True Freedom
Notes
Transcript
Handout
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence
This weekend celebrates 247 years of declaring our independence from Great Britain and our freedom to be the United States of America. The founding fathers and the first congress to create and declare our independence was not abolishing government. They did not throw off the chains of injustice to be freed from all forms of government.
They rejected the government of bondage and adopted a government of freedom.
There are still laws in this new government we call our own. It is not perfect and the constant battling between political parties is a necessary part of our freedom.
However - There is a perfect government. One not of this world. It needs no balance of government, because the King is perfect. He is pure. He is righteous. He is the definition of love, and the source of love. This King is just and kind. He is infinite and eternal. This King was before our begin - and remains after the end of time. To His kingdom, there is no end. He created all things and established a perfect Kingdom.
Sin (rebellion against the King) broke freedom of mankind to enjoy the beauty and benefits of the King. Bondage was introduced to mankind. A separation between people and their creator was invited by that first sin. And immediately, we needed freedom.
Praise God through the cross Jesus carried, through His death and resurrection, freedom was made available from sin and to God the Father. But citizenship is not forced on anyone. It is yours if you want it, but the King has given the choice to accept His kingdom, His rule, His way, or to reject Him and continue on the bondage of sin and the consequence of sin which is death.
Bondage ~ Esclavitud
Bondage ~ Esclavitud
There are 2 kinds of bondage that we can understand today
Physical Bondage
You know you are bound
You know your rights are removed
Spiritual Bondage
You may know you are bound, or you may not know
The drunk may call the alcohol “a vice” or “medicine” or “a little sin”.
The sex addict may not realize that this is a spiritual bondage
They don’t call lust an addiction - or porn an addiction
The gambler or “work-a-holic” may not realize that their desire for money or position has been elevated above God in their life and now they are in bondage.
You think you still have rights
I can quit any time
I am still in charge
I don’t have a problem
There are two sources of bondage
Our sin nature
Demonic Influences
Where the Spirit is - there is freedom!
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
17 Porque el Señor es el Espíritu; y donde está el Espíritu del Señor, allí hay libertad.
There are Christians who have received the Holy Spirit and created provisions for the flesh to continue in bondage. Many scriptures in the New Testament are dedicated to encouraging the people of God to stay in freedom and not give in to bondage that seems fulfilling but only for a short time.
Don’t turn back to sin
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
1 Estad, pues, firmes en la libertad con que Cristo nos hizo libres, y no estéis otra vez sujetos al yugo de esclavitud.
If there are any who want freedom that only comes from Christ, I want you to pray this prayer with me.
Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against You. I want the freedom found in Jesus. I ask Jesus to be my Lord, and save me from my sin. I want to follow You, and be part of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you are a Christian and find yourself struggling with sins you know He saved you from, I want to encourage you to surrender those sins today. If you would pray with me:
Jesus, you have set me free. You have saved me. Please forgive me for allowing these sins into my life. I choose You over these burdens. I ask You to clean me. Restore me. Bring back the joy of my salvation. Renew a right spirit within me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, we cannot do these things without You. So, as we celebrate our physical independence, we want to declare our spiritual dependence on You.
Don’t vs. Do
Don’t vs. Do
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
13 Porque vosotros, hermanos, a libertad fuisteis llamados; solamente que no uséis la libertad como ocasión para la carne, sino servíos por amor los unos a los otros.