Freedom in Christ: Embracing a New Covenant
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound truth that through Christ's death and resurrection, we are freed from the law and its condemnation. This liberation is not a dismissal of the law's value but an invitation to a new life in Jesus. We delved into the analogy of marriage to illustrate our relationship with the law and with Christ. Just as a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, we too were bound to the law. However, in Christ's death, we died to the law, and now we are free to 'remarry'—to belong to Christ, who was raised from the dead.
This new union with Christ is perfect, voluntary, and eternal. Unlike human marriage, which can be fraught with imperfection and sometimes even abuse, our relationship with Christ is one of freedom from the abuser of sin and death. We could not free ourselves from this bondage, but in Christ, we have been saved.
Furthermore, we discussed how this new relationship with Christ results in fruit for God. The law previously brought awareness of our sinfulness, but now, united with Christ, we can bear good fruit. This is akin to Jesus' teaching in John 15, where He describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches, emphasizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing.
We also touched on the importance of serving God with a new and free spirit. The law, while good and from God, was powerless to save us. Now, released from the law, we serve in the newness of the Spirit. This transformation is like replacing an old, faulty car battery with a new one; the old ways of trying to follow the law to earn salvation are replaced with the new life that comes from the Spirit.
In conclusion, we are called to put Jesus first, to follow Him, and to love Him. We are to be free from the old nature and embrace the new nature and Spirit. It is time to surrender, to stop trying to earn salvation through good deeds, and to start living out of the relationship we have with Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Our freedom in Christ is not an escape from responsibility but an invitation to a new, eternal covenant with Him. This covenant is based on His grace and our faith, not on our ability to adhere to the law. In this new relationship, we are called to bear fruit for God, reflecting the transformative power of His love in our lives. [54:39]
- The law serves as a mirror, reflecting our sinfulness and need for a Savior. It is not the law itself that saves, but the grace of God through Jesus Christ. As we embrace this truth, we find the strength to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, and other virtues that please God. [59:48]
- True spiritual fruitfulness comes from abiding in Christ. As branches connected to the vine, our life and productivity are dependent on Him. When we remain in Jesus, we are empowered to live out the righteousness that the law points to but cannot produce on its own. [55:21]
- Serving God with a new and free spirit means embracing the life of the Spirit over the letter of the law. The Spirit gives us the power to live in a way that honors God, not as a means to earn His favor, but as a natural outflow of our relationship with Christ. [56:05]
- Surrender is the key to experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. It is not through our efforts or adherence to the law that we are saved, but through the death and resurrection of Jesus. As we surrender to Him, we are filled with His Spirit and equipped to do what is right and pleasing to God. [01:02:59]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Romans 7:1-6
- John 15:5
- Galatians 5:22-23
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 7:1-6, what analogy does Paul use to describe our relationship with the law and Christ?
2. In John 15:5, what does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the vine; you are the branches"?
3. What are the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23?
4. How does the sermon describe the law's role in our awareness of sin? ([55:21])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of marriage in Romans 7:1-6 help us understand our new relationship with Christ?
2. What does it mean to "bear fruit for God" as mentioned in Romans 7:4 and John 15:5? How is this different from trying to follow the law to earn salvation?
3. How does the sermon explain the transformation from serving the law to serving in the newness of the Spirit? ([56:05])
4. What is the significance of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 in the context of living a life led by the Spirit rather than the law?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are still trying to earn God's favor through your actions rather than relying on your relationship with Christ? How can you shift your focus to living out of that relationship? ([01:02:15])
2. The sermon mentioned that our new union with Christ is perfect, voluntary, and eternal. How does this understanding impact your daily walk with Jesus? ([53:01])
3. Think about a time when you felt condemned by the law or your own standards. How can embracing the truth of your freedom in Christ change your perspective and actions? ([01:02:59])
4. In what ways can you actively "abide in Christ" this week to ensure you are bearing fruit for God? Consider practical steps you can take to stay connected to Jesus, the vine. ([54:39])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of serving God with a new and free spirit. What specific changes can you make in your service to God to reflect this newness of the Spirit? ([56:05])
6. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) that you struggle with. What is a specific action you can take this week to cultivate this fruit in your interactions with others? ([59:48])
7. The sermon concluded with a call to surrender and stop trying to earn salvation through good deeds. What does surrender look like for you personally, and how can you practice it in your daily life? ([01:04:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the New Covenant of Grace
In the light of Christ's sacrifice, believers are invited into a new, eternal covenant that is based on grace rather than adherence to the law. This covenant is not about following a set of rules but about entering a relationship with Jesus, who has fulfilled the law on our behalf. Through faith in Him, we are called to bear fruit that reflects His transformative power in our lives. This fruit is not produced by our own efforts but is a natural result of the life-giving connection we have with Christ. As branches on the vine, our spiritual vitality and ability to produce good works stem from our union with Him. This new life is marked by a freedom that was impossible under the law, as we now live in the Spirit who enables us to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law in a way that pleases God [54:39].
