Introduction: Paul confronted his own “Back to Egypt Committee.” A group of early Christians wanted the church to remain a Jewish sect. They wanted to require new believers to be circumcised as well as baptized. They wanted to force new wine into old wineskins. Paul’s response was essentially: “Been there, done that, no thanks!”
What was it that Paul found in his new faith that he did not find in the faith of his fathers?
I. HE FOUND FREEDOM.
a. Paul had spent much of his life trying to save himself through strict obedience to the law.
b. Being good simply because it is required has no saving power.
c. Freedom increases in proportion to the number of laws we obey.
d. The more laws we are subject to, the freer we are.
II. HE FOUND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
a. God loves us even while we are unlovable.
b. God accepts us just as we are. (Romans 5:8)
c. God takes us home and washes us!
III. HE FOUND SOMETHING WORTH LIVING FOR.
a. We not only need something to live on; we need something to live for. (Philippians 1:21)
b. There is no ceiling on discipleship.