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Paul exhorts us to stand in the liberty provided by Christ. I. The Foundation of Paul's Exhortation A. "Therefore" 1. Not children of the bondwoman, but of the free (4:28, 31) 2. You are called to adoption as sons, not slaves (4:5-7) 3. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law (3:13-14) 4. We are justified by faith alone (2:16) B. Summary 1. All of Christ [solo Christus] (2:20) 2. All of grace [sola gratia] (1:3-4, 6; 2:21; 6:14) 3. All by means of faith [sola fide] (3:1-6) II. Paul's Exhortation A. Stand fast! 1. Dig in your feet! 2. Rejoice in the freedom you have in Christ B. Do not be entangled! 1. Entangled—all tied up 2. The yoke of bondage to works 3. Men try to bind you: 1:6-7; 4:16-17; 5:7-12; 6:13 III. The Implications A. Freedom from the doctrines and commandments of men B. Freedom from manmade worship Application A. Do not be fooled by or submit to heretics B. Be free in Christ! 1. He is the one who was bound in order to set us free 2. In Him we can find relief from all which would entangle us

Theme: Solomon warns against being out of control. I. Reality A. Not controlling one's spirit B. Not controlling one's body II. Warning A. Subject to destruction 1. Like a city broken down 2. Without walls B. Apt metaphor in terms of society Application A. Beware the artificial fruit 1. Resisting evil but not choosing the good 2. Temperance is achieved only be dependance upon Christ B. Be aware of the need for this spiritual fruit 1. Necessity for putting to death the deeds of the flesh 2. Necessity for self-examination 3. Paul himself recognized the danger 4. Notice other warnings: Judas; Matthew 7:22-23 C. Take comfort that we have the Lord with us and beside us 1. Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 28:19=20 2. He promised His disciples that He would give them the best gift, viz., His Holy Spirit

Theme: Paul exhorts the believers to win the prize. I. Expectation A. An incorruptible prize B. "not as uncertainly" II. Exhortation A. "run in such a way in order that you may win" B. Strives for mastery and thus exercise self-control III. Exertion A. "Therefore I am running in such a way, as not without aim" 1. The Christian life requires great endurance 2. Paul was running with the goal in view B. "I am boxing in such a way as not beating the air" 1. Don't waste your energy by missing your opponent 2. Similarly, the Christian must fight C. "but I am buffeting my body and I make it my slave" 1. The boxing metaphor is here continued 2. Pummel all fleshly desires and carnality Application A. Are you giving your all for the sake of Christ? B. Do not confuse this striving to enter the kingdom with works salvation

Theme: King Lemuel counsels regarding inappropriate and appropriate uses of alcoholic beverages. I. Inappropriate Use of Alcoholic Beverages A. The beverages—wine [yayin] and beer [strong drink][shekar] B. Drunkenness (Genesis 9:20-23; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35) C. Particularly, there are two reasons for the warning 1. Forgetting the law 2. Perverting the judgment of the afflicted II. Appropriate Use of Alcoholic Beverages A. The beverages B. The ones to be provided for C. Why this counsel? 1. To help him to forget his poverty and misery 2. For comfort: Deut. 14:26; Psalm 104:15; Genesis 43:34 Application A. Give sober judgment at all times B. Remember Jesus and His relationship to wine on the cross 1. After His sufferings, He did accept the wine a. Like warrior cheered by wine (Psalm 78:65) b. He needed strength to be able to shout, "It is finished!" 2. However, prior to that, He refused the drink a. Matthew 27:34 (Mark 15:23) b. He needed to be fully alert to be punished for our sins c. He also needed to be fully alert in His kingly role (1) His suffering was not merely passive (2) He also actively suffered, by being sovereign over those sufferings

Theme: King Lemuel counsels regarding inappropriate and appropriate uses of alcoholic beverages. I. Inappropriate Use of Alcoholic Beverages A. The beverages 1. Wine [yayin]—clearly, an alcoholic drink 2. Beer [strong drink][shekar] B. Warning regarding their use 1. Drinking alcohol is not a sin 2. The warning is with regard to drunkenness C. Particularly, there are two reasons for the warning 1. Forgetting the law 2. Perverting the judgment of the afflicted Application A. Beware: Abuse of alcohol terribly afflicts our society B. Beware of the danger of alcohol 1. Drunkenness is a serious sin: Genesis 19:32-35 2. Giving over to wine is idolatry: Hosea 4:10-11; Psalm 4:7 3. Drunks don't go to heaven: Is. 5:11, 22; I Cor. 6:9f; Gal. 5:21 4. Don't drink if you can't handle it, or if you think it's a sin against God C. Do not let addiction keep you away from God's grace 1. Don't think that God couldn't possibly forgive you 2. Don't feel ashamed to come to church D. Repent of any idolatry in your life, including addictions 1. The message of the gospel is to repent—turn from your sin 2. And place your faith in Jesus, a willing and able Savior

