Above All
Serve One Another
Why God has called us to Liberty and to be free.
Galatians 5:13-15
13 You…were called to be free.
But
do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather,
serve one another in love.
There are 3 places we can be at in life.
Dependence…
like a child needs to be provided for; nourishment,
shelter & protection. Dependence says “me first”
“I need.”
Independence…
I know my uniqueness and I don’t need anyone.
Interdependence…
When we become interdependent, we become mature.
We know how God has uniquely made us and gifted us
so we can use what we have to serve others,
knowing that we are a part of the whole.
Freedom is achieved as we become mature and serve for
the common good.
Exhibited in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom
in Washington, DC
is a badly faded document that measures 29-3/4 inches
by 24-1/2 inches.
It is dated 4th July, 1776.
The "Original
Declaration of Independence.”
This document was signed by both the young and old.
The youngest
signer was Edward Rutledge (age 26).
Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest.
In all, there were 56 signers who risked their lives
for the freedom
and independence we have as Americans.
If you have ever seen Arlington Cemetery with the rows
of white grave markers, you know the indescribable
feeling.
The thought that each white marker represents a life
that defended our liberty and freedom.
Many of them paid the ultimate price
by laying down their lives to serve others.
Paul called Epaphroditus and Archippus fellow soldiers.
(Philippians 2:25-26
& Philemon 2)
Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3 to:
Endure hardship with us like a good
soldier of Christ Jesus.
In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are told to
be strong in
the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God.
The first piece of armor the soldier of God is to put
on is Truth.
In order for us to keep the freedom our forefathers
fought for,
we must always stand in defense of truth.
Jesus said in John 8 NIV,
“the truth will set you free."
But before He said that He said,
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free."
Why God has called us to be free?
Galatians 5:13-15
13 You…were
called to be free.
But do not
use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather, serve
one another in love.
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=aed484baff9d12f29bd2
Scripture Reading
1
Peter 4:7-8 NIV
7 The end of all things is near.
Therefore
be clear minded
and
self-controlled so that you can pray.
8
Above all, love each other deeply,
because
love covers over a multitude of sins.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV
10 Finally, be strong
in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take
your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood,
but against the
rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of
this dark world
and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on
the full armor of God,
so that when the day
of evil comes,
you may be able to
stand your ground,
and after you have
done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then,
with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate
of righteousness in place,
15 and with your feet
fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16 In addition to all
this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the
Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be
alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Galatians 5:13-15 NIV
13 You…were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:1 NIV
5:1 It is for freedom
that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then,
and do not let
yourselves be burdened again
by a yoke of slavery.
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