Freedom In Dependence : Grad Sunday 2025

Opening

Evan Hughes Swimming Pool Story

This is such a significant time in their lives, and it’s important that we pray for them.

Can you remember what it’s like? The tension of almost being independent, but not quite yet. I’ve heard it so many times from our youth as they get closer to graduating. “I just can’t wait to be out on my own, I just can’t wait to be free.”

We often associate independence with freedom. We think, if I can just be independent, then I will be free. If I can get to the place, where no one can to tell me what to do, where I don’t need anyone, then I will be free. In our culture especially, independence is a high value of ours.

MSINDPTT License Plate

We take pride in how independent we are.

This story is a good representation of what it’s like to be thrown into the “deep end” of life for the first time. In your early 20s, I often hear that they were hard for a lot of people. You’re out on your own, you can do whatever you want. We often lose sight of where the light is, and lose sight of which way is up and which was is down. It eventually leaves us hitting a rock bottom.

We often associate independence with freedom.

We were never meant to be fully independent. In fact, I’m learning that often the more mature someone is, the more they are able to recognize they need others, and more importantly.

We were never meant to be fully independent. We will never outgrow our need for others in our life, and more importantly, our need for God. We need community in our life, and we need God in our life.

TENSION : So how do we live in freedom in its truest form?

Transition - Look no further than the life of Paul…

1.) Be Filled With The Spirit

Saul to Paul - Quick Overview

(Acts 9:17) - Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Paul (Saul) thought he was pursuing what was right and true, but it wasn’t until he saw the true light, Jesus. That he realize, he’s been blind all along.

This was the launching pad of his ministry.

2.) Walk By the Spirit

We just finished up a series for youth called, “How To See God”. We can see God at work in our everyday life, talked about the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

(Galatians 5:13) For you are called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self indulgence, but through love serve one another.

(Galatians 5:16) Walk by the Spirit and will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25) If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Preschoolers Walking into Pole

3.) Commune With the Spirit

(Acts 16:25) - About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

This is what struck me more than the earthquake. After all the suffering, this is what came out.

“To sing is to pray twice.” - St. Augustine

There is something about singing that quickens our hearts to aline in trusting God.

Psalm 118

Are you in a place where you feel imprisoned? Worship the Lord.

Are you in a place where you feel lost? Worship the Lord.

Are you in a place where you have nothing else to say? Worship the Lord.

4.) Co-Work With The Spirit

Often, when you see the Spirit moving and working throughout the Bible, it is often through people.

God uses His people to work through people’s lives.

The Spirit worked through Paul and Silas and saved the jailers live, and his and his family’s spiritual lives as well.

He might have even saved prisoners life.

What will all of this lead to? It will lead to this promise…

Closing : Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is, There Is Freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Phil Robertson Video

Acts is filled with ordinary men and women, partnering with the Holy Spirit to - Walking through the first 12 chapters of Acts, we see firsthand how a few faithful people can change the world. And we’re asking, “Lord, do it again.” May God use us to make a difference. - Max (pg. vii)