Freedom in Christ

                                                            Sunday School Lesson



Introduction: Benjamin Franklin was leaving Independence Hall in Philadelphia when the Constitutional Convention ended, and a certain Mrs. Powel asked Mr. Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Not hesitating, Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.” The apostle Paul says something very similar in our text. Freedom has been given to us as a gift from God through Christ. Maybe the question is, “Can we keep it?” Two telling verses that focus on the theme of Galatians are 2:16 and 5:1. They function like a thesis, proposition, or dominant thought to the epistle. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. The verb tense in the original language of the phrase has set us free indicates that Paul had in mind a particular moment in time when this happened (Calvary?). But the next phrase, Stand firm is in present tense indicating ongoing action. Freedom is a gift of God at a particular moment in time, but maintaining that freedom has to be worked out continually.

Freedom in Christ Can Be Compromised 
Galatians 5:1-4, 7-10, 12 KJV

1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

Freedom is such a slippery thing. Vigilance is necessary to retain it. It is too easy to slip back into slavery. The Judaizers wanted to add circumcision to the finished work of Christ. It was one thing to circumcise someone for expediency so as not to hinder the missionary enterprise of the church (Acts 16:3). But it was quite another thing to require circumcision as a term of salvation (Galatians 2:3). If people need Jesus plus circumcision then Christ will be of no value (“will profit them nothing”). In fact, embracing circumcision as a salvific requirement demanded obedience to the whole law, and that was an obligation that no one could bear (Acts 15:10). Attempting to be justified by the law ends in two horrible consequences: 1—being alienated (separated) from Christ and 2—having fallen from grace. The word translated fallen can mean “to fall but be able to recover oneself,” but it still means to fall away. It is amazing that so many people say that people cannot do this when Paul affirmed that it is a real possibility. Paul was comfortable using athletic imagery to describe the Christian experience (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). He pictured the Galatians running a good race and then getting cut off by the Judaizers. God called them to freedom. The Judaizers were guilty of contaminating (like the influence that yeast has in dough) and confusing (“to stir up” like a storm) the believers. Paul said that those people’s penalty (sentence or condemnation) was just. Strong language—but not near as strong as verse 12. Paul graphically indicated that maybe they should let the knife slip a little further. Enough said.

Freedom in Christ Is Demonstrated in Love 

Galatians 5:5, 6, 13-17KJV

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

To maintain freedom takes internal transformation, not external constraints. When believers trust Christ for salvation, they receive the Holy Spirit on the inside, and the Spirit becomes God’s gift to live out the righteousness that has been given. Since we have the Spirit we are called to walk (live) by the Spirit. This means choosing daily not to gratify the desires of the flesh. The Holy Spirit works with our human spirit to make good choices in life. Paul does admit that the way of the world and the way of the Spirit are contrary. This means they stand opposite each other. So Christians end up being a walking civil war. But remember that God’s power is stronger than that of the flesh (1 John 4:4). Christian freedom is actually measurable. Christian freedom has an objective outcome. In a word, it is love. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant (Genesis 17). But at the end of the day it counts for nothing. What matters is faith expressing itself (“working or energizing itself”) through love. Love will never misuse freedom. Freedom is doing the right thing, and that right thing is always love. Christians do not use their freedom to indulge the flesh. Instead they serve one another in love. Circumcision does not fulfill the law, but love does. Rightly demonstrated love will never bite and devour. Rather it will demonstrate freedom in Christ.

New Birth Brings Freedom

                                                                 Sunday School Lesson


Introduction: Today is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Were he still living he would be 208 years old. We know him as the 16th president of the United States and also as the Great Emancipator. He not only signed a freedom document, he also saw the country through a terrible civil war. Freedom is not easy. The birth of a new nation comes with a huge price.Our lesson picks up where last week’s lesson left off. The churches in Galatia had their harmony and freedom threatened by people who felt compelled to have a “Jesus plus” faith (Jesus plus the Law, Jesus plus circumcision, Jesus plus special religious holidays). But Jesus plus anything is a minus. Jesus alone is sufficient to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).

Freedom Is Threatening 
 Galatians 4:8-11KJV

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

As odd as it sounds, there were some slaves in Paul’s day who were doctors and lawyers. They had sold themselves into slavery so others would take care of them. Freedom is threatening, and some people cannot handle it. The believers in the churches of Galatia were both Greeks and Jews and both were likewise threatened by Christian freedom. They were tempted to turn back to paganism or to their former religion in Judaism. Paul was upset about this. (In fact, his angst about this is seen in all three sections of our text—verses 11, 12, and 20.) Why would people who were once enslaved desire to go back to slavery? The answer is that freedom is threatening. The Greek regression is in verses 8 and 9. Before the Greeks in Galatia knew God (before they became believers) they were slaves to pagan influences. Paul referred to these false gods as not gods. There is only one true God (1 Corinthians 8:4-6). They were turning back to the weak and miserable forces (we saw this expression in our lesson last week in Galatians 4:3). We might think of them as the ABCs of paganism. The Jewish regression had to do with observing special days and months and seasons and years. Carving out sacred time to celebrate faith is one thing. But keeping festivals as a term of salvation is quite something else. Returning to paganism or Judaism bothered Paul. He felt as if he had wasted his ministry (labored in vain) on the Galatians.

