Introduction:

It has been interesting to watch the change that has taken place from 1970 to 2021. When I was growing up, the country was a lot more agreeable on the right way to live and the wrong way. There was a heavy Christian influence that drove the morals of society and established the way of life. Today, I feel that much of the underlying Christian impact is gone causing everyone to find their own way and determine their own version of good. People are a lot more comfortable with options for their life and not a strict form of doing things.

Not all ways lead to something good. The path you take always determines your destination.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

A reoccurring theme of the gospel is freedom.

The Freedom of the Gospel

The mind-shift that we need to make this morning is how we think about ways of the Lord. The world would have you believe that church and religion will put you in bondage. There’s a bunch of rules that you must follow like going to church on Sundays, but the truth is a relationship with Jesus will set you free from sin and death so that you can live toward God. When Satan temped Eve in the garden this was the deception that Satan used. God is trying to put you under bondage with these rules. True freedom is living in the safety and security of the Lord.

Freedom from the Law of sin and death

Galatians 4:3–5 ESV

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Freedom from the clutches of Satan and the course of this world.

Ephesians 2:1–2 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

The ways of the World.

Independence

Selfishness

Greed

Pride

The way of the Lord.

Interdependence

Sacrifice

Graciousness

Humility

Freedom for the clutches of sin and death.

Romans 6:11–14 ESV

11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

You have the power through the Spirit to take charge of your life and live for God.

You have a new master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Freedom through adaption in the family of God

Galatians 4:5–7 ESV

5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

You have rights and position as a son of God.

Ephesians 1:3–6 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

You have been born again into God’s family.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Jesus said you must be willing to lose your life to find it.

To live in the Spirit you must die to the flesh.

Romans 6:4 ESV

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Freedom know and be known by God.

Galatians 4:8–9 ESV

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 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?

All people desire deep relationship: to know and be known.

We are no longer in hiding from God but are fully exposed to His grace, mercy, and love.

The 2 Covenants

Galatians 4:22–26 ESV

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

The Covenant of Slavery

Born according to the flesh

Enslaved by a system of no hope.

The Covenant of Promise

Born according to the promised Spirit.

Freed through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

This illustration of Paul is the direct message of Jesus to the Jews of his day.

John 8:31–36 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

If we have been set free, then why are we still enslaved to sin? The freedom of the gospel is available but must be applied to your life.

Ways to Apply the Gospel to any Situation in your life.

Ask God for wisdom on the situation.

What does God say about me?

What does God say about this situation?

Apply God’s love mercy and grace to all involved.

How has God shown love, mercy, and grace to me?

How do I need to show love, mercy, and grace to others?

Adjust your actions through repentance toward God.

What lifestyle change do I need to make to draw close to God?

What accountability can I establish to continue in the ways of the Lord?

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.