CHRISTIAN CONTROL

April 28, 2020 (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

Reading to the hearer: Galatians 5:1-26

 

Call to Freedom from the Bondage of the Law

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2     Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3     For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4     Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5     For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6     For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7     Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Work of Judaizers

        8     This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

9     A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10     I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

11     And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

12     I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13     For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Love Preeminent

14     For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15     But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16     This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Spiritual Warfare

      17     For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18     But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Work of the Flesh

19     Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20     Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21     Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Fruits of the Spirit

      22     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23     Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24     And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25     If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26     Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.“

  1. THE PARDON—v. 1

Call to Freedom from the Bondage of the Law

  1. Cleansing. Christ cleansed us from all sin.
  2. Ceremonies. Jewish laws and traditions unscriptural.
  3. THE PROBLEM—vv. 2–12
  4. Ceremonies—vv. 2–4. Salvation not through the law.
  5. Cleansing—v. 5. Christ’s death cleanses from sin.
  6. Conversion—v. 6. Only Christ saves man from sin.

Work of Judaizers

  1. Confusion—vv. 7–9. They follow Christ, until some one hinders them from following.
  2. Confidence—vv. 10–12. Paul had faith in the people.

III. THE PEOPLE—vv. 13–15

  1. Liberty—v. 13. Not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to do what is right.

Love Preeminent

  1. Love—v. 14. All the Commandments summed up in these words—“Love others.”
  2. Looseness—v. 15. Lack of love means criticism!
  3. THE PLIGHT—vv. 16–21
  4. Separation from the flesh—v. 16. Walking in the Spirit in our daily lives.

Spiritual Warfare

  1. Spirit and flesh—vv. 17–18. Live in the Spirit, not keep the Jewish laws, but obey God.

Work of the Flesh

  1. Sins of the flesh—vv. 19–21. A constant battle.
  2. THE PLEASURE—vv. 22–26

Fruits of the Spirit

The Fruits of the Spirit more important than the Gifts.

  1. Profitable fruits—v. 22a
  2. Peaceful fruits—v. 22b
  3. Personal fruits—vv. 24–26
  4. Practicing fruits—vv. 24–26

These fruits should grow in our everyday life. As we have these, we will please God, and win others.

 

    VI.   Three Amen from Romans chapter 16:

                          

16:20 – Paul predicts victory for believers when the God of peace soon will crush Satan.

16:24 – Paul makes a prayerful pronouncement.  He summons “the grace of our Lord Jesus to be with you.

16:27 – Glory in God’s ability.