Embracing Freedom: Grace Over Legalism in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Freedom in Christ

Description: Jesus Christ is our great emancipator, freeing us from the bondage of sin. Just as the Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for slaves, Christ's sacrifice on the cross declares our freedom from sin and death. However, many Christians live as though they are still enslaved, not fully embracing the freedom Christ offers. Satan, like a plantation owner, wants us to remain comfortable in our old ways, but Jesus calls us to step into the freedom He provides. This freedom is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that should impact every aspect of our lives. [43:16]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still living as though you are enslaved to sin? How can you actively embrace the freedom that Christ offers you today?

Day 2: The Pitfall of Legalism

Description: Paul warns against replacing the liberty of trusting Jesus with the legalism of trying to keep the law. Legalism focuses on external behaviors and rituals, but true Christianity is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many people mistakenly believe that being a Christian involves adhering to a set of rules and regulations, but Jesus came to set us free from such legalistic bondage. Adding anything to the gospel nullifies the grace of God and shifts our focus from faith to works, which is not the path to salvation. [44:57]

Colossians 2:20-23 (ESV): "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."

Reflection: Are there any rituals or rules you are holding onto that make you feel more "Christian"? How can you shift your focus from these external behaviors to deepening your personal relationship with Jesus?

Day 3: Salvation Through Faith Alone

Description: Our salvation is not based on our ability to follow the law but on our faith in Jesus Christ. True freedom in Christ means we are no longer bound by the law but are empowered to live as God intends. This freedom is not a license to sin but a call to live a life of love and obedience. When we understand that our salvation is a gift of grace through faith, it transforms our motivations and actions. We obey not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us. [52:42]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How does understanding that your salvation is a gift of grace through faith change the way you live your daily life? What are some practical ways you can live out this freedom in love and obedience?

Day 4: The Danger of Adding to the Gospel

Description: Adding anything to the gospel, such as circumcision or other rituals, ruins the gospel. The gospel is grace plus faith equals salvation. When we add anything to it, we face the problem of trying to be good enough for God, which is impossible. This not only nullifies the grace of God but also places an unbearable burden on us. True freedom in Christ means accepting the gospel in its purest form and rejecting any additions that distort its message. [01:02:49]

Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."

Reflection: Are there any "additions" you have made to the gospel in your own understanding or practice? How can you return to the simplicity and purity of the gospel message?

Day 5: Faith Expressed Through Love

Description: True faith in Jesus Christ produces good works. Our faith should result in how we behave on the outside, reflecting the grace we have received on the inside. This is not about earning salvation but about expressing the transformation that has taken place in our hearts. When we live out our faith through acts of love and kindness, we demonstrate the reality of Christ's work in us. This outward expression of faith is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. [01:10:45]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: How can you actively express your faith through acts of love and kindness today? Think of one specific action you can take to demonstrate the grace you have received in Christ.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church family. Today, we began our service with the beautiful act of baptism, a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is not what saves us; it is the blood of Jesus Christ and God's grace alone through our faith in Him. This morning, we celebrated Jim Kunkel's baptism, a testament to his faith and a call for others to take this step of obedience.

We then turned to Galatians 5, where Paul addresses the issue of legalism versus the freedom we have in Christ. Just as the Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for slaves, Jesus Christ is our great emancipator, freeing us from the bondage of sin. However, many Christians live as though they are still enslaved, not fully embracing the freedom Christ offers. Satan, like a plantation owner, wants us to remain comfortable in our old ways, but Jesus calls us to step into the freedom He provides.

Paul's letter to the Galatians warns against replacing the liberty of trusting Jesus with the legalism of trying to keep the law. Legalism focuses on external behaviors and rituals, but true Christianity is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many people mistakenly believe that being a Christian involves adhering to a set of rules and regulations, but Jesus came to set us free from such legalistic bondage.

Paul emphasizes that our salvation is not based on our ability to follow the law but on our faith in Jesus Christ. He warns that adding anything to the gospel, such as circumcision or other rituals, nullifies the grace of God. True freedom in Christ means we are no longer bound by the law but are empowered to live as God intends.

