“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free,” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free,” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

“This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed

by any group of people or any human

authority, but by Jesus Christ himself

and by God the Father, who raised

Jesus from the dead.

All the brothers and sisters here join

me in sending this letter to the churches of

Galatia.” (Galatians 1:1–2,

NLT)

“While Paul and Barnabas were at

Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you

are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”” (Acts 15:1,

NLT)

Problem

Judaizers insisted that Gentile converts adhere to

the law of Moses, specifically circumcision

and observance of sabbaths and special seasonal festivals, as essential to salvation,

participation in the community of faith, and security of faith through

personal piety.

Judaizers

613 2

What are our, “unless you,” rules that we

have added to the gospel?

Jesus, the Son of God, sent into the world

born to the family of Abraham, lived as a Jew under the Law,

crucified by his enemies, gave himself for his people's sins. God raised him from the dead to be savior to all who

believeGod has given his Spirit to live in

them and to demonstrate love as they live in the hope of his

coming

The Good News

“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving

mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to

be the Good News but is not the Good News at

all.

Shock and Awe

You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth

concerning Christ. ” (Galatians 1:6–

7, NLT)

A version of the "Good News" which is not good

news at all; it is bondage, not freedom

because to embrace the Law at any point is to embrace all of it, and

therefore the curse that the Law brings. It also

brings discredit to Jesus and the authenticity of what he came to do.

Different Way

“Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who

preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we

preached to you.” (Galatians 1:8,

NLT)

A Cursed Message

Is our “good news” His Good News?

Does our “good news” truly set

people free?

FREE FROM THE FEAR OF MAN

It’s not about the Rules: 40 Days to Freedom

The question -“What would people think?”

should govern our behavior.

The Rule:

VIDEO(Skip this slide – DO

NOT SHOW)

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the

approval of people, but of God. If

pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

Galatians 1:10, (NLT)

Orienting our lives around the

question, "What will others think?"

is living life oriented around the fear of man.

“I try to please everyone in every way. I don’t think

about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be

saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33,

GW)

Not a License to

Offend

There is a significant difference

between concern for someone’s salvation and concern for someone’s approval.

“The fear of man is a snare, but the

one who trusts in the LORD is protected.”

(Proverbs 29:25, HCSB)

The fear of man will rob you of:• Joy• Peace• Healing• Salvation• Freedom

DISCOVER THE FATHER’S LOVE

Freedom from the Fear of Man

“I am shocked that you are turning away

so soon from God, who called you to

himself through the loving mercy of

Christ.”

Galatians 1:6, (NLT)

“And because we are his children, God

has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting

us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:6–7, (NLT)

“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.

And since you are his child, God has

made you his heir.”

Galatians 4:6–7, (NLT)

You will never fill the vacuum of the Father’s acceptance with the

approval of man.

DETERMINE TO PLEASE GOD

Freedom from the Fear of Man

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the

approval of people, but of

God.”

Galatians 1:10, (NLT)

“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted

with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the

motives of our hearts.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4, (NLT)

There is no higher purpose than determining to live a life that

honors God.

DECIDE WHO YOU WILL SERVE

Freedom from the Fear of Man

“If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be

Christ’s servant.”

Galatians 1:10, (NLT)

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the

other; you will be devoted to one and

despise the other. You cannot serve both God

and money.”

Matthew 6:24, (NLT)

Live a life that pleases God and you will earn the respect of those that matter most.

Live to please man and you’ll please neither man nor God.