LIVE FREE - John 8:31-36

INTRO: In March 2020 edition of Christianity Today, Anthony J. Carter writes “The United States of America is built upon the ideal of freedom. Though it has not always lived up to the true meaning of its creed, the great struggle in the conscience of America has been the struggle for freedom. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry spoke the immortal words in defense of freedom and the American Revolution: “Give me liberty or give me death!” For Henry, it was liberty or death.

For Jesus Christ, it was liberty by death.

Liberty = LIVE FREE. What does that mean?

To Live FREE Means to LEARN His Teachings. (31-32)

Jesus was teaching the people those who believed in Him. They were restrained from learning because of teachers of the law -SCRIBES; legalists; objected to Christ teachings and actions; Scribes had knowledge of the law and could draft legal documents (contracts for marriage, divorce, loans, inheritance, mortgages, the sale of land, and the like)

and the PHARISEES - traditionalist; separatist; tradition of men rather than the commandments of God. Objected to Christ teachings and actions.

Today, Many who believe in Him are not FREE to LEARN HIS TEACHINGS.

WHY?

Church Hurt! We’re surrounded by spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees today.

Personal Choice - Disobedience; stubbornness

Ignorance - not knowing how.

Since Jesus is the TRUTH, Knowing His teachings gives the ability to LIVE FREE.

There are too many people saying, “I am Disciple; I believe in Jesus” but are NOT FREE because they refuse to LEARN HIS TEACHINGS!

To Live FREE Means to TRUST Him. (33)

Corrie Ten Boom - "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

Martin Luther King, Jr - "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

Amaka Imani Nkosazana - “When God takes out the trash, don't go digging back through it. Trust Him.”

TRUSTED in Ancestry - descendants of Abraham; land, offspring, blessings.

Gen 12:1-3 “1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.””

NT-Abraham is important as an ancestor of Jesus; but also as one to whom God’s promises were given and who responded to those promises in Faith.

Gal 3:6-9 “6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. 8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.”

God’s promise to Abraham is made complete THROUGH Jesus Christ Therefore, we can LIVE FREE knowing that we are BLESSED, PROTECTED, AND LOVED.

To Live FREE Means LIBERATION OF LIMITATIONS. (34-36)

ROOT BOUND PLANT - I liberated it to a roomy pot. It was FREE of it’s limitation and began to grow more than ever.

God’s Word LIBERATES OUR LIMITATIONS IN EVERY WAY.

MENTALLY - Phil 4:8 “8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

EMOTIONALLY - PS 23 “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I SHALL NOT WANT. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.

SPIRITUALLY - Truth-those who sin are SLAVES to sin. ELEPHANT AND THE ROPE.

SO, IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU ARE TRULY FREE. The sacrifice of Jesus has loosed us from the bondage of sin.

CLOSE: How has Jesus set us FREE from the bondage of Sin? THE CROSS.

Proclaim to the world that YOU CAN LIVE FREE!

Free of GUILT; SHAME; SIN.

LIVE FREE in Relationship with Jesus and God our Father Forever.

SLAVES are not permanently included in the family of God.

SON, (one who is born again) IS FAMILY FOREVER - Eternal life means totally FREE.

We have a Mandate to PROVIDE INSTRUCTION to His Disciples, so they learn His Teachings and LIVE FREE!

For He who the Son sets free, is free indeed.