Intro: How many can remember Patrick Henry’s words? “Give me Liberty or Give me death.” There is much tied up in His words. Most often we think of liberty as something that allows us to choose to do the things we want. But we will find in the passage tonight liberty is also given to us so that we choose not to do certain things.
Jesus is called the perfect law of liberty in James 1.25. It speaks of someone who looks intently at the perfect law of liberty being a doer not just hearer that is
“blessed in what he does.”
Those that do the will of God will ultimately choose not to do some of the things the world chooses to do! Freedom to choose not to.
I. Use of Liberty for others
1 Corinthians 10.24,33 “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor … Just as I also please all men in all things I also please all men in all things not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”
(remember Jesus lesson on neighbor in Luke 10.25-37 everyone is our neighbor)
A) Concern for others
1) Salvation 1 Cor 10.33
2) Safety
In other words concerned about the spiritual as well as physical well being of the individual.
n remember Jesus said in John 14.27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
n He is talking about the complete well being of all people. We have the ability in Jesus to tell people how they can be completely well spiritually and physically.
3) Sacrificing for others. (Phil 2.3,4)
Paul is concerned enough about others to be willing to freely give up his rights for the edification, the building up of others.
Church when you can give up your rights for the sake of others that is true liberty!
True liberty is not found in choosing to do something but in restraining yourself, your desires, lusts etc. . .
Listen to this modern day illustration By Chuck Swindoll
“Picture yourself at a late-night gathering with another believer. You get some punch, and your friend says to you, “Hey . . . smells like there’s some thing more in here than just juice. I used to be an alcoholic this is a real struggle for me.” At that point, you should set your glass down and ask for a 7- Up. Why? Because and issue was made. And not offending others is more important than exercising your own liberty.”
B) Not Kow-towing
Encyclopedia Britannica in traditional China, the act of supplication made by an inferior to his superior by kneeling and knocking his head to the floor. This prostration ceremony was most commonly used in religious worship ...
1) Paul is not speaking of grabbing the favor of men so that they think good of us.
Galatians 1.10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
2) Paul’s plan is to look out for the best interests of others.
This shofar of truth needs to be blown loud and clear in America and in churches today. It must begin with the Pastor, go to the Deacon(s), be given to the Layperson, passed to the Pew warmer. We as a church of the Living God need so badly to consider others better than ourselves.
II. Use of Liberty for Us
A) Enjoying God’s Creation
Chuck Swindoll “We ought to be having a ball!”
Let me quote Chuck again, “In many people’s minds, God is the grumpy ogre in the sky who sits near the edge of heaven with a big ugly club and whomps you every time you start having any fun.”
How far from the truth is that type of thinking?
That type of thinking is about as far as west is from east being a true statement.
Listen to the Bible speak
1 Timothy 6.17 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
God tells us the limits He has set and then gives us the liberty to either obey and live or disobey and die.
B) Enjoying God’s Blessings
1) Our senses
We were created to enjoy the creation
§ Seeing the beauty of all God has made.
§ Hearing the beautiful sounds that give praise and glory to God.
§ Feeling the many textures, and temperatures of various shapes, and sized objects.
§ Smelling the many different pleasing and displeasing odors of God’s awesome creation.
§ Tasting the many different blends of spices, sugars, minerals, and on and on.
III. Use of Liberty for God’s Glory
Charles Ryrie, a famous teacher from Dallas Seminary said, "God’s glory is His reputation. To live for God’s glory means to live so that God’s reputation is enhanced (heightened in quantity and quality) and not diminished in any way."
God’s Glory can be understood in two ways.
A) Intrinsic Glory
n Of or relating to the essential nature of a thing; inherent.
n From an old French word intrinseque that means inner or inward
o God’s inner Glory that is apart of Him we cannot add to or take away.
B) Ascribed Glory (to assign a quality to)
1) Unredeemed cannot give honor to God nor do they seek to.
Example: Pharaoh
Ex 14.17 “I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horseman.”
They can, however painful, be used by God for His Glory.
God told Pharaoh as much. Listen to the Living Lord’s words to Pharaoh,
Ex 9.16 “Indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power, and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth”
It was in the terrible defeat of Pharaoh that the promises and blessings came to God’s people.
2) Redeemed mans chief purpose is to give Glory to God.
What does Glory mean?
Glory: literally means something that is worthy of praise and exaltation; brilliance, beauty, renown.
Psalm 29.1-2 “Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.”
a) We cannot add to God’s Glory, any more than we can to His strength.
b) We can recognize and praise the glory he already has.
Remember Glory means something worthy of praise and exaltation
Exaltation: To raise in rank, character, or status
It means that we raise God to a higher status of importance in our lives.
Making God first priority
To glorify, praise, or honor.
Honoring Him with our life every day, with our death if we must.
Conclusion: What is true liberty. Let me define it for you as I understand it from the Bible, God’s Holy Word
True Liberty is not doing whatever you choose to do. It is in fact choosing to not do what the world is doing. It is choosing to do what is best for others, best for you and best for God.
It is choosing to do whatever will bring honor to God’s name building His reputation in your life so that others will ultimately Glorify God by accepting His son’s sacrifice.
So we see Paul’s central message, the central message of this book and this Bible is summarized in 1 Corinthians 10.31 “Whether then you eat or drink do all to the glory of God.”
J.S. Bach said, "All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub."
He headed his compositions: "J.J." "Jesus Juva" which means "Jesus help me."
He ended them "S.D.G." "Soli Dei gratia" which means "To God alone the praise."
His life was music, so He did do all to the glory of God!
What is your primary objective? Is it to use the Liberty you have in Jesus to Give Glory to God.
Do you cling so tightly to your liberty that you are tearing down your brothers and bringing shame to God’s name?
