Freedom from Sin - Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh

English Standard Version Psalm 107

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

and burst their bonds apart.

English Standard Version Chapter 8

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

English Standard Version Chapter 8

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

English Standard Version Chapter 61

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

English Standard Version Chapter 4

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

English Standard Version Psalm 118

Out of my distress I called on the LORD;

the LORD answered me and set me free.

English Standard Version Chapter 8

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.”

English Standard Version Chapter 8

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Set Free

I . Are you living in bondage?

A. To sin

i. That sin that you keep going back to. You know its wrong, but just can’t help returning to it.

B. To self

You put yourself before God and others

C. To unforgiveness

Are you holding a grudge. Maybe one you’ve had for decades?

D. To anxiety and fear

You constantly have a pit in your stomach.

You worry and fret.

E. To finances

You worry about your job

You worry about making ends meet.

You worry about having enough.

Opening Prayer

II. I have good news! God has set you free!

A. Are you a slave to sin? The bible says in Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your  freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one  another.

But I keep going back to… fill in the blank! God will set you free!

We have 3 parts to us. Just like the trinity has the Father, son, and holy spirit. We have the Holy Spirit, our soul, and our flesh.

The spirit advices us of the right path. The soul counsels the flesh. The flesh choices to sin or follow God’s word.

What will you choose?

It’s your choice. You have to make the decision. The spirit convicts, the soul advises, the flesh decides. You have to train and discipline yourself. This comes from daily reading God’s word and meditating on it. Quoting it.

Paul in Gal 5:16–17 tell us But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

When the temptation comes, do we allow it to fester. Do we consider it? Think about it?

James 1:14–16 tell us. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

God gives us the solution. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Listen to the holy spirit! Not the flesh! Discipline yourself. Stay in the word of God. Quote James 4:7

How does Paul tell us to do it? 1 Cor 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Discipline yourself by staying in the word and you will be set free!

I have good news! All believers can be set free from sin! We do it by making a daily and sometimes a moment by moment choice of choosing God!

And what is the promise when we do? Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its  end, eternal life.

What great news! John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Start living in freedom today!

B. Be Set Free from Self

Do you put yourself before God

Matt 16:24–25 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

We are to stop putting ourselves first but instead, put God first. Put kingdom matter first. Put sharing Jesus first in our lives. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Get your mind off of yourself.

John 3:30 says, He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Let me ask you. What are your top priorities this year?

Maybe its a new job. Or a new relationship, or a new house.

Where is the priority of putting God first? Winning souls to the Lord? Sharing the gospel with a lost friend?

We need to prioritize what is really important. Kingdom matters.

Stop prioritizing yourself, and prioritize Jesus!

Conclusion - Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. One more Rom 6:6–7 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

Do you want to truly be set free? Die to your flesh! Let the holy spirit lead you in every part of your life.

In your priorities, in your relationship with Him, in your family, with your friends, at your job, in your hobbies. Whatever you eat, drink, or whatever you do. Do all unto the glory of God. Whatever! Whatever! That means everything!!!

Do you put yourself before others?

God, I put you first in my life. Really? How did you treat the girl at the coffee shop this morning? What did you do when the homeless man asked for help? Did you welcome the new guest at church? ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40

We need to treat others for what they are. God’s creation. Created in his image.

Do we put others needs before our own? Jesus certainly did. 1 Cor 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Your neighbor is working on something and it looks like they need help. Do you turn your head? Or offer to help?

Do you take their phone call, or press decline?

Sometimes its not a good time for you. Sometimes its inconvenient. What would Jesus have done? Did he turn anyone away? No

Phil 2:3 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Wow! What an attitude adjustment for many of us.

When we do help, how many of us think…

I’ll gladly do that because people will see it and think I am a good person.

I can brag about this in my next bible study.

No! Do it when no one is watching! Do it because you have the love of God in you! Do it because its what Jesus would have done! Get your heart right!

Prioritize others needs like you prioritize your own. It’s important to them, so it’s important to me. That’s the biblical way to love your neighbor as yourself.

Remember when it comes to all of God’s children, It’s not about me, it’s all about He.

Conclusion

Col 3:1–3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

How do we do this? Set your mind on God Rom 8:5–6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

The Holy Spirit wants us to have relationships with other people so that we can win them to the Lord. When you put their needs first, when you love them as yourself, when you help them in their times of need, and make their priorities yours, doesn’t that help cement a relationship where they like and trust you? Doesn’t that help them see Jesus and God’s love in you? Won’t that open up opportunities to share His salvation message?

C. Be set free from unforgiveness

Forgive others. Even if they don’t deserve it. Have you been holding a grudge for a long time? Forgive! Let it go! Matt 6:14–15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Col 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Don’t forgive them for their sake! Forgive them for yours!

