Freedom is Not Free

Scripture

Galatians 5:1–6 (KJV 1900)

1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Intro

Throughout the year, in America, we celebrate a variety of holidays. We celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas which are spiritual and religious in nature. We also celebrate some that are patriotic in nature. Just a few weeks ago we celebrated Memorial Day. Today we will celebrate Independence Day. As you look at these various holidays, there are certain snapshots which come into your mind which depict the meaning of those days. I think about Thanksgiving. You see the pictures of a family gathered around a table loaded with food. You see a family holding their hands as they pray and thank God for His bountiful blessings upon them. Then there are the snapshots of Christmas. We see the Christmas trees and the glittering lights. We see little boys and girls with bright eyes as they open up their gifts. Then we see someone opening up the Bible and reading the story of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and the meaning and the purpose of the cradle. These are beautiful snapshots of our spiritual holidays. We think about our patriotic holidays and the snapshots that fit into that. On Memorial Day I think of pictures of soldiers in uniform. I think of battlefields where men have given their lives to preserve the liberties that we enjoy. We come to Independence Day and the snapshots there are very vivid. They are pictures of flags and fireworks and people gathering to celebrate and rejoice in the liberties which God has given to us as a nation. All of these holidays and the snapshots that fit them!

Our country was founded on a strong value for religious freedom and biblical values. Our freedom, however, is slowly being lost as people devalue Christian morals and principles more and more. As biblical morality gradually fades away, immorality and moral decay are taking its place; and moral decay will eventually lead to the collapse of a society if we fail to change our ways.

In our passage today, we will see how the apostle Paul spoke of spiritual and moral decay and how it can lead to the forfeiture of one’s spiritual freedom in Christ. I will bring out the spiritual application as we go along; but I wish to primarily apply this passage to how we can lose societal freedom, and even our country’s freedom, by tossing aside our Christian values.

Sermon Point

1. Your freedom.

Paul stated here how you need to be certain to maintain your freedom. Spiritually speaking, you fought hard to get where you are. You may have sacrificed friends and family to follow Christ. Perhaps you endured criticism for your faith. You spent hours of devotion in learning the Bible and the ways of God. You have attained an understanding of God’s love, mercy and grace which sets you free from the slavery of sin. Make sure you do not allow yourself to become all tied up again in the chains of spiritual bondage.

Physically speaking, a lot of soldiers have fought hard and lost their lives for our country’s freedom. Remember that “freedom isn’t really free.” This expression means that freedom actually costs something. Many brave military men and women have given their all for the freedom we experience here in America; and to maintain freedom requires responsibility, and sacrificing ourselves and some of our own desires. Therefore, the cost of freedom for us as civilians might be to let go of some of our own personal wants for the greater good of other individuals and the nation as a whole; and the “personal wants” to which I am referring are sinful lusts and desires.

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

John 1:1 (KJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 8:31-36 (KJV)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

CHRIST DIED TO SET MAN FREE FROM SIN AND DEATH. IT IS FINISHED. WE ARE FREE BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE CROSS.

FREEDOM FROM SIN PRODUCES FRUIT-OF HOLINESS AND ETERNAL LIFE

Romans 6:22 (KJV)

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

ITS YOUR CHOICE-DAILY.

2. Your faith.

It is through faith in Jesus Christ that you are free. You can never be free while living by the Law. The Law shows that you are a slave to sin. Your freedom comes through God’s grace. You have been given freedom although you deserve slavery. Notice that your faith is expressed through love.

3. A strong finish.

That is what Christians need to do is finish strong. Paul points out that they were running a good race; but all of a sudden, these people cut them off. Life is so much like these verses- You are doing great and then all of a sudden everything falls apart.

Paul also teaches that 1 bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. Yeast is small, yet it can work through all of the dough. Paul also gives a strong warning to people who are teaching and preaching a gospel that is not true. Remember, it is Jesus + nothing = Salvation.

What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Your Heart Condition

• Expression of faith

– Faith expresses itself in love

• God does not examine the physical

– Circumcised or uncircumcised is not the issue

– Righteousness through faith is the issue

Closing