True Freedom: Denying Self to Love Others
Summary
This morning, we celebrated the beautiful step of baptism, a public declaration of faith and a testimony to the refining, loving work of God in our lives. We reflected on the journey of counting the cost of following Jesus—not just embracing His gifts and calling, but also walking through seasons of humility, growth, and even hardship. God’s love is not reserved for the parts of us we think are presentable; He loves us in our brokenness and calls us to freedom in Christ.
Turning to Galatians 5, we explored what true freedom in Christ looks like. Freedom is not a license to indulge the flesh or to live however we please, but rather, it is the power to deny ourselves and serve others in love. Paul warns against abusing grace, reminding us that cheap grace—saying “sorry” without true repentance—misses the heart of the gospel. True repentance is not just regret over consequences, but a turning away from sin because we love God and desire to walk in step with His Spirit.
We are called to deny our flesh, not for the sake of self-improvement or legalism, but so that we can genuinely love others as ourselves. Our culture often defines freedom as doing whatever we want, but Paul flips this idea on its head: indulging our desires actually leads to bondage, not freedom. Real freedom is found in leveraging our lives for others, even when it costs us, and in breaking the cycle of selfishness and hurt that so often characterizes our relationships.
The battle between flesh and Spirit is real and ongoing. Our deepest desire, if we are in Christ, is to know and be known by God, but our flesh constantly pulls us in the opposite direction. The works of the flesh are obvious, but so is the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not a checklist to accomplish, but evidence of a life surrendered to and dependent on the Holy Spirit.
The invitation is not to try harder or fix ourselves, but to crucify the flesh, confess our struggles, and walk in step with the Spirit. Freedom is not found in self-indulgence or self-righteousness, but in humble dependence on Jesus, who alone can set us free and produce His fruit in our lives.
Key Takeaways
- Freedom in Christ is not permission to indulge the flesh, but the power to deny it. True freedom is not about doing whatever we want, but about being released from the chains of self-centeredness so we can serve others in love. The gospel calls us to a higher standard than mere rule-following or self-justification; it calls us to transformation. [40:16]
- Cheap grace is a real danger: when we treat forgiveness as a get-out-of-jail-free card, we miss the heart of repentance. True repentance is not just sorrow over consequences, but a turning away from sin because we love God and want to honor Him. If we only hate sin because of its punishment, we have not truly repented. [39:14]
- The denial of self is not about self-hatred or emptying ourselves for its own sake, but about making room to love others as Christ has loved us. Our culture’s obsession with self-fulfillment is actually a form of bondage; real freedom is found in self-giving love. When we pour ourselves out for others, we discover the joy and healing that come from living as Christ intended. [45:18]
- The war between flesh and Spirit is ongoing, but our deepest desire, if we are in Christ, is to know God and be made whole in Him. The works of the flesh are obvious, but so is the fruit of the Spirit. If we find ourselves lacking the fruit, it is not a call to try harder, but to surrender more deeply to the Spirit’s work in us. [50:41]
- The evidence of the Spirit’s work is most clearly seen in our relationships. When we walk by the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control become visible in how we treat others. If we are provoking, envious, or conceited, it is a sign that we need to return to the cross, confess our need, and let the Spirit transform us from the inside out. [01:03:51]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Baptism and Testimony
[02:45] - Opening Prayer
[04:20] - Galatians 5:13-26 Reading
[06:10] - The Danger of Cheap Grace
[08:00] - Freedom: Not a License to Sin
[10:00] - What Real Freedom Looks Like
[12:00] - Denying the Flesh and Loving Others
[14:00] - The Cycle of Selfishness
[16:00] - The War Between Flesh and Spirit
[18:00] - The Works of the Flesh
[20:00] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[22:00] - Surrender, Not Self-Help
[24:00] - The Spirit’s Work in Our Relationships
[26:00] - Invitation to Confession and Prayer
[28:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Freedom in Christ (Galatians 5)
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### Bible Reading
Galatians 5:13-26 (ESV)
> 13 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. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
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> 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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> 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
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> 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:13-14, what is the purpose of our freedom in Christ? How does Paul say we should use it?
2. What are some of the “works of the flesh” that Paul lists in verses 19-21? Why do you think he calls them “obvious”? [53:46]
3. What is the difference between the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit” as described in verses 22-23?
