Freedom in Knowing God

River Church Sermons

Let Freedom Ring

Part 5: Freedom in Knowing God

By Louie Marsh 6-30-2024

Last slide – do something!

1) I can only KNOW God in Christ.

“8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” (Galatians 4:8, BSB)

2) Knowing God is knowing I’m part of His KINGDOM.

“9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God…(Galatians 4:9a, BSB)

“17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth 19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17–19, BSB)

Power = exosuia – power, right, authority.

3) Sin and legalism = SLAVERY.

…how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” (Galatians 4:9b, BSB)

· Legalism looks deep – but it really just EMPTY.

“Any existence deprived of freedom is a kind of death.” - Michel Aoun

“to other than the creator, we do not kneel.” - Michel Aoun

Michel Aoun, Former Lebanese president from 31 October 2016 until 30 October 2022

"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." -- Pope John Paul II

4) I have the freedom to serve God SACRIFICIALLY.

“12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. 15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:12–16, BSB)

· If I’m not sacrificing, am I SERVING at all?

5) So I’ll be able to know & live God’s PURPOSE.

“17Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you. 19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.” (Galatians 4:17–20, BSB)