http://bible.com/events/617092
Matthew 11:28-30
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
We were once slaves to sin, but we have experienced freedom in Christ.
Because of Jesus there is
MORE LIFE,
MORE HOPE,
MORE PURPOSE &
MORE FREEDOM
Galatians 5:2-5
There is a group of believers (called “Judaizers”) teaching that the only way to receive God’s love and forgiveness was to become like a Jew and follow Jewish customs
While there is nothing wrong with the outward act of circumcision, in this context it represented adding something to the Gospel
MY FOCUS
Galatians 5:2- “Christ has no value to you at all”
When we add something to the Gospel, we make it about what we do
When we make it about what we do, we diminish Christ’s value
MY DEBT
Galatians 5:3- “obligated to obey the whole law”
When we attempt to pay back the debt that’s forgiven, we turn God’s free gift into a loan to be repaid or wages to be earned
MY WORK
Galatians 5:4- “justified by the law”
“you have fallen away from grace”
When we make it about what we do, then it is no longer about God’s grace
MY POWER
Galatians 5:5- “through the Spirit”
“by faith”
We don’t need to rely on the “external” law to keep us in line
We have the “internal” work of the Holy Spirit
Those who claim to follow Jesus can still be chained…
I keep the rules
I do enough good things
I am a spiritual person
I believe I have the strength to improve every day
I do what I’m told
I measure up to the standards set for me
I am making progress
I don’t do some things that I used to do
I’m better off than some around me
I do good things and have a good reputation
I wish others were more like me
If only other groups could be as spiritual as us
When you choose the law over grace you lose every time
What has you chained today?