Freed to Serve

Have you ever seen a house cat sneak out of the house for the first time? A cat that has lived its life entirely within the safe confines of a house is not equipped or prepared for the reality of life in the “real world.” They are used to the sounds, smells, and sights of a controlled human environment. So, when they slip outdoors for the first time they are completely overwhelmed. They will freeze and crouch down as close to the ground as possible. They will spastically look from side to side, not sure if something is about to jump out of the bushes to eat them. Kitty may have tried to gain her freedom for weeks or months but as soon as it is gained, she has no idea what to do with it. Should she run back to the safety of her home? Should she run aimlessly into the road? Why did she want this freedom to begin with?

In our passage for this coming Sunday Paul is explaining to the Galatians what they are called to do with the freedom they have received in Christ Jesus. Like all those who have lived confined for so long, the Galatians were struggling to understand how to live freely. The major temptation that they are fighting is the urge to run back to the familiarity of slavery. They are tempted to return to the law. The law is comfortable. The law is stable. It is a temptation to return to the law when you are overwhelmed by your freedom. The other major temptation is a license, to use their freedom in Christ to indulge in sinful behavior. However, pursuing sin is just as much a path to slavery as is legalism. The freedom won is Christ is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin. 

How then are those who have been freed in Christ to live out their freedom? What we will see in our passage is that to live free in Christ we must not submit to the law but fulfill it. We must not indulge the flesh but fight it. And we must not quench the Spirit but follow him. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Galatians 5:13-18, Leviticus 19:18, Luke 10:27, Romans 8:1-9, and Westminster Confession of Faith 20. 

As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Praise to the Lord the Almighty!”, the Acclamation of Praise “Spirit of the Living God” and the Hymn of Response “It Is Well With My Soul” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him! 

Sermon Information

Text: Galatians 5:13-18 

Title: Freed to Serve 

Outline:

1. Every Christian is Freed to Fulfill the Law
2. Every Christian is Freed to Fight the Flesh
3. Every Christian is Freed to Follow the Spirit