True Freedom

“True Freedom”

Galatian 5:1-13

Such a fantastic time of the year. A time when we celebrate with fireworks, firearms, and flame kissed meat. Maybe hitting the lakes or rivers and enjoying some time on the water is more your style. Or possibly you just want to stay home, stay safe, and enjoy the air conditioning.

Whatever it is that you enjoy we must remember that when we have holidays, like what we will celebrate tomorrow, the recreation is fun, but the purpose is for us to remember the reason for the celebration.

246 years ago a group of men, fed up with the oppression of a government that cared more about using people than serving people, said enough is enough. They got together and crafted a document that would begin a long drawn out process of separation from the aforementioned tyrannical government.

The document they crafted that we now know and refer to as “The Declaration of Independence” reads as following…

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government

This weekend, specifically tomorrow we celebrate 246 years of freedom from Britain… BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE TRULY FREE?

HOW MANY AMERICANS CAN WALK AROUND THIS MORNING PROCLAIMING ANY TYPE OF TRUE FREEDOM?

Certainly, there are plenty of people that proclaim a TYPR of freedom. A freedom that seems to be guaranteed on a ancient parchment paper that was signed by some guys that dies a couple hundred years ago, but if we are all realists, we see that even those guaranteed rights are limited!

We have the right to free speech, but that doesn’t mean you can walk around saying whatever you want… well maybe you can, but you shouldn’t and sometimes there will be consequences…and there should be.

“News I would watch…”

The one right that has an absolute statement in it is often the one under the greatest attack… “shall not be infringed” seems pretty clear, but if you are familiar with those words, you know that that right is in danger.

We could spend all day talking about “Our Rights.” We could talk about the controversial ones like, abortion (WHICH PRAISE GOD IS NO LONGER CONSIDERED A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT), Guns, the way we exercise our religion. We could talk about how we feel our government is doing great, or we could talk about how we feel they are failing us.

We could even go so far as to say that it is time that We The People exercise our right to abolish or alter the government, and institute a new one…

OR we can decide for ourselves that we will be controlled by a new government that isn’t a republic, or a democracy.

It is past time that we recognize that we are, OR SHOULD BE, governed by a THEOCRACY!

We should be ruled by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Certainly while we exist here on this planet, while we are journeying through this land, we are subject to the laws of this land, and we must obey the laws of this land.

This morning I am going to preach from the Title…

“True Freedom”

I will be reading from. Galatians 5 in just a moment.

The idea this morning is that the “freedoms” we cling so closely to in this country are really just a mirage. They are a hope that we have for a better life for ourselves, and our children, BUT As we have seen, our “Rights” can be changed or taken over the course of years, or in the blink of an eye.

We can look at the nation of Israel. They left the land God had given them to go to Egypt because of a drought. For some period of years we have to believe and expect that things went well for Joseph and His family, but over a period of 400 plus years, they became enslaved. What may have started out as deliverance, turned to bondage.

But this morning we will see in Galatians 5 that “True Freedom” comes from Christ.

Galatians 5:1–13 ESV

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 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. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 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.

If you follow the Gospel of Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ ministry following His baptism it says (starting in chapter 4) that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted. Following the temptations and the time in the wilderness, it says in v. 14 that Jesus “returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee..”

The first significant event detailed in Jesus’ ministry takes place a couple verses later. It says that Jesus entered a synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. It says that He was given the scoll of the prophet Isaiah, and he turned to where the following was written…

Luke 4:18–21 ESV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

This is what Jesus CAME FOR!!!

He came to proclaim good news to the poor

He came to proclaim liberty to the captives

He came to give the blind sight

He came to set at LIBERTY those that were AND ARE oppressed.

He came to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

He came to give us true freedom.

But in today’s age where the idea of freedom gets confused between what the world says or thinks it looks like, and what the Bible says, we need to see AND LIVE BY WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS CHRISTIAN FREEDOM MEANS!

I. Christian Freedom Means Salvation

A. “You were called to be free.” In Galatians 4 the apostle told of the bondage to the Old Testament law which the Judaizers were promoting.

Even under the law of God in the Old Testament, Even as the people of God, they were enslaved to a sin nature. They were stuck as mere humans, HOPEFULLY seeking relationship with the Creator, BUT because of the futile nature of trying to do right in the midst of evil people, MANY if not MOST gave up. They gave into the ways of the world around them.

They chose to act free, which only led to further bondage.

But now in Galatians 5:1-4 Paul explains, we live only unto Christ (5:1–4).

Galatians 5:1–4 ESV

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

This was the main context of the letter of Galatians was the thought of the doctrine that was being taught that Circumcision was necessary for Salvation.

Now you have these full-grown men finding out that following Jesus and becoming a Christian was going to be a LITTLE BIT harder than they thought.

Maybe a WHOLE LOT HARDER than they thought.

