No Longer Bound

Our theme for 2021 is “Redeeming the Time”

This series on Paul's letter to the Galatians is entitled “No Longer What You Used to Be”

Becoming a follower of Christ is not just a matter of following a religion, it is a supernatural transformation.

You are no longer what you used to be.

The Galatians were people who came to Christ on Paul’s first and second missionary journeys and the churches that they started.

Meanwhile, there were these Jewish teachers that were following Paul’s trail trying to convert the people back to the old way of Judaism.

They were causing these young Christians to doubt everything that they believed and were taught.

So Paul had to remind them of the powerful encounter that they had with Christ and that they are no longer deceived.

He had to tell them that they are no longer inferior - say it with me, “I am adequate, I am competent and my life is meaningful!”

He told them that they are no longer cursed because Jesus reverses the curses and because the blessing is stronger than the curse.

And he told them that they are no longer captive because they have the key to unlocking their inheritance in Christ.

Then last week’s message is that they are no longer slaves because they have a choice - we have a choice!

You may not feel like you have a choice and your options may be limited, but you always have a choice.

The world, the flesh and the devil all work together to tempt us; to pull us away from God.

But there is always an alternative - Jesus.

Galatians (1) Stand Firm in Freedom (5:1)

Outside of Jesus Christ, human existence is characterized as bondage—bondage to the law, bondage to the evil elements dominating the world, bondage to sin, the flesh, and the devil. 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.

Your choice needs to be to keep your eyes on Jesus.

If you can do that, you will know what it means to be free.

And freedom means the freedom to love and to be loved.

Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (9-233: The Law Serves as a Tyrant (Law))

It was the American patriot Patrick Henry who said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Henry knew what it was like to live under the thumb of a tyrant. Along the way, he had the good fortune to get a small taste of liberty. And once he tasted liberty, his taste buds exploded with flavor. The bland taste of bondage would never satisfy him again.

In the same sense, the law serves as a tyrant. It shows no mercy and hates anything related to freedom. Anyone who binds himself to the law will be entangled in the chains of bondage. What is the alternative for the Christian believer? Liberty in Christ.

No yolks folks!

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.

We could just stop right here and preach a whole sermon just on this verse, but I think we should eventually read further.

But as we do, you will be hearing about circumcision and the law; things that we don’t so easily relate to.

We don’t talk much about yolks either - no not egg yolks!

What’s the matter, you don’t like my yolks?

Looks like the yolks on you!

Seriously, a yolk is a kind of harness usually worn by cattle to be able to pull a wagon or a plow.

But another take on the yolk was to use it on people, like slaves or prisoners of war, to humiliate them and - of course - to control them.

A yolk is not something that someone would choose; it is something that is forced on you.

Hold your ground.

There is a grammatical technique used here that is frequently used by Paul - an indicative followed by an imperative.

It is a factual statement followed by a command.

It’s like saying, “If this is true then you had better...”

If Jesus has set you free (and the language is clear that He, in fact has!)

Then do not let anyone put a yolk on you or treat you like an animal or a slave.

In other words, since Christ has paid the price to give you a choice, don’t let anyone tell you that you have no choice.

The Magna Carta (Latin for “Great Charter”) was a document that gave certain rights to the English people. King John of England agreed to it on June 15, 1215. The Magna Carta stated that the king must follow the law. ... It was one of the first documents to state that citizens had such rights.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is called the “Magna Carta of Christian Liberty”

The Magna Carta was never followed completely.

Only three clauses of the original document are still part of British law today.

The right to a trial is probably one of the most famous clauses.

But is was the very idea that people have rights that stuck.

Once people know that they have rights, they will not allow people to disregard them.

Galatians 5:2–4 ESV

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

So here is some new information.

All along you may have been wondering, “Why is it such a big deal that Jewish missionaries want Gentile believer to follow the law?

Yes, but they want them to follow the whole law - not just the ten commandments- but to keep the covenant beginning with circumcision.

If you don’t know what circumcision is - google it!

Let’s just say it is a surgical procedure that is fairly simple when you are a baby, but for a grown man it would not be very desirable.

But the Judaizers are saying that without that, you are not really part of God's covenant people.

The gospel plus anything is not the gospel.

