Sermon Guide: Galatians 5:7-15 "Scandalous Freedom"

Key Passage(s)

Galatians 5:7–15 ESV

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 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. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Sermon Overview

True Christian freedom is not autonomy to indulge the flesh but liberation from sin to walk in love, as a new creation in Christ. Paul urges believers to purge all hindrances to that freedom—by obeying the truth of the gospel, searching diligently for sin, and embracing the offense of the cross. Our calling mirrors the Exodus: freed not by works, but by grace, we now submit our desires to God and fulfill the law through loving others. This scandalous freedom leads us to joyfully serve, because Christ served us first.

Sermon Structure

#1 Purge All Hindrances to Your Freedom

• By obeying the truth

• By making diligent search

• By becoming offendable

#2 Embrace Your Exodus Calling

• By submitting your desires

• By fulfilling the law

Questions for Discussion & Reflection

1. Galatians 5:7 suggests that we should “obeying the truth.” In the sermon we discussed what it looks like to obey the truth of the gospel. Can you think of examples in the world of false truths that also demand our obedience? In other words: what does it look like to obey a wrong (false) truth?

   
   

2. Paul uses the image of leaven in Galatians 5:9. How does the Feast of Unleavened Bread help us understand Paul’s warning? What practices can we put in place to make diligent search of our lives for the leaven of sin, and what do we do with it once we find it?

   
   

3. Galatians 5:11 talks about the “offense of the cross.” Why is the gospel offensive, and how have you personally experienced or resisted that offense?

   
   

4. In Galatians 5:13–14, how does Paul describe the purpose of our freedom? How does truly loving your neighbor require the Spirit’s power, and not just human effort?

Prayer Prompt: Ask God for humility to receive the offense of the gospel and let it transform your desires.

Prayer Prompt: Ask God to reveal hidden "leaven" in your life and give you grace to walk in truth and love.