Freedom in Christ: A Journey of Liberation

Luke 4:18–19 NKJV

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

FREEDOM IN CHRIST: A JOURNEY OF LIBERATION

LUKE 4:18-19

MAIN IDEA: THIS SERMON EMPHASIZES THE CHRISTIAN CALL TO BE BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS, PROCLAIMERS OF FREEDOM, AND ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY, AS EXEMPLIFIED BY CHRIST'S MISSION.

INTRODUCTION

GOOD MORNING, BELOVED!

 FROM THE EXODUS OF THE ISRAELITES TO THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT OF BLACK HISTORY, GOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OF SETTING PEOPLE FREE. WHETHER IT’S PHYSICAL BONDAGE, MENTAL CHAINS, OR SPIRITUAL OPPRESSION, GOD’S DESIRE IS FOR HIS PEOPLE TO WALK IN FREEDOM.  LIBERATION IS AT THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL.

NOW, LET US LOOK CLOSELY AT THESE BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF LIBERATION, DRAW PARALLELS BETWEEN SCRIPTURE AND OUR MODERN STRUGGLES, AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPERATIVES OF JUSTICE AND DIGNITY IN THE GOSPEL. LET OUR HEARTS BE RECEPTIVE AND OUR MINDS OPEN AS WE SEEK TO UNDERSTAND GOD'S WORD AND HIS WILL FOR US.

BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF LIBERATION

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, IN THE VERSES WE HAVE READ, PRESENTS A POWERFUL PICTURE OF LIBERATION. THE WORDS OF CHRIST ARE A PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM, A DECLARATION OF EMANCIPATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED AND MARGINALIZED. THIS THEME OF LIBERATION IS NOT UNIQUE TO THIS PASSAGE BUT IS A RECURRING MOTIF IN THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE.

LET'S CONSIDER THE STORY OF THE EXODUS. THE ISRAELITES, ENSLAVED AND OPPRESSED IN EGYPT, CRIED OUT TO GOD FOR DELIVERANCE.

GOD HEARD THEIR CRY, SAW THEIR AFFLICTION, AND IN HIS GREAT MERCY, HE INTERVENED. HE RAISED UP MOSES AS A DELIVERER AND LED HIS PEOPLE OUT OF BONDAGE INTO A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY.

THIS NARRATIVE IS A VIVID ILLUSTRATION OF GOD'S HEART FOR THE OPPRESSED AND HIS POWER TO LIBERATE.

 - WHEN ISRAEL WAS ENSLAVED IN EGYPT, GOD HEARD THEIR CRY AND SENT MOSES TO LEAD THEM OUT. 

- GOD IS NOT SILENT IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION—HE IS A DELIVERER! 

- BLACK HISTORY REFLECTS THIS TRUTH, AS LEADERS LIKE HARRIET TUBMAN, FREDERICK DOUGLASS, AND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE. 

ILLUSTRATION: THE STORY OF HARRIET TUBMAN – A JOURNEY TO FREEDOM** 

IMAGINE BEING BORN INTO SLAVERY, NEVER KNOWING THE FEELING OF FREEDOM. THAT WAS THE REALITY FOR HARRIET TUBMAN. BUT SHE REFUSED TO ACCEPT BONDAGE AS HER DESTINY. THROUGH FAITH, COURAGE, AND DETERMINATION, SHE ESCAPED SLAVERY, MAKING A DANGEROUS JOURNEY TO FREEDOM. BUT SHE DIDN’T STOP THERE—SHE RETURNED **OVER 19 TIMES**, RISKING HER LIFE TO LEAD MORE THAN 300 ENSLAVED PEOPLE TO FREEDOM THROUGH THE. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 

WHEN ASKED HOW SHE WAS ABLE TO DO IT, SHE FAMOUSLY SAID: 

*"I FREED A THOUSAND SLAVES. I COULD HAVE FREED A THOUSAND MORE, IF ONLY THEY KNEW THEY WERE SLAVES."* 

THIS IS THE HEART OF LIBERATION. GOD CALLS US NOT ONLY TO EXPERIENCE FREEDOM FOR OURSELVES BUT TO HELP OTHERS STEP INTO IT. JUST AS HARRIET TUBMAN LED PEOPLE OUT OF PHYSICAL SLAVERY, JESUS LEADS US OUT OF SPIRITUAL BONDAGE.

