100:00:00,080 –> 00:00:05,400If you are a Christian, and you’re struggling with a particular sin in your life,200:00:05,600 –> 00:00:07,280and all of us have many struggles,300:00:08,800 –> 00:00:12,240don’t, please don’t say to yourself,400:00:12,440 –> 00:00:16,120oh this is something I can’t get over.500:00:16,320 –> 00:00:19,799Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick,600:00:20,000 –> 00:00:25,480and Colin, I’m sure most of us can identify with an ongoing sin or struggle,700:00:25,680 –> 00:00:28,719but what does the Gospel mean to you?800:00:28,799 –> 00:00:32,919What does the Gospel have to say about how we can actually conquer that sin?900:00:33,119 –> 00:00:35,240Oh, the presence of the Holy Spirit.1000:00:35,439 –> 00:00:38,320I mean, if it was simply that we were forgiven and then we were left1100:00:38,520 –> 00:00:40,959to our own devices to get on with fulfilling the law,1200:00:41,160 –> 00:00:44,759then we’d be as defeated after becoming Christians as we were before.1300:00:44,880 –> 00:00:46,119Only we’re forgiven.1400:00:46,320 –> 00:00:47,919So thank God for the gift of the Spirit.1500:00:48,119 –> 00:00:51,360But I’m sure you will have spoken to many Christians who would say that1600:00:51,560 –> 00:00:54,520they keep falling into the same sin time after time.1700:00:54,720 –> 00:00:56,400Why can’t I beat this thing?1800:00:56,599 –> 00:00:57,759Well, at that point,1900:00:57,840 –> 00:01:02,000I really do want to challenge whether a person really believes2000:01:02,200 –> 00:01:04,480the truth of the Gospel in practice.2100:01:04,480 –> 00:01:06,160I’m not questioning whether you’re Christian or not.2200:01:06,360 –> 00:01:07,919But you see, we’ve got Satan who is2300:01:08,120 –> 00:01:14,360the the liar out there, and the liar is always saying this sin is too big for you.2400:01:14,559 –> 00:01:17,839And the only answer to that is while it may be too big for me,2500:01:18,040 –> 00:01:21,959but it is not too big for the Spirit of God who lives within me.2600:01:22,160 –> 00:01:24,239And I want to take my stand on this,2700:01:24,440 –> 00:01:26,919that I believe the promise of the Gospel,2800:01:27,120 –> 00:01:32,080that God’s Spirit lives within me and is given to me in order for me to put up a fight.2900:01:32,279 –> 00:01:34,639That really is huge to be able to understand3000:01:34,839 –> 00:01:39,080that even if you’re knocked down, you can get right back up and continue that fight.3100:01:39,160 –> 00:01:39,720That’s right. Yeah.3200:01:39,919 –> 00:01:41,800The evidence that a person is a Christian3300:01:42,000 –> 00:01:45,160is not that he’s always winning, but that he’s always fighting.3400:01:45,360 –> 00:01:48,839That’s the distinctive about the life of the Holy Spirit being within us.3500:01:48,959 –> 00:01:52,080I think this is going to be a really encouraging message for us today.3600:01:52,519 –> 00:01:56,720So I hope you’ll join us if you can in Galatians chapters three to five3700:01:56,919 –> 00:01:58,199as we begin the message.3800:01:58,400 –> 00:01:59,760The Gospel sets you free.3900:01:59,959 –> 00:02:01,400Here’s Colin.4000:02:01,680 –> 00:02:04,120We’re attempting to cover a long section4100:02:04,279 –> 00:02:07,320of Galatians today, really from chapter three, verse twenty six,4200:02:07,519 –> 00:02:10,880right through to chapter five and verse 14.4300:02:11,080 –> 00:02:14,199And this whole central section of Galatians is held together4400:02:14,399 –> 00:02:17,479by one theme, and that is Christian freedom.4500:02:17,679 –> 00:02:19,080And so our title for today4600:02:19,279 –> 00:02:22,880is The Gospel sets you free.4700:02:23,080 –> 00:02:25,360Now today again, we have a very simple outline.4800:02:25,559 –> 00:02:27,199Couldn’t be much simpler.4900:02:27,399 –> 00:02:29,000You are free.5000:02:29,199 –> 00:02:30,639Don’t lose your freedom.5100:02:30,839 –> 00:02:31,160You get that?5200:02:31,360 –> 00:02:32,960You’ve got it for today.5300:02:33,160 –> 00:02:34,800You are free.5400:02:35,000 –> 00:02:38,199Don’t lose your freedom.5500:02:38,399 –> 00:02:40,880We’re going to see how freedom is found and5600:02:41,080 –> 00:02:44,039how Christian freedom may be lost.5700:02:44,279 –> 00:02:48,679First, then you are free.5800:02:48,880 –> 00:02:52,000Galatians chapter 4 begins with the great transformation5900:02:52,199 –> 00:02:54,679that has already happened in the6000:02:54,880 –> 00:02:57,759life of every Christian believer.6100:02:57,960 –> 00:03:00,440Now this is important for us to grasp