Galatians 5:1 (NIV84) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Practical consequences of your choices:
I. Door #1: Choose
Galatians 5:2 (NIV84) Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
A. Trying to earn God’s favor through
conformity nullifies any practical benefit of Christ’s sacrifice. Galatians 5:3-4 (NIV84) Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law
have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.B. Trying to earn God’s favor by your good
means you must obey the Law perfectly; you can never sin. James 2:10 (NIV84) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Romans 6:23 (NIV84) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Titus 5:5a (NIV84) He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
II. Door #2: Choose
Galatians 5:5 (NIV84) But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
A. Placing your faith in Jesus gives you freedom to
. Ephesians 2:12-13 (NIV84) Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Galatians 5:6 (NIV84) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
B. Placing your faith in Jesus gives you freedom to
. 1 John 4:19 (NIV84) We love because he first loved us.
1 John 3:18 (NIV84) Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:16 (NIV84) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
III. How to practically live in
Galatians 5:1 (NIV84) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
- Surrender daily.
- Practice
- Serve others.
- Cultivate an attitude of
- Engage in community.
Discussion Questions:
1. What was one thing you learned and can practically apply from this message?
2. What are some personal experiences where you felt burdened by legalism or man-made regulations? How did those experiences affect your relationship with God?
3. In your life, where do you tend to place your hope? Is it in your circumstances, your efforts, or in the promises of Jesus? How can you shift your focus more toward hope in Christ?
4. How can we ensure that our good works are a response to God’s grace rather than a means to earn His favor?
5. What are some practical steps you can take to show love and service to others as a reflection of that grace?
6. Can you identify a specific person or situation this week where you can put this into action? What steps will you take to express that love through service?