Galatians Welcome to our 4th installment of a series focusing on Galatians, the Apostle Paul’s letter to the churches in the area of Galatia, who added Jewish customs and following the Mosaic law to their Christianity. This change of doctrine occurred because of the Judaizer’s persuasion. Preaching: Encouraging Challenging Inspiring Poking at me and my sin Down-right meddling I’m going to meddle today.

The Road To Freedom: Galatians Living Against The Sinful Nature Law Faith Freedom Sinful Nature – 6/15/14 Holy Spirit Farmer Captures Bull with Vodka-soaked Grain For six months, a German farmer near Regensburg tried in vain to capture his runaway bull. The bull had escaped during the summer and hid out in the Bavarian woods. He attempted to lasso the animal, but the bull would always flee into the woods. The farmer tried shooting the beast with a tranquilizer, but the darts proved ineffective.   But where the farmer failed, neighbor Werner Dechant succeeded. Dechant saw the black bull eating grain out of a bucket on his property and tried and failed to snare the cautious beast. But Dechant had an idea for when the animal returned. The next day, Dechant mixed more grain with a bottle of vodka. The day after, he soaked the grain in two more bottles of the spirit. Once liquored up, the escaped bull was easy to capture. According to one news report, "The bull has now been returned to his owner—and will not be allowed out again." The bull gained his freedom from the farm for a short time, only to be lured by the bondage of vodka and captured once again. What sin lures you into captivity and away from the freedom from sin that God offers?

Live In Freedom Galatians 5:13 – You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Live In Freedom Freedom Offers Hope Freedom Encourages Love Freedom Comes With Responsibility Freedom Requires: Restraint Service Obedience Freedom Offers Hope Freedom Encourages Love Freedom Comes With Responsibility Adam was born into freedom, but he chose slavery Saul began as Israel’s king in freedom, but he chose slavery The Rich Young Ruler was offered freedom in Christ, but he chose slavery Freedom requires: Restraint (not indulgence) Service (not selfishness) Obedience (not slavery)

Live In Freedom God intended for believers to live in freedom, not in slavery. Changing our behaviors without changing what we believe results in continued personal captivity God intended for believers to live in freedom, not in slavery Changing our behavior without changing what we believe results in personal captivity (i.e. circular, no lasting change, pointless). Like a ship w/o a compass. True freedom prevails when we believe that God is offering us freedom and not making us dull robots. Having life the way we want it and choosing God on our terms, leads us to a life of longing, wanting, and wasting instead of a life filled with love and hope. Doing what we want apart from God is sin. Doing what God wants for us is love. God wants our best by offering us His best: Freedom through His Son. Our freedom was born out of Christ’s righteousness and grace for us.

Live By The Spirit Living by the Spirit brings believers privilege, while sin offers adversity Young Man Reaches Conclusions About His Same-Sex Attraction Wesley Hill writes movingly about growing up in a Christian home and being taught biblical views on sexuality. And yet, Hill writes, "Confusingly, I found myself, just when all my friends were beginning to notice girls and become interested in dating, having longings to be in that kind of relationship with a member of my own sex." After receiving wise and loving guidance from Christian mentors, Hill writes:   As I discovered more about Christianity's historic teaching, I found myself convinced of the position which the church has held with almost total unanimity throughout the ages—that although many people find themselves, through no fault of their own, to have sexual desires for members of their own sex, this is not something to be affirmed and celebrated but is, rather, a sign that we are broken, in need of redemption and re-creation. Gay people are not uniquely broken—that's a position we share with every other human who has ever lived, or will live—but we are, nonetheless, broken. And following Jesus means turning our backs on a life of sexual sin, just as it does for every other Christian. He offers this advice to others who struggle with same-sex attraction: If you're someone living with homosexual feelings, Jesus' message to you … is not primarily a no to your deepest hunger. I do believe that discipleship to him entails giving up gay sex and gay relationships. And that may be more painful than you can imagine right now …. But, ultimately, Jesus is offering you the kingdom. He is offering you eternal life. He is offering you himself in the gospel. Sacrificing your sexual freedom … may seem like a high price to pay—and it is a high price to pay!—but he promises you a joy so stunningly great that if you felt the full weight of it now, you would literally come undone. The truth Wesley Hill discovered was revealed by God’s Spirit and the freedom he came to live was given to him by the Holy Spirit as well. Our God equips us to live a life pleasing to Him. Wesley Hill, "Leaving all, gaining all," Critique (2011:3)

Live By The Spirit Galatians 5:16-21 – 16  So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21  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. We each choose to follow God’s Spirit and live in a way that is pleasing to Him and good for us, or we choose to live our own way in folly and evil. Many times we want to focus on the pleasure and fun of the sinful life, but how easily we forget the costs. Let’s look at a Spirit-led life compared to a Sinfully-led life….

