Living In Freedom Series

Living in Freedom

March 9, 2025, Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We are no longer slaves to sin but children of God.

Focus Passage: Galatians 4:1-20

Supplemental Passage: For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Romans 3:28)

Introduction: According to a brief internet search, there are very few true stories of slaves returning to work for their masters once they were freed. The lure of freedom was so great that they were willing to face the struggles of the unknown to enjoy their freedom. And a fearful place it was. There was no guarantees of food or shelter as there had been working as a slave. Everything they got was earned by hard work. And they still faced overwhelming oppression from their white neighbors. The few that did return, mostly returned to an arrangement where they received meager pay for the work they previously did as a slave. Nearly none of the freed slaves understood what it was to be free, but the idea of freedom was innate in every soul. Why then, do we, once set free from the slavery of sin, return to it when we have such freedom in Christ?

I. From Slaves to Sons

a. A child is no different than a slave in what he is allowed to do until he is of age.

b. Jesus came to redeem those under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons.

c. God gives us His Spirit, giving us the right to cry, “Abba, Father.” We are no longer slaves but heirs through Christ.

d. See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (1 John 3:1a NASB)

II. Returning to Slavery

a. Slaves, before faith, worshiped idols

b. No longer slaves, but want to return to idols.

c. No longer slaves, but want to return to being under a guardian.

d. Legalism and religious rituals cannot save.

III. Plea to Remain Free

a. “Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (vs 16)

b. The Jews sought to manipulate, while Paul desired their maturity in Christ.

c. Like a mother in labor, he longs to see Christ fully formed in them.

Application/Call to Obedience: In this part of Galatians, we are challenged us to live as sons and daughters of God, not as slaves to the law or the world. It warns against turning back to religious bondage and reminds us to cherish those who lead us in Christ. The Bible says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 NASB)