Free, or Enslaved?

Intro

I had the wonderful opportunity to officiate the wedding of Colton and Rayna yesterday

An awesome day; privilege to build into marriages

One of my favourite moments is when the couple exchanges rings

Always get a good look at the rings… is that really gold? Are those really diamonds?

Good wedding rings are expensive!

Share about selling my drumset to buy Karen’s engagement ring

It is worth the investment to avoid fool’s gold

That ring holds value because it is truly made of precious metal and stone

Our understanding of Jesus holds value when it is based on the precious commodity of truth

Just as fool’s gold appears to be genuine but lacks in reality, false teaching about Jesus looks good from the outside, but is entirely lacking in substance

Waterless Springs

Something that Peter meets head-on in 2 Peter 2, and continues to describe false teachers this way in verses 17 - 22 *read passage*

“Waterless springs” (v. 17)

A great analogy for Peter’s original audience; lived in an arid part of the world and needed fresh water on a journey

Share my funny story of being parched for thirst while watching “Sahara”

NOTHING would be worse than the promise of water and then the lack of it

False teaching is literally good for nothing.

Not only is a waterless spring good for nothing, it is infuriating

“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption” (v. 19)

The false teachers are “waterless springs” (good for nothing) because they promise freedom, but deliver slavery

This is even worse than no water! It is something that will make you even more thirsty

Like being surrounded by salt water on a ship at sea

What Peter digs into here is the nature of what true freedom really IS...

… and what it is NOT.

You Have Been Set Free From the Power of Sin

Jesus sets you freem from the power of sin! You have been set free from the power of sin.

“They have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (v. 20)

Cf. John 8:31-36.

The truth will set you free!

In the context of 2 Peter, this is freedom from sin and the “defilements of the world”

Without Jesus, we have no choice but to be under their sway; with Jesus, we have freedom and opportunity

Like being released from a prison cell, or being unshackled and able to choose differently for the very first time

We live in this freedom when we “abide in the word of Jesus” (John 8:31b).

Abiding = more than just knowledge

It means to remain, to stay, to be located, etc.

It requires practicing the truth

As opposed to practicing sin (in John 8:34)

Simply means a life of obedience; to hear the words of Jesus and do them

Jesus also defines what true freedom looks like

True freedom = slaves of righteousness

Cf. Romans 6:15-18.

The question is not necessarily, “are you enslaved,” but “what are you enslaved to?”

Sin is one option, and Jesus is the other

Peter refers to himself as servant (read: slave) in 2 Peter 1:1, and refers to Jesus as “Master” in 2 Peter 2:1.

He shows that submission to Jesus is the path to true freedom

We are called to live lives of submission and obedience to Jesus

Turn the other cheek instead of what is “fair,” not looking at someone with lust instead of “boys will be boys;” choosing not to react in anger instead of dismissing it as a trait of having a “quick trigger,” etc.

The false teachers rebelled against the authority of Jesus by being “bold and willful” in 2 Peter 2:10, and “denying the Master who bought them” in 2 Peter 2:1.

They want to define freedom as the ability to be their own masters

As does the world around us (American dream; championing of autonomy)

True freedom is NOT autonomy to do what we want

That is self abandonment; it is false teaching; it is not freedom but a return to slavery

True freedom = service to others

Christian freedom serves Jesus, who calls us to serve one another

Cf. Galatians 5:13.

Once again, this is a redirection away from being self-serving (natural inclination)

When we are practically motivated to serve others, we will be practicing a life of true freedom

Talk about willingness to wear a mask during COVID

Do Not Return to Slavery of Sin

It makes no sense for a captive to be freed… only to voluntarily return to captivity

“The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire” (v. 22)

Cf. Proverbs 26:11.

First of all… gross!!

Talk about seeing Zoe return to her own vomit; ewww!

Second of all… are we guilty of this in our own lives?

“For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them” (v. 21)

Do not return to the slavery of sin.

How can we keep from returning to the captivity of sin?

Acknowledge your areas of struggle with sin and worldly priorities:

Addictions = life controlling issues that truly hold us captive

Drug addictions, alcoholism, smoking, sexual addiction/pornography

At this level, it is vital to find professional help to free you from addiction in cooperation with the freedom found in Jesus

Teen Challenge is a great example of this (program + Jesus)

Habits = More subtle than addictions, can still reveal our priorities and our freedom (or lack thereof)

Self-medicating with food; finding our identity in dependant relationships; struggle with anger, selfishness, purity; jealousy… you name it!

At this level, personal accountability can work wonders

Like what can be found in Discipleship Groups, for example

Practice confession and repentance

Refer to my conversation with Roger Helland about spiritual disciplines and his insistence that ongoing confession and repentance is vital

Confession = admiting to God our sin and shortcomings, and asking for His forgiveness

Better yet; confess to one another (can also be done in Discipleship Groups)

Cf. James 5:16.

Repentance = Turnig around and walking away from sin

As opposed to being a dog returning to it’s own vomit

When you find yourself circling back, repeat the disciplines of confession and repentance

Pray for help to resist temptation and rely on the power of Jesus

This is not just about self-discipline and will power; we don’t have enough of it

As helpful as it is to include others, we can’t rely on them alone, either

Jesus is the only one with the power to set us free, and He is the only one with the power to KEEP us free

Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The way out is to cry out to Jesus, and He wil help you

Conclusion

Don’t fall for fool’s gold

The teaching of Jesus is the water of life that will truly work

Remeber that Jesus has freed you from the power of sin

We can’t do this on our own; it is a gift

Perfect opportunity to ask Jesus for help today

Since we are free, live free! Don’t return to the mess of sin that we left behind

There are better things ahead!

Pray