From Bondage to Freedom: Obedience Breaks Chains

Walking in Obedience

Following and adhering to God's commandments, teachings, and will in all aspects of life. It requires surrendering one's own desires and submitting to God's authority with faith, humility, and trust, demonstrating a genuine love for God and others through actions and attitudes.

Thesis Statement:

In our journey from bondage to freedom, obedience plays a crucial role in breaking the chains that bind us.

Romans 6:16 ESV

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Read Romans 6 for full context

Romans 6:15 ESV

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

OBJECTIVES

1. Understanding Bondage to Sin

2. The Call to Obedience

3. The Process of Breaking Chains Thru Obedience

1. Understanding Bondage to Sin

John 8:34 ESV

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

Galatians 5:19–21 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2. The Call to Obedience

Obedience to God as a Fundamental Requirement

James 1:22 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Demonstrating Love Through Obedience

John 14:15 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

3. The Process of Breaking Chains through Obedience

Realizing that you are in bondage.

John 8:31–33 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 ESV

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The ability to live the Christian life is not related to someone giving me a pep talk

It’s directly related to what you think about God and what you think about yourself

If you have a superficial view of God and an elevated view of yourself, you’re set up to worship yourself and not God

This is what is wrong with man-centered preaching. This provides no help and no strength against sin

2 Peter 2:17–19 ESV

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

Why people stop going to church (The enemy love this)

Not relevant. It’s purposeless and it was guilt driven (don’t feel their bonded to sin)

Too antiquated

Too hypocritical, inauthentic and judgmental

Practice their faith in other ways

Fall out of habit

Conduct an Honest Examination of Yourself Using God’s Word as the Standard

Revelation 3:17 ESV

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Revelation 3:19–20 ESV

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

CONCLUSION

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.