Living in Freedom: The Spirit vs. The Flesh
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Galatians chapter 5, focusing on the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. The flesh represents our selfish, sinful nature, while the Spirit leads us to a life of love, joy, and service. We explored how true freedom in Christ is not about indulging in our desires but about serving one another humbly in love. Using the analogy of a band, we illustrated how freedom within the Spirit's guidelines produces harmony and beauty, unlike the chaos of self-indulgence.
Paul's letter to the Galatians addresses the confusion caused by agitators who insisted that new believers must follow the old Mosaic Law to be justified. Paul counters this by emphasizing that we are justified by faith in Christ, not by the law. He reminds us that the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. This love is not superficial but deeply sacrificial, reflecting God's love for us.
We also discussed the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit, even for believers. The flesh leads to actions that are destructive both to ourselves and our communities, such as hatred, jealousy, and wild living. In contrast, the Spirit leads us to produce fruit like love, joy, peace, and self-control. These fruits are evidence of a life lived in step with the Spirit.
Living by the Spirit means submitting to God's will and allowing Him to transform our desires. This process, known as sanctification, involves daily surrender and trust in God's guidance. We are called to live like Jesus, whose life was marked by service, sacrifice, and love. By doing so, we not only experience abundant life but also become a blessing to others.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Freedom in Christ: True freedom is not about indulging our desires but about serving one another in love. This freedom leads to harmony and joy, much like a well-coordinated band playing beautiful music. [41:58]
2. Justification by Faith: We are justified by faith in Christ, not by following the old Mosaic Law. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love, which is deeply sacrificial and reflective of God's love for us. [49:48]
3. Battle Between Flesh and Spirit: Even as believers, we face an ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh leads to destructive actions, while the Spirit produces life-giving fruit like love, joy, and peace. [52:35]
4. Sanctification and Surrender: Sanctification involves daily surrender to God's will, allowing Him to transform our desires. This process leads to a life marked by the fruit of the Spirit, which is evidence of our growing Christlikeness. [56:53]
5. Living Like Jesus: To live by the Spirit means to live like Jesus, whose life was marked by service, sacrifice, and love. This is the best way to live, bringing abundant and eternal life, and making us a blessing to others. [01:17:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[41:23] - Introduction to Galatians 5
[41:58] - True Freedom in Christ
[42:53] - Band Analogy: Freedom and Harmony
[43:38] - Serving One Another in Love
[47:55] - Life in the Spirit
[48:37] - Paul's Message to the Galatians
[49:48] - Justification by Faith
[51:03] - Love Your Neighbor
[52:35] - Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
[54:10] - The Flesh vs. The Spirit
[55:22] - The Law and the Spirit
[56:53] - Sanctification and Surrender
[58:17] - Anchored in the Spirit
[59:45] - Acts of the Flesh
[01:01:18] - Consequences of Fleshly Living
[01:02:34] - Choosing the Kingdom of God
[01:03:57] - Worldly Freedom vs. Spiritual Freedom
[01:05:14] - God's Loving Guidance
[01:06:29] - Suit Yourself: Learning from Choices
[01:07:54] - Walking by the Spirit
[01:09:14] - Fruit of the Spirit
[01:10:50] - Evidence of Life in the Spirit
[01:12:02] - Trusting the Holy Spirit
[01:13:26] - Actions Leading to Spiritual Fruit
[01:14:51] - Trust and Obey
[01:16:07] - Entire Sanctification
[01:17:22] - The Best Way to Live
[01:18:25] - Baptism and New Life
[01:19:43] - Guidelines for Living by the Spirit
[01:21:01] - Daily Guidance and Surrender
[01:22:15] - Closing Prayer and Song
[01:25:13] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:13-26 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul say about the purpose of our freedom in Christ according to Galatians 5:13? How should we use this freedom? [41:58]
2. What are the contrasting outcomes of living by the flesh versus living by the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:19-23? [59:45]
3. According to the sermon, what analogy was used to describe the harmony that comes from living by the Spirit? [42:53]
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" in Galatians 5:6? [49:48]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of the band help us understand the concept of freedom within the Spirit's guidelines? [42:53]
2. Why does Paul emphasize that we are justified by faith and not by following the old Mosaic Law? How does this relate to the agitators' message to the Galatians? [49:48]
3. What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit" and how does this help us avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh? [52:35]
4. How does the process of sanctification involve daily surrender and trust in God's guidance? What does this look like in practical terms? [56:53]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you used your freedom in Christ to serve others. How did it impact your relationship with them and with God? [41:58]
2. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with the works of the flesh. What steps can you take to surrender this area to the Holy Spirit? [52:35]
