Galatians (25)

Introduction: Galatians chapter five has offered us two essential truths for living the Christian life. One has been to stand firm in the freedom for which Christ has set us free so that we will not revert to living under the law. Second, has been to walk by the Holy Spirit so that we would not use our freedom as an opportunity revert to live according to the flesh.

On one side, we have the gospel guarding us from the temptations of self righteousness, human effort, and bondage to the law. On the other side we have the gospel guarding us from self appeasement, self indulgence, and bondage to the flesh.

The gospel according to Scripture alone, tells us that in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, for the glory of God alone… those who belong to Christ should stand firm in Christ’s freedom and not use that freedom as an opportunity for fleshly indulgence. How does this occur?

The way the Galatians chapter five has answered that question has been to focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. For example, in 5:16-18 we discovered that the Holy Spirit sets Himself against the flesh in order to transform the desires of a Christian into the desires of God. He is doing an inside job of causing those who are in Christ to want what God wants. Also, we see the comparison and stark contrast of evidence revealed from works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit, Those who remain and are content to practice the works of the flesh reveal that they are not true believers who will inherit the kingdom of God. However, those who belong to Christ will eventually and inevitably have the Holy Spirit producing His fruit in our lives. This is the non-optional and normal reality of belonging to Christ and experiencing the heart transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit producing in those who belong to Christ what the law or the flesh could never produce.

Last week , we finished with verse 24 which reveals how we should respond to the temptations of legalism and licentiousness. Plainly, when we are tempted to sin we should recognize, remember, and consider our identity in Christ. That we have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. That being a son or daughter of God means that Christ died in our place so that we would be free from the bondage of sin. The sin which so easily derails us no longer has it’s grip on us. We can walk in victory and not yield to fleshy passions and desires because the death of Christ guarantees that we are no longer slaves to sin, rather we can walk in newness of life. We can walk by the Spirit. We can walk with Christ as our final authority and stand firm in His freedom by daily dying to our flesh. This is the power of Christ in His His church!

Transition: Today, we are going to wrap up chapter five by digging into verse 25& 26.

Spirit conversion.

“If we live by the Spirit”

Since the Spirit is responsible to bring life. Because life comes by the Spirit. Its as Jesus said in John 6:63

John 6:63 ESV

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

How can we begin to stand firm in the freedom of Christ and walk by the Spirit? Because the Spirit is the one who puts us into the journey, places us into the race, causes us to be born again. Paul is offering an answer here to his hypothetical question he asked in 3:3…

The point is this.. Since we started by the Spirit , let us continue by the Spirit.

Transition: If we live by the Spirit, then keep in step with the Spirit. The observation at this point is…

Spirit conduct.

The point is clear, we have spiritual life because of the Holy Spirit, and that spiritual life is sustained by the Spirit. He fights against our flesh so that we might keep in step with Him. We need to stay in stride, keep the pace with the Holy Spirit. We should not try to forge ahead of Him or lag behind Him, no rather keep in step with Him.

Offer an example of what this looks like. Story of Deb paying for the groceries of a couple in front of her.

Illustration: To stay in step with the Spirit means that we are careful to walk in a straight line with the Spirit. Imagine that Jesus pulls you over and gives you a sobriety test of your Christian life. In order to pass the test you cannot stagger, swerve, or get off line. No, you must walk in rhythm, stay straight, and keep in step with the Holy Spirit. How do we pass this sobriety test? We must be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. We must be under the control of Christ. We cannot be under the law, we cannot be enslaved to the flesh, we cannot be drunk with false notions about our state of being… no we must be filled with the Spirit. HOW?

Being is the foundation of doing. Spirit life produces Spirit living. Spirit conversion precedes Spirit conduct. The new creation that the Holy Spirit brings to life is sustained and pruned, and formed, and sculptured by the Holy Spirit to produce Spirit fruit!

Application: If you belong to Christ then you have no doubt had seasons in your life where the formation of Christ in your heart and mind has been frustrated. Perhaps even today, you are experiencing a drought in your spiritual growth and it seems like your relationship with Christ is very stagnant. In the same way, if you belong to Christ you have no doubt had seasons in your life when the formation of Christ in your heart and mind has been exhilarating. Perhaps even today, you are experiencing a spring like growth when you relationship with Christ is blooming and fruitful.

Transition: It is very interesting that often the most bountiful seasons of spring come immediately after a hard cold winter. Through every season, God is always forming Christ in His church.

I am always curious to discover what the catalysts that God uses to bring about spiritual vibrancy in His church? What are the essential elements that Jesus often uses to accelerate the spiritual growth of His people? What are the normal means that God uses to promote renewal and revival among His people? How can Jesus’ church be identified by character of Jesus? How can we look, taste, smell like the fruit of the Spirit?

During our study of Galatians we have discovered that God used the tensions of false teaching to bring truth to His people. He used the false gospel of those opposing the preaching of the apostle Paul to bring about this letter that would offer precision and correction about how a person can be in a right relationship with God. Uniquely, by honing in on that key area of justification, it was inevitable that the Lord used Paul to begin to showcase how that foundational truth impacts the life of the church. In other words, being declared right with God through faith in Christ is not simply a statement of intellectual reality. It is a truth that must be believed, and those who believe will be forever transformed by the continual work of the Holy Spirit in the life of His church. Which brings us to the final verse of chapter five. (read verse 26)

This verse reveals to us what it looks like to be a …

Spirit controlled church.

The point is clear… When we keep in step with the Spirit we will not revert back to boasting in the flesh, we will not be conceded, full of self righteousness and pride. However, If we do yield to the flesh rather than the Spirit we will absolutely fall into the temptations and traps of provoking one another and envying one another. When we flip flop the true gospel, the next turn will take us off the cliff of false identities, delighting in a vain glory, wrongful assumptions about personal worth, corporate competition, and spiteful jealousies.

This verse is a launchpad into chapter six where the implications of a true gospel propelled people who walk by the Spirit , showcase their adoption in the way we love one another.

Closing Questions:

Have I been made alive in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit? (Spirit Salvation, Conversion)

Is Christ being formed in me by the power of the Holy Spirit? (Spirit Sensitivity, Conduct)

Are we a church of Spirit controlled people? If Jesus returned today would He recognize us as His followers? (Spirit Sustained, Control)

Enjoy a time celebrating the Lords Supper. Scripture tell us to , “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” Listen to this song as we prepare for receiving the elements of this meal together.