Galatians 5:1-6

Free In Christ

This past year something bazaar happened in Nicaragua. For those of you who know the politics of Central America, you know that after more then 16 years of Freedom from the corrupt and Communistic Sandinista government, the people of Nicaragua once again elected Daniel Ortega, the Communist leader from their past, as president of their nation.

Why would people who have enjoyed freedom - desire to go back under the bondage of oppressive leadership? Why would folks who enjoy liberties want a totalitarian government? Well, politics aside, that is what was happening in some of the first century in the churches. After coming to faith in Jesus Christ, after being set free from sin, and set free from religious obligations, some folks began to embrace bondage – of the Jewish law, and traditions.

So the Apostle Paul writes the book of Galatians to deal it. He writes, “that those who do that are – slaves.” Not salves in the physical since, but slaves to – sin, and slaves to religions tradition. But being a slave to sin does not mean that someone is just awful- in all their behaviors. But it does mean that they are not free to worship God - because they are ruled by the god of this world. Their lord is sin, the devil, their own flesh- and all that is opposed to God.

And being a slave to religion does not mean that someone is involved in a mind control cult, rather they are bound by religious sounding rules and the result is the same, they too are not free to worship God.

2 Peter 2:19 ... “For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.”

John 8:36 (Jesus said)... “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

There is a freedom that is beyond the freedoms we enjoy in our nation. A freedom of the soul, yet many people, do not have this freedom. And sadly for the Galatians as they began to embrace the Judeizers, who advocated keeping the Jewish law, in order to worship Christ, they went from freedom to slavery.

The Judeizers main point was Circumcision. The cutting away of flesh, to show you belong. But we know the Gospel is not about what we do, the Gospel is about what God has done.

Rom 2:29 ...Circumcision is circumcision of the heart , by the Spirit, not by the written code.

Circumcision is the cutting away of the flesh as a sign of being set apart for God. Circumcision of the heart, is the mark, that God gives.

Eph 1:13 ... Having believed (the Gospel) you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

Whoever comes to Jesus Christ by faith, has their hearts sealed, circumcised by the Holy Spirit. All who come to Jesus Christ by faith, are free. Free to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.

So Galatians stands as God's strongest word against legalism. Legalism is “religious sounding rules that are imposed to make people right with God.” Yet to this day, people love to do things religious – they celebrate holy days, practice rituals, deny or bruise their bodies, all in an attempt to earn favor with God. The bible says such regulations have an appearance of “wisdom”, but they lack any power in restraining evil thoughts and desires.

So today as we continue in our studies of Galatians we will see all about real freedom, and the evidence of it.

READ THE TEXT GALATIANS 5:1-6 FREE IN CHRIST

In 1971 Janice Joplin sang, the song, Bobby McGee, in that song you may remember the chorus:

“Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose--- Freedom ain't worth nothing but it's free.”

What a stupid lyric, for freedom is valuable, and it costs a plenty. Earthly freedom cost men and women their lives in wars, and Godly freedom cost our Lord his life, as he laid it down for our sin. Three things I would like us to glean from this text today.

FREEDOM'S RESPONSE V1

Jesus work set people, free, free from the bondage of sin, and free from bondage to religious legalism. Free not to try to perform our way to God and free to worship God. But if you poll people around our community, you will find the majority of folks believe that it is by what you do, that God accepts you. But the Gospel, teaches that “justification” is by grace through faith. Justified simply means “to made in right standing.”

Gal 2:16 Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified .

Friends that is an important concept, for the more you consider the law of God, the commands of God, you come to the undeniable understanding that the law could never make anyone right with God. The Law can not justify -- because it is perfect, and we are not. So the purpose of the law is three fold. First to point out our sin, (our imperfection). Second to point us to our perfect savior. Third, to guide us into right living.

Of course Jesus, taught that the law is beyond the things we do, and it reaches the innermost attitude of the heart. So who then can keep the law? Well, that's the point - no one - only someone perfect – and that is our perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

That is what is so amazing about Grace. God gave grace to men and women to purchase their freedom by bringing Jesus into slavery to men who killed him.

May 10, was a day John would never forget. As an experienced sea captain he had traveled the waters off the coast of Africa many times. But something amazing was going to happen to John that day. As he was headed homeward, and attempting to steer the ship through a violent storm, when John experienced what he later called his "great deliverance." When all seemed lost and the ship seemed as if it would surely sink, he called out in desperation.

"Lord, have mercy upon us." Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God had addressed him through the storm and that grace had begun to work for him.

