Richvale Community Church
Sunday, August 24 2025
- Good morning! When our kids were growing up, they were involved in all kinds of sports and activities dance and gymnastics.if you’ve ever been a sports parent, you know one thing—parents take it seriously!When we lived in Northern Maine, it was ice hockey.The hockey moms had these loud cowbells they would ring during the games.But no matter the sport , I’ve always felt for the referee.They can never seem to get it right ..Whatever call they make, they’re always going to disappoint half the crowd..Bill Klem, a legendary Major League Baseball umpire known for his colorful personality and long career..He once said that if a referee is doing his job, he’s probably being shouted at from both sides.Psychologists tell us that inside each of us, there’s an “internal referee.”It’s called the ego. The ego is described as a persons sense of self esteem and self importance. —- the ego mediates between the conscious and unconscious mind…It’s the part of us that negotiates between:Our desires and impulses (the id),Our sense of right and wrong (the superego), andour sense of Reality—So..The ego helps us make decisions, control impulses, and maintain balance. It also plays a big role in how we see ourselves—our identity.While the ego helps us navigate life and shapes how we see ourselves, it is limited.At best, it balances what we want, what we think is right, and what we think is realistic.But it can never fully satisfy us or define our true worth.We’re in our series, “Who Am I?”, and today we’re looking at what it means to live in true freedomPaul tackles this very issue in his letter to the Galatians.Our text today comes from Galatians chapter 4 and chapter 5, where Paul unpacks what it really means to live free in Christ.He’s writing to a church that was caught up in legalism—the belief that acceptance with God could be earned through strict rule-keeping and outward performance.But here’s the problem with legalism: it convinces us that we can manufacture our own righteousness.It whispers, “If I just check enough boxes, if I work hard enough, if I look the part—then God will be pleased with me.”But legalism never leads to freedom—it only leads to pride. Instead of leaning on Christ, we end up leaning on ourselves. Instead of boasting in the cross, we start boasting in our own performance.Charles Ryrie defines legalism as‘a fleshly attitude which conforms to a code for the purpose of exalting self.” Charles Caldwell RyriePaul cuts straight through the chaff.He reminds the Galatians—and us—that our identity is not built on law-keeping or moral codes. It’s not grounded in our achievements, our or good works… Our identity is rooted in Christ alone.Paul points us away from self-to Spirit-dependence.The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers us, who reshapes our desires, and who leads us into real freedom.So the question is.How do we live in freedom?How do we make this shift—from self to Christ..First we have to find1. Our Identity as Children of PromiseElisabeth Elliot, the wife of missionary Jim Elliot—who was martyred for his faith while trying to reach the Auca tribe in Ecuador—she said:“Identity is not an issue of ‘Who am I?’ but ‘Whose I am”This is exactly what the Apostle Paul emphasizes in the book of Galatians.Legalism had crept into the church through a group known as the Judaizers.These teachers insisted that in order to be truly right with God, believers had to follow the Law—including the ceremonial requirement of circumcision.Circumcision, the sign of the Abrahamic covenant, had long been an identity marker in ancient Judaism,but now in the NT our sign of being in Christ.. was no longer external seal of the cutting of flesh,. but an internal seal of the Holy Spirit ..in the NT that is the proof of Covenant.... not a scalpel but the person of the H.S. Who Sets us a part!As the early church grew and more gentiles joined the churchThe issue of circumscision became a major point of contentionIn response, Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians to confront the danger of legalism and to point back to the truth:that our identity is not earned by works, but found in Christ and received by Faith through grace.Paul begins right where the people are at …and takes them on a history lesson.Paul goes back to Abraham. He uses the story of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the sharp contrast between law and grace.He reminds the church that Abraham had two sons—each one representing a very different way of relating to God:one through human effort, the other through God’s promise.Let’s read our text together…
