Freedom for Christians
Galatians 5:1-15
1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again, I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated! 13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
WALK IN
1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
John 8:32 CSB – 32 “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
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2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again, I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.
Romans 10:2 CSB – 2 I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
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THE OF YOUR
5 For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
Hebrews 9:27-28 CSB – 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
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PAULS ATTEMPT
7 You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!
Hebrews 12:1 CSB – 1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,
13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
1 Peter 2:16 CSB – 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves.
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Embrace freedom in Christ: Faith over law, love over legalism.
Community Life Group Questions
- What is one thing that stuck with you from today’s sermon?
- What did Christ set you free from? (verse 2) Why is this important?
- Why is legalism so dangerous? (verses 2-3) Can legalism be subtle? In what ways?
- What are we, as believers, waiting for? (verse 5) In verse 5, Why is the word “of” so important?
- What does Paul command the Galatian believers to NOT do with their freedom in Christ? (verse 13) What are the results if you abuse your freedom in Christ? (verse 15) Why?
- How can we pray for you?