Gospelology (Part 14 & 15)
Gospel Freedom
Galatians 5:1-15 ESV
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 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. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Jesus has set us free
The work of the cross has set us free from trying to earn our own salvation. - Salvation is not a down payment on our freedom that we have to work the rest of our lives to pay off - It is finished! We are free! When we make salvation a down payment we look as Jesus as a evil master who just started our freedom and did not finish it and that is slavery, not freedom.
Stand Fast!
This is a military term to not get seduced by in laziness and start to let the seductive preaching of the legalist. Take you off your guard. The strategy of the legalist is to appeal to you. To make you the center, To make you important, To make you BLESSED!! A little leaven leavens the whole lump!!! A legalist is trying to trap you and start you down a path of fear, condemnation, and slavery.
Definition of freedom
Tim Keller, "The common seance definition of freedom is that we get to do what we most want to do." At first sight it seems the gospel removes all incentive to live holy. Many people change behaviors, but there motives and desires are still wrong; so their new behaviors are not more pleasing to God then their old behaviors. John piper says, "Conversion is the creation of new desires, not just new duties; new delights, not just new deeds; new treasures, not just new tasks." Tim Chester, "You will be free from no sin in your life that is not first recognized as being paid for through the cross. This is because holiness always starts in the heart. The essence of holiness is not new behavior, activity, or disciplines. Holiness is new affections, new desires, and new motives that then lead to new behaviors."
Gospel Response (Love)
1. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) 2. We love because we are forgiven much (Luke 7:36) 3. What if I don't love? a. You don't know how much has been forgiven b. You aren't amazed with what it took for you to be forgiven c. You think forgiveness is all there is and don't care about fellowship d. You aren't forgiven
Gospel Release (Freedom)
1. The unconditional gospel produces obedience (adoration) without compulsion 2. Full gospel freedom: Creation, Fall, Redemption (don't stop here), Restoration 3. Faith in Christ is not a hindrance to holiness but a help towards it a. The gospel frees us from sin not just forgives us for sins (John 8:34) 4. Loving others freely shows us who we really love (You can only keep the second commandment if you've kept the first) 5. How to use freedom as a missionary a. Money: Using my money to show that Jesus is my treasure b. Time: Using my time to show Jesus in my life c. Abilities: Using my talents to show my gifts are about the giver
Gospel Repentance (Mourning)
1. Weep bitterly for how can you enjoy the sins that slaughtered your savior? 2. Repent where life is not motivated by the love of Christ in the gospel
Gospel Reward (Desire)
1. The pleasure of sensing the Father's smile 2. The pleasure of the savior's smile (John 14:1)