Freedom in Christ: Living out God’s Redeeming Work

1. We call the values and knowledge that remain unchanged over time "truth." These truths stay with us throughout our lives, guiding us and showing us the direction we should take. I first came to believe in Jesus not when I started attending church, but when I began reading the Bible seriously. Although I had been reading philosophy books since 8th grade because I wanted to understand people and find a better way of life, I had never considered reading the Bible. However, in 1999, a friend introduced me to the Bible, and I started reading it. After reading it three times in six months, I began to understand the true truth found in Jesus and the meaning of the salvation He offers us. Now I stand before you as a pastor.

2. A Christian's life essentially consists of two parts. One is salvation in Christ, and the other is living out the life of salvation in Christ. As I mentioned last Sunday, salvation does not mean our finished goal but rather an ongoing process throughout our entire life. Salvation in Christ requires a deeper believer's life in, with, and through the Spirit. Therefore, salvation is the beginning of a Christian's life with God on earth. Once we start our new saved life in Christ, we need to know how to live this new saved life in Christ. Today's sermon will discuss how we can live our new life in Christ. Let's begin with Galatians 5:1-15.

Galatians 5:1–3 NASB 2020

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Law.

Galatians 5:4–7 NASB 2020

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace. For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Galatians 5:8–11 NASB 2020

This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is. But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.

Galatians 5:11–15 NASB 2020

But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated. I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

3. In order to start today’s part, chapter 5, we’d better know Galatians 1-4 briefly. 

Galatians 1-4 establishes the core of Christian faith: salvation by grace through faith, not by works of the Law like circumcision. Paul defends his divinely revealed gospel, using Abraham as proof that God's covenant was based on promise and faith, making all believers children of God and heirs, free from the Law's bondage. Building on this freedom, Galatians 5 transitions to its practical implications. Paul clarifies that Christ's freedom isn't license for sin, but a call to "through love serve one another," fulfilling the Law by loving our neighbor. The chapter then contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit," highlighting how a Spirit-led life of love is the true evidence of grace. In essence, Galatians 1-4 declares what God has done for our freedom, and chapter 5 shows how we live in response.

Galatians 5 then provides the crucial answer to how we are to live in response to this glorious freedom. It is a call to actively walk in the Spirit, allowing God's love to flow through us to serve others, thereby fulfilling the Law not through rigid adherence to rules, but through the spontaneous overflow of a heart transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. This Spirit-led life of love and service is the ultimate expression of our redeemed identity.

Summary of Galatians 5: Freedom, Love, and the Spirit-Led Life

Having laid the theological foundation for justification by faith alone and our sonship in Christ, Paul shifts to the practical implications of this freedom, addressing how believers should live.

Stand Firm in Freedom (vv. 1-6)

The Danger of False Teachers and Division (vv. 7-12)

Freedom for Love and Service (vv. 13-15)

Walking by the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh (vv. 16-26)

4. When we read Paul's letters, especially Galatians, he discusses bondage to sin and freedom in Christ. However, when he talks about bondage, he doesn't mean we cannot do what we want. It's not about being in a prison. Rather, when he mentions slavery, he focuses on how slaves must follow their master's orders. They were bound by chains, so they could not act freely. Their work was the work of bondage.

Galatians 5:1–3 NLT

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses.

5. As we examine the historical background of first-century Romans, the disciples of Jesus were still living under slavery. Their physical circumstances never changed even when they began believing in Jesus. Until 400 A.D., they could not practice their faith in Jesus freely because of their situation. However, they did not pursue political freedom because they focused on believing in Jesus rather than seeking worldly freedom. Recently, there was an election in South Korea. I went to Calgary to vote several weeks ago. I discovered an interesting pattern: people wanted to elect a Christian president, so the churches prayed eagerly for this outcome. However, once a Christian president was elected, they stopped praying. This same pattern happened 28 years ago and 12 years ago. While it is important for believers to pray for their country, we should avoid the pitfall of focusing only on outward circumstances. Paul does not discuss political freedom in Christ. Rather, he emphasizes spiritual freedom.

Galatians 5:4–7 NIV

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

6. History can prove that the group of slaves influenced their masters' group in the first century and eventually changed the world—not because of any political movement, but because of their willingness to serve their masters with spiritual freedom. If the slaves had focused on political freedom and movements, they might have been eliminated by the Roman Empire like the Jewish people. They did not focus on their own expectations or desires but tried to follow the teaching of Jesus.

John 16:33 NASB 2020

These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

7. In South Korea, small churches with fewer than 200 members do not have children's groups or youth groups because young families prefer to attend large and mega churches. They don't want to be involved in any church ministries because they do not want to serve. They only want to do what they desire, and they believe this is freedom. When they think of freedom, they believe freedom means having political, physical, and emotional liberty. Therefore, they are unwilling to serve or enter periods of persecution. However, Jesus did not say that you can avoid tribulation or that you should pray to remove your tribulation. Rather, Jesus said that during periods of tribulation, we should take courage.

