Freedom in Christ
Notes
Transcript
31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?”
34 Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
35 A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is.
36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free.
Freedom in Christ
Freedom in Christ
On Tuesday we will celebrate the 4th of July. It will be the 247th celebration of the birth of this nation. There will be fireworks, picnics and parties, and parades.
Imagine a crowded city on that special occasion. The streets are brightly colored, and the air is charged with excitement and anticipation. The whole city has assembled to see an incredible parade celebrating freedom and independence.
Floats depicting the nation's history, achievements, and hard-fought battles for civil liberties pass by. Spectacular fireworks light up the sky, symbolizing the glory of a nation that values its people's freedom.
Amidst the joy, a group of people stands on the sidelines, their expressions filled with wonder and longing. They, too, want to be a part of this independence celebration. But something is odd about this group. Each person carries a burden that no huge parade or spectacular pyrotechnics can lift.
One person is striving to break away from the clutches of drugs or alcohol usage, while bearing the heavy chains of addiction. Another endures the load of previous mistakes' remorse and humiliation, feeling unworthy of any happiness. Another bears the burden of loneliness, desiring genuine connection and love.
A stranger approaches the group as the parade continues. He is drawn to their side by his love and compassion. This stranger is Jesus, the Savior who has come to provide true freedom, and liberation beyond any worldly celebration.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens," he says, "and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 NLT). They sense the promise of actual freedom in His eyes, the freedom that comes from salvation in Christ.
As the earthly procession passes by, Jesus lifts the burdens of those who come to Him. He breaks the bonds of addiction, forgives the repentant heart's sins, and fills the lonely heart with His everlasting love and fellowship.
They walk with Jesus with newfound gladness, leaving behind the transitory enthusiasm of the parade. They've discovered something far more valuable: the freedom that comes from knowing and following Christ.
As we contemplate on the breathtaking parade of worldly celebrations and the actual freedom granted by Christ, we find ourselves at a fork in the road. One way leads us to the world's temporary pleasures and accomplishments - the colorful floats of success, the fleeting happiness of accomplishments, and the glowing fireworks of momentary pleasures. However, on this route, we learn that even in the midst of the largest celebrations, we are burdened by the chains of sin, the shackles of guilt, and the isolation of loneliness.
There is, however, another way, a narrow and less-traveled one, where a Savior stands with outstretched arms, offering a different sort of freedom - freedom from the bonds of sin, freedom from the weight of guilt, and liberation from the emptiness of a life without purpose. On this route, we meet Jesus Christ, who invites us to follow Him and discover the truth that sets us free.
Let us now focus on John 8:31-36, where Jesus' words echo down the ages, illuminating the true nature of slavery and the path to true freedom in Him.
The Nature of Bondage
The Nature of Bondage
31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
If you have spent time in jail or prison you know what it like to lose your freedom. If you’ve been in an abusive relationship you have an understanding the bondage that brings. If you have struggled with some type of addiction, you understand what it is to be enslaved by that addiction.
That is not the type of slavery or addiction that Jesus is referring to.
We all want freedom in different facets of our lives. Consider a fledgling bird with eager wings, wanting to soar high above the clouds. But what if its wings were securely bound, preventing it from flying? Similarly, we were formed to live life to the fullest and soar with purpose and joy. Sin, on the other hand, binds us and prevents us from realizing our full potential.
Once upon a time, in a distant forest, there was a lovely, multicolored bird with unrivaled grace and elegance in flight. The bird was supposed to appreciate the grandeur of the skies and the beauty of nature, but it fell victim to a devious trap devised by a hunter. The hunter captured the bird and locked it in a small, dark cage, preventing it from freely spreading its wings.
The bird's brilliant feathers lost their sheen in the cage, and its once melodic song became a melancholy wail. It mutated into a shadow of its former self, locked in a world far smaller than the one it was supposed to explore.
Similarly, sin acts like a cage, enticing us with its appeal, trapping us in its hold, and preventing us from living the abundant life that God intended for us.
Let me point out three things about sin.
The Allure of Sin: Just as the promise of food drew the bird to the hunter's trap, sin often entices us with immediate gratification and pleasure. It tempts us with the illusion of freedom, but it ultimately leads to bondage.
James wrote in his letter
14 Everyone is tempted by their own cravings; they are lured away and enticed by them.
15 Once those cravings conceive, they give birth to sin; and when sin grows up, it gives birth to death.
James vividly describes the process of temptation, illustrating how a person's own evil desires can lead to being enticed by sin. The allure of sin can be powerful, leading individuals down a destructive path that ultimately results in spiritual death.
The second is
The Weight of Guilt: The bird carried the weight of imprisonment and sadness inside the cage. Similarly, when we are caught up in sin, we bear the weight of guilt, shame, and regret. Sin divides us from God, causing our relationship with Him to suffer.
The psalmist wrote:
4 My wrongdoings are stacked higher than my head; they are a weight that’s way too heavy for me.
The weight of the guilt of sin can be overwhelming.
