Living in Freedom: Love and Service in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Freedom in Christ: A Call to Serve Others

Our freedom in Christ is not for selfish indulgence but for serving others in love. This freedom liberates us from the bondage of sin and enables us to live in a way that honors God and benefits others. It calls us to a higher standard of living, where our actions and words reflect the love of Christ. This freedom is a gift that comes with responsibility. It is not a license to do whatever we want but a call to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ.

In Galatians 5:13-15, Paul emphasizes that our freedom should manifest in love and service to one another. This means putting others' needs above our own and using our freedom to build up the community rather than tearing it down. Our actions and words should be a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love in our lives. [07:51]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." (Galatians 5:13-15 ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve someone in your community today? What specific action can you take to put their needs above your own?

Day 2: Agape Love: A Deliberate Choice to Sacrifice

True agape love is selfless and sacrificial. It involves staying committed to relationships, investing in others, sharing resources, and imitating Christ's sacrificial love. This love is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice to put others' needs above our own. Agape love requires us to go beyond our comfort zones and make sacrifices for the well-being of others.

This kind of love is exemplified in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, where He gave His life for us. It calls us to a higher standard of love that is not based on feelings but on a commitment to act in the best interest of others. This love is transformative and has the power to change lives and build strong, supportive communities. [48:21]

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18 ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs support. How can you show them agape love through a specific, sacrificial action today?

Day 3: The Power of Speech: Building Up, Not Tearing Down

Our words have the power to build up or tear down. Paul warns against using our speech to bite and devour one another, which can cause deep harm and division. Instead, we should use our words to encourage, comfort, and serve others, reflecting the love of Christ in our interactions. The way we speak to and about others can either foster unity or create division.

In the New Testament, there are numerous exhortations to use our speech in ways that build up the community. This includes speaking truth in love, offering encouragement, and avoiding gossip and slander. Our words should be a reflection of the love and grace we have received from Christ. [01:00:04]

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your recent conversations. Is there someone you need to apologize to for hurtful words? How can you use your speech to encourage and build up someone today?

Day 4: Practical Expressions of Love: Building a Supportive Community

The New Testament provides numerous practical ways to express love through our speech, such as greeting, welcoming, comforting, praying for, and encouraging one another. These actions help build a strong, supportive community that reflects God's love. Practical expressions of love are essential for fostering a sense of belonging and support within the church community.

These actions are not just about being polite but about genuinely caring for one another's well-being. They create an environment where people feel valued and supported, which is crucial for spiritual growth and unity. By practicing these expressions of love, we can create a community that reflects the love of Christ to the world. [01:19:00]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14 ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can show love to someone in your church community today? Can you greet, welcome, comfort, or pray for someone specifically?

Day 5: Self-Examination: Aligning Our Hearts with Christ's Love

We are called to examine our hearts and ensure that our speech and actions align with the love and freedom we have in Christ. This involves recognizing areas where we may be falling short and seeking God's help to change our attitudes and behaviors. Self-examination is a crucial part of spiritual growth and maturity.

By regularly examining our hearts, we can identify areas where we need to grow and seek God's guidance and strength to make necessary changes. This process helps us to become more like Christ and to live in a way that reflects His love and grace. It also helps us to be more aware of how our actions and words impact others. [01:23:08]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to pray and ask God to reveal any areas in your heart that need to change. What specific steps can you take to align your speech and actions with the love of Christ today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the profound love and freedom we have in Christ. We began with a heartfelt letter from Pastor Brian, who recently experienced a severe health scare but is now recovering well. His testimony highlighted God's providence and the opportunities it created to share the gospel with others. We also celebrated our Summer Family Sunday with a Christmas in July theme, emphasizing the joy and fellowship within our church community.

Our main focus was on Galatians 5:13-15, where Paul speaks about the freedom we have in Christ and how it should manifest in our love and service to one another. This freedom is not a license for selfishness but a call to serve others selflessly. We explored what true agape love looks like, drawing from our recent studies in 1 John. This love is characterized by staying committed, investing in relationships, sharing resources, and imitating Christ's sacrificial love.

Paul's specific example in Galatians 5 was about how we use our speech. He warned against biting and devouring one another with our words, which can cause deep harm and division. Instead, our speech should be used to build up, encourage, and serve others. This aligns with the broader New Testament teachings on how we should interact with one another, including greeting, welcoming, comforting, and praying for each other.

We concluded by reflecting on the source of this love—our freedom in Christ. This freedom liberates us from the bondage of sin and enables us to live in a way that honors God and serves others. We are called to examine our hearts and ensure that our speech and actions reflect this transformative love.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Examination**: We are called to examine our hearts and ensure that our speech and actions align with the love and freedom we have in Christ. This involves recognizing areas where we may be falling short and seeking God's help to change our attitudes and behaviors. [01:23:08]
### [83:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:08] - Visitor Information
[06:05] - Pastor Brian's Letter
[06:56] - Heart Attack Testimony
[08:58] - Prayer Requests
[09:47] - Brian's Recovery Update
[10:32] - Summer Family Sunday
[11:10] - Christmas in July
[12:31] - Grief Share Ministry
[14:00] - Church Family Meeting
[14:50] - Meeting Time Change
[15:42] - Dinner Provision
[17:09] - Call to Worship
[18:30] - Prayer for Illumination
[20:15] - Prayer for Pastor Brian
[31:45] - New Song Introduction
[39:20] - Scripture Reading: Galatians 5
[40:25] - Freedom in Christ
[45:34] - Agape Love Explained
[48:21] - Examples of Love
[49:36] - Conflict Resolution
[50:53] - Self-Denial
[53:48] - Meeting Needs
[55:17] - Sacrificial Love
[56:44] - Power of Speech
[60:04] - Heart and Speech Connection
[67:47] - Freedom in Christ
[72:05] - New Way of Living
[77:06] - Serving One Another
[79:00] - Practical Expressions of Love
[80:35] - Things to Avoid
[83:08] - Self-Examination
[85:32] - Closing Prayer
[87:24] - Closing Song and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Galatians 5:13-15, what is the purpose of the freedom we have in Christ?
How does Paul describe the misuse of freedom in Galatians 5:13-15?
What are the characteristics of agape love as described in 1 John 4:7-12?
In James 4:1-3, what causes quarrels and fights among believers?