We must stand firm in the grace of God, stay focused on it, and show faithfulness to it. Legalism and license are two extremes that we must avoid. True freedom in Christ leads to a life of love and obedience, not because we have to, but because we want to. Our faith should produce good works as an expression of the grace we have received.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Freedom in Christ: Jesus Christ is our great emancipator, freeing us from the bondage of sin. Just as the Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for slaves, Christ's sacrifice on the cross declares our freedom from sin and death. However, many Christians live as though they are still enslaved, not fully embracing the freedom Christ offers. [43:16]
2. **Legalism vs. Grace**: Paul warns against replacing the liberty of trusting Jesus with the legalism of trying to keep the law. Legalism focuses on external behaviors and rituals, but true Christianity is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Adding anything to the gospel nullifies the grace of God. [44:57]
3. Salvation Through Faith Alone: Our salvation is not based on our ability to follow the law but on our faith in Jesus Christ. True freedom in Christ means we are no longer bound by the law but are empowered to live as God intends. This freedom is not a license to sin but a call to live a life of love and obedience. [52:42]
4. The Danger of Adding to the Gospel: Adding anything to the gospel, such as circumcision or other rituals, ruins the gospel. The gospel is grace plus faith equals salvation. When we add anything to it, we face the problem of trying to be good enough for God, which is impossible. [62:49]
5. Faith Expressed Through Love: True faith in Jesus Christ produces good works. Our faith should result in how we behave on the outside, reflecting the grace we have received on the inside. This is not about earning salvation but about expressing the transformation that has taken place in our hearts. [01:10:45]
### [70:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:36] - Baptism of Jim Kunkel
[08:35] - Opening Prayer
[40:54] - Acknowledging Last Week's Service
[41:20] - Introduction to Galatians 5
[41:46] - Emancipation Proclamation and Its Significance
[42:16] - Living in Slavery Despite Freedom
[42:45] - Jesus as the Great Emancipator
[43:50] - Paul's Warning to the Galatians
[44:22] - The Problem of Legalism
[44:57] - Misconceptions About Christianity
[45:31] - Personal Experience with Legalism
[46:03] - The Danger of Adding to the Gospel
[48:23] - Two Types of Religious Faith
[48:53] - Reading of Galatians 5:1-6
[49:24] - The Importance of Grace
[51:01] - Stand Firm for Grace
[52:42] - Freedom from the Law
[56:33] - The True Meaning of Freedom
[58:59] - Stay Focused on Grace
[62:49] - The Danger of Adding to the Gospel
[64:01] - The Problem of Trying to Be Good Enough
[67:56] - Show Faithfulness to Grace
[70:45] - Faith Expressed Through Love
[73:38] - Liberty Leads to Love
[74:58] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul mean when he says, "For freedom Christ has set us free"? How does this relate to the concept of the Emancipation Proclamation mentioned in the sermon? [41:46]
According to Galatians 5:1-6, what are the consequences of accepting circumcision as a requirement for salvation? [49:24]
How does Paul describe the relationship between faith and love in Galatians 5:6? [49:24]
What examples of legalism were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they compare to the issues Paul addresses in Galatians 5? [44:57]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that adding anything to the gospel nullifies the grace of God? How does this principle apply to modern-day Christian practices? [46:03]
How can Christians avoid the extremes of legalism and license, as discussed in the sermon? What practical steps can be taken to maintain a balance? [56:33]
In what ways does the freedom that Christ offers differ from the freedom that the world offers? How does this freedom empower believers to live as God intends? [52:42]
How does the concept of "faith working through love" challenge the notion that faith and works are separate? What does this mean for a believer's daily life? [01:10:45]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are still living as though you are enslaved, despite the freedom Christ offers? What steps can you take to fully embrace this freedom? [43:16]
Have you ever experienced or witnessed legalism in a church setting? How did it affect your or others' relationship with God? What can you do to promote a culture of grace in your church? [44:57]
Paul warns against adding anything to the gospel. Are there traditions or practices in your life that you might be elevating to the level of gospel truth? How can you refocus on the core message of grace through faith? [46:03]
Think of a time when you felt pressured to conform to external behaviors or rituals to be accepted as a Christian. How did this impact your faith? How can you help others understand that true Christianity is about a personal relationship with Jesus? [44:57]
