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Set Free for Freedom. Galatians 5:1-12 p. 1077. Pentecost. The holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ followers The story: Acts 2. Within 300 years turned the Roman Empire on it’s head Ordinary people were transformed: Became wise beyond their learning Became bold beyond their station
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Set Free for Freedom Galatians 5:1-12 p. 1077
Pentecost • The holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ followers • The story: Acts 2. • Within 300 years turned the Roman Empire on it’s head • Ordinary people were transformed: • Became wise beyond their learning • Became bold beyond their station • Served without counting the cost • Faced persecution and death with equanimity • Lived with holiness and integrity
1. Freedom • Series title: ‘Set free for freedom” (v 1) • Difficult to live in the Freedom of Christ • So many snares to trip us up and entangle us • Parable of the Sower – Choked by (Luke 8:14) : • Life’s worries, Riches, Pleasures • Stand firm so that we are not enslaved again. [ video clip ]
2. Righteousness & Love • How do we live lives of practical righteousness? • “By faith ...” • “through the Spirit” • Expressed “trough love” • Two common errors of Christians today: • Neglecting / Forgetting the work of the Spirit • Trinity is Father , Son & Holy Bible • Live for God in their own strength.
2. Righteousness & Love . . . • Misunderstanding the Work of the Spirit • Focus on gifts for personal edification • Lose perspective on the breadth, depth & height of His work: • He fills us with the Love of God (Rom 5:5) • He fills our hearts and lives with His fruit (Gal 5:22-23) • He empowers us to be His witnesses / Martyrs (Acts 1:8) • He strengthens our self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7) • He empowers us to live in righteousness (v 5) • His work always reveals itself in love (1 Cor 13:1-3)
3. Running a Good Race • “who cut in on you ... ?” • Also: “what cut in on you ...?” • Think of times when God seemed close ... • Sometimes something happens that throws you off course
Empowering for Freedom • Are you trapped in some stronghold of this world? • Are you held back by something in your life? • Do you need His love to flow in you again? • Are you struggling with an area of self-discipline? • A sin or hurt for which you need forgiveness or healing? • Are you finding it hard to serve him? • Do you just want to celebrate His goodness to you? • Do you need the touch of God that Perpetua had?