Interpretation Questions

How does the freedom in Christ enable believers to serve one another in love? [40:25]
What does it mean to "bite and devour" one another with our words, and why is this harmful to the church community? [45:34]
How can the principles of agape love from 1 John 4:7-12 be practically applied in our daily interactions within the church? [48:21]
What does James 4:1-3 suggest about the root causes of conflicts among believers, and how can this understanding help us resolve disputes? [58:43]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own speech. Are there times when you have used your words to "bite and devour" others? How can you change this behavior to build up and encourage instead? [01:00:04]
Think about a recent conflict you had with someone in the church. How could you have applied the principles of agape love to resolve it differently? [49:36]
Identify one person in your church community who might need encouragement or support. What specific action can you take this week to serve them in love? [01:19:00]
Examine your heart for any selfish motives that might be causing division or conflict. How can you seek God's help to transform these attitudes? [01:23:08]
How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others selflessly in your daily life? Share a specific example of how you plan to do this in the coming week. [40:25]
Consider the power of your words. What practical steps can you take to ensure your speech reflects the love of Christ in all your interactions? [01:06:13]
Reflect on the ways you can express agape love through practical actions like greeting, welcoming, comforting, and praying for others. Choose one action to focus on this week and share your plan with the group. [01:19:00]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "While we might be tempted to be discouraged with having one large health event after another, there's nothing to fear as we have a great, good, and loving God who is operative. In our lives. Allow me to share just very quickly how God has worked through this once again to bring glory to his name and provide opportunities to impact others for eternity." [06:05] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It not only gave me opportunities to speak about the event, but about our God and his nature and his ultimate love expressed to all of us through Christ and the cross. So if you would, please pray with me for the salvation of Janet, Veronica, Olivia, Marcus, and Debbie." [08:58] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Isn't it wonderful that we have a God who hears? Praise God for that. Let's pray together this morning as we begin our worship service together. Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for your mighty work in our lives. The work that you've done of bringing us, from separation from you in our sin, to come close to you through salvation and be able to walk with you." [17:09] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Praise God, we have a God that tells us in the book of James that when we need wisdom, when we need the ability to take the truth of God's word and apply that to life in a way that glorifies God, when we need wisdom, God has promised that he will give it to us. And he's not going to hold back and just give us little, little bits of wisdom. No, it says, he is a God that does not upbraid or does not withhold that from us. He will give us as much as we need." [33:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The good news of the gospel is that we are free and we are free to love God and love others. Now we can choose who we serve. No longer, no longer is it service by fiat, fiat of our flesh, by command of Satan in our flesh. No, no, no, no. Now we serve out of the abundance of our own hearts, out of our desire." [01:12:50] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We love one another by putting the preferences, the desires of another person over ours. The third way is by helping to provide for the needs of others. John asks the question in 1 John, and then also over in the book of James, James asks it, how can we see other people in need and have so much ourselves and then not meet that need? What does that mean about us in our hearts if we see that need and we do nothing about it?" [53:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We are free from the slog of sin. And if we don't have those things overflowing out of us, out of our lives, it's because we've gone back to the mud. We've gone back to the slog of sin. The way that Solomon would say it in Proverbs is that we are the dog that has returned to its own vomit. Isn't that a brutal picture? God's given us a life of freedom and we've said, you know what, God? I'm not interested. I'm gonna live my way." [01:14:08] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If we don't have that overflow of joy and peace and love and long-suffering and gentleness and goodness and faith versus 22 and 23 of this chapter, if we don't have that coming out of our lives into the lives of others, what's the problem? Is the problem that they're jerks and they don't treat me the way that they should so I'm not gonna show them the fruit of the spirit? Is the problem that, well, life is just too busy and if people understood my situation, then they know that I just can't do that right now. No, no, no, no, no." [01:14:08] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are free from the slog of sin. And if we don't have those things overflowing out of us, out of our lives, it's because we've gone back to the mud. We've gone back to the slog of sin. The way that Solomon would say it in Proverbs is that we are the dog that has returned to its own vomit. Isn't that a brutal picture? God's given us a life of freedom and we've said, you know what, God? I'm not interested. I'm gonna live my way." [01:14:08] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are free from the slog of sin. And if we don't have those things overflowing out of us, out of our lives, it's because we've gone back to the mud. We've gone back to the slog of sin. The way that Solomon would say it in Proverbs is that we are the dog that has returned to its own vomit. Isn't that a brutal picture? God's given us a life of freedom and we've said, you know what, God? I'm not interested. I'm gonna live my way." [01:14:08] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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