{ Chapter 4: Freedom, Not Fear }

PAUL DEFENDS THE UNITY of the CHURCH by: - Proclaiming FREEDOM from spiritual slavery, for ALL of us

- Emphasizing our ADOPTION, and position as HEIRS

Let me put it like this. As long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave—even if, in fact, he is master of everything! He is kept under guardians,and stewards until the time set by his father.Well, it’s like that with us. When we were children,

we were kept in ‘slavery’ under the ‘elements of the world’.

GALATIANS 4:1-3

But when the time of fulfillment arrived, God sent out His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that He might redeem those under the law, so that we mightreceive adoption as sons. And, because you are sons,

God sent out the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, calling out ‘Abba, father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son! And, if you’re a son, you are an heir, through God.

GALATIANS 4:4-7

The Messiah set us free so that we could enjoy freedom,so stand firm, and don’t get yourselves tied downby the chains of slavery.

GALATIANS 5:1

PAUL DEFENDS THE UNITY of the CHURCH by: - Proclaiming FREEDOM from spiritual slavery, for ALL of us

- Emphasizing our ADOPTION, and position as HEIRS

PAUL DEFENDS THE UNITY of the CHURCH by: - Proclaiming FREEDOM from spiritual slavery, for ALL of us

- Emphasizing our ADOPTION, and position as HEIRS A QUESTION I‘VE PONDERED THIS WEEK...- What made the Galatians so susceptible to embracing this type of ‘slavery,’ especially after tasting freedom?

fear

(et.al.)

WHY SLAVERY CAN FEEL EASIER THAN FREEDOM- Don’t have to think for yourself (perceived safety of the rules)

- Responsible to think/question (perceived fear of risk)

- Don’t have to think for yourself (perceived safety of the rules)

- Don’t have to exercise resistance (perceived safety of simply going with the flow)

- Responsible to think/question (perceived fear of risk)

- Responsible to act/resist (perceived fear of conflict, of failure, of getting it wrong)

WHY SLAVERY CAN FEEL EASIER THAN FREEDOM

FEAR & THE HUMAN BRAIN

- Fear triggers “fight or flight” response; shuts down logic/reason (based on any perceived threat: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, political, etc.)

FEAR & THE HUMAN BRAIN

- Fear triggers “fight or flight” response; shuts down logic/reason (based on any perceived threat: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, political, etc.)

- Fearful, negative thoughts are like VELCRO on our brains (“stick”, almost immediately; have to be actively removed)

FEAR & THE HUMAN BRAIN

- Fear triggers “fight or flight” response; shuts down logic/reason (based on any perceived threat: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, political, etc.)

- Fearful, negative thoughts are like VELCRO on our brains (“stick”, almost immediately; have to be actively removed)

- Pleasant, positive thoughts are like TEFLON on our brains (they “slide off”, UNLESS we focus for at least 15+ seconds…)

FEAR & THE HUMAN BRAIN

- Fear triggers “fight or flight” response; shuts down logic/reason (based on any perceived threat: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, political, etc.)

- Fearful, negative thoughts are like VELCRO on our brains (“stick”, almost immediately; have to be actively removed)

- Pleasant, positive thoughts are like TEFLON on our brains (they “slide off”, UNLESS we focus for at least 15+ seconds…)

- Fear can be ADDICTING, w/corresponding consequences for us, and those around us

FEAR & THE HUMAN BRAIN

- “Do not be afraid!” (54x in OT, 24x in NT)

WHAT GOD TELLS US ABOUT FEAR

- “Do not be afraid!” (54x in OT, 24x in NT)

- “You have not been given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and of a sound (self-disciplined) mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)

WHAT GOD TELLS US ABOUT FEAR

- “Do not be afraid!” (54x in OT, 24x in NT)

- “You have not been given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and of a sound (self-disciplined) mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)

- “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

WHAT GOD TELLS US ABOUT FEAR

“There are going to be people here today who need to know I have created them for more than just fearful obedience.”

Trust, and obey For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus Than to trust, and obey

A WORD FROM THE LORD TODAY...