Galatians 4 - Freedom, Not Fear

2. { Chapter 4: Freedom, Not Fear }{ Chapter 4: Freedom, Not Fear }

3. PAUL DEFENDS THE UNITY of the CHURCH
by:- Proclaiming FREEDOM from spiritual slavery, for ALL of us
- Emphasizing our ADOPTION, and position as HEIRS

4. 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

5. 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 might
receive 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

6. The Messiah set us free so that we could enjoy freedom,
so stand firm, and don’t get yourselves tied down
by the chains of slavery.
GALATIANS 5:1

7. PAUL DEFENDS THE UNITY of the CHURCH
by:- Proclaiming FREEDOM from spiritual slavery, for ALL of us
- Emphasizing our ADOPTION, and position as HEIRS

8. 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?

9. fear(et.al.)

10. 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)

11. - 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

12. FEAR & THE HUMAN BRAIN

13. - 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

14. - 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

15. - 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

16. - 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

17. - “Do not be afraid!” (54x in OT, 24x in NT)
WHAT GOD TELLS US ABOUT FEAR

18. - “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

19. - “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

20. “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...