Finding True Freedom
An abstract of Connor Kraus’ sermon on November 3, 2024, in the Galatians series. Watch the sermon video here.
Have you ever felt trapped? Maybe by expectations, rules, or past mistakes? We all know what it's like to feel stuck, trying our best to be "good enough" but never quite measuring up. This feeling of being trapped isn't new – it's something people have struggled with for thousands of years.
In the book of Genesis in the Bible, there’s a fascinating story about two women named Sarah and Hagar. Their story might seem distant from our modern lives, but it teaches us something amazing about finding real freedom.
An Old Story with a New Twist
The story goes like this: There was a man named Abraham who God promised would have a child. The problem? He and his wife Sarah were way too old to have kids. After waiting for what seemed like forever, they got impatient. Instead of trusting God's promise, they tried to make it happen their own way. Sarah suggested Abraham have a child with their servant, Hagar.
As you might guess, this didn't turn out well. It created a mess of jealousy, hurt feelings, and family drama. Hagar had a son named Ishmael, but this wasn't God's plan. Later, just as God had promised, Sarah had a son named Isaac.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Here's where it gets interesting. In the Bible, Paul (one of the early Christian leaders) uses this story to teach us something important about spiritual freedom. He says these two women represent two different ways of living:
Hagar represents living by rules and trying to earn God's love through our own efforts
Sarah represents living in freedom, trusting in God's promises, and accepting His love as a gift
Think about it like this: Have you ever had a friend who only hung out with you if you did exactly what they wanted? That's kind of like living under rules (Hagar's way). But what about a friend who loves you just because you're you? That's more like living in freedom (Sarah's way).
Breaking Free from the Performance Trap
Many of us live like we're still trapped, trying to earn God's love through good behavior. We make mental checklists:
Go to church ✓
Be nice to people ✓
Don't say bad words ✓
Help others ✓
While these are good things, they're not what makes God love us. That's the amazing truth Paul wants us to understand – we're already loved, accepted, and free because of Jesus.
But What About Being Good?
Here's the cool part: When we understand we're already loved and accepted, being good isn't about earning anything anymore. Instead, it becomes our natural response to God's love. It's like helping your mom not because you have to, but because you want to show her you care.
Freedom Isn't Finished Yet
There's one more exciting piece to this story. The freedom we experience now is just the beginning. Paul talks about a "Jerusalem above" – a future where we'll experience complete freedom. No more struggling with doing the wrong thing, no more feeling trapped by our past, no more trying to prove ourselves.
What This Means for You
If you're exploring faith or feeling stuck in religious rules, here's what you can take away:
God can take our messiest situations and turn them into something beautiful
You don't have to earn God's love – it's already yours through Jesus
True freedom comes from accepting God's love, not from following rules perfectly
This freedom is available to everyone, regardless of your background or past
Your Next Step
Maybe you're wondering how to experience this freedom. Start by simply talking to God. Tell Him how you feel trapped and ask Him to help you understand and experience the freedom He offers. Remember, it's not about being perfect – it's about being loved perfectly by a perfect God.
Want to learn more about finding freedom in faith? Check out our Galatians series sermon videos.