Live By The Spirit Sexual Issues Relational Issues Moral Issues Spirit-Led vs. Sinfully-Led Relational Issues Moral Issues Led by the Spirit Sex is not immoral, but a righteous act between a man and a woman Spirit – Peace in relationships (marital, familial, friends) blessing of children (God offers a blessing) satisfying intimacy in marriage (oneness, closeness, partnership, and trust) Sin – Guilt (lack of peace) pain (physical and/or emotional), heartache strife/tension (in relationships, finances) difficulty (single parent, lack of trust) Sin leads to broken relationships, but the Spirit brings us satisfying relationships Spirit Honor between people (e.g. parents v. children) Love between people (e.g. couples) Unity among people (e.g. nations, communities) Trust between people (e.g. partnerships, groups) Humility among people (e.g. leaders who serve) Sin Discord, jealousy, rage, selfishness, dissensions, factions, and, envy The Holy Spirit grants us wisdom for a better life, while sin leads us to despair with a bitter life. Spirit Wholesome fun Fulfilling purpose Godly ambitions Sin Debauchery (depraved, corrupt) Drunkenness (addictions of all kinds: food, drugs, work) Selfish ambitions (never satisfied, ruthless, empty) Position > ALL Power > COME FROM GOD Money > THRU HIS LOVING SPIRIT When we give the Spirit control of our lives, He loves and consoles us. (Fruit of the Spirit)- Gal 5:22-24

Live God-Focused Living for God results in a productive and eternal life, while living for self results in a destructive life. No Fishing Out Hotel Windows Haddon Robinson writes about something the apostle Paul could certainly identify with, namely, the tendency of the law to put ideas in our heads:   The law can prompt us to sin. I am told that several years ago a high-rise hotel was built in Galveston, Texas, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, they sank pilings into the gulf and built the structure out over the water. When the hotel was about to have its grand opening, someone thought, What if people decide to fish out the hotel windows? So they placed signs in the hotel rooms, "No fishing out the hotel windows." Many people ignored the signs, however, and it created a difficult problem. Lines got snarled. People in the dining room saw fish flapping against the picture windows. The manager of the hotel solved it all by taking down those little signs. No one checks into a hotel room thinking about fishing out of the windows. The law, although well-intentioned, created the problem. Submitted by Ken Langley; source: Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching (Baker Academic, 2001), p. 100

Live God-Focused Galatians 6:7-8 - 7  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Live God-Focused Choose God! God-focused Self-focused God-focused – relationships with God & Others, Sharing our hope, Living with Purpose Self-focused Instead of downloading music and software without paying for it, we choose to insure to support those who have labored for our benefit. Instead of offering some crude post on Facebook, we seek to encourage and uplift others. Instead of partying with alcohol, drugs, and sex, we choose fun that honors God and is uplifting to others and ourselves without guilt or remorse. Instead of engaging in flirtatious conversations at work, we pour out loving words to our one and only spouse. Instead of cheating on our taxes or work reimbursements, we give of our wealth to those in need. Instead of avoiding our responsibilities, we glady serve others as if we are serving the Lord. At all cost, we seek to avoid sin and its slavery and destruction. Instead, we choose to live in the freedom God called us to, to live in the love and power of the Holy Spirit that guides us to a godly life, and to live a God-focused life full of purpose, meaning, love, and hope. We choose this path because we believe and have faith in our God, who has lavished us with every good blessing. To Him be the honor and glory forever, Amen.

Living Against The Sinful Nature If you don’t recognize your sin, you won’t recognize your Savior ILLUSTRATION FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Forgiveness Bonds Us to Jesus Recently I went to purchase an airline ticket online for my wife, Susan, to fly from Chicago to Dallas to help her sister make a move. I've done it before, and it's a snap. I picked the time, checked "one passenger," "one-way," the airline, even the seat assignment. Then I checked that I understood this was non-refundable and non-transferable, and that my credit card would be charged. I clicked on "Yes, I'm sure. This will complete my transaction."   Then I noticed the ticket was for me, not Susan. I panicked. I didn't want to fly to Dallas, and I don't want to swallow $152! Heart pounding, I called American Airlines. "Sorry," the guy said after conferring with his supervisor. "There's nothing we can do." I was sick. "Try calling Travelocity," he said. I did, and a voice said: "Due to the large volume of calls you may have to wait." Aaargh! 10 minutes of funeral music. Then Jacob came on the line. "Jacob," I said, "I made a terrible mistake, and I'm hoping you can help me." I explained what had happened. "No problem," Jacob said, "I'll delete your transaction here, and you can go online and redo your reservation." "Really, Jacob?" I said, "Just like that? No penalty or anything?" "No problem," Jacob said. "Jacob, you are a gift from God! You made my day," I gushed. If he had been there, I surely would have hugged him. If your debt is great enough, having it erased by someone is a bonding experience! When you're forgiven much, you love much. Face your sin, and you will fall in love with Jesus. Lee Eclov, Lake Forest, Illinois