HE DOESN’T JUST WANT US FREE—HE WANTS US TO HELP OTHERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME DELIVERANCE. 

  **REFLECTION:** ARE THERE AREAS IN YOUR LIFE WHERE YOU ARE STILL ENSLAVED—WHETHER IT’S FEAR, SIN, OR DOUBT? ARE YOU WILLING TO TRUST JESUS TO LEAD YOU TO TRUE FREEDOM? AND ONCE FREE, WILL YOU HELP OTHERS FIND THE WAY? 

*APPLICATION:* IF YOU FEEL TRAPPED BY SIN, CIRCUMSTANCES, OR OPPRESSION, KNOW THAT GOD SEES YOU, HEARS YOU, AND IS WORKING FOR YOUR FREEDOM. 

IN THE SAME WAY, THE STORY OF DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN IS A TESTAMENT TO GOD'S LIBERATING POWER. DANIEL, FALSELY ACCUSED AND THROWN INTO A DEN OF LIONS, WAS DELIVERED BY GOD FROM CERTAIN DEATH.

HIS LIBERATION WAS NOT JUST PHYSICAL BUT ALSO SYMBOLIC, A DEMONSTRATION OF GOD'S ABILITY TO FREE HIS PEOPLE FROM THE JAWS OF INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION.

THE NARRATIVE OF RUTH AND NAOMI ALSO ECHOES THIS THEME OF LIBERATION. RUTH, A MOABITE WIDOW, CHOSE TO STAY WITH HER MOTHER-IN-LAW NAOMI, AN ISRAELITE, DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTY AND HARDSHIP THAT LAY AHEAD. IN THE END, RUTH'S LOYALTY AND FAITHFULNESS WERE REWARDED. SHE WAS LIBERATED FROM HER LIFE OF POVERTY AND DESPAIR AND WAS BLESSED WITH A NEW LIFE, A NEW FAMILY, AND A NEW IDENTITY IN BETHLEHEM.

THE STORY OF THE PRODIGAL SON, AS TOLD BY JESUS, IS ANOTHER POWERFUL NARRATIVE OF LIBERATION. THE YOUNGER SON, AFTER SQUANDERING HIS INHERITANCE, FOUND HIMSELF IN DIRE STRAITS. HE DECIDED TO RETURN HOME, HOPING TO BE ACCEPTED AS A SERVANT.

BUT HIS FATHER, FILLED WITH COMPASSION, WELCOMED HIM BACK NOT AS A SERVANT BUT AS A SON.

HE WAS LIBERATED FROM HIS LIFE OF SHAME AND DEGRADATION AND WAS RESTORED TO HIS RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE FAMILY.

THESE NARRATIVES, AND MANY OTHERS IN THE BIBLE, UNDERSCORE THE LIBERATING POWER OF GOD.

THEY REMIND US THAT GOD IS A GOD OF FREEDOM, A GOD WHO HEARS THE CRIES OF THE OPPRESSED AND INTERVENES TO SET THEM FREE.

THEY AFFIRM THE TRUTH OF CHRIST'S PROCLAMATION IN LUKE 4:18-19, THAT HE HAS COME TO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR, TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS, AND TO SET THE OPPRESSED FREE.

YET, LIBERATION IN THE BIBLICAL SENSE IS NOT JUST ABOUT PHYSICAL OR SOCIAL FREEDOM.

IT IS ALSO ABOUT SPIRITUAL FREEDOM.

IT IS ABOUT BEING SET FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH, ABOUT BEING LIBERATED FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS AND TRANSFERRED INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD'S BELOVED SON.

THE STORY OF ZACCHAEUS, A CHIEF TAX COLLECTOR WHO WAS DESPISED BY HIS FELLOW JEWS, ILLUSTRATES THIS ASPECT OF LIBERATION.

WHEN JESUS CALLED HIM DOWN FROM THE TREE AND CHOSE TO DINE AT HIS HOUSE, ZACCHAEUS WAS TRANSFORMED.

HE REPENTED OF HIS SINS, PLEDGED TO MAKE RESTITUTION TO THOSE HE HAD CHEATED, AND WAS DECLARED BY JESUS TO BE A TRUE SON OF ABRAHAM.

HIS ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS LED TO HIS SPIRITUAL LIBERATION, HIS DELIVERANCE FROM THE POWER OF SIN.

THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY, WHOM THE PHARISEES WANTED TO STONE, EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR LIBERATION.