The third point about sin is
The Struggle to Break Free: The bird may have tried to break free from its cage several times, just as we may try to break free from sin on our own strength. However, like the bird, we are unable to break those chains on our own.
Paul vividly illustrated this struggle to break free from sin when he wrote in Romans 7:14-20 “14 We know that the Law is spiritual, but I’m made of flesh and blood, and I’m sold as a slave to sin. 15 I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate. 16 But if I’m doing the thing that I don’t want to do, I’m agreeing that the Law is right. 17 But now I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it’s sin that lives in me. 18 I know that good doesn’t live in me—that is, in my body. The desire to do good is inside of me, but I can’t do it. 19 I don’t do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don’t want to do. 20 But if I do the very thing that I don’t want to do, then I’m not the one doing it anymore. Instead, it is sin that lives in me that is doing it. 21 So I find that, as a rule, when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me. 22 I gladly agree with the Law on the inside, 23 but I see a different law at work in my body. It wages a war against the law of my mind and takes me prisoner with the law of sin that is in my body. 24 I’m a miserable human being. Who will deliver me from this dead corpse?”
Paul acknowledges that he cannot break free from the bondage that he is in. So what is the answer? The answer is Jesus. There is no other answer for the sin problem.
As we consider the situation of the caged bird, it becomes clear that we, too, require a deliverer—a Savior who can break the bonds of sin and set us free. This is where the gospel of Jesus Christ shines with unrivaled radiance. Let us look at how Christ's death and resurrection provide the freedom we so desperately need.
Freedom through Christ
Freedom through Christ
Jesus said there in verse 36 of our scripture text John 8:36 “36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free.”
He was saying that people can cling to a false freedom. Jesus had a conversation with certain Jews who believed in Him in the preceding verses (John 8:31-34). He stressed the significance of staying true to His word and being His disciples, because it is only through the truth that people will find true freedom.
The meaning of Jesus' words is that people may believe they have a superficial or false sense of freedom, but in reality, it does not deliver genuine freedom from sin and its consequences. This false freedom can present itself in a variety of ways:
People may assume they are free because they can do anything they want, follow their inclinations, and indulge in worldly pleasures without constraint. This worldly independence, however, can lead to a life of servitude to sinful practices, addictions, and selfish desires.
Some people seek freedom by adhering to rigid religious laws and procedures, believing that doing so will offer them redemption and emancipation. However, Jesus emphasized that true freedom is found in a personal connection with Him, not in external religious deeds (John 8:31-32).
People may place their faith in their own righteousness and good works, believing that their moral endeavors would gain them freedom and acceptance from God. However, Jesus' message emphasizes that our righteousness is insufficient to make us free from sin, and that we require the Son (Jesus) to be really free.
While several philosophies and ideologies profess to bring freedom, they may lead individuals astray and ensnare them in false beliefs and empty promises away from Christ.
Jesus counters all of that and so much more and he states: John 8:36
36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free.
This powerful statement encapsulates the heart of the Christian message – the profound truth that freedom is found through Christ alone. Let us explore this concept further and understand how freedom through Christ encompasses various aspects of our lives:
Just as the trapped bird needed a rescuer, we too needed someone to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Jesus Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross, paid the price for our sins, granting us forgiveness and redemption. Through faith in Him, we are set free from the penalty of sin.
Sin is a universal struggle that enslaves humanity, separating us from God and each other. Its grip is relentless, leaving us in bondage to destructive behaviors and consequences. However, Jesus' sacrificial death and victorious resurrection provide the remedy for this spiritual ailment. By accepting Christ's gift of salvation and surrendering to His lordship, we are set free from the power of sin. The apostle Paul affirms this truth in Romans 6:18 (NIV), "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."
Paul wrote in Colossians 1:13-14 - "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Guilt and condemnation weigh heavily on the human heart. The awareness of our failures and imperfections can lead to shame and self-condemnation. However, the message of the Gospel brings hope and healing. In Christ, we find redemption and forgiveness. As Romans 8:1 (NIV) assures us, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The trapped bird could not escape its cage, just as we are unable to free ourselves from the consequences of sin. But in Christ, there is no condemnation for those who believe in Him. The burden of guilt and shame is lifted, and we can approach God with confidence, knowing that we are forgiven and loved.
Picture a courtroom scene where the accused stands before the Judge, burdened by a mountain of guilt. The evidence of their wrongdoings seems insurmountable, and the judgment appears certain. Then, Jesus, the Advocate, steps forward and presents His own flawless record, offering it as a substitution for the accused. The Judge, in His mercy, accepts the exchange, declaring the accused "not guilty" and setting them free from the weight of condemnation.
Through Christ, we are not only set free from sin's penalty but also empowered to live an abundant and purposeful life. The Holy Spirit dwells within believers, guiding, transforming, and empowering them to live in alignment with God's will. This newfound freedom allows us to experience the fullness of life that God intended for us – a life marked by joy, peace, and love.
