Spirit Filled Freedom

Sermon Title: “Spirit-Filled Freedom”

Texts: Acts 2:1–4; Galatians 4:1–7 [5:16–26]

INTRODUCTION: “What’s Got a Hold on You?”

Let me ask you something this morning:

What’s got a hold on you?

I’m not talking about what you like. I’m talking about the thing that pulls at you—that has a little more control over your day, your habits, maybe even your heart, than it should.

For me, it was soda.

Now, I know that sounds small. But for me, it was “Coke”—and if you're from the South, you know that means anything carbonated: Dr Pepper, Sprite, you name it.

I started to realize I wasn’t just enjoying it—I was depending on it. Reaching for it without thinking. Needing it to get through the day.

So back in August of 2000, I decided to quit. Cold turkey. And yes, the caffeine headaches were real.

Since then, I’ve made one exception—if one of my teams wins a championship, I’ll celebrate with one Coke. Just one.

Now when I hear someone say, “I just need a Dr Pepper”… I don’t say anything. But I think, Man, I’m glad I broke that.

It didn’t own me anymore.

And that’s kind of funny… but it’s also real.

Because sometimes the things that have a hold on us aren’t so harmless. Sometimes we’re carrying things—wounds, habits, lies—that quietly shape our lives without us even realizing it.

And today, Pentecost Sunday, we’re reminded of something powerful:

God doesn’t just call us to “try harder” or “do better”—

He sends His Spirit to set us free.

Free from whatever’s held us back.

Free to live like beloved children, filled with His power, His presence, and His purpose.

Let’s look at what that freedom really means.

Acts 2:1-4

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Galatians 4:1-7

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b]6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 5:16-26

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,provoking and envying each other. “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”

I. THE SPIRIT SETS US FREE (Galatians 4:1–7)

“You’re not a slave… you’re a child.”

Paul paints this picture in Galatians 4—a child who’s an heir, but who still lives like a servant. They’ve got a name and a future, but not yet the freedom. That was us, Paul says. Bound by rules, by expectations, by fear.

But then God stepped in.

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son… so that we might receive adoption.”

And not just a legal adoption. A heart-deep, soul-changing adoption.