For Freedom We Were Set Free Series

FOR FREEDOM WE WERE SET FREE

Galatians 5:1-15 (NASB)

1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

INTRODUCTION:

Humorous experiences saturate the life of my friend Burnell Lewis. One of the funniest took place over 50 years ago as Burnell participated in the Army’s basic training.

A friend of his persuaded him to help him in embarrassing the Inspection Officer. This Inspection officer enjoyed going over locker and person effects with a white glove. He seemed to over react at ever infraction.

Burnell’s friend asked Burnell to help by agreeing to respond with the words ""Patrick Henry sir in 1776."to what ever this man shouted out. So while the soldiers were standing at inspection and the inspection officer seemed especially intend to find some infraction of the rules. Burnell’s friend hollered out "give me liberty or give me death". Immediately the Inspection Officer cried out who said that." Burnell replied "Patrick Henry sir in 1776."

The entire troupe of soldiers fell all over themselves laughing. The inspection turned into a shambles and Burnell receive orders to report to the commanding officer. He was sternly reprimanded. When he was dismissed he turned around and ask the officer if ha could ask one question? His superior said "yes, what is it." Burnell ask "of the record sir did you think that episode was funny"? The commanding officer put his head down on his desk and laugh heartily. He then said "it is one of the funniest things I ever heard of."

Many of us do not fully understand the privileged of freedom. This is true concerning National freedom. It is even more evident in the matters of spiritual freedom. Today I want to guide you in an analysis of the text and emphasize the title "FOR FREEDOM WE WERE SET FREE"

I. The Purpose . . Of Our Freedom. v 1

2. The Pleasure . . Of Our Freedom. v 1

3. The Persistency . . Of Our Freedom. v 1

I. The Purpose . . Of Our Freedom. v 1

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

A. The . . Obvious Purpose of Freedom. v 1 a

" It was for freedom . . . "

1. Freedom from A Set of Rules.

a. Jewish religion added over 600 rules to the 10 Commandments.

2. Freedom from A Set of Rituals.

a. Washings and outward expression of religion.

b. The Word of God sets us free for righteous living.

Psalms 119:45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Thy precepts.

B. The . . Originator of the Purpose of Freedom. v 1 b

". . . that Christ set us free;. . . "

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." NKJV

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the

Father except through Me. NKJV

John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV

1 Cor 9:19-22 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. NKJV

1 Peter 2:16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

Illustration

I once visited in the home of a main from China. He was complaining about Americans and the treatment he receive from the general public. I sat and listened until I had enough and then I ask him "why don’t you go back home? He looked at me and said "because of freedom. You don’t really understand your freedoms.

Illustration

A number of zoning cases have affected the right of worship in private homes. In Colorado Springs, minister Richard Blanche has been repeatedly cited for holding religious meetings in his home in violation of a city zoning ordinance.

In Fairhaven, Massachusetts, local zoning official ruled that Bible studies were home occupations and therefore prohibited under the town’s property-use ordinances.

In Los Angeles, officials ruled that home-occupancy regulations forbade orthodox Jews from holding prayer meetings in their homes.