Galatians 5:1-15 (ESV)

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Intro: Biologically DNA is the key to life; spiritually, it’s God’s holiness.

“THERE IS NO OTHER STREAM”
Why do we believe there is no rival for Jesus and His work for us?

FRUITLESS ALTERNATIVES
How does turning away from Jesus offer no freedom or advantage?

THE POWER TO BE TRULY FREE
What does God’s Word mean by the promise of freedom?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for revealing Himself and the goodness of His design of us in His Word (both in His Law and Promises). Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that He is good in all that He does and says.

2 - How have you lived in a lawless or willful way? Confess your rebellion to Jesus and that you have disdained the sound of His voice, asking Him for mercy and a changed heart to truly love Him and His will.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for His power to set us free and restore us to wholeness in His Father’s design. Thank Him for trusting His Father’s love in His life, death, and resurrection to free us from slavery to sin and death.

4 - Who do you know that is biblically illiterate, so they have no way of living out God’s design because they don’t know what it is? Pray for them, asking the Lord to empower you to share His Word with them.

5 - Pray for the Spirit to bear in you His fruit of love. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live out God’s good design in His commands to love generously and patiently as you discover that you’re not very good at it yet.