WHEN JESUS CHALLENGED THOSE WITHOUT SIN TO CAST THE FIRST STONE, THEY ALL LEFT, ONE BY ONE.

JESUS, THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT SIN, DID NOT CONDEMN HER BUT FORGAVE HER AND TOLD HER TO GO AND SIN NO MORE.

SHE WAS LIBERATED FROM HER LIFE OF SIN AND SHAME AND WAS GIVEN A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

THE MAN POSSESSED BY A LEGION OF DEMONS, WHO LIVED AMONG THE TOMBS AND COULD NOT BE RESTRAINED, WAS ALSO SET FREE BY JESUS.

THE DEMONS WERE CAST OUT, AND THE MAN WAS RESTORED TO HIS RIGHT MIND. HE WAS LIBERATED FROM HIS SPIRITUAL BONDAGE AND WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A WITNESS FOR JESUS.

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED JESUS AS LORD EVEN IN HIS DYING MOMENTS, RECEIVED THE PROMISE OF PARADISE.

HE WAS LIBERATED FROM THE PENALTY OF HIS SINS AND WAS ASSURED OF ETERNAL LIFE WITH JESUS.

THESE STORIES HIGHLIGHT THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF LIBERATION, THE FREEDOM THAT COMES FROM BEING IN A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

THEY REMIND US THAT CHRIST'S MISSION, AS STATED IN LUKE 4:18-19, IS NOT JUST ABOUT PHYSICAL OR SOCIAL LIBERATION BUT ALSO ABOUT SPIRITUAL LIBERATION.

THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF LIBERATION, BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL, AFFIRM THE TRUTH OF CHRIST'S PROCLAMATION IN LUKE 4:18-19.

THEY REMIND US THAT GOD IS A GOD OF LIBERATION, A GOD WHO SETS THE OPPRESSED FREE, A GOD WHO DELIVERS HIS PEOPLE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH.

THEY CHALLENGE US TO EMBRACE THIS LIBERATING TRUTH AND TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH IN A WAY THAT REFLECTS GOD'S HEART FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY.

PARALLELS BETWEEN SCRIPTURE AND MODERN STRUGGLES

AS WE REFLECT ON THE NARRATIVES OF LIBERATION IN THE BIBLE, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE THE STRIKING PARALLELS WITH OUR MODERN STRUGGLES.

THE HUMAN CONDITION, IN ALL ITS COMPLEXITY AND CONTRADICTION, IS A CONSTANT THREAD RUNNING THROUGH TIME.

THE SAME THEMES OF OPPRESSION, LIBERATION, AND REDEMPTION THAT WE FIND IN THE BIBLE ARE STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE IN OUR WORLD TODAY.

CONSIDER THE STORY OF JOSEPH, SOLD INTO SLAVERY BY HIS OWN BROTHERS, FALSELY ACCUSED, AND THROWN INTO PRISON. YET, IN THE MIDST OF HIS SUFFERING, HE NEVER LOST HIS FAITH IN GOD. HE USED HIS POSITION TO SAVE HIS FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE NATION OF EGYPT FROM FAMINE.

THIS NARRATIVE RESONATES WITH MANY TODAY WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN SITUATIONS OF INJUSTICE AND HARDSHIP.

IT'S A REMINDER THAT EVEN IN THE DARKEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES, GOD CAN BRING ABOUT REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION.

IN THE SAME VEIN, THE STORY OF ESTHER, A YOUNG JEWISH GIRL WHO BECAME QUEEN OF PERSIA, IS ANOTHER POWERFUL NARRATIVE OF LIBERATION. SHE USED HER POSITION TO SAVE HER PEOPLE FROM GENOCIDE. HER COURAGE AND FAITH SERVE AS AN INSPIRATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO STAND AGAINST SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION.

IT'S A CALL TO ACTION FOR US TODAY, REMINDING US THAT WE EACH HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN.

THE STORY OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AT THE WELL IS ANOTHER NARRATIVE THAT SPEAKS TO OUR MODERN STRUGGLES. SHE WAS AN OUTCAST, MARGINALIZED BY HER OWN PEOPLE BECAUSE OF HER PAST. YET, JESUS OFFERED HER LIVING WATER, A SYMBOL OF SPIRITUAL LIBERATION.

