Know God, Know Freedom; No God, No Freedom

KNOW GOD, KNOW FREEDOM; NO GOD, NO FREEDOM
Galatians 5:13-15

Pastor Terry Wilcox

The only source of real and lasting freedom is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

America has been a beacon of freedom because many of our leaders and citizens understood and believed that the source of freedom is recognition of, and obedience to, the God of creation as revealed in the Bible.

Galatians 5:13

1. Freedom from .
   Galatians 5:16-18
   This requires the Holy Spirit
2. Holy Spirit-generated freedom fosters .
   a. We are called to liberty
     Those embracing Christ are:
   · free from the  of sin
   · free from the  of sin
   · free from the of sin
   · free from the 

   b. Paul issues a caution:
    Don’t your freedom
    Liberty + love = others
    Liberty – love = Love in the heart of Spirit-filled people is God’s  , replacing laws and threats.

3. We need the Holy Spirit to win this battle.
   Galatians 5:16-17

   In Romans 6-7 the flesh is referred to as the “old man.” In Romans 8 it is called the “carnal man.”

   Noah released a raven that did not return – Genesis 8:6-7. Then he released the dove and it returned – Genesis 8:8-12. Again he released a dove and it did not return.

   a. This battle is not won by  or power.
    Galatians 5:18
    The solution is not our will against our flesh. It is to our will to the Holy Spirit.

   b. The flesh can manufacture sin, but it cannot produce .
    Paul lists three categories:
   · Sensual sins – Galatians 5:19, 21b
   · Superstitions – Galatians 5:20
   · “Witchcraft” from the Greek “pharmakeia” … you’re right – also derives from its social sins – Galatians 5:20b-21a

   Galatians 5:21 conveys Paul is not talking about an  of sin, but a  of sin.
   Galatians 5:24 – The old nature must be .

4. The Spirit enables us to produce fruit.
   Galatians 5:22-23, 25-26

   Difference between works and fruit: a machine in a factory  and turns out a , but it can’t  fruit.

   Fruit  out of .

   In the believer, it is the life of the Spirit.

   Think of the differences between carpentry and farming.

PERSONAL NOTES