because if you’d anything6200:03:00,639 –> 00:03:03,080like me, your mind will often be on6300:03:03,279 –> 00:03:05,919the fact that there is still so much6400:03:06,119 –> 00:03:08,639that the Lord has to do in your life.6500:03:08,839 –> 00:03:11,240I think of this often I’m so far from being6600:03:11,440 –> 00:03:13,720conformed to the image of Christ so much6700:03:13,839 –> 00:03:16,240that God still has to do.6800:03:16,440 –> 00:03:18,919And because we are naturally as Christian believers drawn6900:03:19,119 –> 00:03:22,039to how much God still has to do in our lives7000:03:22,240 –> 00:03:24,039how far we still have to go.7100:03:24,240 –> 00:03:26,679It is important for us to be reminded of7200:03:26,880 –> 00:03:30,919what God has done already in our lives.7300:03:31,119 –> 00:03:33,440And this theme is the focus of the opening verses7400:03:33,639 –> 00:03:35,960of chapter 4 and Paul lays it out in two7500:03:36,160 –> 00:03:37,199simple statements.7600:03:37,399 –> 00:03:39,320You were a slave.7700:03:39,520 –> 00:03:41,440You are a son.7800:03:41,559 –> 00:03:44,199And this transformation has already happened7900:03:44,399 –> 00:03:47,880in your life as a Christian believer through the Gospel.8000:03:48,080 –> 00:03:49,119Let’s look at it together.8100:03:49,320 –> 00:03:51,960First you were a slave.8200:03:52,160 –> 00:03:53,520Verse 3 of chapter 4.8300:03:53,720 –> 00:03:56,199When we were children we where, notice8400:03:56,399 –> 00:03:58,759the past tense, in slavery under8500:03:58,960 –> 00:04:01,080the basic principles of the world.8600:04:01,279 –> 00:04:02,039Or verse eight.8700:04:02,240 –> 00:04:04,839Formerly, see again it’s past when8800:04:05,039 –> 00:04:08,639you did not know God you were slaves8900:04:08,919 –> 00:04:11,440to those who by nature were not God’s.9000:04:11,639 –> 00:04:15,960That’s what you were, you were a slave.9100:04:16,160 –> 00:04:18,679A slave of course has no freedom.9200:04:18,880 –> 00:04:21,359He simply does or she simply does what9300:04:21,559 –> 00:04:23,679he or she is commanded to do.9400:04:23,880 –> 00:04:26,239And the tragedy of a slaves position is that no matter9500:04:26,440 –> 00:04:29,440how hard the slave works he or she cannot improve9600:04:29,640 –> 00:04:32,000their situation as a result.9700:04:32,200 –> 00:04:35,679Work for a slave cannot bring freedom.9800:04:35,839 –> 00:04:39,679Now Paul is saying that used to be your position before God.9900:04:39,880 –> 00:04:42,760You owed a debt to God that you could not pay.10000:04:42,959 –> 00:04:45,279You had not fulfilled the law of God and you could10100:04:45,480 –> 00:04:48,679not fulfill the law of God even with your best effort.10200:04:48,880 –> 00:04:51,679That puts you therefore in the position of a slave.10300:04:51,880 –> 00:04:54,480You could not change your position by your work.10400:04:54,679 –> 00:04:57,320Even the best effort of your most devoted life,10500:04:57,519 –> 00:04:59,880no matter how hard you tried, you could not get out10600:05:00,079 –> 00:05:01,160of the position you were in.10700:05:01,359 –> 00:05:05,359You wear a slave.10800:05:05,600 –> 00:05:08,640Now here’s the good news, the gospel.10900:05:08,839 –> 00:05:11,160God has acted to win your freedom.11000:05:11,359 –> 00:05:13,440You were a slave but God has acted to win your freedom.11100:05:13,640 –> 00:05:15,959What has God done? Two things.11200:05:16,160 –> 00:05:18,559Number 1, Galatians chapter 4 and verse 4 he11300:05:18,760 –> 00:05:21,679sent his Son into the world.11400:05:21,880 –> 00:05:25,000When the time had fully come, verse 4,11500:05:25,200 –> 00:05:28,079God sent his Son11600:05:28,279 –> 00:05:30,480born of a woman, born11700:05:30,679 –> 00:05:33,160under the law to redeem those under the11800:05:33,399 –> 00:05:35,720law that we might receive the full11900:05:35,920 –> 00:05:38,640rights of sons.12000:05:38,839 –> 00:05:41,160God sent his Son into the world and second God12100:05:41,359 –> 00:05:43,559sent his Spirit into our hearts.12200:05:43,760 –> 00:05:45,000Chapter 4 in verse 6.12300:05:45,200 –> 00:05:48,200Because you are sons God sent12400:05:48,399 –> 00:05:51,600the spirit of his Son into our hearts12500:05:51,799 –> 00:05:54,720and the spirit calls out Abba12600:05:54,920 –> 00:05:56,359Father.12700:05:56,559 –> 00:05:59,239So you were a slave but God has acted12800:05:59,440 –> 00:06:02,480in this decisive way, he sent his Son into the world.12900:06:02,640 –> 00:06:03,559That’s Christmas.13000:06:03,760 –> 00:06:05,640He has