Galatians 5

Freedom in Christ (5:1-12)

1It 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.

What are Christians free from?
What must we do to stay free?

2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Do you think Paul is referring to the ‘act’ or the ‘mindset’ of circumcision?
If we want to be saved by the law, how well must we obey it?
Is it possible to depend on the law & grace at the same time?
What are we waiting for?
Does circumcision make a difference in Christ’s eyes?
What does Christ value? What counts in His eyes?
How does true faith express itself?

7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

Does living under ‘freedom’ mean we do nothing?
Were the Galatians listening to God or man?
What ‘yeast’ is Paul referring to? Why?

10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

How many people does it take to influence us negatively?
What does the future hold for those who enslave others to the law?
What is Paul’s proof that his ‘Gospel’ was different than theirs?
How angry does Paul seem regarding the false teachers?

The Sinful Nature (5:13-21)

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

In what two ways can one use freedom?
Is there such a thing as too much freedom?
What happens to those who use their freedom to indulge in sin?
How do you “love yourself”?
Who is “your neighbor”?
How should you “love your neighbor”?

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

What opponents exist within each person?
What does the sinful nature desire?
What does the Spirit desire?
What do we escape if we are led by the Spirit?

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Is it difficult to discern between righteousness and sinfulness?
What are the acts of the sinful nature?
What won’t happen for those who make these acts their lifestyle?

The Spiritual Nature (5:22-26)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

LOVE
What is love?
1. Storge- Natural Affection
2. Philia- Loyal Friendship
3. Eros- Romantic Passion
4. Agape- Unconditional

What type of love does Paul speak of in Galatians?
1. Galatians 2:20
2. Galatians 5:6
3. Galatians 5:13
4. Galatians 5:14
5. Galatians 5:22

Who do we love?
1. Our God
2. Our Selves
3. Our Family
4. Our neighbors
5. Our enemies

JOY
ENCOUNTERING JOY
Joy is based on conversion (Matthew 13:44)
Joy is based on Jesus’ 1st Coming (Luke 2:10, John 3:29)
Joy is based on Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:8, Luke 24:52)
Joy is based on Christ’s continued presence (John 15:11)

EXPERIENCING JOY
Joy can be found in fruitful ministry (Luke 10:17, 1 Thes. 2:20, 3 John 1:4)
Joy can be found in answered prayer (John 16:24)
Joy can be found in unity (Phil. 2:2)
Joy can be found in Christian relationships (2 John 1:12)
Joy can be found in affliction (2 Cor. 7:4, 8:2, Heb. 10:34, James 1:2)
*Discipline doesn’t seem like joy (Hebrews 12:11)

EXAMINING JOY
Joy can be lost (Matthew 13:20)
Joy can be re-found (John 16:21)
Joy can be consistent (Acts 13:52)
Joy can be made complete (John 15:11, 1 John 1:4)
Joy can be inexpressible (1 Peter 1:8)

PEACE
WHAT IS PEACE?
Peace is a lack of fear (John 14:27)
Peace is confidence in victory (John 16:33)
Peace is the result of a battle won (Matthew 10:34, Romans 6:20)

HOW TO PURSUE PEACE (Romans 14:19, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11)
Peace comes when we trust in God (Matthew 5:34, Romans 15:13)
Peace comes with an unbroken relationship w/God (Luke 2:14, Romans 5:1)
Peace comes from being controlled by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:6)
Peace comes from order (1 Cor. 14:33)
Peace comes when we are unified together (Ephesians 2:15, 4:3)
Peace comes, often, from previous discipline (Hebrews 12:11)
Peace comes by praying for world leaders (1 Tim. 2:2)
He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)

THE SCOPE OF PEACE
God gives us times of peace in life (Acts 9:31)
Peace can be experience at any time (2 Thes. 3:16)
Peace can be experienced in any situation (2 Thes. 3:16)
Peace isn’t always possible in every relationship (Romans 12:18)
True/lasting Peace is only available in the kingdom of God (Galatians 6:16)
We cannot fully comprehend the peace of God (Phil. 4:7)

PATIENCE
God has great patience (1 Tim 1:16)
We must pray for patience (Colossians 1:11)
A good minister has great patience (2 Tim 4:2)
With great patience comes great gain (Hebrews 6:12)
God’s patience produces salvation for many (2 Peter 3:15)

KINDNESS
Kindness gets people’s attention (Acts 4:9)
We should show unusual kindness to guests (Acts 28:2)
God’s kindness leads us toward repentance (Romans 2:4)
God’s kindness is conditional (Romans 11:22)
God’s kindness was displayed in His sending Jesus (Titus 3:4)

GOODNESS
Goodness is closely linked with knowledge (Romans 15:14)
A good child wants to please his/her Father (Ephesians 5:9-10)
We find goodness in the word of God (Hebrews 6:5)

FAITHFULNESS
Faith is active trust (Hebrews 11)
Faithfulness can be consistent reliance (Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:23)
Faithfulness can be consistent reliability (Romans 3:3)
Many people are not faithful (Romans 3:3, Galatians 1:6)
Many people are faithful (3 John 1:3)

GENTLENESS
Our approach to confrontation should be one of gentleness (2Cor. 10:1)
Our response to sin should be one of gentleness (Gal. 6:1. 2 Tim 2:25)
Gentleness involves time between awareness and confrontation (Titus 3:2)
Gentleness is a sign of wisdom (James 3:13)
Gentleness is a key component of evangelism (1 Peter 3:15)

SELF-CONTROL
A lack of self-control creates big problems (Proverbs 25:28)
A lack of Self-control makes you a target for temptation (1 Corinthians 7:5)
Self-control is a very personal issue for many people (Acts 24:25)
Self-control comes with focus (1Thes. 5:6-8, 1Peter 4:7, 5:8)
An increase in ability brings in increase in responsibility (2Peter 1:6)