Sunday Morning Service

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Galatians 5:1-18

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“Choices” • 7.7.13 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro.

- We are entering into the final section of this wonderful epistle, written to defend the honor of the grace of God, through the sufficient work of Jesus Christ.

- Paul has defended grace by detailing his and the Galatians "Personal Experience" of grace in chapter 1 and 2. Paul was hunting Christians and the Galatians were idol worshipping heathens.

- Grace alone changed them and made them sons, brothers and heirs of the Kingdom.

- In chapters 3 and 4, Paul defended God's grace by issuing a "Doctrinal Explanation" of grace, stemming from the life of Abraham.

- God declared Abraham righteous 14 years before he was circumcised and 430 years before the law came into existence.

- Today, was begin our final section, which is Paul's "Practical Exhortation" for the churches of the region of Galatia.

- How are the Galatians to appropriate this grace? How are they to practically live in the grace of God? Maybe you've asked the same questions? Paul is going to answer them!

- He begins by telling us that we will have to decide and our common choices are laid out for us here in this chapter.

I. Liberty v. Slavery (v.1-4)

II. Faith v. Works (v.5-12)

III. Others v. Self (v.13-15)

IV. Spirit v. Flesh (v.16-18)

Text

I. Liberty v. Slavery (v.1-4)

• Galatians 5:1 : "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." : Paul opens this final section with a command. "Stand fast" or "stand firm."

- Hold your ground. Persist in your place! This was not just a matter of being stubborn. Paul has given them a firm foundation to be able to stand upon.

- The word "therefore" points back to what has been taugh. There was no reason to move from their position. They had the right to stand there.

- But for the Galatians and for Christians today, we must become ever more determined to remain in the liberty that Christ has given to us.

- Consider what liberty is in this context. It is not liberty to pursue fleshly desires or simply anything that one wants!

- This is the freedom to live in a pleasing way before God, with whom we have a loving relationship through Christ. It is Christ's life that gave us this freedom.

- This then is the first command, meaning that it is within our ability to comply. Stand fast! It is positive, the second is negative "Do not be entangled."

- In the same way that dogged determination is needed for standing firm, we must also resist the very strong tide that would move us toward a second slavery!

- Don't become ensnared or tied up again with a yoke of bondage! The yoke in the farmer's vocabulary was what was put upon animals who worked the fields.

- Choosing to live by law, either Mosaic or personal as an expression of rightesousness is to go out to the field and tie on a yoke of bondage. It is not a badge of honor!

- Paul has told them that being under the law was for kids and was akin to a slave's life. No more! They were sons and they needed to hold onto and embrace that truth fully!

• Galatians 5:2-4 : "Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." : Paul, their founder, their Pastor, says this abundantly clear: Taking on the rite of circumcision excludes you from the profit that you would gain from Christ!

- Becoming circumcised was the initiatory rite into a full commitment toward obedience to the law. This was in essence saying, "I want God to relate to me based on what I do for Him."

- Doing that in the time of the Galatians or having an attitude that is similar to that today makes what Jesus did on the cross and what He won for God's sons a waste!

- Christ gives that person no advantage. His act on their behalf will be wasted upon them!

- Somebody in that condition is estranged or severed from Christ. What an ironic usage of words for those who were choosing circumcision!

- "You who are in the act of circumcising are cutting yourselves away from Christ!"

- Why? Because they sought a justification apart from Jesus. You cannot mix the two!

- What chilling words that Paul uses: If you go this route, you will have fallen from grace! We have often discussed whether a person can lose their salvation.

- I've always been of the mind that this was not possible, but a person can certainly leave their salvation by joining themselves to another suitor!

II. Faith v. Works (v.5-12)

• Galatians 5:5,6 : "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." : The Spirit in believers caused a yearning for God, as one yearns for a Father.

- Paul tells us that it's the Holy Spirit who causes our hearts to wait patiently for the expectation of the fruit of righteousness by faith.

- We may not see anything, but as we look out over the horizon, we know it's coming!

- The Galatians felt as though they needed something more, perhaps something tangible that proved their own salvation to themselves. They were gravely wrong.

