You’re right, these people aren’t. If you believe in a false Gospel, you are just as condemned, you are still under the same yoke. And we want people to be free.

Application:

Transition: BI: Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage. Christ has freed us through his atoning work. Trust in Christ’s atoning work alone for salvation. Find your righteousness in Him. Resist anyone who points you somewhere other than to Christ alone. As people who have been liberated by Christ, we stand firm in the truth and that causes us to live in love and serve.

Transition:

BI: Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage. Christ has freed us through his atoning work. Trust in Christ’s atoning work alone for salvation. Find your righteousness in Him. Resist anyone who points you somewhere other than to Christ alone.

Christ has set us free: Live in love and serve!

Galatians 5:13–15 ESV

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. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

The outcome of being free is that you would love and serve as the one who loved and served you.

Freedom from the law does not do away with the obligations of holy conduct. Justified people are now free to do what Christ wants.

Christian freedom is not

Galatians 5:13 ESV

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.

“Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” Christian freedom is not a freedom to sin but a freedom from sin. Christian freedom is a freedom to enjoy serving others and pursuing godliness. DO not live to gratify the desires of the flesh. That’s an abuse of freedom and a misunderstanding of freedom.

The call to freedom is a call to oneness in Christ and to loving service within the believing community. The Galatians weren’t saved to be a group of isolated individuals. And neither are you. We are brought out of bondage to live in community that is centred on the Word of God.

Christ Liberated you so that you could be in a gospel-centred community. Do not be a Christian ninja, just sliding in and out of worship services without anyone seeing you! The Lord saved us so we could love and serve others.

Transition: BI: Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage. As people who have been liberated by Christ, we stand firm in the truth and that causes us to live in love and serve. Living in the freedom of Christ keeps us from slipping into bondage.

Conclusion

SO, SO WHAT? In the movie chariots of fire Eric Liddell speaks at famous line, “When I run, I feel his pleasure.” I pray that you will feel the pleasure of God as you run in the freedom of the gospel. Feel the pleasure of not being guilty, of overcoming the grip of soon, of not being enslaved to legalism; feel the pleasure of living by the Spirit; feel the pleasure of having access to God, being accepted by God; feel the pleasure of having a secure future with God; in feeling the pleasure of loving And serving one another and your neighbours as yourself. You are free to run. Do not let anyone hinder you.

The Big So What. If you call yourself a Christian, you have been set free, stop looking back to your bondage as the good times and look to Christ who is our hope, healing, forgiveness. IF you are sitting here, thinking, “Man, i don’t have that freedom.” Please talk to me. I would love to talk with you more about what Jesus has done for you.