Applications from Galatians Liberty in Christ Applications from Galatians

Free To Serve Through love Galatians 5:13-15

Born Free by the Grace of God . “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 New American Standard.

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13-15

Bearing His Image Divine Love: Agapo “Presents the characteristic word of Christianity…Agapo or Divine Love is used in the N.T. to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, John 17:26; the human race John 3:16; and to believers John 14:21; to convey His will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another John 13:34, and toward all men 1 Thess 3:12; 1 Cor 16:24; 2 Peter 1:7; to express the essential nature of God 1 John 4:8. (Vines) Divine love had its perfect expression among men in the Son of God. 2 Cor 5:14 “Intense love does not measure, it just gives.”

Divine Love: The Father has expressed His perfect love through three ways. For-Ordained: God pre-determined how He would save us before the world began. Acts 2:23; Ephesians 1:3-11; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 1:1 Vines states “God ‘foreknows’ the exercise of faith which brings salvation. Divine love began with a plan which led to preparation.

Divine Love: Foretold: God equipped men of old to prepare men’s hearts to receive His Son through prophecies. (Luke 24:44; 1 Peter 1:10-11; Acts 2:38) Divine Love began with a plan and then prepared how to fulfill it through action. Fulfilled: God fulfilled His Promise: John 3:16; Romans 5:8-10. The Father has taught us how to love and has demonstrated His love for us. Therefore, because we are called children of God (Galatians 3:26; John 1:12), we must exemplify our service through love. God’s love is made complete in us when God abides in us (1 John 4:12-21).

Divine Service: Demonstration of Divine Service: To serve is to give oneself wholly and utterly, to give up what you hold most dear. The Father gave up His only Son: John 3:16; Isaiah 9:6 The Son of God gave up His glory: John 17:5, Philippians 2: 5-8 Divine service is exemplified by the deepest motive which is “love for all mankind.”

Divine Service revealed: Jesus revealed three characteristics of a servant heart: Surrender: Total surrender to the Father’s will. John 6:38 Determined to serve: He chose to serve not to be served: Mark 10:42-45, Luke 22:27 Elected not to be preeminent. Luke 22:27, John 13:2-17

Divine Sacrifice: Lays down your life: John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; John 12:24-26 An author stated that, “In the supreme act of service as our Great High Priest, Christ offered himself on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world and remains seated as our Advocate before God.” Jesus service to His sheep continues today as He performs for us in the daily intercession that He makes on our behalf.

“Make Me A Servant, Just like your Son…” Divine Service Revealed: Jesus taught three ways how I can serve Him today: Deny Yourself and take up your cross and follow Christ: Matthew 16:24 Whoever wants to save their lives must lose their lives: Matthew 16:25 Whoever wants to be great amongst yourselves must become a servant: Matthew 20:26

Make Me In Your Image, A Servant: Attitudes of a servant heart. Cleanse: Psalm 51:2; 1 Peter 2:1; Eph 4:31 Create: Psalm 51:10; Romans 12:1-2 Capitulate: Galatians 2:20; Isaiah 64:8; Eph 4:2 Consent: Psalm 27:11; Psalm 119:33 Courage: 2nd Tim 1:7; 1 Chronicles 28:20, Hebrews 13:6; Romans 8:31 Compassion: 1 Peter 3:8; Colossians 3:12, 1 John 3:17 “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Theresa

Practicing in the Presence of God The Empowering Gifts From Above: His security (Psalm 121:7-8) Refuge (Psalm 91:4) Forgiveness (Colossians 2:13) His love (Jeremiah 31:3) Delighted in us (Zephaniah 3:17) Wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16) Special (Ephesians 1:3-4) Cherished by Him (Luke 12:6-7) “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence” 2 Pt. 1:3

Practicing in the Presence of God He Leads you to step out in faith serving one another through love: A cup of cold water: Matthew 10:42 Acts of Love: Matthew 25:34-36 Serving orphans and widows: James 1:27 Serving our families: Proverbs 31:10-31 Serving our church families: Romans 12: 5-16 “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God Who is sending a love letter to the world.” Mother Teresa

Examples of serving at a rural school in Africa.

Examples of Serving in a foreign country Examples of Serving in a foreign country. Delivering food at an orphanage.

Practicing in the Presence of God Women who served one another through love. Biblical examples: Anna, Elizabeth, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Lydia, Dorcas, Tabitha, Mary the mother of John Mark, Priscilla, Phoebe, Joanna, and Susanna. Greatest example of serving is found in motherhood: Lois and Eunice: choosing to serve and teach your children. 2nd Tim 1:5

Dangers of serving Losing perspective: Overwhelmed and exhausted Jesus knew when to serve and when to withdraw. Luke 5:16 Withdrew to gain restorative peace and strength through prayer. Matthew 14:23 Withdrew to pray before selecting the twelve. Luke 6:12 Withdrew His service. Matthew 13:58; Mark 6:5 Attitude: Martha served with the wrong attitude: Luke 10:40

Dangers of serving Seeking Praise of Men: John 12:43; Matthew 6:1-2 Myself: fear of failure and insecurities; Matthew 25:18 Others: 1 Samuel 1:6 Culture: Me Generation Judges 17:6 Our attitudes of the heart determine, if we will be pleasing to God. He knows our thoughts and why we do what we do whether it is to please ourselves, those around us, or if “we make it our aim to only please Him.” Love all. Please only one!

Bearing His Image God’s love is expressed in us and is made complete, whole and perfect when we serve each other through love. The Hebrew writer encourages the saints to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” Therefore, we as saints and servants follow our Savior, Jesus, who is our ultimate illustration of servant leadership. He paved the way and showed us how we can become pleasing and beautiful in His sight bearing His image.

He died to set me free; therefore, as His child, I follow in His footsteps…