The Path to True Freedom
Journey Through the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 7 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Attention Getter
Jacob was known in his small town as man bound by his past. The family in which he was raised was a family who relied on secrets and lies to manipulate others within the family. Slowly, as he lived and grew in this environment, all the secrets and lies became like bricks in the wall of a prison. A wall that he couldn’t see, but he surely felt with each passing day. Overtime, he saw his father is dishonest and his mother as deceitful. Such feelings seeped into Jacob’s life like a dark stain. Soon, he found that he was living out the same secrets and lies in his own life. For this reason, he lived in constant fear of being found for the smallest of mistakes. There was this was heavy guilt for things he hadn’t even done. Yet, day after day, in an effort to just survive each day, Jacob even lied to himself.
One evening, after particularly rough day when his past caught up to him and with the pressure of the consequences of his choices weighing him down, Jacob found himself at a park. It was here that he met an elderly pastor who often visited the park. The elderly pastor was know for being at the park sitting on a bench reading his worn Bible.
It was on this evening as Jacob struggled with all the secrets, lies, and the consequences of his own actions that he struck up a conversation with the elderly pastor. It was quite clear that Jacob was feeling the weight of his invisible chains. For some reason, he opened up to the elderly pastor and shared his story. It was quite unlike Jacob to be so open and transparent. As talked, the pastor listened intently. Then, when Jacob was done, the pastor shared with him the story of Jesus Christ - how Jesus came not judge but to set free those imprisoned by sin, fear, and deceit. The pastor shared with him these words.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
He went on to explain to Jacob that this freedom wasn’t about changing one’s location, but is about transforming one’s heart and mind. As their conversation continued, the evening turned into night. That night, under the stars, Jacob prayed for the first time. He prayed not out of obligation but from a deep desire to be free from the secrets, lies, and the bondage of manipulation. As he prayed, Jacob began to feel the walls of fear, guilt, and lies began to crumble. In that moment, he experienced a profound peace of forgiveness and the joy of true freedom.
Jacob’s life changed that day forward. He began to live openly, not just physically free, but spiritually liberated. He shared his story often, not as a tale of escape from a physical prison, but as a testimony to the spiritual freedom that Christ offers - freedom from the chains that bind the soul.
Raise the Need
Jacob’s struggles reflect the human condition. All around us, people are shackled by different forms of bondage. Some are bound by materialism. Some are tethered to the idea of chasing wealth and possessions never finding any satisfaction. Others are trapped in relationships that drain their spirit. Relationships in which love has been replaced by manipulation and abuse. There also those who are swept along by the powerful tide of an immoral society, where right seems wrong, and wrong is celebrated as right.
This brings us to heart of our message today:
True freedom is found exclusively in Jesus Christ.
Like Jacob, whose liberation began with a simple prayer of faith, the journey to true freedom starts with believing that Jesus Christ is truly God and accepting Him as our personal Savior. This isn’t just about escaping a heritage of sin from our parents or society; it’s about being liberated from the life-dominating power of sin itself.
Orient the Theme
Today’s message from out text, John 8:31-47, is about the profound, transformative freedom found in Christ. It is a freedom, as we will see, that can unshackle any person from the most confining prisons of all - a life dominated by sin. This morning, I aim to share with you the fact that this freedom begins with a simple yet profound act of faith - believing that Jesus is God and accepting Him as your personal Savior. However, it doesn’t end there. True freedom continues as active discipleship, where are our lives begin to mirror the teachings of Christ. And, as with anything so profound and simple, we must remember that God’s enemy will do anything to stop people from taking such a simple step into freedom. So, as we get into today’s message, let’s remember the Jesus Christ is not just our teacher about freedom; He is the very embodiment of it. The freedom that He offers is not a temporary escape but a lifelong transformation.
Remember Jacob? Jacob’s story isn’t just a narrative from a small town; it’s a mirror reflecting the universal human quest for freedom. As we will see in our text, Jesus articulates the very principles that transformed Jacob’s life. Let’s delve into how this freedom, which Jacob experienced, is accessible to each of us. Here is the first thing we must know.
True Freedom Begins with Faith
True Freedom Begins with Faith
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Just like Jacob, whose life was altered by a simple yet profound act of faith, we see in these verses that knowing the truth, through faith in Him leads to freedom. Note that Jesus was speaking to those Jews which “believed” on him. Their belief was a reaction to Christ’s statement that if they did not believe in Him they would die in their sins. As we saw last week, the entire dialogue leading up today’s text was centered on the reality that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Upon hearing this, many believed. Now Jesus addresses those who believed with the thought that if they truly believe they will continue to live according to His word. Those who do will then be known as His disciples. However, more importantly, they will know the truth. In turn, knowing the truth will make them free.