THIS STORY CHALLENGES US TO LOOK BEYOND SOCIETAL LABELS AND SEE THE INHERENT DIGNITY AND WORTH IN EVERY INDIVIDUAL. IT'S A CALL TO BE AGENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND HEALING IN A WORLD THAT IS OFTEN QUICK TO JUDGE AND CONDEMN.

IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK, THE WORD FOR "LIBERATION" USED IN LUKE 4:18 IS "APHESIS." IT'S A TERM THAT CARRIES THE CONNOTATION OF RELEASE OR DISMISSAL. IT'S USED IN OTHER PASSAGES SUCH AS ACTS 2:38, WHERE PETER TELLS THE CROWD TO REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED FOR THE "APHESIS" OF THEIR SINS.

IN EPHESIANS 1:7, PAUL SPEAKS OF REDEMPTION THROUGH CHRIST'S BLOOD, THE "APHESIS" OF SINS.

THIS TERM, IN ITS VARIOUS CONTEXTS, UNDERSCORES THE COMPREHENSIVE NATURE OF CHRIST'S LIBERATING WORK - IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PHYSICAL OR SOCIETAL LIBERATION, BUT ALSO ABOUT SPIRITUAL LIBERATION FROM SIN AND DEATH.

MOVING FORWARD, LET'S CONSIDER THE NARRATIVE OF THE MAN BORN BLIND IN JOHN 9. JESUS HEALED HIM, NOT JUST RESTORING HIS PHYSICAL SIGHT BUT ALSO OPENING HIS SPIRITUAL EYES TO RECOGNIZE JESUS AS THE MESSIAH.

THIS STORY PARALLELS THE STRUGGLES OF MANY TODAY WHO ARE SEEKING TRUTH AND MEANING IN A WORLD THAT OFTEN SEEMS CONFUSING AND CHAOTIC. IT'S A REMINDER THAT JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, OFFERING CLARITY AND HOPE AMIDST THE DARKNESS.

LASTLY, CONSIDER THE STORY OF LAZARUS, RAISED FROM THE DEAD BY JESUS. THIS NARRATIVE IS A POWERFUL SYMBOL OF LIBERATION FROM THE ULTIMATE ENEMY - DEATH ITSELF.

IT SPEAKS TO OUR DEEP-SEATED FEAR OF MORTALITY AND OFFERS A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND RESURRECTION.

THIS STORY RESONATES WITH OUR MODERN STRUGGLE AGAINST THE FEAR OF DEATH AND THE QUEST FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

IN EACH OF THESE NARRATIVES, WE SEE A REFLECTION OF OUR OWN STRUGGLES AND A GLIMPSE OF GOD'S LIBERATING POWER.

THEY REMIND US THAT THE SAME GOD WHO WORKED WONDERS IN THE PAST IS STILL AT WORK TODAY, BRINGING LIBERATION, JUSTICE, AND DIGNITY TO ALL.

JUSTICE AND DIGNITY AS GOSPEL IMPERATIVES

IN THE GOSPEL, WE FIND A COMPELLING NARRATIVE OF LIBERATION THAT RESONATES DEEPLY WITH OUR HUMAN LONGING FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY. THIS NARRATIVE, MY FRIENDS, IS NOT JUST A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT BUT A TIMELESS TRUTH THAT CONTINUES TO REVERBERATE THROUGH THE AGES.

IT IS A TRUTH THAT CALLS US TO ACTION, TO BE BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS, PROCLAIMERS OF FREEDOM, AND ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY.

THE GOSPEL NARRATIVE IS A POWERFUL TESTAMENT TO THE LIBERATING POWER OF GOD'S LOVE. IT TELLS US THAT LIBERATION IS AT THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL, THAT IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF GOD'S MISSION FOR HUMANITY.

THIS IS A MISSION THAT JESUS HIMSELF DECLARED IN LUKE 4:18-19, WHEN HE SAID, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS ON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR.

HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT FOR THE BLIND, TO SET THE OPPRESSED FREE, TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR."

THIS DECLARATION OF JESUS IS A CLARION CALL FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY.

IT IS A CALL THAT ECHOES THROUGH THE AGES, CHALLENGING US TO LIVE OUT THESE GOSPEL IMPERATIVES IN OUR DAILY LIVES.

BUT HOW DO WE DO THIS? HOW DO WE LIVE OUT THESE IMPERATIVES OF JUSTICE AND DIGNITY?

