Freedom Found in Christ - Galatians Week 4

Lead Off Question

Have you ever had to give something up?

Illustration

Giving up video games.

Transition

Tonight some of us are captive to materialistic items and things that are holding us back, and stopping us from growing. Sometimes, what is most frightening about letting things go is not knowing what lies ahead on the other side. We stay put because while we don’t really LIKE where we are, we are at least knowledgable of where we are and are therefore content be complacent. We fear letting go, because we cannot see what lies beyond us right now, what will fill that hole in our life. Jesus desires that as we would remove our filth and idols that we would welcome him to fill our hearts and our time.

Bottom Line

There is no greater freedom than that which is found in Jesus Christ.

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Context

In Galatians, the book can really be broken into 3 sections, personal, doctrinal, practical. The personal section of Galatians applies directly to the people and how they are living their life, the doctrinal section applies directly to how the people are leading the church, and then the final section applies to how people are applying the teachings of the church to their life. Now, don’t forget here, this has all be done through a heretical lens. The people have pursued a different and perverted gospel, they have then gone to the church and taught the different and perverted gospel, and now, where we will pick up tonight, they are applying the different and perverted gospel to their life.

Bible Verse

Galatians 5:1–9 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

Galatians 5:1 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Stop going back to your waste.

Breakdown

Trash bag illustration

Bottom Line

There is no greater freedom than that which is found in Jesus Christ.

___________________________

Bible Verse

Galatians 5:2–6 NIV

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Our waste does not renew us, it restrains us.

Breakdown

Our parents remind us to take out the trash not bring it in the house.

Bottom Line

There is no greater freedom than that which is found in Jesus Christ.

___________________________

Bible Verse

Galatians 5:7–9 NIV

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

Our waste makes our race more challenging.

Breakdown

When we drag the trash bag, it goes everywhere.

Bottom Line

There is no greater freedom than that which is found in Jesus Christ.

___________________________

Application

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SMALL GROUP CONTENT

>>>>What are sins that hold us back?

>>>>Why do we repeatedly go back and grab our trash?

>>>>Who can we surround ourselves with that will help us with our trash?

>>>>What trash are you throwing away tonight?