Add anything to the gospel and it ceases to be “good news”

It can’t be the gospel plus the law.

Or the gospel plus good works.

Or even the gospel plus church membership and tithing!

I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it, I’m just saying that is not what saves you!

It’s not even the gospel plus baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Sure, I want everyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

I think everyone should want more of the Holy Spirit, not just once or twice, but many times.

I even think its good to speak in tongues - but that’s not what makes you a Christian.

Your salvation is a gift from God at Jesus’ expense and nothing you will ever do can change that unless you decide to reject it.

Whatever you do is your response to God.

It is appropriate to build on the foundation of faith, but that doesn’t make it any less a work of grace.

Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians 9-315: Man Cannot Add One Thing to Salvation (Salvation)

Accepting the grace of God at face value is difficult for many Christians: “How can God be that good to us? What is the catch? Surely, we have to add something to what God has done to be saved.” J. Vernon McGee illustrates this point for us:

Years ago a tonic called Hadacol was advertised. I don’t think it is sold any more. I am not sure of the details, but they found it was about seventy-five percent alcohol. A lot of people were using it. The company that made it was giving out glowing testimonials about its product.

Now suppose a testimonial read something like this: “I took 513 bottles of your medicine. Before I began using Hadacol, I could not walk. Now I am able to run.… I really have improved. But I think you ought to know that during that time I also concocted a bottle of my own medicine and used it also.”

Now, my friend, that final sentence certainly muddied the water. There is no way to tell if it was the 513 bottles of Hadacol that cured him or his own concoction. The minute you put something else into the formula, you are not sure.

Now notice carefully what Paul is saying. If you trust Christ plus something else you are not saved … How can He profit you anything when you have made up a bottle of your own concoction rather than trusting Him alone for your salvation?

Galatians 5:5–6 ESV

5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Faith is best expressed through love.

Faith is faith in Christ, not in a formula or in ourselves or in works.

But faith changes things - and so there are results of faith.

That is not to be confused with things that we might do to get faith.

You can’t get what is really a gift.

But once you have it, things should start to change.

Like the Holy Spirit should be active and working in your life to help change those old slavery mindsets into freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

How many can testify to the freedom that you have in Christ?

Jesus honors you by giving you a choice.

The old master of sin and selfishness would never tell you that.

People say the “Holy Spirit is a gentleman.”

That doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit is always gentle.

What it means is that the Holy Spirit does not force his will on you.

The Holy Spirit comes where he is welcome and invited.

So even though we are free, the best way to use that freedom is to welcome the Holy Spirit and surrender (voluntarily) to God.

Freedom is for love

Galatians 5:7–15 ESV

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 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. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 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. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

OK, I know that Paul doesn’t sound very loving in this text.

But love isn’t always nice.

Love can also be fierce!

If you have cancer, you don’t want the doctor to be nice and tell you everything is ok.

If you are dealing with a kidnapper, a rapist, or a murderer - you’re not going to say, “Let’s just sit down and talk about this.”

If someone is misrepresenting God, misleading people and turning them from the path to true freedom and salvation - that’s not OK!

Know the goal.

The “running the race of life” analogy is a favorite of Paul.

You know, its an endurance thing.

You just keep running until you reach the goal.

But what if someone changes the markers along the course and sends you off in a different direction?

That would be really unfair!

Galatians 5:7 The Message

7 You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience?

But that is what can happen if you don’t know what the goal really is?

Someone can say, “Oh, so you want to be a Christian, well… stand on your head.”

If you didn’t know any better, you might do it.

You have to know what the goal is.

Galatians 5:8 The Message

8 This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place.

The goal of the Christian life is love - love God and love others.

That’s what Jesus said is most important.

So that must also be the goal.

It may not alway feel warm and fuzzy, but the goal is always, somehow, love.

Watch out for obstructions.

Obstructions can be detours or things that take you away from running toward the goal.

Or they can be things that are more internal.

Like congestion which keeps you from breathing.

Or a virus which weakens your body.

Those little things can be more of a hindrance than the bigger things.

Paul talks about leaven because Jesus talked about it.

Leaven or yeast is what makes dough rise.

It’s tiny, like you can barely see it, but it multiplies and makes bread bigger - not to mention light and fluffy.