What truth is Christ talking about?
First, there is the truth of Jesus Himself.
Over in John 14:6, Christ makes another profound and important statement.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Christ is the only way to salvation as we already learned. He is also the very embodiment of truth and life. Again, it must be reiterated that there is only way to the Father and Heaven. It is through Jesus Christ. There is no other way. This is the truth about Christ each person must embrace if they want to experience true freedom.
Second, there is the truth of God’s Word.
Both the Old and New Testament, all 66 books of the Bible, is truth. It is the very word of God.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Each person must come to a point where they accept the truth that the Bible is God’s Word. In doing so, they willingly accept the truth that Christ is the only way to true freedom. As such, the Bible is the only truth in the world that includes moral, spiritual, and doctrine which will guide us to live according to Gods’ will.
Third, there is the truth of freedom from sin.
That is the truth which Christ is addressing in our text this morning. He was saying to those Jews who believed that the truth of Who He is as well as the truth taught in His Word about Him can and will lead the from the bondage of sin. The person who genuinely accepts theses truths will experience true freedom from the bondage of sin.
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
However, there is one thing that must take place. You must believe. I cannot stress this point enough. Liberation from the bondage of sin cannot happen until you make the conscious decision to believe. As I have said repeatedly, you cannot reason your way into Heaven. It is not about trying to understand everything there is about God. It is not about rationalizing the universe and how it all connects with God. No, it is about simple faith. It is about taking His Word as truth and accepting Him as God. Once a person believes the understanding then follows. God asking you take a leap of faith. Believe Him and His Word. The promise is that those who do will KNOW the truth and truth will make you FREE. Again, faith before knowledge.
Perhaps you are here the morning and you have yet to believe Christ. Let me encourage you this morning that if you are on the fence about faith to take that step. You might be like Jacob in our opening illustration. Jacob found himself in a park, burdened by the weight of his past and the consequences of his choice. Perhaps you are that same crossroad. You are not sure how to break free from the sin that binds you and cause you to live in fear. On that night under the stars, Jacob did what might seem like the simplest yet most profound act - he took a leap of faith. He prayed not out of routine but from a desperate longing for freedom.
In the same way, God is asking you take the same leap of faith. It isn’t about understanding every mystery of God or having all your questions answered. It is about trusting in Jesus’ words.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Do you find yourself in a similar situation? Are the walls of your personal prison as real to you as Jacob’s were to him? Take the leap of faith today.
Acknowledge you need for Christ’s freedom.
Pray a simple prayer to Christ by which you acknowledge that He is God and that He has won victory over sin with His death, burial, and resurrection. Accept Him as your Savior, trusting that His truth will indeed set you free.
We’ve established that true freedom begins with faith - a leap of faith like Jacob’s. But Jesus doesn’t stop at faith; He guides us further. Remember how Christ said...
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Jesus links faith to discipleship. The journey doesn’t stop with the initial leap of faith. In fact, that leap of faith is just the beginning. True freedom isn’t just about being set free; it’s about growing into that freedom through a life committed to Christ’s teachings. Just as Jacob’s life was transformed after his prayer, our freedom deepens as we walk with Christ, learning and living out His Word.
So, let’s explore how...
True Freedom Grows Through Discipleship
True Freedom Grows Through Discipleship
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Christ’s response to the Jews reaction underscores the importance of discipleship.
True freedom in Christ involves more than just an initial act of faith; it necessitates a life lived according to God’s Word.
There are couple of key concepts drawn from Christ’s answer.
Note again verse 34.
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Here, Christ clearly teaches how dominant sin can truly be. Whenever we sin we become a “servant of sin.” The word “servant” can also be accurately translated “slave.” As we know, a slave is a person who is legally owned by another and is forced to work for them without personal freedom or rights. Too many times, we allow sin to be our master.
Sin dictates our actions and choices stripping away our personal freedom much like a slave owner dictates the life of slave.
Sinful habits, desires, or compulsion dominate our behavior. Instead of living according to the truth of God’s Word, we end up living according to our own lustful compulsions. Being a slave to sin means our life is “exploited” by sinful practices that do not lead us to true fulfillment or benefit. Instead, we end suffering great spiritual, emotional, and physical harm. Slavery to sin is a stark metaphor which illustrates the severe, controlling, and dehumanizing nature of sin over a person’s life. It is this bondage of sin which Christ offers to break us free. Indeed, His death, burial, and resurrection proved that He is quite capable of breaking sin’s bondage. However, the fact remains that even after we have experience freedom from sin, sin haunts us. It lurks in the background. It is always ready to step right back into its role as master of our life. Consequently, there is this ongoing battle with sin. Discipleship involves learning to live in a way that keeps us from allowing sin to be our master. The great news is that once we believe in Christ breaking the chains of sin, we have the freedom to live for Him. Yet, too many times, we ignore His Word and we do not live in obedience to His teaching and soon we are right back to allowing sin into our lives as our master.
