Liberty In Christ

Liberty in Christ

September 10, 2017 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must not abuse the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.

Focus Passage: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Key Passage: But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Corinthians 8:9 NASB)

Introduction: Legalism (theology) - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legalism_(theology)

Legalism (or nomism), in Christian theology, is the act of putting the Law of Moses above gospel by establishing requirements for salvation beyond obedience, repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and reducing the broad, inclusive, and general precepts of the Bible to narrow and rigid moral codes.

I. God’s Law

a. Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20 NASB)

b. "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17 NASB)

II. God’s Grace

a. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! (Romans 6:14-15 NASB)

b. and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32 NASB)

c. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (Galatians 2:21 NASB)

III. God’s Freedom

a. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4 NASB)

b. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. (James 2:12 NASB)

c. "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NASB)

d. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB)

e. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:15 NASB)

Application/Invitation: Are you trying to be “good enough” or, trying “to do more good than bad” in order to gain favor with God? Even our most righteous acts are as filthy rags before the Lord if done in the flesh. We must not try to keep the commandments in order to get to Heaven. We keep the commandments because we Love Jesus!