Set Free Live Free, Part 4

When Scripture talks about the flesh, it is referring to our sinful nature. Our flesh is weak, limited, temporal, and liable to sin. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Galatians to pick the better way and live instead by the Spirit. If we are to walk according to the Spirit, it requires us to focus on the things of the Spirit.

Graves into Gardens
Elevation Worship

Who You Say I Am
Hillsong Worship

Touch of Heaven
Hillsong Worship

Used to This
Maverick City Music

Galatians 5:1-26
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 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. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

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. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[e] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

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The Apostle Paul is addressing the church on the topic “how to live victoriously.”

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When “The Good” Becomes The Problem
The Apostle Paul had a bone to pick with the Galatian Church.

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When “The Good” Becomes The Problem
It was a “good bone” (circumcision)

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When “The Good” Becomes The Problem
Circumcision was the sign of the covenant God had with Abraham (Genesis 17).

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Freedom is Better Than Rules
They focused so much on the good that they missed the better.

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Freedom is Better Than Rules
Jesus Christ came with a better covenant, but they wanted the good instead.

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What does sin or righteousness mean to you?

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Sin starts with what we believe about God → then what we actively think in our hearts → which ultimately reflects in what we do.

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Jeremiah 17:5
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.”

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Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore and do not submit to a yoke of slavery.

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Faith is Freedom
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore and do not submit to a yoke of slavery.

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Faith is Freedom
Good works does not save, but faith in Christ creates a desire for a holy and righteous life in the eyes of God.

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Galatians 5:5
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

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Our hope of ultimate salvation is guaranteed by faith only. Not by works.

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Do not use your freedom as an opportunity to serve the flesh.

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The works of the flesh vs the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:20-24).

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Romans 8:1-4
“Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s chosen ones?”

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Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

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Keeping in step with the Spirit requires a focus on the Spirit and the things of the Spirit.

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What will happen if instead of struggling to keep our standards we walk in step with the Spirit?

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How does one keep in step with the Spirit?

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Keeping In Step Requires:
1. Being focused on the complete work of the cross.
2. Becoming spiritually minded. See everything from the Spirit.
3. Celebrating spiritual wins and reinforcing the truth of a victorious life.