Pulpit Curriculum - Stand Firm in Liberty
Derek A. Ward
March 17, 2024

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Pulpit Curriculum

March 17th – March 23rd, 2024

Sermon Summary

In the sermon text, Paul continues his discourse with the Galatian believers to bring them to the place of understanding that the work of Christ is absolutely enough and the only means for true salvation. Though it seems that he faced great opposition from those Jews, who were unwilling to let go of the Law and embrace the truth of the complete work of Christ on the cross as the sole basis of freedom, Paul was unmoved from his position to teach the truth. He posited that to not accept this position was to reject Christ’s freedom and return again to a yoke of slavery.

As contemporary believers, who were never under the yoke of Mosaic Law, though we were all in bondage to sin, we can be confident, that having responded to God’s call for salvation, that by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone that we are saved. Therefore, for these reasons, we can now stand firm in true liberty, for God alone did what the Law, weakened by the flesh could not do, by sending His own Son.

Verse of the Week

Galatians 5:1, 13 – 14
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 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”.

Going Deeper

Review Galatians 5: 1 – 15

1) Using Scripture references such as Romans 3 and Hebrews 1 and 3, along with others, describe the key differences between the Law and salvation through Christ alone.


b) ) Using Scripture as a guide, why do you think the Galatians believers seemingly so easily “submitted again to a yoke of slavery” even though it was made clear that the Law was unable to provide a permanent solution to their bondage?

2) “God saved the Israelites without their obedience to the Law as the Law had not yet been given to them”. Discuss how this biblical truth informs the believer’s to stand firm in liberty which is found in Christ alone.

3) “Genuine love, expressed through selfless service and humility, fulfils the moral and ethical requirements of the law and promotes unity and harmony within the Christian community”. What texts can be used from Scripture to support this view?

4) In His sermon on the mount, Jesus made many contrasts regarding what was required by the Law and what He required of those who receive salvation. What is the major theme that is borne out in these contrasts, keeping in mind Pauls’ statement in verses 13 – 14 of the sermon text?

Assess Your Life

1a) Have you ever drifted away from the truth of salvation and God’s Word? On reflection, can you identify how it happened?

1b) Have you returned to the truth? If yes, what steps did you take and if no, what is keeping you in bondage?

2a) If you are unsaved, what hinders you from coming to the decision of freedom in Christ?

Application

1) There are many false teachers or ill-informed teachers who present teaching that can lead the believer back to the place of bondage from which we were freed; what intentional steps have you taken, or will take, to keep you on guard to stand firm in liberty in Christ?

2) How can you share the truth of freedom in Christ with someone who has embraced a legalistic dependency on salvation or who is questioning the freedom found in Christ?

Sermon Main Points

As believers who trust that our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone, we therefore must:

1) Be Resolute in Our Freedom (Gal 5:1-12)
Christian freedom is the precious birthright of every believer. It is not “an innate quality or state of being, which the individual discovers (or recovers) by sorting out past experiences and relationships, it is a gift bestowed as a result of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ”.

To remain resolute in our freedom we must:
1. Guard ourselves in God’s Word
2. Cultivate a relationship with Holy Spirit
3. Surround ourselves with supportive community

2) Fulfill the Essence of the Law (Gal 5:13-15)
The fulfilment of the Law is borne out in serving others through love. When the believer is living in the freedom that God gives, love will become the divine motivator in his life. The believer will not see his freedom as a license to behave “as he likes” but will use his newfound liberty in Christ as a base of operations from which love can reach out to serve others.

To fulfill the essence of the Law, we must:
1. Serve one another in love
2. Practice humility and selflessness
3. Promote unity and harmony

Sermon Reflection

What stood out for me in this sermon?

What is something I can do to remember this?

5 Day Study Plan

Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.

Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)

Day 1 - Acts 13:38-41

Day 2 - Romans 6:15-19

Day 3 - 2 Corinthians 3:12-17

Day 4 - Romans 8:12-17

Day 5 - Hebrews 10:1-10


For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.