June 2024

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV©). Throughout human history, people have been desperately searching for what it means to live their lives in complete and total freedom. Many do not realize there is a way to experience freedom today. True freedom is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 

Jesus was the Son of God, and He said, “If the Son sets you free, then you are free indeed” (John 8:36. ESV©). So, if we want to experience true freedom today, we must abide in a life-giving relationship with the resurrected Messiah, Jesus Christ. Imagine the peace that will come into your life as you experience true freedom in Christ on a daily basis. 

 

Freedom in Christ is one of the main themes in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He had to remind them often that Christ died once and for all for their freedom: freedom from sin, freedom from selfishness, and freedom from slavish obedience to long lists of rules, rites, and regulations. Throughout this letter, Paul counters the false teachings of those who were trying to convince believers that they had to be circumcised to be accepted by God (5:1-6). He also had to refute the teachings of those who used their personal freedom for selfish reasons. Instead, he encourages believers to use their freedom in Christ for acts of love and service to one another (5:13). 

 

New Galatians Scripture Journals! This 30-day journal is designed to help you experience personal transformation by growing in God’s word and understanding His ways through prayer, journaling, and discovery. We are giving away 50 free copies on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you don’t get a free copy, don’t worry! These Scripture Journals are now available online (see the link below) so that you can order a copy for yourself and for those you want to invest in this season. We have some exciting mid-week groups and Sunday messages planned to keep you and your family fully engaged in reading the Book of Galatians together this season.

 

GALATIANS SERIES SCHEDULE

June 2, 2024 – In Christ, I AM Free!

Theme Verse: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.- Galatians 5:1

The central theme of Paul’s letter to the believers in Galatia is that they would KNOW that Christ has brought freedom to them through His work on the Cross. We explore Freedom in Christ in 3 areas that Paul writes about:

1. In Christ, I AM free from the Power of Sin.
2. In Christ, I AM free from a Preoccupation with Self.
3. In Christ, I AM free from Performance-based Christianity.

 

June 9, 2024 – Experiencing Freedom through Christ’s Message

Theme Verse: “I am surprised at you! In no time at all you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ, and are accepting another gospel. Actually, there is no other gospel.” Galatians 1:6-7a

Paul writes to the young believers who initially accepted Christ yet turned away from His loving grace so quickly after being deceived by the “Judaizers” – those who promoted performance-based practices. We will look at several types of religious practices in the world and walk through the steps for experiencing true freedom through receiving Christ’s Gospel message:

Step 1 – Repent (see Matthew 3:2, 3:8 and 4:17 and II Corinthians 7:10)

Step 2 – Renounce (see II Corinthians 4:2 and Acts 19:18-20)

Step 3 – Replace (see John 14:6; John 8:32; II Corinthians 10:5)

Step 4 – Rest / Refreshing (see Acts 3:19)

 

June 16, 2024 - Experiencing Freedom through Christ’s Crucifixion

Theme Verse: “ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20 

Paul is teaching the young believers in Galatia how to experience true freedom from sin, selfishness, and slavish obedience to obsolete rituals through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. He reminds them that if salvation and righteousness can come through our works, then Christ’s death on the Cross was unnecessary (see Gal. 2:21). Instead, we find freedom from the curse of sin and shame because Christ became the curse for all believers on the Cross (see Gal. 3:10-14). 

 

June 23, 2024 - Experiencing True Freedom through Christ’s Calling

Theme Verse: “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” - Galatians 3:10-11 NLT

Some Christians believe that since Christ has set them free from the power of sin, that they can keep indulging their flesh and never experience any consequences from that sin. That’s a lie. In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul states that those who constantly seek to satisfy their sinful nature will, “reap corruption.” Instead, Paul implores believers to live in freedom in order to SERVE one another in love. It’s been said that, “Lust is pleasing ourselves at someone else’s expense, but love is pleasing others at our own expense.” We only experience true freedom in Christ when we use our freedom to serve others, steward what’s been entrusted to us, and stay in step with the Holy Spirit each day (see Gal. 5:16-25). When we do, we’ll naturally produce the supernatural fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23).

 

June 30, 2024 - Experiencing Freedom in Christ as a New Creation 

Theme Verse: “It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” - Galatians 6:15, NLT

No laws, rules, rituals, or traditions will ever transform us into a New Creation – only Christ can do that! The word “transformation” is a similar word to, “metamorphosis” – the process by which a lowly caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly. Paul himself tells his testimony of being transformed by Christ in Galatians 1:11-24. He went from “persecutor” to “pastor!” As a believer in Christ, you ARE a New Creation (see II Corinthians 5:17). As a New Creation, you will experience a new found freedom to live for Christ each day and watch Him transform your, “I HAVE to” to “I GET to” in many areas of your life! By God’s transforming grace, you will start a process of being who God created you to be and doing all that God created for you to do with your life.