Through Christ's resurrection, He conquered sin and death. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. The Spirit empowers us to live a life of freedom, enabling us to overcome sin's temptations and walk in obedience to God's Word.
Imagine a bird confined to a cage, unable to soar in the vast expanse of the sky. Once the cage door is opened, the bird is set free and can now explore its surroundings, enjoying the beauty and freedom of flight. In the same way, through Christ, we are set free from the limitations of a sinful nature, enabling us to embrace the fullness of life in God's grace.
As we explore the profound freedom that we have in Christ - freedom from the power of sin and guilt, as well as the invitation to live abundantly - we are prompted to ponder how we might effectively walk in this newfound freedom. Accepting freedom is a continuous journey of living out our faith and enabling the transformative power of Christ to affect every part of our lives. So, having examined the freedom that Christ provides, let us now shift our attention to the steps we may take to walk in this freedom on a daily basis and experience its fullness in our lives. Let us now look at:
Walking in Freedom
Walking in Freedom
Freedom in Christ is not a one-time event that happens automatically; it requires an ongoing commitment and daily choices. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are immediately set free from the penalty of sin through His atoning sacrifice. However, the journey of living out this freedom, experiencing its transformative power, and walking in victory over sin and its temptations is a daily endeavor.
Every day, we face various challenges, temptations, and choices that can either draw us closer to God and freedom or pull us away from His will. To walk in the freedom that Christ offers, we must continually choose to:
Abide in His Word and truth (John 8:31-32)Surrender to the Holy Spirit's guidance (Galatians 5:16)Deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24)Seek God's will and live in obedience to His commands (John 14:15)Repent and seek forgiveness when we fall short (1 John 1:9)
While we make daily choices to walk in freedom, it's essential to recognize that the journey is a continuous process of growth and transformation. None of us are perfect, and we may still stumble and make mistakes along the way. However, God's grace is abundant, and His Spirit continually works in us to sanctify and renew us into the likeness of Christ.
As we walk with Christ, our relationship with Him deepens, and His love and grace continue to shape our lives. He is faithful to complete the good work He started in us (Philippians 1:6), gradually freeing us from the power of sin and conforming us to His image.
Let me point out five ways this becomes a reality for us.
1. Embrace Identity in Christ: Walking in freedom begins with embracing our new identity in Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our old self, bound by sin and its chains, is crucified with Christ, and we are raised to new life with Him. Understanding and believing in our identity as forgiven, loved, and redeemed children of God empowers us to resist the pull of our former sinful ways.
Galatians 2:20 (NIV) - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
2. Renewing the Mind:To walk in freedom, we must renew our minds daily with God's truth. This involves immersing ourselves in the Word of God and allowing it to shape our thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives. As we align our minds with God's truth, we can discern the lies and deceptions of the enemy, who seeks to draw us back into bondage. A transformed mind leads to transformed living.
Romans 12:2 (NIV) - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
3. Walk by the Spirit: Walking in freedom requires dependence on the Holy Spirit, who dwells within every believer. The Spirit empowers us to live victoriously over sin and guides us in righteousness. By walking in step with the Spirit, we gain the strength to resist temptation and embrace the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Galatians 5:16 (NIV) - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
4. Embrace Grace and Forgiveness: As we walk in freedom, we will inevitably face moments of weakness and faltering. In those times, it is vital to embrace God's grace and forgiveness. The enemy may attempt to use our mistakes to lead us back into guilt and condemnation, but we must remember that God's grace is sufficient to cover all our shortcomings. By confessing our sins and seeking His forgiveness, we can experience the ongoing freedom Christ offers.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
5. Live in Surrender and Obedience: Walking in freedom involves surrendering our will to God's and living in obedience to His commands. Obedience is not a burden but a joyful response to God's love and grace. It is through obedience that we remain aligned with God's will and experience the fullness of His blessings and freedom in our lives.
John 15:9-10 (NIV) - "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love."
As we conclude today we are reminded of the profound truth found in John 8:36, where Jesus declares, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Today, we stand at a crossroad – a choice between false freedoms that lead to bondage and the authentic freedom found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. The allure of sin may entice us, but its chains will never satisfy the deep longing in our hearts. In contrast, the freedom Christ offers beckons us with love, joy, peace, and purpose.
The journey of freedom may not be without its challenges, but we can take heart, for Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). As we surrender our lives to Him, we discover a freedom that goes beyond circumstance, a freedom that begins in the soul and radiates into every aspect of our being.
Let us not cling to the temporary pleasures of this world but embrace the eternal freedom found in Christ alone. May His truth and grace empower us to break free from sin's bondage and walk as liberated children of God.
As we depart from this place, may we carry in our hearts the invitation of freedom that Christ extends to all. Let us share this message of hope with a world in need, inviting others to taste and see the goodness of the Lord and experience the freedom that comes through knowing Him.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who sets us free indeed, Amen.