“FREEDOM”
1. The SOURCE of freedom Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free…”
A. God has called us to live a life of freedom.
B. The first man and woman were given freedom. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden…” Genesis 2:16
2. The SIGNIFICANCE of freedom. Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free...”
A. Free from bondage of sin, free from the curse of the law, free from condemnation, free from religious rituals, free from fear. You’re free to be what God wants you to be.
3. The STRUGGLE of freedom. Galatians 5:13b “...But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh...”
A. National amnesia - "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” Thomas Jefferson
B. The abuse of freedom
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sinful abuse – indulge the flesh
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amoral abuse – become a stumbling block
4. The SOLUTION for living free. I Corinthians 10:23-24 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
A. The solution is not legalism, nor is it license. It’s living for the glory of God and the good of others.
B. Questions to ask yourself. How does this benefit me? Others? God?
C. Will my choices become my master? I Corinthians 6:13