Galatians 4:22–24 ESV 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.Paul begins with a familiar story—Abraham’s two sons.He reminds them:Ishmael was born as the result of human effort. When Abraham and Sarah were unable to conceive, they decided to take matters into their own hands.Sarah suggested using her servant Hagar as a surrogate mother, and through her, Ishmael was born.Isaac, on the other hand, was born Through Sarah—the free woman’as a result of God’s promise.—Isaac came at the right time, according to God’s plan and grace.Paul’s points out..: that one son was born through human wisdom and the flesh, while the other was born through the promise of God.Paul explains that this is an allegory—Vrs 24Galatians 4:22–24 ESV 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants.An allegory..is.. a story in which people or actions are used to illustrate deeper spiritual truths.Allegories are often used as a literary device to take complex ideas and make them easier to understand.Paul explains—Hagar represents the Old Covenant, the Law, and slavery.She symbolizes Mount Sinai and the giving of the commandments.And..Sarah represents the New Covenant, freedom, and God’s promise.She symbolizes the true Jerusalem and true worship.What’s interesting is that freedom and law are both represented in the family line of Abraham—but with a key difference.Hagar represents legalism—life lived under the weight of trying to earn God’s favor.But Sarah, Abraham’s free wife, represents grace and freedom in ChristPauls point is that we — As believers are not bound by the Law or human effortWe are children of promise,Sarah is our spiritual mother. She points us to the life of grace, where our identity and hope are found.So how do we take this truth and make it real in our lives?… Paul goes on..Galatians 4:28–31 ESV 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.After giving the historical context, Paul gets practical exhortation ..He begins by addressing the whole church as “brothers.”We are all Like Isaac… the word brothers represents the entire church.Isaac was a child of promise.This takes us back to the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12, where God told Abraham he would be the father of many nations.The problem was that Sarah was barren… and she past child bearing age.. then God sent the angels as messengers to assure Abraham that Sarah would conceive a child..When Sarah hears God’s promise, she laughed—and that laughter became the name Isaac, which means “he laughs.”Paul highlights an incredible truth: we, too, are like Isaac.We are children of promise. We are the result of God’s miraculous work.Paul tell us In Romans 4:19 thatAbraham’s faith did not weaken, even though his body was as good as dead—and Sarah womb was barren…Paul reminds us that, like Isaac, we are part of that miracle. We are part of the church, partakers of God’s divine nature. Our lives are transformed by His grace, and we carry the evidence of His work within us.Laughter, in this context, is more than a moment of happiness. It speaks of a reversal of fortunes—Like David wrote in psalms 30 temple was building.. David was overwhelmed…he says..Sorrow may last for night but joy comes in the morning…That is Miracle of Isaac…Is that God has changed our fortunes..Psalm 30:11 ESV 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,Just as Isaac’s life was a sign of God’s miraculous promise, our lives—marked by grace, laughter, and joy—When it comes to freedom we have to navigate the waters of law and grace…Paul tell us that at the same time that Isaac was born so was Ishmael —and contention rose between the two wives and their two sons..Sarah and Hagar were not gettin on well together…Abraham— had trouble under his roof…Paul uses this contention to illustrate..The battle between law and grace…When it comes to the spiritual life we know the flesh wars against the Spirt..Grace and law cannot coexist in the same house……Paul says thatSarah the woman of Grace… says to Abraham cast our Hagar…This happened I’m Genesis 21 Abraham prepared a feast for Isaac’s weaning. As Sarah looked across the gathering, she saw Hagar laughing. Hagar’s laughter revealed the tension—she could see the potential threat that Isaac might lose his inheritance.Genesis 21:10 ESV 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.”to cast out means to expel, to force away, to get rid of—t his is how we handle legalism..We have cast it out..The Christian life is a life of both denial and affirmation. AsJesus said in Matthew 16:24: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”There is denial affirmation.. pit up is affirm our Faith..That is how we deal with the flesh—We deny the law and its demands, and we affirm that we are children of promise. .T/s How do we walk in freedom in the Holy Spirit?First we Find1. Our Identity as Children of Promise:2. Our identity in those Who are free.This past week…Our livestream wasn’t working, and it needed to be fixed. And so I tested every connection, rebooted the computer, installed and uninstalled software—nothing.No matter what I tried, it just wouldn’t work.Finally, I decided to stop, step back, and think.That’s then hit me—we had recently replaced