Claim your freedom

Topics: freedom, love, spirit

1. You Are Free To Serve!

*Freedom in Christ is shown by affectionately serving others!

1. For you were called to freedom, brethren; only not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13).
2. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? . . . For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:1, 2, 14).
3. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

2. You Are Free to Love!

*Freedom in Christ is validated when we fervently love people!

1. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14).
2. But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another (Galatians 5:15; see Philippians 2:14-16 a).
3. "You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord"(Leviticus 19:17, 18).
4. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).

3. You Are Free by the Spirit!

* Freedom in Christ is realized through the power of the Holy Spirit!

1. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
2. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses? (Acts 1:8).
3. And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, February 23rd, 2025.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Since we are called to freedom, it is imperative that we walk in freedom correctly. Discuss how Jesus has set us free and what a life of freedom should be like.

Getting Started:

1. How does spiritual freedom inspire a Christian to serve others? Have you ever "served the Lord" out of obligation instead of out of grace motivated service?
2. Why does a "cheap grace" perspective seek to justify fleshly lusts as acceptable when God's Word states a different view (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; 1 Timothy 4:1, 2; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Jude 4)?

Discussing Truths:

1. What are some common temptations that cause people to ?turn their freedom into an opportunity for the flesh?
2. How is love the fulfillment of the law (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 7:12)?
3. What should be our response when we hear a Christian biting and devouring one another (Galatians 5:15)?
4. Do you honor and appreciate different perspectives on persuasions level beliefs? How does that demonstrate love?
5. Why is love exalted as the ultimate Christian virtue (John 13:34, 35; 1 Corinthians 13)?
6. How is walking by the Spirit? the only way to be walking in freedom?

Now What? Application:

1. How will you claim your freedom by expressing love in serving one another in our Church family?
2. Who will you fervently love from the heart this week by being proactive in ministering to them in a creative Spirit-filled way?