Mar. 06, 2022

The Boundaries of Freedom

March 5 & 6, 2022

Primary Text:  Galatians 5:1                            

Previous Begin Again Teachings:

1)  In His Image

Exodus 20:13:  You shall not murder. 

Genesis 1:27:  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 

DQ 1) Is it ever morally justified to take the life of another human being? 

DQ 2) What does it mean that we are created in the “image of God”?

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2)  A Time For Everything 

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3, 8:  There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:  a time to kill and a time to heal… a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

DQ 3) When, if ever, is war justified?  If so, what are the conditions that make it just?

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This Week’s Teachings

1)  For Freedom

Galatians 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.

    DQ 1) Define freedom for individuals, societies, and nations.

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2)  Limits of Freedom

Galatians 5:13-14:  You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Ephesians 4:30-32:  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

DQ 2) What are the limits of freedom for individuals?

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3)  Limits Delineated

Exodus 20:3-17:  "You shall have no other gods before me.  You shall not make for yourself an idol….  You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God….  Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy….  Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.  You shall not murder.  You shall not commit adultery.  You shall not steal.  You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.  You shall not covet your neighbor's house.  You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

    DQ 3) The Ten Commandments could be summarized as respect for God, authority, relationships, __________, and truth.

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4)  The Limits of Governmental Freedom

Romans 13:1-6:  Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.  Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God's servant to do you good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 

    DQ 4) Why is governing authority necessary?

    DQ 5) When does any government abdicate its right to rule?

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