Do you have bitterness? Anger? Does it consume you? You need to forgive! You need to move on! The time is NOW! Eph 4:31–32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Forgive again and again! Matt 18:21–22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Do you have that person that keeps doing the same thing to you time and time again? Remember, it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict them of their sin. Your only job is to forgive. Sometimes over and over again.

Deal with forgiveness first. Matt 5:23–24 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

You can’t live a spirit filled life, your best life, when you have unforgiveness. Forgive first, then present your gifts to God. Then pray for your needs. Then seek God’s face. But you have to forgive first. Wondering why your waiting on an answer to prayer? Could it be the unforgiveness in your heart?

Let God seek justice. But I was wronged! He needs to pay! God is a great defense attorney! He will settle the score. Rom 12:19–21 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Conclusion

Heb 12:14–15 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Bitterness is the result of unforgiveness. The time to forgive is NOW!!!

D. Set free from anxiety and fear

i. Are you living in fear? Does anxiety control your life? According to the CDC about one in five adults age 18 and older experience symptoms of anxiety.

What’s God’s solution to the epidemic? What does God tell us to do? 1 Pet 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Stop trying to think your way out of problems. Stop dwelling on them. Stop running them over and over through your mind. Stop trying to find solutions on your own. Stop saying I should have said this or that.

ii. Instead read verses about what the bible says about anxiety. Meditate on those verses. Repeat them over and over. When your mind races, quote the verses. Memorize them so they remain with you

Find your strength in the Lord! Josh 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Be strong and courageous! God has this! Trust in him!

Ps 56:3–4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? No situation can defeat you when you put your trust in God. Don’t be afraid! Instead, trust fully in God!

Phil 4:6–7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is one of my favorites. Lets break it down.

First, don’t be anxious about anything. It’s in God’s control. He will handle all of your problems. He is in control! He is not worried about it or sitting in heaven popping Tums over it. Why? Because he has your solution! He IS your solution!

Instead, pray about the situation. Give the entire situation to him. Now look at the word supplication.

The Greek word is deēsis. It means entreaty, request, plea, prayer. It is paired with the verb deomai which means to beg.

It is a continual humble begging prayer. Instead of worrying, humbling pray continuously.

with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Be thankful. Expecting that he will solve your problems and remove what is making you anxious.

When you do this, you release power from heaven and will receive an unexplainable peace. That peace which surpasses human understanding.

This is the remedy for all of your anxiety!!!

Seek the Lord. Ps 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

The solution is the turn your eyes away from your problems and instead seek the Lord’s help. This is a continual seeking. If you continue to seek Him, the fear will subside and you will be delivered.

Conclusion - John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

One more verse for you.Another favorite. Prov 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Emphasis the word ALL. All your ways. In every way. All the time!

God will lead you to the right decisions if you put all of your trust in him.

Acknowledge him in every part of your life and he will tell you which way to go, and put you on the path to victory!

Follow these steps and God will give you peace!

E. Set your finances free

i. Matt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Get your mind straight on your priorities first. Put God before material wealth. Seek him first! Then all these things will be added unto you!

Acts 5:1-5 Annanias and his wife Sapphira conspired to hold back some of the money from what they sold. They put money before God and what happened? They both dropped dead. Where were their priorities? What came first to them? Luke 16:11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

The love of money over God is an idolatry. Eccles 5:10 tell us, He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

How many wealthy people are unhappy? We see celebrities committing suicide, or having substance abuse problems. It isn’t because of their wealth. It is because of what they expected their wealth to bring them. They worship wealth instead of God. And it is empty.

Instead, honor the Lord with your money.

Prov 3:9–10 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

When you honor the Lord with your first fruits, he will bless your finances more than you can possibly imagine.

Mal 3:10 says, Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Do you want blessings that overflow? Do you never want to worry about money again? The solution is simple! The solution is biblical!

God promises us in Phil 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

He knows your needs. He will provide! He will prosper you! Ephesians 3:20 He will do exceedingly abundantly more than you and ask or think!

Conclusion - Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Put God first and watch your bank account grow! Watch your life prosper in every way! Watch blessings fall from heaven like you never imagined as you live a spirit filled life!

iii. Conclusion - Live in God’s freedom!

A. A reminder from James 4:7–10 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

B. Live in the truth John 8:31–32 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.”

C. 2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Turn back to Gal 5:16–18 with me. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. In short, you are FREE!

C. He who the son has set free is free indeed! Glory to God! Today is the day to choose freedom! Today is the day to turn to the Lord, repent , put him first, and live a life of freedom!

Closing Prayer