sent his spirit into your heart.13100:06:05,839 –> 00:06:08,200That’s what happened when you were converted when you came to13200:06:08,399 –> 00:06:09,799faith in Jesus Christ.13300:06:10,000 –> 00:06:13,279You were forgiven and you received the spirit as we saw last week.13400:06:13,480 –> 00:06:15,160And so now you are in a different position.13500:06:15,359 –> 00:06:19,160You are a son chapter 4, and verse 7 present tense.13600:06:19,359 –> 00:06:20,480This is what you are.13700:06:20,679 –> 00:06:23,679You are no longer a slave verse 713800:06:23,880 –> 00:06:24,920but a son.13900:06:25,119 –> 00:06:27,440And since you are a son God has14000:06:27,640 –> 00:06:30,440made you also an heir.14100:06:30,720 –> 00:06:34,000You’ll see that that theme of sons runs right through the whole passage.14200:06:34,200 –> 00:06:35,799Chapter 3 in verse 26.14300:06:36,000 –> 00:06:38,600You are all sons of God14400:06:38,799 –> 00:06:40,640through faith in Christ Jesus.14500:06:40,839 –> 00:06:43,239You’re writing to Christian believers or chapter14600:06:43,440 –> 00:06:45,8394 and verse 5.14700:06:46,040 –> 00:06:48,640We’re redeemed from under the law that we might receive14800:06:48,839 –> 00:06:51,920the full rites of sons.14900:06:52,119 –> 00:06:55,000In verse 7 you’re no longer a slave15000:06:55,200 –> 00:06:57,000but a.15100:06:57,200 –> 00:06:58,959Son.15200:06:59,079 –> 00:07:01,640Now this remarkable change Paul15300:07:01,839 –> 00:07:04,000is saying, has already happened.15400:07:04,200 –> 00:07:05,959This is what has happened.15500:07:06,160 –> 00:07:08,600If you are a Christian believer15600:07:08,799 –> 00:07:12,239you were a slave you are a Son15700:07:12,440 –> 00:07:14,720and the reason for this great transformation is15800:07:14,920 –> 00:07:17,200that God sent His Son into the world and15900:07:17,399 –> 00:07:21,320God has sent His spirit into your heart.16000:07:21,519 –> 00:07:23,959Now grasping the gospel means believing that16100:07:24,160 –> 00:07:28,480these things are true for me in Christ.16200:07:28,799 –> 00:07:31,239I was very young when I became a Christian16300:07:31,440 –> 00:07:33,720speaking personally and so16400:07:33,920 –> 00:07:36,200I don’t have a lot of vivid memories before the time that16500:07:36,399 –> 00:07:38,799I actually came to Christ it’s an act of faith for me to believe that16600:07:39,000 –> 00:07:41,839I was born in the condition of being a slave.16700:07:42,040 –> 00:07:45,320That was my condition by birth and16800:07:45,519 –> 00:07:48,119God has sent His Son into the world, He has sent His Spirit16900:07:48,320 –> 00:07:49,320into my heart.17000:07:49,519 –> 00:07:51,839Now indeed I am a17100:07:52,040 –> 00:07:56,040son of God.17200:07:56,399 –> 00:08:00,399Now let me tell you something very strange.17300:08:00,839 –> 00:08:03,679There are many people17400:08:03,880 –> 00:08:07,959who believe themselves to be Christians17500:08:08,160 –> 00:08:10,720but are constantly telling themselves that they are17600:08:10,920 –> 00:08:13,079slaves.17700:08:13,279 –> 00:08:16,000That’s a strange thing.17800:08:16,200 –> 00:08:18,920Here’s what it looks like.17900:08:19,119 –> 00:08:21,480A guy says, you know, I got18000:08:21,679 –> 00:08:24,000this sin and I’ve been doing this thing for18100:08:24,200 –> 00:08:26,48020 years and, you know, I just can’t18200:08:26,679 –> 00:08:29,679get over it. It’s just me and18300:08:29,880 –> 00:08:31,799it’s the way I’m made.18400:08:32,000 –> 00:08:37,200And so I just had to accept that that’s who I am.18500:08:37,679 –> 00:08:40,599Now I think we can all recognize that kind of pattern of thought18600:08:40,799 –> 00:08:44,000that so easily comes to us.18700:08:44,200 –> 00:08:46,599But you know, when you think and speak18800:08:46,799 –> 00:08:49,200like that in your mind or speak like that18900:08:49,400 –> 00:08:51,919to someone else and you’re saying you know there’s a sin I can’t19000:08:51,919 –> 00:08:54,200get over. You know what you’re saying?19100:08:54,400 –> 00:08:58,159You’re saying that you are a slave19200:08:58,359 –> 00:09:00,799and when you say that you are a slave you are19300:09:01,000 –> 00:09:05,599at that point denying the gospel.19400:09:05,799 –> 00:09:07,280You really are.19500:09:07,479 –> 00:09:10,000You are not at that point living19600:09:10,200 –> 00:09:12,479by faith in the Son of God who loved19700:09:12,679 –> 00:09:16,320you and gave himself for you.19800:09:16,679 –> 00:09:19,320Which is of course why so many Christians live in…19900:09:19,520 –> 