Sermon Central
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Freedom Letter- Avoid Legalism Series
Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 2, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the 37th sermon in the Action Series. This series began during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study in Acts will also include the letters written to the Churches. This is the 2nd sermon from the Letter to the Galatians.
Series: Action [#37]
FREEDOM LETTER- AVOID LEGALISM
Galatians 2:1-10
Introduction:
As you begin a New Year, how are you approaching it? I have been praying about this coming year; and I recently heard a great sermon about the New Year. As a Christian, nothing has changed in this World that should hurt your Christian walk. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As we get back into our Action Sermon Series, I want to look at how to remain free in Christ.
Galatians 2:1-3
If you allow legalism to win…
1. A lot of ministry will be undone.
After 14 years, God sent Paul to Jerusalem. Paul had been preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles; and he went and preached the same Gospel to the Jewish Christians. Paul wanted to make sure that he was preaching the Gospel correctly.
The problem Paul found was that many of the Jewish Christians were changing the Gospel to Jesus plus circumcision. Titus, (who was not a Jew) did not want any part of this false gospel. If Paul would have followed the legalistic traditions that some of the Jews wanted him to follow; what would have happened to all of the Gentiles that Paul had been ministering to? They would have moved on to a different teaching. Paul’s ministry would have been in vain.
Galatians 2:4-5
If you allow legalism to win…
2. You will lose your freedom and become a slave.
Jesus is all you need. If you are looking for peace and joy through following man-made religion which requires doing something to be saved; you will not find peace. The enemy is using people that have infiltrated the Church to rob you of your freedom and make you a slave to religious acts. Do not give in.
Galatians 2:6-10
If you allow legalism to win…
3. You are exchanging the truth for a lie.
This passage is so important. Notice, that regardless of how important these people thought they were, it did not matter to Paul and it should not matter to you either. Paul was called by God to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. He was following God’s calling just like the Peter, James, and John were. The only request made of Paul was to remember the poor; which he was already doing.
Conclusion:
Don’t get caught up into the motions of being religious. Yes, it is important to study God’s Word, fellowship with other believers, pray, etc…; but that is not so you can check a box- That is so you can become like Christ.