8. So, the real meaning of freedom is not only about doing what we want but also about voluntarily giving up the things we want. The first-century Christian groups included many slaves. They did not want to avoid this situation. Rather, they willingly returned to their masters' houses and started living their lives as disciples of Jesus. This is the power of Christianity. Since 1906, churches around the world have entered great turmoil. People started experiencing a spiritual movement and enjoying their wealth. They believed that their wealth came from God. Because God allowed them to enjoy this physical freedom, they could enjoy having nice houses, enough food, and even good-looking lives. Because of this, people no longer like any tribulation or trouble in their lives. If they have any trouble, they believe they are sad and cursed.

9. Since I came to know Jesus in 1999, my life has entered a period of great turmoil. I started Bible college after leaving my job, which had good conditions, but I could not finish it because of my mother's situation and other circumstances. After being discharged from military service, I started Bible college again, but after two years, the college faced a great challenge because of a large church in South Korea, so I could not continue attending. After that, I met Minju, and finally I was able to finish my theological degree in Canada, and I am still studying theology. However, after finishing my first Master's degree in 2015, I was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2017. Someone asked me why I wanted to keep studying theology and becoming a pastor when he saw my situation. He could not understand me because of my circumstances. At that time, I told him that avoiding troubles is not my business. My work is to keep following Jesus Christ even if I encounter any tribulation or persecution.

Colossians 3:1–3 NASB 2020

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Galatians 5:14–15 NASB 2020

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

10. Because Jesus has given me freedom in Him, even though I can choose what I want, I willingly choose what I should do before God. I can choose to avoid life's troubles, but I willingly choose not to avoid them because of Jesus Christ. For me, the deeper Christian life is choosing what Jesus did. It is choosing to follow what Jesus taught. Because of this, if I lose my possessions and my life, it is what it is. Even if I become uncomfortable because of following Jesus, I would rather follow Jesus because He is my freedom itself. 

11. So, this is the conclusion of today's sermon: Choose willingly to serve and not to be served because of Jesus Christ and the freedom that He has granted us. Don't feel that uncomfortable situations are troubles if you encounter them as you follow Jesus Christ. Rather, think about Jesus and His love. We are in His freedom.

Podcast: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/814c1bd2-e2fe-437c-ac74-6d3fc76e6657/audio

Freedom in Christ: Living out God’s Redeeming Work – Study Guide

I. Quiz

Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

• According to the speaker, what is the "true truth" and how did he come to understand it?

• What are the two essential parts of a Christian's life as described in the sermon?

• How does the sermon define salvation in Christ, differentiating it from a "finished goal"?

• Based on Galatians 5:1, what is the primary purpose for which Christ set believers free?

• What danger does Paul warn against in Galatians 5 for those seeking justification through circumcision or the Law?

• How did first-century Christian slaves influence their masters and the world, according to the speaker, and what was their focus?

• What common misconception about freedom does the speaker address, particularly among some modern churchgoers in South Korea?

• According to the sermon, what is the "real meaning of freedom" beyond simply doing what one wants?

• Describe an example from the speaker's personal life that illustrates his understanding of "not avoiding troubles."

• What is the ultimate conclusion of the sermon regarding how believers should live out their freedom in Christ?

II. Quiz Answer Key

• The "true truth" is found in Jesus and the meaning of the salvation He offers. The speaker came to understand this not through church attendance, but by seriously reading the Bible three times in six months after a friend introduced him to it in 1999.

• The two essential parts of a Christian's life are salvation in Christ, and living out the life of salvation in Christ. These two aspects are intertwined, with salvation being the beginning of the Christian life on Earth.

• Salvation is described not as a finished goal, but as an ongoing process throughout one's entire life. It requires a deeper believer's life lived "in, with, and through the Spirit," marking the beginning of a Christian's journey with God.

• According to Galatians 5:1, Christ set believers free for the purpose of freedom itself. Therefore, they are encouraged to stand firm in this freedom and not return to a "yoke of slavery" under the Law.

• Paul warns that those who seek to be justified by the Law, such as through circumcision, are "severed from Christ" and have "fallen from grace." He emphasizes that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has value; only "faith working through love" counts.

• First-century Christian slaves influenced their masters and eventually changed the world by serving their masters with spiritual freedom. They did not focus on political freedom or movements, but rather on following Jesus' teachings.

• The speaker addresses the misconception that freedom primarily means political, physical, and emotional liberty, leading to an unwillingness to serve or endure persecution. He contrasts this with Jesus' teaching to take courage during tribulation, rather than seeking to avoid it.

• The "real meaning of freedom" is not just about doing what one wants, but also about voluntarily giving up things one wants. This is exemplified by first-century Christian slaves willingly returning to their masters to live as disciples.

• The speaker's personal example includes leaving a good job for Bible college, facing interruptions due to family and institutional challenges, and being diagnosed with glaucoma after his first Master's degree. Despite these "troubles," he chooses to keep following Jesus.

• The sermon concludes that believers should willingly choose to serve and not to be served, because of Jesus Christ and the freedom He grants. It encourages them not to view uncomfortable situations or tribulations as problems when following Jesus, but rather to focus on Jesus and His love.