Improve your own sermons by reviewing some of the best from the Preaching Today collection. The information below provides a brief synopsis of what you can expect from the downloadable transcript.
Download the transcript as a Word file to receive access to the full outline and complete sermon.
Stepping into Freedom
by Steve May
Text: Galatians 4:1-31
Topic: How to step into the freedom that God has promised
Big Idea: If we are to live in victory, we must break free once and for all from the chains of slavery to the law, and embrace the freedom in Christ that God has promised to all of us through faith.
Keywords: Faith; Faith & Works; Law and grace; Freedom
Introduction:
- Illustration: After referencing another preacher’s title for a sermon on this passage (“Who’s Yo Mama?”), May gives an extensive summary of Abraham’s life in the birth of Ishmael and Isaac, setting up the dichotomy between a child born according to natural law and a child born according to God’s promise.
- Galatians 4:23-24
- If you are trying to fulfill the requirements of the law and earn God’s favor through your own best efforts, then you are following the tradition of the slave-woman; but, if instead, you are putting your faith in God and not on the basis of your own good works, then you are following the tradition of the free woman.
- Paul is encouraging us to be children of the promise, not children of the law.
- He’s encouraging us to base our life—and our relationship to God—on faith in Jesus Christ, not on our limited ability to keep the requirements of the law.
- Galatians 4:31
- Big Idea: If we are to live in victory, we must break free once and for all from the chains of slavery to the law, and embrace the freedom in Christ that God has promised to all of us through faith.
Accept the Father’s affection.
- Galatians 4:4-6
- We can have a personal intimate relationship with God, and we can approach him as we would approach an affectionate, loving father.
- Illustration: May tells a childhood story of being intimidated by big uncle Ernie, but noticing how Ernie’s son approached him as a loving father.
- Galatians 4:7
Lose your religion.
- Galatians 4:9-11
- You’ve got to be on guard against legalism; you’ve got to be on guard against the trappings of external religion.
- Illustration: May confesses his own struggles with external religion, as evidenced by his struggle to accept the idea of Saturday evening church, or Sunday evening church, or worship services any time other than Sunday morning.
- If your relationship with God is based exclusively on this building, this musical equipment, this song list, and the name that is on our sign outside, then you’re flirting with legalism and you’re courting slavery
Return to your first love.
- Revelation 2:4-5
- Galatians 4:14-15
- I’ve discovered that when I’m living in living in victory through faith and walking in God’s grace, I lose any interest I might have had in keeping a score card on other Christians.
- Move back to the way your relationship with God was in the early days.
- Remember that Christianity is, first and foremost, about loving Jesus.
- Illustration: To illustrate how we need to return to a simpler, more joyful faith, May tells the hypothetical story of a husband and wife who no longer sit together when the husband is driving—the point is that God hasn’t moved, so return to where he is.
Conclusion:
- God doesn’t want us to live as slaves, in fear; he wants us to live as sons, in faith.
- When you put your faith in him and allow yourself to bask in his love, you will experience freedom beyond that which words can express.
For additional information on how to order downloadable sermon transcripts, click here.
100% GUARANTEE - If you are not completely satisfied with the downloadable transcript you purchase, please e-mail us and we'll provide your next one completely free!
|