- The sign of circumcision, given to Abraham and his physical descendants, produced nothing in Christ. It did not give a person more favor with God or assure their hearts before Him.

- On the other hand, faith which expresses itself in love for God and for others, avails or produces much in His Kingdom.

- Our genuine heart response toward God is what matters. Listening to His voice, obeying His Word as we read, doing so simply because we want to express love to Him. That matters.

- When we respond to God in expressing love for one another, praying for someone or taking an action because we want God's love to work through us. That matters.

- That is what the Galatians were satisfied with until the Judaizers came into town.

• Galatians 5:7-10 : "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is." : Paul pictures an olympic race running smoothly until someone was moved out of their lane!

- The Judaizers ran up a road block that moved the Galatians off course!

- This roadblock of legalism was an evil influence that did not come from God, the One who called or invited them into fellowship with Himself!

- You can use those very words with any legalist that confronts you today! This persuasion does not come from God! It has come from men!

- Whoever had set up the road block may have been a little influence in the mind of the Galatians. They might have minimized who it was that began to hinder them.

- They might have said, "All that they did was get us on the right road. We did the rest!"

- To this Paul responds, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump!" This principle is so pertinent to us today.

- With the questionable exception of one usage, leaven is synonymous with evil influence which pervades whatever it is introduced into. It doesn't take very much.

- When one bakes bread, a very little amount of yeast is employed to make the bread rise, but it's influence is seen throughout the bread!

- An entire loaf rises because of one little teaspoon of yeast that is introduced at the beginning. It just takes a little influence to derail an entire life!

- I am not one to endlessly warn and call into question every thing that is taken in by every Christian, but I can also say that there are some people in "Christianity" whose voices I tend to avoid.

- I would be derelict in my duty if I did not warn you to be careful of what you take into your soul. Anyone can say something true or even inspiring once or twice.

- It's the nice saying here, the true saying there that softens the mind to the blatant falsehood  that is pitched at them later on in the process! Be warned!

- Not every person who calls themselves Christian are indeed actually Christians! On the other hand, here is why I don't obsess with what is clearly wrong.

- Paul tells the Galatians "I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind!" One might put this in this way: "I have confidence in you, through the Lord!"

- The Apostle was persuaded that God's work in them would eventually win the day! God's Spirit would counteract the effect of the Judaizers eventually.

- He would minister truth to their hearts and reveal to them the error of their way.

- The Apostle trusted the Lord's work in the people, even when the people themselves tested the durability of that trust. This is why Paul must speak, but will never freak!

- Additionally, note what Paul thinks about the one who troubles them. Presumably, this would refer to the one who represented the group, the ringleader who spoke for the pack.

- God will deal with them! He will bear or carry the full weight of his rightfully earned judgment!

- Make no mistake friends: The false teachers who are prevalent today, driving cars that you can't afford, living in mansions that you can't imagine, will stand before God and account for their sin!

- They will stand before the all consuming throne of God and be judged for taking advantage of God's sheep, for prostituting their gifts and living in and encouraging a covetous state of life!

- God will account for them, whoever he is. Do you realize that there is no person who will get away from this fearful moment!

- Whoever he is here, rich, powerful, gifted, he will not be there! In fact, he'll be poor miserable, blind and naked before God!

• Galatians 5:11,12 : "And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!" : Could it be that Paul had been accused of teaching circumcision?

- Could the Judaizers have conceded that Paul did not preach circumcision only because he was unable to get to that teaching? "He would have eventually gotten there with you!"

- What a galling consideration! If that had been the case, why was it that he was still being treated in a way that caused him suffering?

- The primary definition of "suffering" speaks of having to flee quickly. Why was Paul still being chased out of towns, run out of synagogues and fleeing for his life?

- That was happening precisely because he would not preach the validity of combining faith in Christ with the keeping of the law, beginning with the Jewish ritual of circumcision.

- Indeed the offense of the cross would have ceased. The cross of Christ says everything anybody wants to hear about God's idea of righteousness.