our router in the Fellowship Hall. The new IP address had changed, and that was the issue. .. then two number a were conflicted..not communicatingas soon as I updated that number, everything worked perfectly.Freedom is a lot like that. You can struggle and struggle, trying everything you know, but still never find peace.You can reboot your life a hundred times, but it’s never going to truly work until you connect to the right source.Paul urges us to step back and remember the power of grace.He wants to remember that Real freedom doesn’t come from our own effort—it comes from being rightly connected to Christ.In Chapter 5 he says …Galatians 5:1 ESV 1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.Now there a lot in this verse..- the amplied bible saysAmplified Bible Chapter 5IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and
Firstly, the freedom Paul is referring to is what he just explained in chapter 4—our liberation from the Law.In Christ, freedom is complete it’s not probation.There are no strings attached.We didn’t get sent home with an ankle bracelet, and we’re not being tracked 24/7.Being free in Christ means the debt was paid in full. There is no outstanding balance.Paul reinforces this the book Romans:Romans 8:12–13 ESV So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.We are free!Now here’s the thing— In Christ, freedom is not just the absence of chains;it is His presence God living inside of us..Paul gives us three imperatives for living our lives from place of being in Christ.. he says.1. Stand – “Stand firm” To stand means to hold your ground, to stay the course.It’s like the captain of a ship steadying the vessel into the harbor.Stay the Course…Standing is an active posture of faith, refusing to be tossed by fear, doubt, or worldly pressures.We are to remain steadfast in the liberty Christ has purchased for us.The second imperative Paul gives is negative:“Don’t submit to the yoke of slavery.”The yoke symbolizes life under the law— there were 622 laws that were followed.Israel found themselves constantly striving to measure up to rules, rituals, or human expectations.At first, relying on the law might seem wise—a path to righteousness, a way to earn God’s favor—but once you’re yoked to it, you can feel trapped.In Christ, however, we are no longer enslaved to sin or self-effort. We are invited into freedom by grace.Jesus says in Matthew 11:29–30: “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.Paul then uses a third imperative— He says “Look…”…he wants to reason together..Galatians 5:2–4 ESV 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.The word look is an observation word—it means stop, pay attention, lean in.Paul says to the church look at who is speaking here.If there was ever an expert in the Law, it was Paul.This is the man who once went by the name Saul—the Pharisee, the zealot, the Hebrew of Hebrews. Circumcised on the eighth day.Meticulous in his observance of the Law.Zealous to the point of persecuting the church.If anyone could claim an advantage by keeping the Law, it was Paul.Paul says..: “Trust me when I tell you, there is no advantage in circumcision.”Paul means that..Trying to justify ourselves through rules and works is pointless—it’s spiritually cutting ourselves off from Christ.In fact by doing so you were rejecting the very grace that God had provided.Paul is absolutely perplexed y the Galatian church…In chapter 3 he calls them foolish Galatian — who has bewitched you — after beginning in the spirit you turned to the flesh…Why would you ever go back to the old system of bondage?”chapter 5 Paul says..You started out well.Galatians 5:7–10 ESV 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.The Galatians began their journey in grace, but they started to slip back into law.One of the things we need to watch for in our own lives is spiritual drifting.Legalism seems to be a natural default.When we look throughout church history, we see a familiar pattern. After 1,500 years, the church that was born in freedom had become institutionalized.By the 1500s, the Church in Rome had developed a system that taught salvation could be earned.People were told they could “merit” God’s favor through works—performing rituals, giving alms, going on pilgrimages, or even purchasing indulgences.Johann Tetzel became infamous for selling indulgences to raise money for St. Peter’s Cathedral, proclaiming, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs!”When Martin Luther made his pilgrimage to Rome, he saw firsthand the corruption in the priesthood and the abuses of this system. As he studied Scripture, he discovered a truth that shattered the chains of legalism:we are justified by faith, not by works. Salvation is a gift from God.That revelation ignited the fire of the Reformation and restored the gospel of grace.The key drifting is to be anchored..David Guzik says..Drifting naturally happens without an anchor to