00:09:23,039Defeat.20000:09:23,239 –> 00:09:27,719We’ve not grasped the gospel.20100:09:27,919 –> 00:09:30,239There’s only one way to live the Christian life and that is that20200:09:30,440 –> 00:09:32,840believing what the gospel affirms in Jesus20300:09:33,039 –> 00:09:36,840Christ is actually true for me.20400:09:37,039 –> 00:09:40,200Victory over sin begins20500:09:40,400 –> 00:09:42,000as you believe the gospel.20600:09:42,200 –> 00:09:44,599If you keep telling yourself that you are a slave20700:09:44,760 –> 00:09:47,080you are denying the gospel.20800:09:47,280 –> 00:09:50,119So don’t expect ever to a victory.20900:09:50,320 –> 00:09:52,919If that’s what’s running in your mind you’re21000:09:53,119 –> 00:09:56,200still believing the lie you have not yet embraced the truth.21100:09:56,400 –> 00:09:58,760And Jesus says you will know the truth and the truth21200:09:58,960 –> 00:09:59,919will make you free.21300:10:00,119 –> 00:10:02,080You’ve got to believe it.21400:10:02,280 –> 00:10:04,799You will be transformed by the renewing21500:10:05,000 –> 00:10:07,280of your mind. There will not be victory for those who21600:10:07,479 –> 00:10:09,760do not believe the gospel.21700:10:09,960 –> 00:10:12,239I don’t just mean all believing that Jesus died and rose I21800:10:12,320 –> 00:10:14,719mean grasping that the promises of21900:10:14,919 –> 00:10:17,280the gospel are actually true of me.22000:10:17,479 –> 00:10:19,799That I am no longer a slave but22100:10:20,000 –> 00:10:22,280by the grace of God am now a son.22200:10:22,479 –> 00:10:25,039So if you are a Christian22300:10:25,239 –> 00:10:27,599and you are struggling with the particular sin in your life22400:10:27,799 –> 00:10:31,479and all of us have many struggles.22500:10:31,679 –> 00:10:34,039Don’t please don’t say22600:10:34,239 –> 00:10:35,880to yourself.22700:10:36,080 –> 00:10:40,000Oh this is something I can’t get over.22800:10:40,239 –> 00:10:42,960Because if you’re saying that to yourself you’re denying the gospel22900:10:43,159 –> 00:10:44,919to yourself.23000:10:45,119 –> 00:10:47,640And you’ll never move forward.23100:10:47,840 –> 00:10:48,799Here’s what to do.23200:10:49,000 –> 00:10:51,799Say to yourself now this is a sin23300:10:52,000 –> 00:10:54,400I have fallen into many23400:10:54,599 –> 00:10:57,239times.23500:10:57,440 –> 00:10:59,359But.23600:10:59,559 –> 00:11:01,960That past is forgiven by the grace23700:11:02,159 –> 00:11:03,880of God.23800:11:04,080 –> 00:11:05,799And today.23900:11:06,000 –> 00:11:08,760Stands before him not24000:11:08,760 –> 00:11:11,200as sin’s slave.24100:11:11,400 –> 00:11:13,919But rather as God’s child24200:11:14,119 –> 00:11:17,799in whom his spirit now lives.24300:11:18,000 –> 00:11:20,200And because his spirit now lives24400:11:20,400 –> 00:11:23,919in me and this I believe and know to be true.24500:11:24,119 –> 00:11:26,760I can endure this trial.24600:11:26,960 –> 00:11:29,359I can stand against this temptation by24700:11:29,559 –> 00:11:30,479the grace of God.24800:11:30,679 –> 00:11:34,280I will prevail24900:11:34,479 –> 00:11:37,000see that’s what it means to live this life in the body25000:11:37,280 –> 00:11:38,960where there are so many struggles.25100:11:39,159 –> 00:11:41,760But to live it by faith!25200:11:41,960 –> 00:11:44,359In the Son of God who loved me25300:11:44,559 –> 00:11:46,799and gave himself for me.25400:11:47,000 –> 00:11:51,799You have to start from the position of grasping the gospel.25500:11:52,000 –> 00:11:54,520Which means being able to affirm that what the Bible says about25600:11:54,719 –> 00:11:57,599you as a Christian believer is true of you as a Christian believer.25700:11:57,799 –> 00:12:00,119You are free.25800:12:00,320 –> 00:12:03,000I was a slave.25900:12:03,200 –> 00:12:05,880But God has acted to change that situation.26000:12:05,960 –> 00:12:08,719He acted decisively by sending his son into the world.26100:12:08,919 –> 00:12:11,000By sending his Spirit into my heart.26200:12:11,200 –> 00:12:12,159That is the reality.26300:12:12,359 –> 00:12:13,599I am no longer a slave.26400:12:13,799 –> 00:12:18,119I stand before God as a son.26500:12:18,320 –> 00:12:22,520And therefore I am free.26600:12:22,719 –> 00:12:24,159So that is grasping the gospel.26700:12:24,359 –> 00:12:25,280It really is.26800:12:25,479 –> 00:12:28,559You cannot move forward in life without grasping the gospel.26900:12:28,760 –> 00:12:31,520And holding to it every day and coming back to it every time27000:12:31,719 –> 00:12:32,599we have failed.27100:12:32,599 –> 00:12:34,239Need affresh the grace of God.27200:12:35,140 –> 00:12:35,799You’re free.27300:12:38,000 –> 00:12:41,400You’re listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called27400:12:41,599 –> 00:12:43,440The Gospel Sets You Free.27500:12:43,640 –> 00:12:45,320It’s part of our series27600:12:45,520 –> 00:12:46,559Grasping The Gospel27700:12:46,760 –> 00:12:48,559and it’s based on the book of Galatians.27800:12:48,760 –> 00:12:50,119If you’ve missed any of the series,27900:12:50,320 –> 00:12:51,880or if you’d like to go back and listen again,28000:12:52,080 –> 00:12:53,719and we’d really encourage you to do that.28100:12:53,799 –> 00:12:55,960You can do that by coming online to our website28200:12:56,080 –> 00:12:58,880OpenTheBible.org.uk28300:12:59,080 –> 00:13:01,960and there you find all the messages which have already gone out on air.28400:13:02,919 –> 00:13:05,400You will also find our messages as a podcast28500:13:05,599 –> 00:13:07,440and those on all the main podcast sites.28600:13:07,640 –> 00:13:10,080Search for Open The Bible UK and subscribe28700:13:10,280 –> 00:13:12,159if you want to receive regular updates.28800:13:12,359 –> 00:13:13,440Open The Bible28900:13:13,640 –> 00:13:15,080is supported by our listeners.29000:13:15,280 –> 00:13:17,080That’s people just like you.29100:13:17,280 –> 00:13:19,599We always want to encourage listeners to think about giving29200:13:19,799 –> 00:13:22,840to support our work if they haven’t done so before.29300:13:23,039 –> 00:13:25,320And this month if you’re considering29400:13:25,520 –> 00:13:27,880doing that, and if you’re able to set up a direct29500:13:28,080 –> 00:13:30,559debit to the work of Open The Bible for29600:13:30,960 –> 00:13:33,200£5 per month or more or a one29700:13:33,400 –> 00:13:35,760off gift of £50 or more.29800:13:35,960 –> 00:13:38,320We’d love to say thank you by sending you a copy29900:13:38,520 –> 00:13:40,679of Pilgrims Progress, the classic30000:13:40,880 –> 00:13:43,359Christian book by John Bunyan.30100:13:43,559 –> 00:13:46,840It’s in modern English, so it’s easy to understand.30200:13:47,039 –> 00:13:49,280Full terms and conditions and to give online,30300:13:49,479 –> 00:13:54,119come to our website OpenTheBible.org.uk30400:13:54,320 –> 00:13:56,520Back to the message now we’re in Galatians between30500:13:56,719 –> 00:13:58,440chapters three and five.30600:13:58,559 –> 00:14:00,039And he has Colin.30700:14:00,239 –> 00:14:03,760Now Paul says you are free.30800:14:04,479 –> 00:14:05,239So whatever you do.30900:14:05,440 –> 00:14:08,080Don’t lose your freedom.31000:14:08,280 –> 00:14:10,000Don’t lose your freedom.31100:14:10,200 –> 00:14:12,440Now in this long section31200:14:12,640 –> 00:14:14,880from Galatians chapter 4 and verse 831300:14:15,080 –> 00:14:19,159right through to chapter 5 and verse 14.31400:14:19,359 –> 00:14:21,599Paul identifies two ways31500:14:21,799 –> 00:14:24,479in which Christian believers might lose their freedom,31600:14:24,679 –> 00:14:27,640might just give it up and kind of voluntarily31700:14:27,840 –> 00:14:29,320wander back into slavery,31800:14:29,520 –> 00:14:31,760which would be a crazy thing to do.31900:14:31,960 –> 00:14:34,400Two ways of going back to be a slave.32000:14:34,599 –> 00:14:38,599First, we may abandon our freedom32100:14:38,799 –> 00:14:40,799by returning to the law32200:14:41,000 –> 00:14:42,880and that’s chapter 4 in verse 8,32300:14:43,080 –> 00:14:46,760right through chapter 5 and verse 12 long section.32400:14:47,320 –> 00:14:49,479Second, we may abuse our32500:14:49,679 –> 00:14:53,159freedom by indulging the flesh.32600:14:53,359 –> 00:14:55,520That is chapter 5 and verse 13 and32700:14:55,599 –> 00:14:57,599continues on as God willing32800:14:57,799 –> 00:14:59,679will continue next week.32900:14:59,880 –> 00:15:03,239Abandoning our freedom by returning to the law.33000:15:03,440 –> 00:15:07,640Abusing our freedom by indulging the flesh.33100:15:07,840 –> 00:15:10,119Now remember that Paul is writing33200:15:10,320 –> 00:15:13,479here to Christian believers.33300:15:13,679 –> 00:15:18,159He’s writing to the churches in Galatia.33400:15:18,359 –> 00:15:21,039And I think that we should therefore conclude33500:15:21,239 –> 00:15:23,840that there is a real temptation here33600:15:24,000 –> 00:15:26,200for Christian believers.33700:15:26,400 –> 00:15:29,159That there is a real danger that Paul is warning us33800:15:29,359 –> 00:15:31,679against and that we need to understand.33900:15:31,880 –> 00:15:35,200You