1. CALLED TO LIBERTY GALATIANS 5:13-18

2. Patrick Henry “Give me liberty or give me death.” True liberty is found in Jesus Christ. Paul talks about this in the book of Galatians. Galatians 2:4 But this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), Galatians 5:1, 13 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

3. We Were Called From The Slavery Of Sin Jesus tells us that sin enslaves. John 8:31-34 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'' They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, `You will be made free'?'' Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” Prior to their conversion to Christ the Romans had been slaves of sin.

4. Romans 6:17-18 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Some think freedom is found in the world but this is a false idea. II Peter 2:19 Promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. Sin is a state of moral bondage.

5. We Were Called To A Life Of Freedom Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren… Freedom is the privilege to do what one should do and refrain from what one should not do. Absolute freedom does not exist. Not in man’s realm. Nor in God’s realm. Romans 6:16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

6. There is a standard by which we must live if we are to be truly free. James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. So real freedom is not a license to do anything one wants to do. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

7. What We Should And Should Not Do If We Are Truly Free We should love one another. Galatians 5:13-14 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'' We should not practice the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

8. We should produce the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. We should crucify the flesh. Galatians 5:24-25 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

9. We should restore the erring. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. We should not be conceited. Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

10. We should bear one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We must bear our own load. Galatians 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load. We should support the proclamation of the gospel. Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

11. We should sow to the Spirit not the flesh. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. We should do good. Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

12. When people obey the Gospel they become free from sin. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Ephesians 2:1-5 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

13. FREEDOM LIFE WHICH SHALL YOU CHOOSE? BONDAGE DEATH

14. Given by David Hamlin on July 5, 2009 Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.orgwww.hollisterchurchofchrist.org