A Symbol of Freedom

Introduction

- We ended last week in v. 25 talking about how the Law of Moses was a guardian, a guardian given for a specific time that expired at the fulfillment of the Promise in the death and resurrection of Jesus

o So while laws and regulations still play a positive role in our lives as Christians, they no longer have the ability to condemn us or imprison us if we have faith in Christ

- Illustrations are powerful

o They can bring to light specific truths or difficult concepts

o They can help us remember- wedding ring

o Symbols are meaningful

- American Flag- just a piece of cloth, but what does it represent

· Freedom, those who have fought and died

· Why would someone risk their life for a piece of cloth? What makes it so important?

· Not what it is, but what it represents

- Baptism- a symbol of what our new life and freedom in Christ

o Two ends of the spectrum- necessary for salvation/doesn’t really matter

o It cannot save us, nor does it contribute to our justification, our standing before God

o Paul has just spent the first three chapters of this letter explaining how salvation is by faith alone- he specifically targeted the idea that circumcision was necessary for salvation, why would he then say, baptism is a necessary requirement for salvation!?

o So if it has no actual saving or cleansing value and only represents what has already been done in our lives by God’s grace, then why do it?

- As an outward testimony to others- a public sign of what God has done in our lives

- As a call for accountability

- In response to the Biblical pattern

- In response to Christ’s command

· Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Read Galatians 3:26-29

Baptism Represents a Change in Our Relationship to God

A. From slaves to sons

1. We were imprisoned by our sin- John 8:34- Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

a. Apart from Jesus, we are trapped in our sin with no hope of freeing ourselves

b. Remember, we cannot be made right with God through our own efforts

2. V. 26- through faith in Christ’s sacrifice, we are no longer considered slaves, cut off from God and deserving of his wrath, but we are now sons

a. The idea here is not just of adoption, God making us his own, but of the benefits and promises we receive as heirs with Christ

b. All the promises given to Christ, we now share in

B. In Christ

1. Gal. 2:20- 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.

2. This is what baptism pictures- participate in Jesus’s death and resurrection- we die to our sin are raised to walk in newness of life

C. From sinful rags to robes of righteousness- v.27

1. Put on Christ- clothed with Christ

a. Picture of changing into new clothes after baptism

2. We find our identity in Christ

a. Do you ever find yourself asking these questions… Am I good enough? Why would God accept me?

b. The reality is that he does not accept us on our own merit, but because we have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ

3. Illustration- milling- working hard- sweaty

- So baptism represents, is an illustration of, this change in our relationship with God, but we also see in these verses that…

Baptism Represents a Change in Our Relationship to Others

A. Our world is full of division

1. Ethnicity, class, and sexuality

a. These are not bad things

(1) God created different races and cultures- travel illustration

(2) God instilled in us the desire and ability to work hard and gives rewards to those who do

(3) God created both man and woman- both equal in worth and value but uniquely different- this is good, it’s God’s design

b. You see, Paul is not saying these distinctions don’t exist

(1) There is diversity in the church, and it is a beautiful thing

2. But each of these areas has been corrupted by sin and this is where we see the problem

a. When it comes to race and nationality we see Ethnocentrism- Pride- racism

b. When it comes to money and status we see Greed

c. When it comes to gender and sexuality we see Lust- confusion- and a desire for control

3. We have used these things to divide and separate

a. And not just in the world outside

b. We see it in the church

B. The Gospel unites

1. No matter our nationality, skin color, economic status, political party, gender, or any other thing that causes separation, we are all one in Christ

2. True unity is only possible through Christ

3. All sons of God through faith- no matter our background, no matter our past mistakes, through faith we are all sons of God if we have faith in Jesus Christ

Conclusion

- These are incredible truths, truths of what God does in our lives and relationships when we place our faith in Jesus.

- Illustrations helps us understand and remember truth, and that’s what we want to do this morning

- I am excited this morning because we have several people who want to follow Jesus’s command and participate in this incredible picture of Jesus has done in their lives. That because of their faith, they are in Christ, they are children of God, and they share in the great promise of justification and eternal life.