will be tempted34000:15:35,400 –> 00:15:38,000to abandon your freedom in34100:15:38,200 –> 00:15:40,919Christ by returning to the law.34200:15:41,119 –> 00:15:43,280And I hope we’re going to see this morning, how34300:15:43,479 –> 00:15:46,520subtle that is, how easily it can happen to us.34400:15:46,719 –> 00:15:47,880Let’s be aware of it.34500:15:48,080 –> 00:15:51,679You are free, but you will be tempted34600:15:51,919 –> 00:15:54,559to abandon your freedom in Christ by returning34700:15:54,760 –> 00:15:56,679to the law. You just will be.34800:15:56,880 –> 00:15:59,919And secondly, be aware you will be tempted34900:16:00,119 –> 00:16:04,039to abuse your freedom by indulging the flesh.35000:16:04,239 –> 00:16:06,159You will find that in your Christian life.35100:16:06,359 –> 00:16:08,559This will be an issue and a struggle for you.35200:16:08,760 –> 00:16:11,119So let’s be aware of these two things so that we don’t35300:16:11,320 –> 00:16:13,599lose our freedom.35400:16:13,799 –> 00:16:17,000First then, freedom abandoned by returning35500:16:17,200 –> 00:16:19,320to the law.35600:16:19,400 –> 00:16:22,119Let’s look at chapter 4 and verse 9 now35700:16:22,320 –> 00:16:26,760that you know God or rather are known by God.35800:16:26,960 –> 00:16:30,840How is it that you are turning back35900:16:31,039 –> 00:16:34,559to those weak and miserable principles?36000:16:34,760 –> 00:16:37,359Do you wish to be enslaved36100:16:37,559 –> 00:16:40,559by them all over again?36200:16:40,760 –> 00:16:43,119Remember the setting here that there was36300:16:43,320 –> 00:16:45,840a pressure group that had come into the churches36400:16:46,039 –> 00:16:48,359in Galatia that wanted to impose the Jewish36500:16:48,359 –> 00:16:50,760heritage on all the new Gentile believers.36600:16:50,960 –> 00:16:54,320Circumcision, special feast days and all the rest of it.36700:16:54,520 –> 00:16:57,320And Peter had caved into this36800:16:57,440 –> 00:16:59,239group and had given them his support.36900:16:59,440 –> 00:17:00,640Paul confronted Peter.37000:17:00,840 –> 00:17:02,880Now he’s saying to these Galatians, many of37100:17:03,080 –> 00:17:05,160whom had also caved into this pressure.37200:17:05,359 –> 00:17:08,439Now look why in all the world are you turning back to the law?37300:17:08,640 –> 00:17:11,439Why are you putting yourself under these rites37400:17:11,640 –> 00:17:14,560and ceremonies and and going to be circumcised?37500:17:14,760 –> 00:17:16,800Verse 10 observing special days37600:17:17,119 –> 00:17:18,680and months and seasons and years.37700:17:18,880 –> 00:17:21,280All the stuff that church tends37800:17:21,479 –> 00:17:23,880to keep up on top37900:17:24,079 –> 00:17:26,479off the Gospel, that ends38000:17:26,680 –> 00:17:33,079up actually burying or even undermining the Gospel.38100:17:33,280 –> 00:17:35,800Now the second half of Galatians38200:17:36,000 –> 00:17:38,560chapter four is taken up with an extended38300:17:38,760 –> 00:17:41,199illustration that Paul draws38400:17:41,400 –> 00:17:43,760from the Old Testament.38500:17:43,920 –> 00:17:46,800Abraham had two sons.38600:17:47,000 –> 00:17:49,839The first son Ishmael was born through Hagar38700:17:50,040 –> 00:17:53,280who was Abraham’s slave.38800:17:53,479 –> 00:17:55,719And of course Paul is not defending what38900:17:55,920 –> 00:17:57,959Abraham did here, he’s simply telling39000:17:58,160 –> 00:17:58,920us what happened.39100:17:59,119 –> 00:18:01,839This is what happened that Abraham’s first son was born39200:18:02,040 –> 00:18:05,439as a result of his union with a slave.39300:18:05,640 –> 00:18:07,880Abraham’s second son, whose name of course was39400:18:08,079 –> 00:18:12,079Isaac, was born by a miracle of God’s grace.39500:18:12,359 –> 00:18:15,079Abraham’s wife Sarah was 90 years old.39600:18:15,280 –> 00:18:17,520Can you imagine this? 90 years old?39700:18:17,719 –> 00:18:19,160She had never had any children.39800:18:19,359 –> 00:18:21,640And then Isaac is conceived by a miracle of God.39900:18:21,839 –> 00:18:24,880I mean it caused consternation in the old people’s home.40000:18:25,079 –> 00:18:27,839Now40100:18:28,040 –> 00:18:30,719the point of this illustration, which of course was very familiar40200:18:30,920 –> 00:18:33,599to the early believers in Galatia40300:18:33,599 –> 00:18:35,319from the Old Testament.40400:18:35,520 –> 00:18:37,599The point is in verse 31, brothers,40500:18:37,800 –> 00:18:40,199we are not children40600:18:40,319 –> 00:18:42,839of the slave woman but of40700:18:43,040 –> 