3. Think of a specific way you can express your faith through sacrificial love this week. How can you make this a regular practice in your life? [49:48]
4. How can you cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your daily interactions? Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month and describe a specific action you will take. [59:45]
5. What does it mean for you to live like Jesus in your current context? Identify one practical way you can serve, sacrifice, or show love to someone in your community. [01:17:22]
6. How can you ensure that you are walking in step with the Spirit daily? What practices or habits can you incorporate into your routine to help you stay anchored in the Spirit? [58:17]
7. Reflect on the analogy of the band and the harmony it represents. How can you contribute to creating harmony and unity within your church or small group? [42:53]
Devotional
Day 1: True Freedom in Christ
True freedom is not about indulging our desires but about serving one another in love. This freedom leads to harmony and joy, much like a well-coordinated band playing beautiful music. [41:58]
True freedom in Christ is often misunderstood as the ability to do whatever we want. However, this freedom is not about self-indulgence but about serving others in love. When we live by the Spirit, we experience a freedom that brings harmony and joy, much like a well-coordinated band playing beautiful music. This freedom allows us to live in a way that reflects God's love and brings peace to our communities.
In Galatians 5, Paul emphasizes that true freedom is found in serving one another humbly in love. This kind of freedom is not chaotic or self-centered but is guided by the Spirit, leading to a life of love, joy, and service. By living in this freedom, we can create a harmonious and beautiful community that reflects the love of Christ.
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your community today. How can you use your freedom in Christ to bring harmony and joy to those around you?
Day 2: Justification by Faith
We are justified by faith in Christ, not by following the old Mosaic Law. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love, which is deeply sacrificial and reflective of God's love for us. [49:48]
Justification by faith is a central theme in Paul's letter to the Galatians. He addresses the confusion caused by agitators who insisted that new believers must follow the old Mosaic Law to be justified. Paul counters this by emphasizing that we are justified by faith in Christ, not by the law. This justification is not based on our works but on our faith in Jesus, who sacrificed Himself for us.
Paul reminds us that the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. This love is not superficial but deeply sacrificial, reflecting God's love for us. When we live by faith, we are called to express that faith through acts of love and service to others, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love in our lives.
Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of love you performed. How did it reflect your faith in Christ? How can you continue to express your faith through sacrificial love?
Day 3: Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
Even as believers, we face an ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh leads to destructive actions, while the Spirit produces life-giving fruit like love, joy, and peace. [52:35]
The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is a reality for every believer. The flesh represents our selfish, sinful nature, leading to actions that are destructive both to ourselves and our communities. These actions include hatred, jealousy, and wild living, which ultimately bring chaos and harm.
In contrast, the Spirit leads us to produce life-giving fruit such as love, joy, peace, and self-control. These fruits are evidence of a life lived in step with the Spirit. By submitting to the Spirit's guidance, we can overcome the desires of the flesh and live a life that reflects the character of Christ.
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with the desires of the flesh. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this struggle and produce life-giving fruit?
Day 4: Sanctification and Surrender
Sanctification involves daily surrender to God's will, allowing Him to transform our desires. This process leads to a life marked by the fruit of the Spirit, which is evidence of our growing Christlikeness. [56:53]
Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. This involves daily surrender to God's will and allowing Him to transform our desires. As we submit to God's guidance, He shapes our character and helps us to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
This process of sanctification is not always easy, as it requires us to let go of our own desires and trust in God's plan for us. However, as we continue to surrender to God's will, we will see evidence of our growing Christlikeness in the form of love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. This transformation not only benefits us but also blesses those around us.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
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?
Day 5: Living Like Jesus
To live by the Spirit means to live like Jesus, whose life was marked by service, sacrifice, and love. This is the best way to live, bringing abundant and eternal life, and making us a blessing to others. [01:17:22]
Living by the Spirit means following the example of Jesus, whose life was characterized by service, sacrifice, and love. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of love by sacrificing Himself for us, and He calls us to live in the same way. By living like Jesus, we experience abundant and eternal life and become a blessing to others.
