Spiritual Freedom

Galatians 5:13-15

INTRODUCTION

1. In Galatians 5:1, the Apostle Paul encourages us to stand in our liberty and explains (in summary) what this liberty entails. Here is a brief overview of his instruction to the churches of Galatia.

a. As Jews, you are no longer obligated to keep the Law of Moses.

b. As humanity, Christ has delivered us from the power and guilt of sin.

c. As Christians, we are freed from the bondage imposed by the traditions of men.

d. We are freed from the deeds of the flesh by surrendering to Jesus as Lord of our lives.

2. Today, we find ourselves in Galatians 5:13-15 discussing:

a. What it means to be free in Christ, and

b. How to properly adjudicate the blessings of our freedoms in our daily walk.

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN NOT TO SERVE THE FLESH?

A. The works of the flesh threaten our daily walk with Christ.

1. Jesus warned us about this during His earthly ministry – Mark 7:20-23

2. Some examples of the works of the flesh are found in Galatians 5:20 and include hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions.

3. Our liberty in Christ does not give us a license to do whatever we want.

B. The works of the flesh can put our relationship with God in jeopardy.

1. The flesh and the Spirit are at war with each other for our soul.

Galatians 5:16-17

2. The works of the flesh will cost us our inheritance in the Kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

3. Satisfying our flesh produces a corrupt lifestyle that will separate us from God. Galatians 6:8

4. The power of the flesh is no joke. We should take the implications of it seriously.

C. We should crucify the works of the flesh.

1. Why? Because the wrath of God is coming upon the children of disobedience. - Colossians 3:5-8

2. How? With the help of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 8:12-13 Otherwise, we live a lie and do not truly belong to Christ. – Galatians 5:24-26

3. Our Freedom: We have been set free from the bondage of sin that we might serve God. – Romans 6:11-19

II. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER?

A. God’s Word commands us to serve one another.

1. All of us are part of the body of Christ. We are a smaller part of a larger whole. We need each other. – Romans 12:3-8

2. Our gifts are not just our own but were given to us for others as well. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

3. We are to use our strength to lift the weak and bring stability to the whole. – Romans 15:1

4. What would happen if we all focused on encouraging and strengthening one another? - Romans 15:2-3; 14:19

B. What happens when we serve through love?

1. Loving one another fulfills the Law. – Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10

2. Love is the strength that enables us to serve others sacrificially. – Philippians 2:17; 1 John 3:16

3. Love causes us to serve others even when we do not receive the same in return. – 2 Corinthians 12:15

4. Love is what motivates us to serve one another!

CONCLUSION

1. The freedom we experience through Christ brings deliverance to our lives.

a. Deliverance from the guilt and power of sin, and

b. Deliverance from the works of the flesh.

2. Our liberty in Christ should produce:

a. Gratitude towards God, and

b. Loving service to one another.

c. Serving one another through love is to exercise the liberty we have in Christ properly!