"For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness." - Galatians 5:5
Reflection: How does understanding your relationship with God as a covenant of grace change the way you approach your daily spiritual practices?
Day 2: The Law as a Mirror to Our Need for Christ
The law serves a crucial role in revealing our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It acts as a mirror, showing us that we cannot achieve righteousness on our own. However, it is through the grace of God in Jesus Christ that we are saved, not by the law itself. This grace empowers us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, and other virtues that are pleasing to God. As we embrace the grace of God, we find the strength to live out the righteousness that the law points to but cannot produce on its own. This is the essence of the new life in the Spirit—a life that honors God not as a means to earn His favor but as a natural outflow of our relationship with Christ [59:48].
"But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code." - Romans 7:6
Reflection: What is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit you feel called to cultivate more intentionally, and what practical steps can you take to do so?
Day 3: Abiding in Christ for True Fruitfulness
True spiritual fruitfulness is only possible when we abide in Christ. As branches cannot bear fruit by themselves unless they remain part of the vine, so we cannot produce spiritual fruit unless we remain in Jesus. Our life and productivity are entirely dependent on Him. When we stay connected to Christ, we are empowered to live out the righteousness that the law points to but cannot produce on its own. This abiding relationship is the key to a fruitful Christian life, one that is rich in love, joy, peace, and all the other aspects of the Spirit's work within us [55:21].
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your daily connection to Christ to ensure that you are abiding in Him and not relying on your own strength?
Day 4: Serving in the Newness of the Spirit
The new life in the Spirit is characterized by serving God with a fresh and free spirit, rather than adhering to the letter of the law. The Spirit gives us the power to live in a way that honors God, not as a means to earn His favor, but as a natural outflow of our relationship with Christ. This transformation is like replacing an old, faulty car battery with a new one; the old ways of trying to follow the law to earn salvation are replaced with the new life that comes from the Spirit. This new service is joyful and life-giving, as it is empowered by the Spirit and not burdened by the impossible task of law-keeping [56:05].
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:2
Reflection: How can you shift from serving God out of obligation to serving Him out of the joy and freedom that comes from the Spirit?
Day 5: Surrender as the Key to Life in Christ
Surrender is essential to experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. It is not through our efforts or adherence to the law that we are saved, but through the death and resurrection of Jesus. As we surrender to Him, we are filled with His Spirit and equipped to do what is right and pleasing to God. This surrender involves letting go of our attempts to earn salvation and fully embracing the relationship we have with Jesus. It is a daily decision to trust in His work on the cross and allow His Spirit to lead us in every aspect of our lives [01:02:59].
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." - Galatians 5:24
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
1) "The law of God, the 613 commands or so in the Old Testament, is a giant warning light... but not once in history has that warning light made anybody right with God... In Christ, the standard doesn't change, but all of this becomes doable by the power of the Holy Spirit." [59:05]
2) "In death we can be free and in death we can have a new master, a new husband, a new Lord, a new commitment that is every bit as permanent in Christ... This marriage never ends... Christ has given us the opportunity to be free from that abuser." [53:01]
3) "The result of this relationship, the end of verse four tells us in order that we may bear fruit for God... it produces that which glorifies God... all people in Christ may serve with a free and new spirit." [54:39]
4) "When we try to fix ourselves by somehow combining the law and the spirit, we continue to get shorted out by our own efforts... Instead, surrender, die to ourselves, and be freed to live in the Forgiveness that is found only in Jesus Christ." [01:02:15]
5) "The law is like a warning light, and so today if it is shining in your heart, then you know that you need salvation. But it is not the law that will save you, it is Jesus. Follow Jesus, trust in Him, ask Him to live through you and produce good fruit for God." [01:03:35]
6) "Marriage is to be forever, as long as we live... there's not really a loophole except for sin... in death we can be free... in Christ... let's see how that Death part works out as we continue on to the second point." [43:04]
7) "The law was from God and good... but it was powerless to save us. To be free from condemnation so that we can serve God through his spirit and newness of life is an amazing thing." [56:05]
8) "All of those lights that went on served their purpose, they were warning lights... but those warning lights did not fix my car. The Safety Systems... didn't make it work, they just kept it from getting worse." [57:33]
9) "We are freed from the condemnation that came from the standard of God that we could not meet on our own... so that we may belong to another, so that we may have a new Lord, so that we can get remarried, so to speak." [52:19]
10) "It is time for those of us that are believers to stop playing religion and some sort of legalistic obedience and start walking with Jesus in step with his spirit so that he can shine through us." [01:04:58]
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