Freedom Is Frustrating 

Galatians 4:12-16 KJV

12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

There is some significant self-disclosure by Paul in this paragraph. One can feel his personal frustration with the Galatians. He pleaded with them earnestly. The word translated plead means “to make a specific request.” It is one of the words for prayer in the New Testament. Paul prayed that the Galatians would experience total freedom in Christ like he enjoyed. Paul himself was once enslaved in Judaism (Philippians 3:4-6). But as one freed in Christ, he called the churches to become like him. Paul took the churches back to when they were converted (Acts 13–14). Their reception of him as one freed in Christ was remarkable. Even though Paul referenced his illness (about which we know very little), he mentioned that the Galatians received him like an angel or Jesus himself. Their devotion to Paul was so strong they would have traded their good eyesight for Paul’s bad eyesight (see also Galatians 6:11). The Judaizers had turned the people away from the apostle who had taught them the truth of freedom in Christ. Of the making of rules there is no end, and Paul was frustrated that the Galatians seemed to want to go back to rules for the sake of rules.

Freedom Is Hard Work 

 Galatians 4:17-20 KJV

17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

The easy road is rules. The harder road is freedom. Paul noted that the Judaizers had bad motives. They were trying to take undue advantage of the Galatians by stealing them away from Paul and freedom in Christ. Paul commended zeal. Zeal with knowledge is a wonderful thing. Zeal that creates unity is also good. But zeal without knowledge and zeal that is divisive is terrible. The last two verses of our text drip with emotion. The real heart of the apostle Paul can be seen. These two verses are high watermarks in the passion of Paul. He appealed to them tenderly (My dear children). The metaphor that he used is that of a woman in labor. Paul was like a mother in the pains of childbirth until Christ would be formed in them (see 1 Thessalonians 2:7). Forming Christ in people is hard work, and sometimes it leaves us downright perplexed. Both Paul and President Lincoln learned that freedom isn’t easy. But it is worth it.

Re-Created to Live in Harmony

                                                        Sunday School Lesson


Introduction: Someone has rightly said, “You cannot be ‘revived’ if you have never first been ‘vived.’” In last month’s lessons we focused on God creating the universe. This month’s lessons focus on God recreating the universe through redeeming his people for freedom to live in holiness. Our study takes us to Galatians, that Magna Carta of Christian freedom. In Galatians Paul strongly defended that Christians are saved by faith in Christ and not works of the law (so significant that he stated that truth three times in one verse—Galatians 2:16). In chapters 3 and 4 Paul made several arguments for that theme: Faith is the vehicle of receiving the Holy Spirit (3:1-6). Faith puts us in touch with the promise of God through Abraham (vv. 7-18). Faith is the result of letting the law lead us to Christ (vv. 19-25). Faith is what puts us in God’s family (3:26–4:20). Faith is the basis for our freedom (4:21-31).

Our Clothing Shows Our Clan 
Galatians 3:26-29 KJV

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

When God redeems us by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8, 9), he places us into his forever family. The ground is indeed level at the foot of the cross. All are embraced and equal. Harmony is possible only in Christ—notice also the phrases, into Christ, in Christ, and to Christ. Responding to God in faith makes us children of God (see also John 1:12).The entry point for this harmony is baptism. The New Testament writers had what we might term their own doctrines of baptism. For Matthew baptism was fulfilling righteousness (Matthew 3:13-17). For Mark baptism was an immersion in suffering (Mark 10:36-39). For Luke baptism was forgiveness and the reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). For John baptism was the new birth (John 3:1-8). For Peter baptism was a pledge of a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:21). For the Hebrew writer baptism was drawing near to God (Hebrews 10:22). For Paul baptism was identification with Christ (Romans 6:1-4). Metaphorically speaking, baptism is putting on clothes that mark out our clan (family). People get out of tune because of race, social status, and gender. Yet faith expressed in baptism destroys disunity. Certainly a high watermark of the New Testament is Galatians 3:28. Harmony is possible when we are recreated, regardless of race (Jew nor Gentile), social status (slave nor free), or gender (male and female). Picking up the argument from earlier in the epistle, Paul said, If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. The baptismal clothes make us all look the same. We may have different roles and gifts, but the harmony can be in perfect pitch.

Our Family Shows Our Identity 

Galatians 4:1-7 KJV

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Paul did not create a chapter division at Galatians 4:1. The link word to this next section is heir. You can’t talk about an heir without thinking in terms of family. The word heir leads to further discussion of our identity in Christ. So Paul extended the metaphor in a way that his world would easily understand. The household of Paul’s world consisted of a mother, father, (maybe even grandparents), children, and slaves. While Paul put in place the principles whereby slavery would implode, he spoke to the culture of his day with his “household rules” (Ephesians 5:22–6:9; Colossians 3:18–4:1). Therefore the people had a reservoir from which to draw to interpret his analogy. The children of slaves and the children of masters played together. They were good friends. They looked past categories. At that point slaves and heirs were the same and under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But the slave and the heir were very different when it came to who inherited the estate. Even though the heir had to bide some time, one day the estate would be hers or his for the taking. Earlier Paul mentioned that this “guardian” taking care of the heir until the proper time was the law (3:24). But God jumped in and changed all of this in the perfect time. Jesus was born of a woman, who herself was living under the law. The purpose for Jesus’ coming was to redeem (a marketplace term) his people. The end result was that people were adopted into his family. We have such intimacy with God that we can call him Abba, our “Dear Father.” Paul’s argument builds—slave, child, and finally heir. With new clothes and a new identity, we can live in harmon