00:18:44,920the free woman.40800:18:45,119 –> 00:18:47,280In other words we are children of God40900:18:47,479 –> 00:18:50,800not by slavish obedience to the law41000:18:51,000 –> 00:18:54,239but by a miracle of grace rather like the birth of Isaac41100:18:54,439 –> 00:18:57,319in which God gives us new life by the spirit41200:18:57,520 –> 00:19:00,800through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.41300:19:01,000 –> 00:19:03,479Now since we are born free as sons41400:19:03,680 –> 00:19:06,119of God in Jesus Christ the41500:19:06,319 –> 00:19:09,439question he’s raising is why in all the world would you want41600:19:09,640 –> 00:19:12,239to exchange that marvellous position41700:19:12,439 –> 00:19:15,760for the position of a slave?41800:19:15,959 –> 00:19:18,439Chapter five and verse one it is for freedom that Christ41900:19:18,640 –> 00:19:21,599has set us free so stand firm then42000:19:21,800 –> 00:19:24,760and do not let yourselves be burdened again42100:19:24,959 –> 00:19:26,880by a yoke of slavery.42200:19:27,079 –> 00:19:29,680It would be a crazy thing for a son who is born42300:19:29,880 –> 00:19:32,239free to live and to act as42400:19:32,439 –> 00:19:36,680if he was a slave.42500:19:36,839 –> 00:19:40,040In fact that is so strange42600:19:40,239 –> 00:19:42,880that it raises for me the question why in all the world42700:19:43,079 –> 00:19:45,420would anyone want to go42800:19:45,619 –> 00:19:49,079back under the law?42900:19:49,280 –> 00:19:50,680What would be the motivation for that?43000:19:50,880 –> 00:19:53,939Why would anyone ever want43100:19:54,140 –> 00:19:57,040to go back under the law?43200:19:57,959 –> 00:20:00,239Look at chapter 4 and verse 2143300:20:00,439 –> 00:20:03,400he speaks about those who want43400:20:03,599 –> 00:20:06,599to be under the law.43500:20:07,099 –> 00:20:09,800What would ever make a person43600:20:10,000 –> 00:20:12,420want, want43700:20:12,619 –> 00:20:16,180to be under the law?43800:20:16,380 –> 00:20:19,239Well, relationships43900:20:19,439 –> 00:20:21,959of law have clearly44000:20:22,160 –> 00:20:25,119defined limits.44100:20:25,319 –> 00:20:28,760That’s why we have contracts in business44200:20:28,959 –> 00:20:33,560to limit our liability.44300:20:33,760 –> 00:20:36,040Relationships of love are different in44400:20:36,400 –> 00:20:36,920their nature.44500:20:37,119 –> 00:20:39,479They have no limits.44600:20:39,719 –> 00:20:43,199Greater love has no one than this44700:20:43,400 –> 00:20:46,119then that a man should lay down his life44800:20:46,319 –> 00:20:49,560for his friends.44900:20:49,780 –> 00:20:52,280So a relationship of love45000:20:52,479 –> 00:20:55,880could cost you your life.45100:20:56,079 –> 00:20:58,479See there is a deep instinct within45200:20:58,680 –> 00:21:01,000all of us that wants45300:21:01,199 –> 00:21:03,439to limit our liability in any45400:21:03,560 –> 00:21:05,880sphere of life.45500:21:06,079 –> 00:21:08,800And that is why45600:21:09,000 –> 00:21:11,439there is something within us that is often more45700:21:11,640 –> 00:21:15,719comfortable with law than we are with love.45800:21:15,920 –> 00:21:18,680A great reminder there from Pastor Colin that we shouldn’t allow45900:21:18,880 –> 00:21:21,839the freedom that we have in Christ to get away from us.46000:21:22,040 –> 00:21:25,719As we’ve heard the gospel can indeed set us free.46100:21:25,920 –> 00:21:28,359Many Christians understand that following Christ gives us46200:21:28,560 –> 00:21:31,599forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life.46300:21:31,800 –> 00:21:34,280But many don’t realize that it also can give46400:21:34,479 –> 00:21:37,319us the power to live better from day to day.46500:21:37,520 –> 00:21:40,079And that’s what this message the gospel sets you free46600:21:40,280 –> 00:21:41,439is all about.46700:21:41,640 –> 00:21:44,319It’s part of our series Grasping the Gospel46800:21:44,520 –> 00:21:46,880and it’s based on the Book of Galatians.46900:21:47,079 –> 00:21:49,560If you’ve missed any of the series to date or if you want to go47000:21:49,760 –> 00:21:52,359back and listen again don’t forget you can always do that by coming47100:21:52,560 –> 00:21:57,040online to our website openthebible.org.uk47200:21:57,239 –> 00:21:59,719or you can find us as a podcast and those are on47300:21:59,920 –> 00:22:01,400all the main podcast sites.47400:22:01,599 –> 00:22:04,280Search for Open the Bible UK and subscribe47500:22:04,479 –> 00:22:07,280if you want to receive regular updates.47600:22:07,479 –> 