(1) The Lord is the only true God. (2) The Lord is sovereign over every event in the universe. The question of "Why?" America's national sins (3) The Lord warns those who reject His sovereign rule. (4) The Lord sovereignly provides hope. Application 1. Note: God often uses very wicked people to punish others 2. Avoid hypocrisy 3. Repentance trumps patriotism

Theme: Paul exhorts the believers to win the prize. I. Expectation A. An incorruptible prize 1. The athletes competed for a perishable crown—a wreath of leaves 2. But, Christians are after a crown of glory B. "not as uncertainly" II. Exhortation A. "run in such a way in order that you may win" 1. It's not enough merely to enter the race 2. Rather, you must put forth the effort necessary for victory 3. Hebrews 10:39 4. Strive to enter in the gate that leads to life 5. David and his men were warriors B. "and everyone . . . exercises self-control in all things" 1. We're in a struggle 2. The exercise of self-control a. The athletes have special training rules b. Don't let anything hinder your going for the prize (1) Paul was not calling for some sort of asceticism (2) Rather, moderation or temperance (3) The proper attitude is the opposite of hedonism (4) Self-control in terms of organization/management (a) Chaos is not a good sign (b) God is a God of order Application A. Are you running the Christian race as if you want to win? 1. Not to win the glory for yourself 2. But to win the incorruptible crown B. When you struggle with temperance, cry out to Jesus for help 1. He is the one who died for you 2. He went through great agony in resisting temptation

Theme: Paul exhorts the believers to win the prize. I. Expectation A. An incorruptible prize 1. The athletes competed for a perishable crown 2. But, Christians are after a crown of glory B. "not as uncertainly" 1. We can be certain of the rules 2. We can be certain of the obtaining Overview A. If Olympic (or Isthmian) athletes took so much pain to be the best and win a prize of fading glory, why should we not strive for mastery in the race of life? B. How foolish indeed for us not to compete with all we have! C. This expectation cannot be achieved apart from perseverance and self-control Application A. Run the race with a view to the prize 1. It is an incorruptible crown 2. It is therefore an eternal crown 3. Do not get distracted from the finish line B. Run the race by looking to Jesus 1. He is the author and finisher of our faith 2. He gives us the power and ability to run the race of life 3. He does so because He ran the race to which He was called a. He did not shrink back from the necessary exertion b. He never lost sight of the goal and the victory (1) John 17 (2) Hebrews 12:2

Jesus instructs us in balancing wisdom and tenderness. I. Reality of Conflict A. Sheep—smelly; dumb; vulnerable; innocent B. Wolves—ferocious/vicious; hungry; threat to the sheep II. Serpents A. Snakes—often venomous; crafty and cunning B. Why this figure? 1. Because of the danger: "therefore" 2. Because of the wisdom that is necessary C. Children of this world are wiser than the children of light D. In practical terms 1. Be aware of the people with whom you are dealing 2. Be aware of the situation 3. Figure out how to navigate a matter 4. Be willing to take a hard stance if necessary III. Doves A. Gentle; soft; quiet; symbol of peace B. Qualities—gentleness; humility; meekness; respectful Observations A. Jesus' words come in a gospel context B. Craftiness coupled with meekness is to promote the gospel C. It also is to portray the gospel Application A. Don't be fooled by false ideas of love, grace, and kindness B. Rely upon Christ alone by faith alone to be humble and gentle

Theme: The Lord's Servant gently establishes justice. I. The Lord's Servant A. The Servant—"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold!" B. The Chosen One 1. "My chosen one"—i.e., "elect" 2. "in whom My soul delights" C. The Spiritual One—"I have put My Spirit upon Him" II. His Establishing Justice A. The Justice 1. The righteousness of God/Christ 2. Referring to the gospel, as founded on justice a. God's justice was satisfied at the cross b. Jesus had fulfilled all righteousness for us 3. Pronouncement of "not guilty" (or the opposite) C. Its Extent—universal: "in the earth"; "to the nations" D. Its Certainty of Establishment—He will bring it forth III. His Meekness/Humility/Quiet Strength A. Silence (v. 2) B. Kindness (v. 3a, b)—a bruised reed and smoking flax Summary and Application A. Jesus will certainly establish justice in the earth B. He will do it in a humble, gentle manner 1. Violence and oppression are not the means He will use 2. And the truth that conquers is that of the gospel 3. We His servants must have this same spirit

