Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 5:1-15 ESV
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Key Points
- Genuine faith in Jesus reveals itself through love.
- It is impossible to justify ourselves and love others.
- It is part of our sin nature to justify ourselves – to refuse to believe we are fully justified in Christ alone.
- We cannot love others the way we were created to love – and the way we want to love – apart from Christ.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.”
-Galatians 5:7-8 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: Read Galatians 5:14 and answer the questions that follow.
· What role does Jesus play in our ability to obey God’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves?
· Of all God could – and has – commanded of us, why do you think all of God’s law can be wrapped up in the command to love our neighbors as ourselves?
· How does God’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves point us to true freedom in Christ?
· When was a time you received love from someone else in such a way that encouraged you to receive love from God?
· Describe a time God opened the door for you to love someone who was not easy for you to love on your own, and the Holy Spirit actively supplied you with all the love you needed to do so.
2: Review this week’s memory verses (Galatians 5:7-8) and answer the questions that follow.
· Why do you think Paul chooses to use the word “running” to describe our life of faith?
· In the context of the book of Galatians, what do you think it means to run well?
· What is “the truth” the Galatians are being hindered to obey?
· Who do you believe God has called you to be for the glory of God and the good of others?
· Who or what has been hindering you from believing and obeying God’s call on your life lately?
3: How is God inviting you to live in Christ’s freedom today?
Pray
Lord, thank you for calling us to live in your freedom. Though so much in the world tries to hinder us from obeying your call on our lives, we want to keep our eyes fixed on you – the one who called us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. Lord Jesus, help us believe we are wholly justified in you, so we no longer waste time trying to justify ourselves. Set us free to live in the light of your love – freely loving others as you have so freely loved us.