00:22:09,880Also available as a podcast and on47700:22:10,079 –> 00:22:12,640our website is our daily reflection series47800:22:12,839 –> 00:22:14,319Open the Bible daily.47900:22:14,520 –> 00:22:17,040Each episode lasts just two or three minutes48000:22:17,239 –> 00:22:19,280and there’s a new one every day.48100:22:19,479 –> 00:22:21,800It’s based on Pastor Colin’s teaching and48200:22:22,000 –> 00:22:24,439read in the UK by Sue McCleish.48300:22:24,640 –> 00:22:29,560And again you can find that on our website openthebible.org.uk48400:22:29,640 –> 00:22:34,040And as a podcast by searching for Open the Bible UK.48500:22:34,239 –> 00:22:36,719Open the Bible is brought to you as a result48600:22:36,920 –> 00:22:39,000of the generous giving of our listeners.48700:22:39,199 –> 00:22:41,680So if you already give to support this work.48800:22:41,880 –> 00:22:43,160Thank you so much.48900:22:43,359 –> 00:22:45,520If that’s something that you haven’t done up until now but you’re49000:22:45,719 –> 00:22:49,119considering doing it then we have an offer for you this month.49100:22:49,319 –> 00:22:51,560If you are able to set up a new direct debit49200:22:51,760 –> 00:22:54,280to the work of Open the Bible in the amount of five49300:22:54,479 –> 00:22:57,280pounds per month or more or one of gift49400:22:57,400 –> 00:22:58,880of £50 or more.49500:22:59,079 –> 00:23:01,640We’d love to say thank you by sending you49600:23:01,839 –> 00:23:04,640a copy of the classic book Pilgrim’s Progress49700:23:04,839 –> 00:23:06,319in modern English.49800:23:06,520 –> 00:23:08,800It’s written by John Bunyan many years ago and49900:23:09,000 –> 00:23:11,479it’s one of the most famous books written50000:23:11,680 –> 00:23:13,280about the Christian life.50100:23:13,479 –> 00:23:16,839Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham is here with more details.50200:23:17,040 –> 00:23:18,520Yes. Thanks so much David.50300:23:18,719 –> 00:23:20,959We are really thrilled to be able to give away50400:23:21,160 –> 00:23:23,560a free open the Bible UK pen,50500:23:23,760 –> 00:23:26,119bookmark and an updated copy50600:23:26,359 –> 00:23:28,880of the timeless classic The Pilgrim’s Progress50700:23:29,079 –> 00:23:30,479by John Bunyan.50800:23:30,680 –> 00:23:33,119I’m sure that many of our listeners are already familiar50900:23:33,319 –> 00:23:36,359with this book, but it follows a story of Christian51000:23:36,560 –> 00:23:39,400who goes on a journey from the city of destruction51100:23:39,599 –> 00:23:42,800which is this world to the celestial city heaven51200:23:43,000 –> 00:23:45,439and on his way he encounters various tests51300:23:45,640 –> 00:23:48,000in places such as the Valley of Humiliation51400:23:48,199 –> 00:23:50,439and the Valley of the Shadow of Death51500:23:50,640 –> 00:23:53,079as well as various people, some of whom help51600:23:53,280 –> 00:23:55,280him and some who hinder him.51700:23:55,520 –> 00:23:57,920But I really believe that this book will inspire51800:23:58,119 –> 00:24:00,719you and give you hope even if you’re currently51900:24:00,920 –> 00:24:03,479going through a difficult time.52000:24:03,680 –> 00:24:06,239We need to remember that amazingly John Bunyan did not52100:24:06,439 –> 00:24:08,880write this book from an ivory tower but from52200:24:09,079 –> 00:24:10,920a grim English prison.52300:24:11,119 –> 00:24:13,199He knew what suffering was.52400:24:13,400 –> 00:24:16,239So we would really love to send you these free gifts52500:24:16,439 –> 00:24:19,920both to encourage you and to thank you for your donation.52600:24:20,119 –> 00:24:22,640Pilgrim’s Progress is our gift to you if you’re able52700:24:22,760 –> 00:24:24,880to set up a new direct debit52800:24:25,079 –> 00:24:27,599to the work of Open the Bible in the amount of £552900:24:27,800 –> 00:24:30,479per month or a one off gift of £5053000:24:30,680 –> 00:24:31,439this month.53100:24:31,640 –> 00:24:34,040Full details terms and conditions on53200:24:34,239 –> 00:24:36,239our website Openthebible.org.uk.53300:24:38,319 –> 00:24:40,760For open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith I’m53400:24:40,959 –> 00:24:43,959David Pick and I hope you’ll be able to join us again next time.53500:24:44,079 –> 00:24:45,920Hello.53600:24:50,280 –> 00:24:53,359Why would someone who has found freedom in Christ53700:24:53,560 –> 00:24:55,599ever put themselves under the law?53800:24:55,800 –> 00:24:57,800It’s easier than you might think.53900:24:58,000 –> 00:25:00,560Find out why next time on Open the Bible.