You must be born again. 1. Do Not Marvel That You Must Be Born Again. a. Since you are spiritually dead in sin. b. Since the Old Testament teaches it. c. Since nature illustrates it. d. Since you want to live, and not die. 2. But Do Marvel, If You Are Born Again. a. God has done it miraculously by Himself. b. You could not do it by or for yourself. c. The evidence is apparent. 3. Do Wonder Whether You Are Born Again, and Marvel If You Are Still Not. a. Go today as Nicodemus did then: still considering Jesus by the Word b. Go today as Nicodemus did then: decidedly taking Jesus to himself

Theme: Jesus calls us to faithfulness. I. The Call to Faithfulness A. Context of Jesus' word to the church of Ephesus B. Idea of loyalty—idea of first place C. Notion of endurance II. The Cost of Faithfulness A. Hard labor B. Hard circumstances C. Sacrifice D. Suffering E. Death III. The Crown of Faithfulness A. Notion of a crown B. All those who love His appearing Observations A. God Himself is totally faithful B. Jesus is the one who demonstrated faithfulness for us Application A. Make sure that your priorities are straight B. Make sure that the foundation is sure

Theme: Paul informs Christians that they must exhibit faithfulness. I. The Weed: Unfaithfulness A. Slothfulness—being a sluggard B. Irresponsibility C. Disobedience II. The Artificial Fruit: Mere Outward Conformity III. The Genuine Fruit A. Its nature: genuineness, honesty, steadfastness B. Its necessity—faith and faithfulness go together C. Its motivation 1. Our attitude toward God 2. Our witness 3. Our sense of Christ's coming: Matt. 24:45ff; 25:14ff Application A. Follow God's example 1. God is a rock 2. His steadfastness is the antithesis of all that's fickle 3. The great passage on God's faithfulness is Psalm 89 B. Follow Christ's example 1. He is the Faithful One (Revelation 19:11) 2. He the faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17) 3. He is the faithful Apostle (Hebrews 3:1-2) 4. He is the faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5; 3:14) C. Do your duty—through faith in Jesus

Theme: We proclaim liberty because of the Jubilee. I. Political Liberty—political and economic liberty go together II. Economic Liberty A. Consider the Jubilee 1. Rest for the land: 25:11-12, 21 2. Return of hereditary land/property to the original families 3. Freedom of Israelites who sold themselves into slavery B. The Jubilee is not socialism; it is free enterprise capitalism III. Religious Liberty A. Inhabiting the land so they could worship God B. Observations 1. "No bishop, no king" 2. "The World Turn'd Upside Down" IV. Spiritual Liberty A. Relevance—this passage points to spiritual realities B. Relevance to you 1. Think of your needs and how Christ can set you free 2. This spiritual liberty is the best liberty of all 3. This liberty comes via Christ and His atonement 4. This liberty is received by faith alone Summary and Conclusion A. At least four kinds of liberty 1. Political, economic, religious, and spiritual 2. Each one serving as a foundation for the one before B. It is the proclamation of liberty that is to be heard C. I announce to you today that you can be free!

Theme: We proclaim liberty because of the Jubilee. I. Political Liberty II. Economic Liberty A. Consider the Jubilee 1. Rest for the land: 25:11-12, 21 2. Return of hereditary land and property to families 3. Freedom of Israelites who sold themselves into slavery B. Not socialism; rather, free enterprise capitalism III. Religious Liberty A. Relevance 1. Emphasis on the Exodus—so the people could worship 2. Political and religious liberty go together 3. Political liberty depends upon religious liberty B. Observations 1. Presbyterians supported the American because the threat of the imposition of episcopacy/bishops 2. Threats to our religious liberty today, including the attempt by the State to interfere in the government of the Church 3. The Family is also under assault in this regard 4. Individuals are also suffering harm 5. Properly speaking, religious liberty is for the true religion Application A. Be wary of false teaching B. Give thanks for the religious liberty we do enjoy C. Pray for those believers who suffer under tyranny D. Remember: truth spreads via persuasion, not physical force