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Introduction

1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. —Galatians 5:1, 13–15 (NLT)

20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! 21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. —Matthew 5:20–22 (NLT)

Church a Safe Spiritual Space

Relationships vs. Rules

14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. —Galatians 5:14–15 (NLT)

Choices vs. Control

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” —Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

Forgiveness vs. Judgment

46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. —John 12:46–48 (NLT)

Open vs. Closed

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. —Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

Closing

Do you feel spiritually safe?

Is your person safe?

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Go Beyond the Sermon…

Go through the FREE online Proverbs devotional study, on your own or with a group of friends.

Relational Intelligence Quiz

Answer Yes or No to the following questions. If you answer yes to 5 or more, you may not have seen this person for who he or she really is, and you may need to raise your relational IQ.

Do you feel your difficult person is displeased with you most of the time?

Reveal Answer

Do you feel responsible for “clearing things up” with your difficult person?

Reveal Answer

Are you surprised when your difficult person is upset with you or with a particular circumstance that involves you?

Reveal Answer

Does the upset often come “out of the blue”?

Reveal Answer

Do you spend time devising remedies to make your difficult person happier?

Reveal Answer

Do you believe that he or she is really a good person who is just “difficult to get along with” sometimes?

Reveal Answer

When you feel your difficult person’s anger, do you change the way you behave?

Reveal Answer

Do you try to appease his or her anger?

Reveal Answer

Do you argue with him or her?

Reveal Answer

Does your difficult person define your life? Do you see yourself as the person your difficult person describes?

Reveal Answer

Does he or she tell you what you should think about things in general and about yourself in particular?

Reveal Answer

Do you ever think, This isn’t so bad?

Reveal Answer

Do you ever think, If I would be different, he or she would change?

Reflection Questions

How might the freedom Christ gives differ from the freedom the world offers?

Reflect on a recent situation where you felt bound by rules or expectations. How can you apply the freedom Christ has given you to that aspect of your life?

Think of a time when you may have harbored anger or resentment towards someone. What is a practical way you can seek reconciliation with that person this week?

Can you think of a person or a group of people you interact with regularly where it’s challenging to demonstrate love? What is one specific action you can take to show love to them in the coming days?