This way of living is not always easy, as it requires us to put others before ourselves and to serve with humility and love. However, when we live by the Spirit, we are empowered to follow Jesus' example and to make a positive impact on the world around us. This is the best way to live, as it brings true fulfillment and joy.
John 13:34-35 (ESV): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience the love of Jesus. How can you show them Christ-like love through your actions today?
Quotes
1. "The works of the flesh and the Spirit remind me a little bit of your chicken massacre sermon a few weeks ago. Oh, yes. Yeah, so y'all remember the flesh is that evil power that just exists in human existence when we're selfish or greedy or we want to do things our own way. We don't want to listen. We don't want to obey. And so we're going to talk about how we can get away from that and be led by the Spirit." [41:23] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Today, as we talk about the flesh, any time I mention the flesh or self-indulgence, just kind of remember that sound we were just subjected to for a few seconds. I want you to hear it in your head. We're not going to make the band stay up here all day. But just hear that when we talk about the flesh and what it produces in our lives." [43:38] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We've already seen that in Christ we're called to be free but that's not chaos and self indulgence we're called to be free so that we can serve one another in and love. Moses said it way back in Leviticus. Jesus said it in the Gospels, and now Paul is reminding the believers. Obviously, this is the heart of God, that we would love one another, that we would serve one another. That is part of our purpose here on this earth." [51:03] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Even when we come to Christ, and we ask him to forgive our sins, and he is our Savior, we still battle between the flesh and the Spirit. Our sins are forgiven. We're a child of God, but still that flesh wants to win. But the Spirit is saying, I've got a better way. It's so important. So we can't just do what we want to do. Christ has given us freedom to choose life in the Spirit. He gives us the power to put to death the flesh." [52:35] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "To win this battle against the flesh, personally and as a church family, we can't just do what we want. We have to do what the Spirit wants, to have that joyful, vibrant life that the band shared with their great music. And the law, going back to the Old Testament, it's great. It's important. We need to know it. We need to read it, because obviously, the heart of God has always been the same. But just the law, just circumcision, as the agitators were saying, they needed to go back that particular rule they needed to follow. The Torah, the rules, anything that we consider the rules, none of those things can win the battle against the flesh." [55:22] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Holiness, most simply put, means that we're set apart for God. So, as we have freedom in Christ, our sins are forgiven, the tug of war is over, and we're going on. God gives us the power to say, Lord, I want to be set apart for you. I don't want to do things my own sinful, selfish way. I want to do things your way, and I can't do it by myself, but I can do it in the power of your Spirit. Thanks be to God." [56:53] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When we want what the Spirit wants and we submit our lives to Him to follow Him and He takes control of our desires, we can only do that when we have the power of God. We call this in the Church of the Nazarene, entire sanctification. This submission to Him as He's called us, as He's led us, as He's compelled us to want to be more like Christ. And we say, Lord, take it all. Not just my sins, but take all the habits, take all the attitudes, take all the past, take everything, Lord. I want you to have it all. As we give that to Him and He takes control, we are growing. We are set apart for God's purposes. We are keeping in step with the Spirit. Thanks be to God." [01:16:07] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we belong to Jesus, we are free to live by the Spirit. If the projector was working today, that was going to be your summary statement. If you had to walk away with one statement, that's what it was going to be today. When we belong to Jesus, we are free to live by the Spirit. And to walk with Jesus is to identify with His life of service and sacrifice and suffering. Do you remember that's how Jesus lived? Contrary to what popular culture would tell us, this is the best way to live. This brings joy. This brings abundant and eternal life." [01:17:22] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When I imagine trying to put a picture to life in the spirit there are lots of things that we could say but I kind of imagine a marching band in formation on a football field doing amazing things making shapes and words and you've probably seen that before I imagine a waltz where two people are just in perfect sync flowing as one is leading and one is following when I think about life in the spirit I imagine kids playing follow the leader and the fun that can come from that and all the silly things that might happen I imagine walking on a well-marked path where there's no fear of getting lost in the woods these all require discipline and a willingness to give up our own way for the best outcome but what a beautiful gift it is when we see these things take place." [01:18:25] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The spirit will lead us away from those bad things. The spirit will lead us to life because those things, those acts of the flesh, those things that just feel natural until we become anchored in the spirit, they seem to offer escape and fun and self-validation, but they truly lead to death. The fruit of the acts of the flesh is death and each other being devoured. They lead us away from the kingdom of God." [01:06:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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