Transformative Freedom: Living as New Creations in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we concluded our study of the book of Galatians, focusing on chapter six. We began by reflecting on the memorable deaths of historical figures like Socrates, Julius Caesar, and Martin Luther King Jr., and how their legacies endure. However, the death of Jesus Christ stands apart, having cosmic and eternal implications. Paul's letter to the Galatians emphasizes that Jesus' death on the cross is transformative, offering freedom from the law and adoption into God's family.
Paul's message in Galatians is clear: Jesus' sacrifice is the foundation of our faith, freeing us from the curse of the law and making us new creations. This freedom is not for self-indulgence but to serve God and others. In chapter six, Paul outlines how we should live in light of this freedom, emphasizing the law of love, the law of sowing and reaping, and the rule of the cross and new creation.
The law of love, or the law of Christ, calls us to bear one another's burdens and love each other as Christ loved us. The law of sowing and reaping reminds us that our actions have consequences, both in the physical and spiritual realms. What we sow, we will reap, whether it be corruption from the flesh or eternal life from the Spirit. Finally, the rule of the cross and new creation underscores that our faith is rooted in the transformative power of Jesus' death and resurrection. A church without the cross is not a true church.
Paul concludes by urging the Galatians to focus on the cross and the new creation, rejecting the false teachings of the Judaizers who sought to impose the law of circumcision. He reminds us that our identity and freedom come from Christ alone, and we are called to live as new creations, continually being transformed into His image.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Transformative Power of the Cross: Jesus' death on the cross is not just a historical event but a transformative act that changes our very nature. Unlike the deaths of other historical figures, Jesus' sacrifice offers us freedom from sin and the law, making us new creations in Him. This transformation is ongoing, as we are continually being sanctified and conformed to His image. [08:03]
2. The Law of Love: Paul emphasizes the importance of the law of love, which calls us to bear one another's burdens and love each other as Christ loved us. This love is sacrificial and goes beyond mere duty, reflecting the love that Jesus showed us. By living out this law, we fulfill the true essence of the gospel. [23:31]
3. Sowing and Reaping: Our actions have consequences, both in the physical and spiritual realms. Paul reminds us that what we sow, we will reap. If we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption, but if we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life. This principle encourages us to live lives of personal holiness and goodness, knowing that our efforts will bear fruit in due season. [34:14]
4. The Rule of the Cross and New Creation: The cross and the new creation are the measuring sticks by which we should judge our lives and our church. A church without the cross is not a true church. The finished work of Christ on the cross and the inward work of the Spirit in our hearts are what truly matter. This rule guides us in our faith and practice, ensuring that we remain focused on the core of the gospel. [46:04]
5. Living as New Creations: Our identity in Christ is rooted in the fact that we are new creations. This new identity calls us to live differently, not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Despite our struggles with sin, we are continually being renewed and transformed by God's grace. This ongoing process of sanctification is a testament to the power of the cross and the new life we have in Christ. [49:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:36] - Memorable Deaths in History
[05:54] - The Cosmic Impact of Jesus' Death
[08:03] - The Transformative Power of the Cross
[11:19] - Freedom in Christ
[13:03] - Reading Galatians Chapter 6
[16:14] - Two Laws and a Rule
[19:21] - Practical Application of the Fruit of the Spirit
[23:31] - The Law of Love
[34:14] - The Law of Sowing and Reaping
[46:04] - The Rule of the Cross and New Creation
[49:04] - Living as New Creations
[54:15] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[55:45] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 6:1-18
2. Galatians 1:3-5
3. Galatians 2:20
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by the "law of Christ" in Galatians 6:2? How does he suggest we fulfill it? [23:31]
2. According to Galatians 6:7-8, what are the consequences of sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit? [34:14]
3. How does Paul describe the significance of the cross and the new creation in Galatians 6:14-15? [46:04]
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "I bear on my body the marks of Jesus" in Galatians 6:17? [50:46]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "bearing one another's burdens" reflect the sacrificial love of Christ? [23:31]
2. What does Paul mean by "sowing and reaping" in a spiritual context, and how does this principle apply to our daily lives? [34:14]
3. How does Paul’s emphasis on the cross and new creation challenge the teachings of the Judaizers in Galatians 6:12-15? [46:04]
4. In what ways does Paul’s personal testimony of bearing the marks of Jesus (Galatians 6:17) serve as a model for Christian discipleship? [50:46]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you bore someone else's burden. How did it impact your relationship with that person and your faith? [23:31]
2. Identify an area in your life where you have been "sowing to the flesh." What steps can you take to start sowing to the Spirit instead? [34:14]
3. How can you keep the cross and the new creation at the center of your faith and practice, especially when faced with legalistic teachings or traditions? [46:04]
4. Paul talks about the transformative power of the cross. How has Jesus' sacrifice transformed your life, and in what areas do you still seek transformation? [08:03]
5. Think of a specific burden someone in your small group or community is carrying. What practical steps can you take this week to help bear that burden? [23:31]
6. How can you cultivate a spirit of gentleness and self-control when restoring someone caught in a transgression, as Paul advises in Galatians 6:1? [20:50]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a new creation in Christ. What old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Him? [49:04]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Cross
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is not merely a historical event but a transformative act that changes our very nature. Unlike the deaths of other historical figures, Jesus' sacrifice offers us freedom from sin and the law, making us new creations in Him. This transformation is ongoing, as we are continually being sanctified and conformed to His image. The cross is the foundation of our faith, and it is through this sacrifice that we are adopted into God's family and given a new identity. This new identity calls us to live differently, not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a symbol of victory and transformation. It signifies the end of our old selves and the beginning of a new life in Christ. As we reflect on the transformative power of the cross, we are reminded that our faith is rooted in this pivotal event. The cross calls us to a life of ongoing transformation, where we are continually being renewed and conformed to the image of Christ. [08:03]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What areas of your life need the transformative power of the cross? How can you invite Jesus to bring transformation in those areas today?
