2006-08-27 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church 

Galatians 5:13-15 

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 

Paul is saying that Christians have been called to be a “free” people, and that’s the kind of news that should put a never-ending smile on your face.  You are free to live your life pleasing God, instead of being chained to a system where you are judged by your ability to keep the commandments.  According to verse 14, even the effect of your never-ending smile might go a long way toward keeping the commandments. 

No one ever pretends to love their own self, so in order to “love thy neighbour as thyself”, Jesus gives you the freedom to show love toward your neighbor that will never be a “show”.  Nobody can say they have kept the commandments like Jesus did, so we are free from judging each other’s ability to keep the commandments.  We are free to love our neighbor simply and truly, without dissimulation.  We are called to this freedom, to have a love for one another that is “free” from hypocrisy, unfeigned, and “free” from expectations of reciprocity (no strings attached). 

You are free to let Him lead you through places you never thought were possible (every day), and you are free to leave out, to say “no” to the things that have nothing to do with salvation.  You are free to live your life as you know you should, and let Jesus be the judge. 

Philippians 4:8-9 

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

For the past few weeks, my mind has dwelled on things that aren’t described in that passage.  Even though they were Scriptural studies, they had little, if anything to do with salvation, but I didn’t say “no”.  I had the liberty to say “no”, to take a different course, but I chose to dwell on those things.  What did that do to me?  The God of peace was not with me, and it showed.  Have you ever felt mad at the world, mad about everything, and you just don’t know why?  It’s a sign of bondage.  What changed it for me?  Who helped set me free?  – You folks in the body of Christ. 

During Wednesday evening Bible study, the God of peace was trying to give me freedom again, but I couldn’t see it until we were in the parking lot afterward, and one of you took the time to show me things that are lovely in the night sky. 

During lunch on Friday, the God of peace was untangling my chains through pure laughter as one of you, our favorite storyteller, proved the old Proverb to me, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Pro 17:22). 

Friday evening, as I listened to the recording of last Sunday’s service, I thought about the virtue and praise of someone who would step in to help his brother on short notice, and as I listened to the love pouring out in his words, the God of peace was with me again. 

Sometimes the shadow of death reaches clear into our hearts, and peace is nowhere in sight.  During this week, Jesus has shown His death to me, but it does not make me sad.  Because of His death, burial, and resurrection, He lives in you, the people who love Him, and by His working through you, the darkness in my heart had no place to hide.  Thank you.