For this reason, we need to see and understand the all important role of Christ in our lives. Note what Christ says in verses 35 and 36 again.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The servant Christ speak of in verse 35 is the role of sin in our lives. You see sin is temporary. For us, as believers, we only have to contend with its constant pull during this lifetime. There is coming a day when we receive a glorified body and be completely free any of sin’s influence. Thus, it abides “not in the house forever.” The great news is that Christ is greater than our sin. He abides forever. For this reason, we must commit each day to live according to His Word. Remember verse 31.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
As His disciples, we must “continue” in His Word. Salvation is not a one and done deal. No, it is a lifetime commitment to living in obedience to Christ. As we do, our understanding true freedom in Christ grows. It grows as we study God’s Word, apply its principles to our lives, and commit to living it out in our thoughts, words, and actions. As we do, we are transformed into His image. A process that deepens and secures the freedom we initially recieved through faith.
The initial act of faith in Christ is crucial. However, true, lasting freedom is realized through discipleship, where one’s life is increasingly shaped by Jesus’ teachings.
This continuous journey in His word ensures us that the freedom we receive “indeed” becomes a living, growing reality, not just a momentary event.
Let me encourage you this morning to strengthen your commitment as a disciple of Christ. Remember Christ said that those who “continue” in His Word is a disciple indeed. We all know that we are not islands unto ourselves. One of the great things about following Christ is that all of us a part of God’s family. What that means is that we ate not alone in our fight against sin’s dominance. There are others who have the same struggle. I you recall the story about Jacob, you may remember that his transformation began when he encountered the pastor at the park, who essentially acted as a mentor or guide, sharing the liberating message of Jesus Christ. Then, after Jacob’s initial act of faith, Jacob did not remain a solitary figure; he became someone who shared his story, indicating a form of discipleship.
Here is the application. We need each other. One of the purposes of each local church is discipleship. In other words, we are here to help each grow in our walk with Christ. It is our responsibility to encourage each other, pray for each other, and help those who are struggling with sin’s dominance. Therefore, don’t isolate yourself from other believers. Instead, embrace being part of a good local church like ours. Get involved in a Bible study group, discipleship class, or find someone in our church who can walk with you in your journey with Christ. Participation in a Bible study or discipleship group will help you see that others share the same experiences. It will help you learn from their stories of overcoming sin and you will grow in understanding how to live out Christ’s teachings daily. It will also provide a structure by which you can keep sin at bay through accountability, encouragment, and deeper Biblical understanding. And added benefit of getting involved in a Bible study or discipleship class is will keep you grounded in God’s Word and serve as a constant reminder of your freedom in Christ helping you resist the pull of past sins and deceptions.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We started with Jacob’s story, seeing a man bound by the chains of his past, who found true freedom through faith in Jesus Christ. However, this narrative isn’t just about man named Jacob. It’s about each of us. Like Jacob, we all face our own prisons of sin, materialism, or broken relationships, but the key to true freedom lies in Christ alone.
We learned from Christ today that true freedom begins with a simple act of faith, believing Him as our Savior. But it doesn’t end there. True freedom grows through discipleship, through an ongoing commitment to live according His Word. It’s about daily choosing to follow Christ, to let His Word shape our lives, our decisions, our very being.
May we not forget that while this battle against sin is lifelong, Christ has already won the victory.
The promise of John 8:36 is ours.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
This freedom is not just a momentary escape but a transformational journey into becoming more like Christ, into living a life that reflects His love, truth, and liberation.
Here is my encouragement to each of you:
If you’ve not yet taken that leap of faith like Jacob, do so now. Acknowledge your need for Christ’s freedom.
If you’re a believer, recommit to discipleship. Engage with our family of believers here. Let’s help each other grow, learn, and stay free from sin’s grip through accountability, encouragement, and share learning of God’s Word.
Remember, you are not alone in this fight. We are a family in Christ, here to support, share, and witness the power of true freedom together. Let’s walk in this freedom, not just for ourselves but to show the world what it means to be truly free in Christ.
May we all continue to “continue in His word,” becoming disciples indeed, and may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