Leaven as a metaphor can be either good or bad.

The point is to watch out for it because it will creep up on you.

These guys had arguments that sounded good, but you need to consider the end result of what they are saying.

It’s the “slippery slope” argument - say I concede that you may be right - what’s next?

Stay balanced.

The problem with freedom is that some people will abuse it.

So when some people abuse their freedom, other people will say that it would be better not to be free.

That’s how tyranny happens - usually in the name of safety.

Does that mean we should give up our freedoms ? - Of course not!

But that is the balancing act - balancing freedom with responsibility.

So if you are free in Christ, why not just go crazy?

Why not just sin and say - God forgives me?

Why would you follow any rules or do what anyone tells you?

Uh… because that would be a bad idea under any circumstances.

Freedom is not doing things just because you can.

Freedom means you have a choice -so what are you choosing?

You are choosing to do what is right and good because it is right and good, not because anyone is making you do it.

Love should be your goal, not because it’s in the Bible and God said so, but because love is good and worth pursuing.

And in the process of pursuing love you will find that you are actually doing what the law says.

But all that has to do with managing outside influences.

What motivates us on the inside - love perhaps?

Love bears fruit

Galatians 5:16–18 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

When it comes to faith, there are two approaches that one can take; to see believers as a bounded set or as a centered set.

What do I mean?

A bounded set is defined by the boundaries.

You are either in or out.

You loose your faith when you cross the line.

A centered set is defined by what is most central, meaningful or desirable.

The question is one of direction, are you moving toward the center?

It doesn’t mater how close or how far you are from the center.

It’s all about which direction you are facing and where you are going.

That is why, if we move with the Spirit, we don’t need to worry about crossing the line because the Spirit leads us to Jesus.

Keep up with the Spirit.

We are going to save verse 25 for next week, but let me just preview it here because it fits so well.

Galatians 5:25 NLT

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

The Spirit is with you, even in you, motivating you to do the right things.

It is the Spirit that is sanctifying us - making us to be who Jesus says we already are.

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

It is the Spirit who empowers us to live like Jesus and to do the things that Jesus did.

2 Timothy 1:7 TPT

7 For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.

Love is the goal

Jesus is at the center of everything.

And the Holy spirit is moving us toward love and toward Jesus.

Just try to keep up!

So how do I know if I am moving in the right direction?

I mean without the boundaries, how will I be able to tell?

Paul, will you please spell it out for us?

Galatians 5:19–23 ESV

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Allow me to sum it up for you...

Sin is bad; God is good.

I know that as I was reading that list, some of you were blushing.

You may say, I don’t know what half those things are; why is this in the Bible?

Others are thinking I just read your biography before Christ.

And in case you are feeling left out, he did also mention jealousy, and envy.

What do all of these things have in common?

They represent what happens when you let the flesh (sinful nature) have its way.

This is not a new set of rules - these are examples of what sin and selfishness leads to.

If any of this looks remotely attractive, you might be headed in the wrong direction.

So what’s on the other side?

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control

If your like me, it all sounded good until that last one.

Oh, wait, there’s one more verse.

Galatians 5:24 ESV

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

I think that is the key - you are not the one doing it.

You died and your life is now in Christ - remember?

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.

There is just one more thing to say...

Fruit grows naturally.

This is not try to love,

try to have joy,

try to make peace,

try to be kind,

try to be good,

try to be faithful,

try to be gentle

and most of all - try to control yourself!

It’s called the fruit of the Spirit - it’s what grows naturally when you are abiding in the vine.

John 15:4 ESV

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

So to be clear - these are not nine things added to the gospel that you have to do to get it right.

These are nine things that you will see happen in your life when Jesus is at the center and the Spirit is moving you toward Jesus.

Have you ever been in an orchard? It’s peaceful! The trees do not have to strain to bear fruit and neither will you.

Questions for reflection:

Are you feeling bound in some area of your life? Do you know that you have a choice? If you call on Jesus and look to Him you can be free. Are you ready to take the first step?

How are you running the race of life? Do you know your goal? What motivates you and energizes you? Are you moving toward Jesus?

What is the fruit of your life? Does the fruit of the Spirit describe who you are? What would it look like to do less trying and more abiding?