B. We are called by freedom and for freedom—for the purpose of living a life free from sin Romans 8:2 .

Romans 8:2 ESV

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

We are freed from the hopeless task of trying to save ourselves. Paul talks about the futility of our own attempts at freedom or righteousness in Romans 3:20-27

Romans 3:20–27 ESV

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.

In essence, we might say that our level of freedom can be measured, or attained through our level of faith!

Our level of faith is measured by our belief, AND RESPONSE to our understanding that it is by His blood, Christ purchased our freedom.

A Key is understanding what we are saved From!!!

We often think we are saved from Hell, and that is part of it. We are saved from so much more when we fully understand TRUE FREEDOM.

1. Free From Sin Nature

2. Freed From Death

3. Free From Anxiety

4. Free From Condemnation

5. Free From OURSELVES and our flesh nature

BUT, To Be truly free from these things we have to understand that our freedom has limitations, and that our freedom requires consecration.

II. Christian Freedom Means Limitation

A. “Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.” Note

Can freedom be wrong?

Only if we do not use it right. To argue that because we have no detailed legalistic regulations, we can engage in all sorts of licentious conduct is wrong we are freed from sin, but subject to Christ (Romans 6:1–6 .

Romans 6:1–6 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

B. Freedom must have limitation in order to be freedom.

When freedom goes awry freedom quickly turns back to slavery. I could easily get on a plane, fly to Seattle, buy a bag of heroin or meth (they legalized or decriminalized hard drugs a couple years ago), and indulge in those drugs.

But the chances are I would quickly lose any appearance of freedom as I became a slave to addiction!

I could probably find somewhere here in town to buy the same drugs, but I would stand the chance of losing my freedom for breaking the law.

One illustration I read about freedom said this…

Freedom’s Boundaries

The immigrant was so happy to be in America. But it was only a few days until he got into a fight with a neighbor. He punched the fellow in the nose. The police came, and he was arrested. Taken before the judge, he said, “Why are they making a problem out of this? This is a free country, so I can do what I want.” “Not really,” said the judge. “Your freedom ends where his nose begins.”

Delroy Lindo story…

Lindo is a panelist on a TV news show where newscasters are discussing “Is racism a one-way street?”

Lindo listens quietly as a white man, also a panelist, explains how white people feel victimized by racism. “I see racism against whites every day. Every single day. Yet, I’m a racist for pointing that out?”

Still choosing not to comment, a white newscaster interjects, “I think Chuck is pointing out a double standard here. Take Hip-Hop. We’ve talked about this on the show before. You have African American rappers saying n-word this and n-word that, but a Caucasian can’t.”

It is at this moment that Lindo calmly shoots back, “So, say it. Say the word you want to say.” The newscaster says he can’t say the n-word but Lindo urges him to get it out. “Sure you can. Say it right now… I will say it with you.”

When another panelist calls Lindo hypocritical for suggesting that the newscaster can utter the word without repercussions, Lindo says: “Sure you can. This is America!” and then proceeds to try and help them by saying the first syllable of the racial slur.

III. Christian Freedom Means Consecration

A. “Use your freedom to … serve one another in love.” Real freedom is living by the Spirit Galatians 5:16-18 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

TRUE FREEDOM MEANS bearing the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22–26 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Peter echoed the same thing 1 Peter 2:16 .

1 Peter 2:16 ESV

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

B. Our freedom should lead us to do right out of love for the Lord who freed us from sin. Freedom brings responsibility, whether as a citizen or a Christian.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

As a Christian our consecration should lead us TO DO several things… Some I have already pointed out, but I will remention.

1. Free to Love

2. Free to Forgive

3. Free to Serve

4. Free to Pray

5. Free to Read the Bible John 8:32-36

John 8:32–36 ESV

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

The KEY TO FREEDOM IS KNOWING TRUTH!!! We gain Truth and Faith through knowing Jesus and Knowing His Word!

CLOSING!!!

On July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia PA The Liberty Bell rang out from Independence Hall summoning people to come and hear a public announcement. On that day Colonel John Nixon publicly read the Declaration of Independence for the first time.

On that bell that represents so much of what we as a nation believe and stand for you can read the following inscription… “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10)

In closing this morning, I have to tell you that proclaiming liberty will cost you something. Ringing that bell is a declaration that we are willing to fight for what we believe. As I said last week, that fighting is spiritual, and could be harder than actually taking up arms.

This fight is not for power over a community or a country, but for the eternal souls of our friends, family, and neighbors.

This fight is real, and has been going on since the beginning of time.

The question is…ARE YOU WILLING TO STAND FOR YOUR FREEDOM AND FOR THE FREEDOM OF OTHERS!

The last line of the Declaration of Independence sums it up…

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

This morning, can you stand with me, can you pledge to firmly rely on The Lord for everything…Healing, Provision, Protection, Guidance and anything else you need.

Will you pledge to God, to yourself, to this church, to your families, and to this community to Proclaim Liberty to all that will listen?

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