Freedom to Love
Galatians 5:13-16 – Victory Fellowship
July 4, 2021 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. Free isn’t always FREE
II. Our Free Nation was not founded without Faith:
a. It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! Patrick Henry.
b. With great freedom comes great responsibility.
i. The people of a free nation are not free to do whatever they wish.
c. Whether we know it or not – whether we AGREE with it or not – we as a Nation are accountable to God.
III. Those who call themselves “Christians” are especially accountable to God.
a. We cannot use our freedom to satisfy sinful desire and practice.
b. Rather, we should use our freedom to serve others.
i. That’s the paradox of Christ –John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
c. Being made free in Christ means that we are now His servants. Jesus calls His servants to love one another and Love our neighbor as ourselves.
d. Paul says we overcome the cravings of our sinful nature by letting the Holy Spirit be our guide.
IV. Application:
a. I’ve said many times before that it would be terrible of God to expect us to serve Him without providing us with the strength and ability to do so.
b. God has done just that by sending the Holy Spirit into our lives. When we listen to Him, we can do great things. John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
c. The problems of our society and our Nation can be narrowed down to two realities -
i. 1) the world does not know the Holy Spirit John 14:16-17 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
ii. And 2) “Believers” do not call upon the Holy Spirit to resist sin, to love others, and to serve Christ.
d. Jesus can help us in our society- John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
V. Conclusion
a. We should pray for God’s Holy Spirit to come
b. He will enable us to live for Jesus and be truly free
i. John 8:36 "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
PRAYER
SONG: Jesus, All for Jesus
Galatians 5:13-16 NLT 13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.