Communauté et discipulat

Marks of a Life Set Free by Grace (Gal 4:8-20)

2011.11.13Rev. Eddie Byun

A life set free by grace is marked by enjoying spiritual freedom, appreciating those who preached the gospel to us, and desiring spiritual maturity. Jesus alone is our gold, the greatest prize, and the only one who can set us free from sin and slavery.

Christ alone frees us from slavery and the law (vv. 8-11)

Apart from Christ, every person is enslaved to sin and darkness, whether in compulsive lying, gambling, pornography, or food. Salvation is a lifelong trust in Christ, and true self-control comes only when we surrender control to Him. Paul warns the Galatians against returning to superstitions, since they were known by God, not the other way around. Under law, life is marked by judgment and jealousy, but grace brings freedom and joy. Because we are now God's children, serving Him is an honor rather than a duty.

Appreciate those who preached the gospel to us (vv. 12-17)

Paul reminds the Galatians that he first came to them during a sickness, yet they welcomed him as an angel of God, even as Christ Himself. Their love for the gospel was so deep that they would have gouged out their eyes for him. When false teachers came in, their affection turned, and Paul asks why he has become their enemy for telling the truth. The speaker names Pastor Min Chung, his first youth pastor David Yang, and John Piper as people who pointed him to Christ. Like true arrows, such people deserve our prayers, our thanks, and our honor.

Stand with the persecuted church in prayer

The speaker calls us to remember believers who suffer for the gospel, citing Hebrews 13:3. Asiya Bibi, a Christian mother in Pakistan, has been imprisoned for more than two years and sentenced to death by hanging. Pakistani supporters who defended her were assassinated, and a Christian minister for minorities said he would rather die for Christ than yield to threats. Believers are urged to sign the petition at callformercy.com and to pray for Afghanistan and North Korea.

Desire spiritual maturity and let Christ be formed in us (vv. 18-20)

Paul longs for Christ to be formed in the Galatians, and this is the ultimate aim of every pastor and ministry. As we grow older, our flesh craves comfort, so we must fight on our knees and in the Word for spiritual maturity. Real power comes from connection to God, not from our own strength. A family in Assam, facing death for Christ, sang I have decided to follow Jesus, and their village chief confessed Christ as well. A life set free by grace is a life radically in love with Jesus and ready to die for Him.

Apply to Life

  • Let us examine whether our lives are marked by joy and freedom rather than jealousy and judgment.
  • Let us approach God boldly, without being bogged down by guilt and shame, because the blood of Christ is greater.
  • Let us write, call, or thank the spiritual leaders who pointed us closer to Christ this week.
  • Let us pray for persecuted believers, sign the petition for Asiya Bibi, and stand with them.
  • Let us fight on our knees and in the Word for spiritual maturity and a hunger for more of Jesus.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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