something solid. If we are not securely set in the superiority of Jesus, we will drift with the currents of the world, the flesh, and the devil.David GuzikT/s How do we walk in freedom in the Holy Spirit?First we have to1. Our Identity as Children of Promise:2. Our identity of those Who are free.3. Our Identity is lived Out in the Power of the Holy SpiritWe began this morning by talking about the ego—that inner referee in our minds, always keeping score, always trying to stay in control. The ego wants to manage appearances, direct our thoughts, and dictate our actions.In Paul’s language, this is what he calls the works of the flesh—To live a life where “I ” is at the center.But Paul makes it clear: if we want to live in true freedom, we must walk by the Spirit. The flesh must be surrendered, be tempered, and brought under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Only then can live in freedomGalatians 5:16–18 ESV 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.When the bible uses the word “walk” it always a metaphor for practical daily living.The Christian life is a journey, and we are to walk it—we are to make consistent forward progress.To walk in the Spirit means that we yield to His control, we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over us.Andrew Murray a South African evangelist , wrote extensively on prayer (in the early 1900’s), describes it the work of the H.s beautifully:“Deeper down, in the life itself, in the hidden laboratory of the inner life, whence issues the power that molds the will and fashions the character in our spirits, there the Holy Spirit takes up His abode, there He breathes and moves and impels…”Andrew MurrayTo be led by the Spirit is first to submit to the Spirit—to allow Him to shape our thoughts, our will, and our character in the hidden depths of our hearts, molding us into the likeness of Christ. The spirit shapes three things.Shapes Our DesiresNot all desires are wrong. God has given us the ability to long for good things. But when our desires become self-centered or self-destructive, they are driven by the flesh ..Paul gives us two lists in Galatians 5. One is the works of the flesh—things like envy, anger, and selfish ambition.The other is the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness.And he points out the tension: “The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit,They are at odds… how do reconcile this issue?What’s the answer?Paul says: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).The Spirit doesn’t just change what we do—He changes what we want. Our desires..That’s true freedom: when our longings shift from selfish cravings to God’s desires—compassion, patience, honesty, and love.Spirit shapes our desires andShapes Our DecisionsWalking in the Spirit slows us down to ask, “Lord, how can I honor you with my life.... It’s the difference between reacting in the flesh and responding in wisdom.Every decision—big or small—becomes an opportunity to reflect God’s character instead of pushing our own agenda.The spirit Shapes relationships…the way we relate to others. He helps us move past pride, fear, and selfishness.The Spirit enables us to love the unlovable, serve the overlooked, and speak truth with kindness.And here’s the beauty: freedom in Christ is never just personal.It overflows into every relationship we have, transforming the people around us as His life flows through us.CONCLUSIONWhen it comes to freedom..We have a choice:We can choose to live under grace or under the law…We can choose to live according to the flesh (the ego) or according to the Spirit.Tony Evans puts it beautifully:Living under grace is like living a “thank you” life” or a “want to” life—a life shaped by relationship.Living under the law is a “have to” life, driven by obligation and self-effort.Paul reminds us in Romans 8:12: “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”We are debtors—to grace, not to the flesh, but the spirit..Grace is the thread that runs through the entire Christian life: it is grace at the beginning, grace in the middle, and grace at the end.David Martyn Lloyd-Jones said it best:“By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.As we close today, I want think about identity and the labels we carry. … We often define ourselves—or allow others to define us—by our past mistakes, our achievements, our roles,or even the opinions of those around us.But Paul reminds us in Galatians that our true identity is found not in labels, but in Christ.We are children of promise—free, loved, and led by the Spirit.What labels do we need to lay down…T his morning let’s seek freedom.. let’s seek the Holy Spirit … choose life! Galatians 4:22–24AMP
Galatians 4:28–31AMP
Psalm 30:11AMP
Genesis 21:10AMP
Galatians 5:1AMP
Galatians 5:1AMP
Romans 8:12–13AMP
Galatians 5:2–4AMP
Galatians 5:7–10AMP
Galatians 5:16–18AMP
Richvale Community Church
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