LIving in Freedom

Connection Fellowship
May 17, 2009
Living in Freedom
Galatians 1:1-10

Introduction
Today, we begin a new series of messages in the NT book of Galatians. As we begin, it may be helpful for us to understand a bit of its context. This region, settled by immigrants from France (Gaul), was conquered by Rome around 189 B.C. It is now modern Turkey.
Its divinely inspired author, the Apostle Paul, started multiple churches here on his 1st missionary journey [Acts 13-14]. Written about 50 A.D. to multiple churches, it refutes the religious bondage being taught by Jewish teachers who were to mixing faith and grace, (in the Gospel), with the works religion that Judaism had become.

Warren Wiersbe writes, “This is a very dangerous book.” Why? Because, “It exposes the most popular substitute for spiritual living that we have in our churches today – legalism.” I was vividly reminded of this at lunch on Tuesday after my grandfather’s funeral.
A man I loved growing up said he asked his wayward daughter to go to church with him. She told him that she did not have a dress. He responded, “Then you won’t be going with me.” At one time, I would have kept his mouth shut. But studying this text, I responded, “She could come to our church, I have even preached in shorts.”
Does the Bible teach an absolute freedom to do whatever we want? Nothing could be the further from the truth. [Galatians 5:13] Look around you. That philosophy (or religion) leads to a whole different type of bondage. So how are we supposed to Live in Freedom? Let’s read together.

TEXT [Galatians 1:1-10]
1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

How does being a ‘bondservant’ allow you to live in freedom? That does not sound very liberating? But look at what he says.
Understanding
Paul begins by emphasizing that his calling, or commission in life was not through a human agency, but rather by the living Creator of the Universe. One of the most difficult circumstances in life is trying to please multiple people. One of the greatest difficulties in my former career in human resources is that I reported to multiple people who each had their own agenda. Ministry can be the same way, especially in the church. But Paul knew he was called and sent by God.
God normally calls us to serve Him in the context of an organization (a business, a church, a family). Paul often modeled this for us. But the way we can experience incredible freedom on our journey is a humble confidence in the fact that our identity and commission actually comes from God.
In verses 3–5, Paul describes the basis for our freedom in God: Grace and Peace. “Grace is the source of salvation and peace is the result of salvation. Grace is positional and peace is practical. The law offered no grace and no peace.” [MacArthur] Paul was careful to make sure that he clarified that this grace and peace came solely through the gift from God, which is the heart of the Gospel…that Jesus died for our sins. [1 Cor. 15:3-4]
It amazed Paul, (v. 6-7) that people who were dramatically impacted by God through believing the Gospel message could so soon and quickly turn away from Christ to an alteration to the message that had changed their lives.
But this is the most used tool of Satan to render believers impotent… distraction. If he can get believers, or a church, to focus on keeping some human standard instead of pursuing a holy God, he has succeeded. But before we get too critical of the Galatians, I would remind us that throughout history there have been many such slides that have caused courageous men of God to stand up and help us refocus on the truth that is The Gospel.
But look what Paul says in verse 7: “this is not really another” Gospel. You can tell it because instead of experiencing peace, you are experiencing agitation. In the world, there have been and are many religions. Even among those who call themselves Christian, with our many labels, Paul reminds us there is true freedom in only one Gospel - faith in Christ alone.
His introduction to Galatians ends with a speech so passionate that he says of himself, if I ever teach something different…I should receive a curse of eternal destruction. It sounds a bit as if he is angry. But that is not true. As we will discover next week, Paul vividly remembers the bondage of trying to keep a religious standard. So desperate is his desire for these beloved people to live in the freedom that is found in Christ that he is willing to risk offending them. Just like Christ, he loves them too much to leave them where they are - living ineffectively for Christ in religious bondage.

CONCLUSION
We live in a culture that emphasizes personal freedom. Whether abortion, homosexual marriage, or the over 70% of South Carolina high school seniors who are having sex before marriage, people generally accept your personal standards, as long as you do not impose them on others. But the truth is that the freedom our culture promotes leads to spiritual bondage…bondage of internal emptiness and agitation…with chains of frustration and guilt…and NO PEACE.
The opposite is often promoted in many religions and churches. Some call it legalism. It is just as much bondage…with frustration and guilt in our failure to maintain the given standard…with NO GRACE.
Both keep us from living in the freedom Christ came to bring. It is spiritual liberty that comes from being forgiven from the debt and guilt of sin, combined with the supernatural ability to live in that same grace and freedom each day as we surrender as a servant of Christ.
I know that this surrender does not make sense to most people. But its logic is not found in a people concept…it is a God concept. It also makes no ‘people sense’ that the God of all the Universe would come in human flesh and die (personally) to pay the sin debt and rescue His rebellious creation from an eternity of separation in Hell.

Living in freedom is the reality found by knowing God and in experiencing His grace personally, everyday of your journey.

RESPONSE
I want to leave you with two questions:

(1) What is one area of your life where you are demanding or insisting
on your personal rights? Surrender it! [Mine = ___________]

(2) What is one expectation that you place on yourself or others that is
outside the context of the Gospel? Surrender it! [Mine = ____]

If you are not yet a follower of Christ, the typical answer to Question #1: It’s my life! But remember who gives you life. The typical answers to question #2 are either: I’m not good enough! or “I’m as good as other Christians! Remember, it’s not a standard that any human can meet. That’s why Christ died…to bring us grace and peace…so that you can live in freedom. But real freedom takes surrender.

Why not surrender today?
With God, there is incredible freedom in surrender.