The sermon mentioned that true freedom in Christ leads to a life of love and obedience. Identify one specific way you can express your faith through love this week. How can you make this a regular practice? [01:10:45]
How can you stand firm in the grace of God in your daily life? What are some practical ways to remind yourself of this grace and avoid falling into legalism or license? [51:01]
Reflect on the statement, "Liberty leads to love." How can you demonstrate this principle in your interactions with others, both within and outside the church? [01:13:38]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "Jesus Christ is the, the great emancipator. And when he paid for your sins on the cross, when you received him personally as your Lord and Savior to deliver you from sin, he swung open the door of freedom and gave you your liberation. Now, there are some Christians, unfortunately, who are in a 20-year lapse between the time when their freedom was stated and when their freedom was experienced. They're free, they've been freed by Jesus, but they're still living in slavery." [43:16] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus came to liberate us and he wants us to risk taking that step for freedom. And that's exactly what the Apostle Paul wrote to a church. He wrote to a church in Galatia 2,000 years ago because there was a danger that a church that had been taught about the liberty of trusting Jesus was being tempted to replace it with the legalism that comes from trying to keep the law." [43:50] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus came to set us free. Now, friends, the only people who need to be set free are people who are in bondage, who are in captivity, who are in slavery. And guess what? That's everybody who has ever been born. The same apostle Paul that wrote this wrote the book of Galatians. The Romans, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." [52:08] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus came not only to give us freedom but to show us what real freedom is. Freedom is not the ability to do whatever I want to do; it is the power to do what I ought to do. Jesus came to free us from the law and hear this: freedom from the law is not a freedom to sin." [56:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus came to truly free us that we could live lives of freedom, spiritual freedom where we don't have to be slaves to sin anymore, we don't have to be slaves to the devil and his demonic instructions to us. We have victory in Christ Jesus, we have freedom in Christ Jesus." [01:16:32] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "Now, many enslaved people back then still lived their lives and remained unchanged because slavery was all they ever knew. They were living on southern plantations and finally the word had gotten to them, you are free. But they had become so comfortable living as slaves, the risk was too great to go north. And that's precisely what the plantation owners wanted. They wanted the slaves to feel at home in their slavery because then they wouldn't be willing to take the risk to be free." [42:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The problem is that too many churches focus on what is on the outside rather than what's on the inside. There are people that are more concerned about what their pastor wears than what their pastor says. That is absurd. That is absolutely true, and it's sickening. There's more of a concern sometimes with the style of music that pleases the attender rather than what pleases God." [47:25] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you fall from grace, you fall into legalism. You are putting yourself right back into a snare that Jesus has freed you from. You leave the freedom that God gives us and you go back into slavery. Whenever you add a plus sign to grace, faith, or Jesus, God adds a minus sign to you. Does that mean you lose your salvation? No, it means you're going to lose the joy of your salvation." [01:06:32] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Liberty does not lead to legalism where you say I have to obey the law to be right with God, and liberty also does not lead to license that says I don't have to obey God's law at all and I'm still right with God. Liberty leads to love. You know, I don't have to obey God's laws to be right with God, but because I am right with God, I want to obey God's laws." [01:13:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The gospel doesn't require obedience, but it does produce it in your life. There was a doctor in Arkansas, he walked into a room, a woman was in the bed on the monitor, and he declared the woman in the bed to be dead. Well, the family was informed and the husband was devastated. A nurse came in a few minutes later to collect all the stuff and to wrap up the body, and she realized the woman was still alive." [01:14:58] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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