### Day 2: The Law of Love
Paul emphasizes the importance of the law of love, which calls us to bear one another's burdens and love each other as Christ loved us. This love is sacrificial and goes beyond mere duty, reflecting the love that Jesus showed us. By living out this law, we fulfill the true essence of the gospel. The law of love is not about following a set of rules but about embodying the love of Christ in our daily interactions. It calls us to be selfless, compassionate, and willing to serve others, even when it is inconvenient or challenging.
The law of love is the foundation of Christian community. It is through this love that we build each other up and support one another in our spiritual journeys. When we bear one another's burdens, we are living out the gospel in a tangible way. This love is not just an emotion but an action that requires us to step out of our comfort zones and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us. [23:31]
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: Who in your life is carrying a heavy burden right now? How can you show them the love of Christ and help bear their burden today?
### Day 3: Sowing and Reaping
Our actions have consequences, both in the physical and spiritual realms. Paul reminds us that what we sow, we will reap. If we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption, but if we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life. This principle encourages us to live lives of personal holiness and goodness, knowing that our efforts will bear fruit in due season. The law of sowing and reaping is a reminder that our choices matter and that we are called to live in a way that honors God.
Sowing to the Spirit means investing in things that have eternal value, such as our relationship with God, our character, and our service to others. It requires us to be intentional about our actions and to seek God's guidance in all that we do. As we sow to the Spirit, we can trust that God will bring about a harvest of righteousness in our lives. [34:14]
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Reflection: What are you sowing in your life right now? Are there areas where you need to start sowing to the Spirit instead of the flesh?
### Day 4: The Rule of the Cross and New Creation
The cross and the new creation are the measuring sticks by which we should judge our lives and our church. A church without the cross is not a true church. The finished work of Christ on the cross and the inward work of the Spirit in our hearts are what truly matter. This rule guides us in our faith and practice, ensuring that we remain focused on the core of the gospel. The cross is central to our identity as Christians, and it is through the cross that we are made new creations.
The rule of the cross calls us to live in a way that reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus. It challenges us to put aside our own desires and to seek God's will in all that we do. As new creations, we are called to live differently, to be set apart, and to be a light in the world. This new identity is not something we achieve on our own but is a result of the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [46:04]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How does the rule of the cross and new creation shape your daily life? What changes do you need to make to live more fully as a new creation in Christ?
### Day 5: Living as New Creations
Our identity in Christ is rooted in the fact that we are new creations. This new identity calls us to live differently, not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Despite our struggles with sin, we are continually being renewed and transformed by God's grace. This ongoing process of sanctification is a testament to the power of the cross and the new life we have in Christ. As new creations, we are called to live in a way that reflects our new identity and to be a witness to the transformative power of the gospel.