FIRSTLY, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT JUSTICE AND DIGNITY ARE NOT JUST ABSTRACT CONCEPTS BUT CONCRETE REALITIES THAT WE ARE CALLED TO EMBODY IN OUR DAILY LIVES. THIS MEANS STANDING UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE MARGINALIZED AND THE OPPRESSED, SPEAKING OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE, AND WORKING TOWARDS A SOCIETY WHERE EVERY PERSON IS TREATED WITH THE DIGNITY THEY DESERVE AS A CHILD OF GOD.

SECONDLY, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT JUSTICE AND DIGNITY ARE NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES BUT COLLECTIVE OBLIGATIONS. AS THE BODY OF CHRIST,

WE ARE CALLED TO WORK TOGETHER TO BRING ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOM ON EARTH, A KINGDOM CHARACTERIZED BY JUSTICE, PEACE, AND LOVE.

THIRDLY, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT JUSTICE AND DIGNITY ARE NOT JUST EARTHLY CONCERNS BUT ETERNAL TRUTHS. THEY ARE PART OF GOD'S ETERNAL PLAN FOR HUMANITY, A PLAN THAT WAS REVEALED IN THE LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS MEANS THAT OUR PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AND DIGNITY IS NOT JUST A TEMPORAL ENDEAVOR BUT AN ETERNAL MISSION, A MISSION THAT HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES.

FINALLY, WE MUST REALIZE THAT JUSTICE AND DIGNITY ARE NOT JUST PASSIVE IDEALS BUT ACTIVE PURSUITS. THEY REQUIRE ACTION, COMMITMENT, AND SACRIFICE. THEY REQUIRE US TO STEP OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES, TO TAKE RISKS, AND TO MAKE SACRIFICES FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL.

SO, MY FRIENDS, LET US RISE TO THE CHALLENGE. LET US BE BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS, PROCLAIMERS OF FREEDOM, AND ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY. LET US LIVE OUT THESE GOSPEL IMPERATIVES IN OUR DAILY LIVES, KNOWING THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE NOT IN VAIN, FOR THEY ARE PART OF GOD'S ETERNAL PLAN FOR HUMANITY. LET US TAKE ACTION, FOR THE TIME IS NOW, AND THE MISSION IS OURS.

CONCLUSION

AS WE WRAP UP TODAY, LET'S REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT JUST HEARERS OF THE WORD, BUT DOERS. WE'VE HEARD THE CALL TO BE BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS, PROCLAIMERS OF FREEDOM, AND ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY.

THESE AREN'T JUST NICE IDEAS, THEY'RE DIVINE ASSIGNMENTS. THEY'RE PART OF OUR CALLING AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST.

BUT LET'S NOT FORGET, WE'RE NOT DOING THIS IN OUR OWN STRENGTH. WE'RE NOT EXPECTED TO MUSTER UP THE COURAGE, THE WISDOM, OR THE RESOURCES ON OUR OWN. NO, WE'RE EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. THE SAME SPIRIT THAT WAS ON JESUS, ENABLING HIM TO FULFILL HIS MISSION, IS ON US TOO.

AND THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF IT ALL. WE'RE NOT ALONE IN THIS. WE'VE GOT THE BEST PARTNER WE COULD EVER ASK FOR - GOD HIMSELF. HE'S NOT JUST WATCHING FROM A DISTANCE. HE'S RIGHT HERE WITH US, GUIDING US, STRENGTHENING US, AND WORKING THROUGH US.

SO, LET'S STEP OUT IN FAITH, KNOWING THAT WE'RE PART OF SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER THAN OURSELVES. LET'S BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS IN OUR WORLD, SHOWING HIS LOVE, HIS GRACE, AND HIS MERCY TO THOSE AROUND US.

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LET'S PRAY TOGETHER.

DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD TODAY. THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US OF OUR MISSION AND FOR EMPOWERING US TO CARRY IT OUT. HELP US TO BE BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS, PROCLAIMERS OF FREEDOM, AND ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND DIGNITY. MAY WE REFLECT YOUR LOVE AND GRACE IN ALL THAT WE DO. GUIDE US, LORD, AS WE SEEK TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR WORLD. WE ASK ALL THIS IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN.

AND NOW, MAY THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH US ALL, NOW AND FOREVERMORE. AMEN.

GO IN PEACE, BELOVED, AND LET'S LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.