- It is God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. It is Christ alone taking on the sins of the entire world. It is Jesus alone who is lifted up as the Messiah.

- We count such a thing glorious and we should. To the Jewish mind, this was an offense. He was murdered by the Romans on a cross which to them, was a cursed way to die.

- To now tell a group of people that views the cross that way that this is THE way that God designed for man to be righteous, apart from what they can do to contribute, is downright offensive!

- If Paul commended the way of circumcision, he would no longer be offensive, but he would also no longer be representing God's truth!

- You could hear Paul seething with this next phrase: "I wish that the Judaizers would emasculate themselves!" "Go all the way men!"

- Some have sought to soften this by saying that Paul meant that he did not want these men to have the ability to reproduce. I'm not so sure!

III. Others v. Self (v.13-15)

• Galatians 5:13-15 : " For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" : You are free, but don't use your freedom to be bound up again.

- The word "opportunity" is also translated "occasion" and it has a meaning that is akin to setting up a base of operations.

- "Now that we have this position, let's strike out for our flesh! We can do anything that we want to do." This is a person who knows nothing of God's grace. Grace is not a license for selfishness!

- Grace is not a license to sin, it is freedom from it! The key is that we are free to enjoy and express God's love. So do anything you want!

- But understand that love limits itself without any loss. Because I love my wife, I avoid being in places that would confuse her regarding my intentions.

- Because I love my wife, I avoid certain websites and activities. Because I love my wife, I make sure that I'm home when I should be home. I resent none of that for the sake of love.

- When you love Jesus with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, you will do those things which please and honor Him!

- The first way that that is expressed is by how we lovingly serve one another! Loving God is primary, but loving His people is no less important to God.

- This is why legalism will never work. Not only does it not honor God and not lift up the name of Jesus Christ, but it causes men to act hatefully toward one another.

- The NLT has the best rendering of verse 15: "If you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out!" That is how legalism acts out!

- We use our self righteousness to lift ourselves up and tear others down! This is why legalism seems on the surface to be so attractive, when it is really the seed bed of pride.

IV. Spirit v. Flesh (v.16-18)

• Galatians 5:16-18 : "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." : Here's the conclusion. Walk, make your way in this world, in or under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

- The Christian life is a series of steps taken carefully, but progressively in the direction of the Holy Spirit's rule!

- Paul makes this a command. Walking in the Spirit, under His direction and guidance, is not a good idea or a great suggestion. For a Christian, it is the only option!

- Some Christians act as if the Spirit's presence in their life is an add-on, necessary only in extreme circumstances. The Spirit's influence is the only way of ensuring spiritual life!

- The Spirit is the breath that a Christian breathes! He is the circulation of the spiritual blood!

- Without the Holy Spirit, you and I are lifeless beings, imitating what we believe to be Christianity, but lacking the dynamic power of God to make it a personal expression!

- When we make that choice to be filled daily with His Holy Spirit, we can know that we will not fulfill the desires of our flesh!

- This word "fulfill" speaks of a command that has been given, but that goes uncompleted.

- It's as if the flesh has a Captain's voice, but we have belayed the order because our First Officer, the Holy Spirit, has directed us otherwise!

- The flesh and the Spirit have different desires which are never complementary! They will never agree, therefore, there is always a battle to be fought!

- The word "contrary" speaks of a platoon that is dug in against another platoon. These two mindsets are entrenched against one another, with there never being a hope of stalemate in sight!

- When we are directed by the Holy Spirit, our base nature will go unfulfilled and if we are led by the Spirit, we will not be under the law.

- The Spirit is above the law because of all the good works that God has intended for His people to do with their lives.

Conclusion
- As you leave today, you will be confronted with four choices. Will you be liberated or enslaved? Will you choose faith or works?

- Will you live to serve others or please yourself? Will the Spirit of God guide and direct you or will the flesh win the hour? It's all about choices!  

- Jesus Christ died to free you, to be the object of your faith, so that you would be free to live for others as He did! He sent the Helper, the Spirit, to bring this to pass in your life.

- That is the choice that he made. What will be the choice that you make?