This man John was not just a seaman, but a salve trader, the year was 1748. And that day a man who had sold men and women as commodities, a man who had very little religious training, came face to face with God. He repented of his many sins, and later in his cabin he placed these words in his journal. "Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'tis grace has bro't me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home." Although he continued in the slave trade for a time after his conversion; John Newton later became a pastor, and part of the abolitionist movement in England, and someone who William Wiberforce would counsel with as he fought for freedom from salary more then 100 years before America did.

SONG OR CLIP.

Freedom's response.

STAND FIRM/ KJV STAND FAST.

I like that wording because it means: “to not be moved.” Like John the baptist, Jesus said of him.

Matt 11:7 “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?”

John stood firm, he was not moved by the winds of tradition, he was not moved by sin and temptation blowing against society, he was not moved by popular religion of his day.

What about you? Are you moved by things that enslave? Are you moved by religious traditions that have little bearing on faith in Christ? Are you moved by what pop-culture says what is acceptable? Are you moved by temptation and sin finding it hard to stand firm in holiness and right living? Don't be move my friends, stand firm in the power of God.

The words “Stand Firm” are found more then 20 times in the bible. And “standing firm” is the response to our freedom we have in Jesus Christ. Like Israel, when they are facing the Red Sea on one side and the Egyptian army on the other. Things look hopeless but God says to Moses, “Stand Firm and see the salvation of the Lord.”

Don't be moved by what you see, don't be moved by the people who are saying compromise, don't be moved to conform to the pattern of this world. Don't be moved by religious sounding rules and law. Stand firm in you faith in Christ.

· As a believer you “stand firm” against spiritual warfare, in the whole armor of God.

· We are called to “stand firm” in the Holy Spirit, and in the power of God.

· The last time we see the words “Stand firm” in the bible. James 5:8 “You too, be patient and stand firm , because the Lord's coming is near.”

Stand firm, in patient endurance, because the return of Jesus Christ is nearer today then it has ever been. Look around friends, look up church, your redemption is drawing near.

First we see, Freedom's response, to stand firm and not be put under the burden of slavery.

SLAVERY'S OBLIGATION. V2-4

The Galatians churches were being told: “Its great to receive Jesus as Lord, but you must conform to the Jewish law.” The main thing that marked a man as conforming to the law was – circumcision. Three things Paul says about conforming to the law.

Christ will be of no value to you at all.

Wow, heavy words. But you ether believe that Jesus paid the price for your redemption or that you must add something to his finished work.

You are obligated to obey it all.

The law is that way, you take it all, you obey it all-- or you are guilty of breaking it all. No mixing and choosing what law works for you.

To live by law is to fall away from Grace.

Law and grace, work together to bring people to the savior, but you ether live by law, or live under grace.

I like the acronym for Grace: G.R.A.C.E. “GOD'S RICHES AT CHRIST'S EXPENSE.”

Lets consider a few thoughts about this obligation to slavery.

Circumcision was the issue in Paul's day but today it legalism takes many different forms. Sometimes legalism sounds religious, and denies outward social sins. Don't dance, don't drink, don't dress this way, don't go to movies, don't pierce anything, don't get tattooed, and don't smoke.

Of course the bible says little about many of those things. Still others look beyond social sins, and argue about worship. What type of music you sing to, can you have instruments, guitars or drums. Even worse people argue about Baptism and Communion. How to do them, when to do them, and what they mean.

Some argue that we must baptize infants because baptism “saves you.” But as we consider the whole counsel of God's word – the ordinances of Baptism and Communion can not save anyone. Like circumcision, baptism is a picture of what God has already done. The act itself can not save you any more then saying a “sinners prayer” can save you because salvation is of the heart.

John 1:11-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Baptism is a human decision, and not like faith. Baptism is an outward act, and not an inward attitude. Now having said that, every believer should be Baptized. To not get Baptized is to live in disobedience to the Lord. And no man / no women can call Jesus Lord, and disobey him, because Lord means Master.

John 14:15 (Jesus said) "If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

Don't say you love Jesus then disobey him. Every believer should obey the Lord in, the waters of baptism, showing themselves to be his disciples and showing the world that they love Jesus. We obey the Lord-- not in legalistic obligation -- but as a response to our freedom.

Of course the other ordinance the Lord gave the church is communion. The bible says “as often as you partake you do show or proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” It does not tell us how often to partake, yet there are those who want to create new law, and put people under the obligation of slavery.

I grew up in a religious system that taught if you did not partake of communion at every week you were less of a believer. And if you did not partake of it at least once in six months you were no longer under the grace of God.

That's crazy. What about someone in prison in a third world country? What about those who were persecuted in the first century? They could not be Baptized, they could not partake of Communion, yet their faith out shines most of us in America.