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the real danger of “cheap grace”? [39:14]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that freedom in Christ is not about doing whatever we want, but about being released from self-centeredness to serve others in love. How does this challenge the way our culture usually defines freedom? [45:18]
2. The pastor mentions that true repentance is not just being sorry for the consequences, but turning away from sin because we love God. Why is this distinction important for our spiritual growth? [39:14]
3. Paul says the flesh and the Spirit are at war within us (v. 17). According to the sermon, what is our “deepest desire” if we are in Christ, and how does the flesh get in the way? [50:41]
4. The sermon points out that the evidence of the Spirit’s work is most clearly seen in our relationships. What does it look like when someone is “walking by the Spirit” in their everyday interactions? [01:03:51]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor said that “freedom is found in the denial of our flesh.” What is one area of your life where you feel the pull of the flesh, and what would it look like to deny yourself in that area this week? [45:18]
2. Think about a relationship where you tend to “bite and devour” or get caught in cycles of selfishness or hurt. What is one practical step you could take to break that cycle and serve the other person in love? [46:33]
3. The sermon warns against “cheap grace”—treating forgiveness as a get-out-of-jail-free card. Is there a sin or habit in your life where you’ve been saying “sorry” without really turning away from it? What would true repentance look like for you? [39:14]
4. The fruit of the Spirit is not a checklist, but evidence of a surrendered life. Choose one aspect of the fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you feel is lacking. What is one way you can invite the Holy Spirit to grow this fruit in you this week? [01:00:21]
5. The pastor encouraged confession and humility as the way to walk in freedom. Is there something you need to confess to God or to a trusted friend? What’s holding you back from doing that? [01:04:51]
6. The sermon said, “Real freedom is found in self-giving love.” Can you think of a time when serving someone else—even when it cost you—actually brought you more joy or healing? How might God be inviting you to serve someone this week? [45:18]
7. The pastor said, “If we are provoking, envious, or conceited, it is a sign that we need to return to the cross.” Are there any signs in your relationships that you need to surrender more deeply to Jesus? What would it look like to “walk in step with the Spirit” in those situations? [01:03:51]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking God for the humility to confess, the courage to deny the flesh, and the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in true freedom and love.
Devotional
Day 1: True Freedom Is Not a License to Sin, But Freedom From Sin
The gospel does not give us permission to live however we want, but instead calls us into a life of true freedom—freedom from the bondage of sin. Many people mistake grace as a free pass to indulge the flesh, but Paul warns us not to abuse the grace given to us through Christ. Real freedom is not found in doing whatever feels good or right in our own eyes, but in surrendering our lives to Jesus, who paid the ultimate price for our redemption. When we understand the cost of our salvation, we are moved to live in a way that honors God, not out of fear of punishment, but out of gratitude for His love and mercy. [40:16]
Galatians 5:13
"For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love." (CSB)
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been tempted to use God’s grace as an excuse to keep sinning, and what would it look like to surrender that area to Christ today?
Day 2: Freedom Is Found in Denying the Flesh
True freedom in Christ is experienced when we deny our flesh and its desires, not by simply avoiding “bad things,” but by intentionally choosing to serve and love others. Our culture often equates freedom with self-indulgence, but Paul teaches that indulging the flesh actually leads to bondage and brokenness. When we deny ourselves and leverage our lives for the sake of others, we break the cycle of selfishness and experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers. This kind of freedom is radical and countercultural, but it is the path to real joy and healing. [45:18]
Galatians 5:16
"I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh." (CSB)
Reflection: What is one specific desire of your flesh you can deny today in order to serve or love someone else in your life?
Day 3: The Flesh and the Spirit Are at War
Every believer experiences an internal battle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. While our deepest longing as followers of Jesus is to know and be known by God, our flesh constantly pulls us toward self-gratification and sin. This war is not a sign of failure, but evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work within us, drawing us toward Christ. The key is not to rely on our own strength, but to depend on the Spirit, who empowers us to choose what is truly life-giving and to walk in freedom. [52:16]
Galatians 5:17
"For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want." (CSB)
Reflection: When you feel the tension between what you want and what you know God wants, how can you pause and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your next step?
Day 4: The Fruit of the Spirit Reveals True Freedom
The evidence of a life set free by Christ is seen in the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are not something we can manufacture on our own, but are produced as we surrender to the Holy Spirit and crucify our flesh. When we see these fruits growing in our lives, it is a sign that we are truly walking in freedom, no longer enslaved to sin or self. This fruit is not a checklist to accomplish, but a holistic transformation that comes from abiding in Christ. [01:01:24]
Galatians 5:22-24
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (CSB)
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you see most clearly in your life right now, and which one do you sense God inviting you to grow in through deeper dependence on Him?
Day 5: Humility and Confession Lead to Freedom
Freedom in Christ is not about self-improvement or hiding our struggles, but about humbly confessing our sins and relying on Jesus to transform us. When we bring our brokenness into the light—whether through prayer, confession to a trusted friend, or coming before God in honesty—we break the power of shame and experience the freedom Jesus offers. The journey to freedom requires humility, a willingness to put our flesh on the cross, and a community that supports us in walking by the Spirit. [01:05:48]
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect." (CSB)
Reflection: Who is one trusted person you can reach out to this week to confess a struggle or ask for prayer, so you can walk in greater freedom together?
Quotes
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