NOTES: Fresh off the Vine, Part 3

Sermon: Fresh off the Vine: Love

Date: June 2, 2024

Text: Galatians 5:13-16

Let’s Connect:

Familiarity breeds contempt (true?)

Text Explained:

Galatians 5:13–15, 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Central to this freedom is the freedom to love as God the Father has loved us.

What does this love look like? Prodigal story (Luke 15)

How does the father love the younger son?

How does the elder son fail to love his brother?

The elder had nothing to lose by his brother’s return—

He could have re-gained relationship and the Father’s pleasure—

Instead, his cynical familiarity bred contempt.

Problem: This brother was near the father, but was not like the father.

How does the father love the older son?

31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

NOTE: In Christ, we have the full inheritance (ponder Ps. 50; Rom. 8)

What about enablement?

We have the freedom to love as God the Father has loved us.

Galatians 5:13–15, 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Let’s Relate:

Keep it fresh!

The ultimate service we can give to others is to be part of the Father’s restoration.

How do we keep this freedom to love, fresh in our life?

• See yourself as well loved by the Father— NOW

• See others as the Father sees them— NOW

Our Challenge:

Keep Love Fresh!