Preacher: Zak Graves

Big Idea: Do NOT live like a slave. STAND FIRM in freedom.

What are we free from?

1. The Power of Sin

- You don’t have to sin

2. The Law & God’s Wrath

- You don’t have to earn

- You don’t have to fear

Circumcision Represents: Anything that you think is essential to your salvation or  status with God (Aside from Christ).

Legalism: The enemy of freedom

- Being trapped in legalism produces the same results as being trapped in sin

Faith, not works, is what assures your salvation.

- It’s not about how much faith you can muster, it’s about surrendering to Jesus.

Philippians 3:8-9 -- "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—"

Ephesians 2:8-9 -- "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Faith, not works, is what assures your salvation.

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

- Freedom is trusting God for what He said He will do, the way He said He will do it.

Where can you find spiritual freedom?

1. Freedom is found through promise, not human effort (vv.22-23)  

2. Freedom is found through God’s righteousness, not self-righteousness (vv.24-27)

3. Freedom is found by the Spirit, not the flesh (vv.28-31)

Preacher: Seth Kleeberger

Big Idea: The real hope that sustains me in the wilderness, tells me that God is there doing some of his most powerful work. 

1. I can embrace the wilderness because... My deepest longing is revealed

2. I can embrace the wilderness because... My greatest purpose is remembered 

3. I can embrace the wilderness because... My wavering confidence is restored 

Living What We Learn:

a. Is there real hope in my wilderness?

b. How has the wilderness strengthened my hope?

c. Who can I come along side in their wilderness season?

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea: The heart of the pastor and the heart of the people should be bent towards one goal: Christ formed in you.

1. Move from the slavery of idolatry back to freedom of intimacy with God (vv.8-12a) 

2. Move from the preference of ear tickling back to the truth (vv.12b-17)

3. Move from the focus on self-formation back to Christ-formation (vv.18-20)

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

How does God’s adoption of us change our identity? 

1. Who I am in Christ (3:25-29)

- You are a son of God-- (redefines your vertical relationship)

4 implications of putting on Christ:

a. Classification

b. Closeness

c. Character

d. Covering

- You are one in Jesus-- (redefines your horizontal relationships)

3 barriers are broken down: 

a. Cultural barriers

b. Class barriers

c. Gender barriers

d. You belong to a new family line-- (redefines your history)

2. Who I was (4:1-3)

- You were a slave 

3. What has happened to me? (4:4-7) 

a. Your adoption came at the right time

b. Your adoption came through the right person

c. Truly God 

d. Truly man 

e. Truly righteous 

f. Your adoption provides you a new identity

g. Your adoption provides you a new intimacy

e. Your adoption provides you a new inheritance

Are you living in the bondage of slavery or the freedom of sonship?

Preacher: Chris Ritter

Big Idea: Understanding the Law requires that you believe 4 crucial truths

Truth #1: The Law never changed how someone is justified before God.

Matthew 1:1 -- “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” 

John 8:39, 40, 44a 

Truth #2: The Law exposes, increases and explains sin.

- The Law is not a ladder for you to climb up to God but a mirror for you to see your sin as ugly as it is 

- The Law exposes sin but did not create it 

- The Law increases sin but does not cause it 

- The Law explains sin but cannot cover it 

Truth #3: The Law imprisons sinners in sin.

Truth #4: The Law magnifies the beauty of justification by faith.

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

1. The blessing of the Gospel (vv.6-9)

- John 8:39

- John 8:56

2. Option #1: The road to cursing (vv.10-12)

- Matt 5:48

- James 2:10

3. Option #2: The road to blessing

- 2 Cor 5:21 

Preacher: Ryan Jorgenson

Be known for…

1. …following Jesus even if trials continue

2. …giving Jesus the credit

3. …charitable good works

4. …showing hospitality

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Big Idea:  Faith in the Gospel isn’t just the entry point but the plan for the whole of the Christian life.

1. Keep your eyes on the Cross (v.1)

2. Keep your trust in the Gospel (vv.2-5)

Preacher: Scott Hollingshead

Justification by faith results in...      

1. A changed standing (vv.15-16)

2. A changed self (vv.17-21)