Go back for a moment--when you gave your life to Jesus, did you become a child of God by something you did- or by faith? Did you change your life and clean up your act to be right with God? No, it was by faith in Jesus Christ -- you didn't know everything about the Lord, you didn't have it all together. But by faith when conviction came-- you repented of your sins. By faith you believed in Jesus, by grace you were saved.

INVITE?

To be obligated to religious rules, even those that appear holy, will never make anyone right with God. But as believers we do have an obligation.

Rom 8:12-13 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

The church is obligated to follow the Holy Spirit and the Spirit always lead us into godly morality as he changes the old nature. Yet throughout the ages, people made rules for holy living and even though most Christians are going to live by many of those same rules, the rules in and of themselves, never kept anyone from sin. The scripture says as a statement of fact.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Sin has no mastery over those who belong to Jesus. Because they have counted themselves dead to sin and alive to Christ, and dead men / dead women don't sin. But still some want to give us law.

Gal 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

The curse of the law (even the ten commandments) is that you must do it all, and do it all perfectly or you will are not fulling the law. Rules from the bible, rules from a church, or self imposed rules-- will not make you right with God. Only grace through faith in the perfect savior will justify.

Charles Spurgeon, said: “I have found, in my own spiritual life, that the more rules I lay down for myself, the more sins I commit.”

Legalism's example is that it can not be kept. When your friends say, “I keep the commands, I'm a moral person” they are only fooling themselves. For the law, the commands, are much more then outward actions - and if anyone fails in one point of the law they are guilty of breaking it all.

Some people see such “grace is dangerous!" They say "It replaces Law with license” and to abandon rules and traditions people will sin uncontrollably. The Legalists says to teach about freedom, will result in anarchy. But the bible tells us that the Christian who lives by faith is not going to rebel. For it is really the legalist who rebels against God.

Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish ? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Legalism is dangerous, because it attempts to do the impossible: To change the old nature by observing rules. The man/ the woman who depends on the power of the Spirit will never deny the Law of God, nor will they rebel against it – because the Law is being fulfilled in him through the Spirit. Legalism is dangerous, but Grace is contagious.

We have seen, Freedom's response, and Slavery's Obligation, finally.

SPIRIT'S RESULT. V5-6

Gal 5:6 NLT For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Samuel the prophet was told to anoint a new king. He went to the house of Jessie, and when he saw Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the Lord's man.” He's tall, dark and handsome, hes the oldest, he must be “the man!” But he wasn't --then in very Cinderella like fashion each one of Jessie's sons passed by Samuel and God said no to each one. Until finally David is anointed by Samuel. But before that happens God spoke to Samuel.

1 Sam 16:7 ... “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Men and women throughout all ages have tried to make the gospel about things we do, when it is all about faith – and faith can be seen, because like our text says faith will express itself in love.

TURN TO 1 JOHN 3:7-10

If you are a follower of Jesus you will do, what is right. You will not be mastered by sin. Your freedom will not indulge the sinful nature. But your faith will express itself in love, love God, and love for one another.

READ GALATIANS 5:7-15

Years ago, I ran a cross country race at Lake Tahoe, called the “Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.” It was just before Thanksgiving and first place won a huge turkey. Well, myself and another guy led the entire race, we went back and forth, and as we came around the final turn, there was about 300 yards to the finish, and we started sprinting, and about 30 yards left to go, our legs got tangled and we both went down. The guy in third won the turkey, and we both staggered across the finish line, only to get a frozen chicken. Someone cut me off, and I went down, I got the chicken.

Who has cut you off? Is someone trying to lay legalistic trips on you? Is sin trying to enslave you? Run your race with purpose, run your race like you started off. Focused on Jesus , looking to your first love. Remember your freedom, you didn't need rules to serve the Lord.

· Did you read your bible because it was a regulation? Or out of a response to love?

· Did you give to others because there were rules?

· Did you help strangers or witness because it was law? Or was it like our text says, your faith was expressing itself in love.

That's all that matters “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” How does faith express itself in your life? Next week we will consider the heart of this book of Galatians, but in closing look lets take a sneak preview.

Gal 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Are you instep with the Spirit? The man/ the woman who is following law will never have this type of fruit in their lives. Because by the law no one is made right with God. But the believer who is led by the Spirit will have victory of the flesh. Because, there is “no law” against the Spirit there is nothing to keep you from the Spirit filled life.

PRAY, INVITE, BENEDICTION, SING.

Series: Galatians -Through the Bible
By: Rich Lammay
Title: “FREE IN CHRIST”
Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6
Date: February, 2007

Free In Christ

(C) High Sierra Fellowship 2008