Living as new creations means embracing our new identity and allowing it to shape every aspect of our lives. It means being intentional about our choices, seeking God's guidance, and striving to live in a way that honors Him. It also means being patient with ourselves and others, recognizing that transformation is a lifelong process. As we live out our new identity, we can trust that God is at work in us, continually renewing and transforming us into the image of Christ. [49:04]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: In what ways are you living out your new identity in Christ? What steps can you take to more fully embrace your identity as a new creation?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What Christians believe is that the death of Jesus Christ, 2,024 years ago, has vast, vast implications. That's what we believe. We believe that this one man, beyond any other man or woman, right, this one man's life and death is of the greatest importance. Right? believe that the implications are far-reaching for every human being. They are cosmic. They are eternal in their ramifications. That's what we believe, that Jesus of Nazareth's death on a cross, on an ancient Roman cross, has affected everything, everything to cosmic and eternal proportions." [05:54] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Christians believe that Jesus' death on a cross is a curse for us. The cross has the power to make them sons of God, and that's what we talked about in chapter four, verses four to five. It says, but when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. That because of what Jesus did in a moment in time, Christians believe that we can be adopted into the family of God, into God's cosmic, eternal family." [09:42] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Christians believe that Jesus, and only Jesus, can provide true, unmitigated, freedom. Not to do whatever I want, but to serve God, to do what I ought, to fulfill his commands, and that's what we see in chapter five. Right off the bat, in chapter five, Paul says, it's for freedom Christ has set you free. Stand firm, therefore, do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It's for freedom. Christians believe that when Jesus died on the cross, 2,024 years ago, he secured our freedom. And not to do whatever we want, but to serve the God of the universe, to be part of his family, to fulfill his requirements, to serve him." [11:19] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. You'll be born again. You'll become a new creation. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and is with the mouth, one confesses and is saved." [54:15] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "How should we treat each other? Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Here's my first point. Here it is. The law of Christ, the law of love. How should we treat each other? Burden bearing. Paul says, Galatian, Galatian church, you want to bear burdens? You want to take the law and put it on your shoulders? You like this idea of bearing burdens? I've got a burden for you. Here's the burden that you can bear. Bear one another's burdens. Go up to your sister, your brother in Christ and take their burden. Take it over. Pray for them. Talk with them. Fellowship with them. Buy them a cup of coffee. Love them. Bear their burden. And he says, he says, for you will be fulfilling the law of Christ." [23:31] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul says, there's a quote, a saying, it goes like this. It says, sow a thought, reap in action, sow an act, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character, reap a destiny. Maybe you've heard that. It's quite famous. I don't know who said it, but it's true. In every facet of life, it's true. Verse nine, Paul says, remember goodness? Remember goodness? Goodness from through the spirit? This is what he says. Here Paul says, in addition to personal holiness, the law of sowing and reaping extends beyond your door. So he says, sow goodness. Don't lose heart. Don't tire of it. Engage others to bear their burdens along the way." [36:58] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The finished work of Christ on the cross to redeem us and the inward work of the spirit in our hearts to regenerate us and sanctify us. That is all that matters. That is the measuring line, the measuring stick that we need to measure everything against. And that is what Paul, preached. And that is what we will preach here at Commonplace Church. Paul can't stop talking about the cross. He goes into Corinth and what does he say? He says, I went amongst them and I determined to know nothing other than Jesus and him crucified. That's the only thing that I want to talk about. That's all I want to talk about. And that's why we're here. Because that's the only thing that we want to talk about. It's the only thing that provides freedom. It's the only thing that makes us sons and daughters. It's the only thing that sets us free from sin and from death and from hell. It's the only thing that redeems us from the slavery of sin." [46:04] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul says, offer yourself as a living sacrifice because we are not motivated by rules. I grew up elementary school. I was never motivated by rules. Never. I wanted to break them. We are motivated as Christians by sacrifice. Verse three, for if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Notice, you won't do any of the former things, the things that you're not supposed to do, provoking and envying, the things that you are supposed to do, bearing each other's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. If, if you won't do any of that, if you are completely self-righteous and self-absorbed, you just won't. You might pretend, but the second you begin to think that your time is more important than anyone else and anyone else's, the more, the second you begin to think that you are more important than anyone else, the second that you begin to think that your resources demand something more of your time, your effort, whatever it is, there's a problem." [25:00] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul says, Galatian church, you have these Judaizers, these, these, these, uh, the circumcision party coming in and telling you that you need to fulfill the law that you need to, to, to, to every single like law you need to follow to the nth degree. How about you just cast those aside? And if you really, really want to follow a law, I've got a law for you to follow. Here it is. Do this as much and as often as you can love one another as Christ loved you. Go do that, right? How should we treat each other? We should treat each other based on the law of Christ because we're not motivated by rules. We are to be motivated by sacrifice, right? That's what happened. We're to be motivated by a sacrifice. Why? Because Romans 12 says that offer yourself as a living sacrifice because it is your reasonable service, your reasonable service for what? It's your reasonable response to, a God who sends his one and only son to sacrifice himself for you." [25:00] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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