When the Gospel sets us free

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—we’re truly glad you're here. You're part of our extended spiritual family, and we're thankful for you.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them

For the rest of us, grab your Bible, get comfortable, and get ready for what God has for you today. We are continuing today on our journey through our series called—Treason & Triumph: Exposing Idols and Embracing Christ…So let’s dig in together…

Now, for the last few weeks we have been discussing idolatry and the reality of that idolatry in our own lives. Something I’ve said is that most of us think of idols as something ancient, primitive, maybe even silly—like bowing down to statues of wood or stone in far-off temples. But here’s the truth: idols are alive and well today, and they don’t look like golden calves. They look like paychecks, careers, children, sports, phones, beliefs, being right, the approval of others, and even our own comfort.

We’ve talked about how idols are rooted in our hearts, and how our hearts are idol factories continuing to pump out new idols constantly in an effort to keep control of everything that goes on. However, we’ve also talked about the importance of putting God back on the throne of your heart instead of yourself, or whatever your favorite idols are.

I gave us a working definition of an idol from Brad Bigney. An idol is anything or anyone that captures our heart and affection more than God.

Now, most of us here have a smart phone of some sort. I want you to think about your phone for a moment. Every so often, it notifies you that there’s a new update available—one that promises better performance, new features, and fixes for the glitches that frustrate you. The update has everything you need to make your phone run smoother and stronger. But here’s the catch: the power of that update doesn’t change a thing until you actually install it.

You can read about what the update does. You can even tell others, “There’s a great update available!” But if you never press that “install” button, your phone will keep running the same way it always has—sluggish, glitchy, vulnerable to the same old bugs.

In the same way, many of us have the gospel truth sitting right in front of us. We’ve heard it, we know it, we can even quote it. But if we never apply that truth to the specific areas of our hearts—especially to the idols we secretly protect—then nothing really changes. We stay stuck in the same spiritual “bugs”: pride, fear, control, envy, or self-reliance.

The gospel has the power to renew your mind (Romans 12:2), to set you free (John 8:32), and to transform your heart of stone into a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).

But just like that software update, the gospel’s power changes nothing until it’s received by faith and applied through obedience. It means taking what we know about Christ’s finished work on the cross and, by the Spirit’s help, pressing it deeply into the parts of our lives where we still resist surrender—those places we keep trying to manage on our own.

Maybe for you, it’s the idol of approval. You know Jesus calls you “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6), but you still crave affirmation from others. The truth is there—but you haven’t installed it yet. Or maybe it’s the idol of control. You know that God is sovereign (Psalm 115:3), but anxiety keeps you clinging to every detail. Again, the truth is available—but it’s waiting to be applied to your life.

So today, we’re not just learning about the gospel; we’re learning how to install it where it matters most—our hearts. That’s where real transformation begins.

Because the gospel isn’t just an announcement to believe—it’s a power to experience (Romans 1:16). This morning I’m going to give you three ways for you to apply that truth of the Gospel to your heart.

If you want to know how real freedom works, then I want you to highlight a passage in your Bible. You see, Paul wrote to a worker named Titus when Titus was in a rough place called Crete. Paul shares with Titus where real freedom comes from and he says it starts with grace—not grit

Titus 2:11–14 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

The first step isn’t about fighting harder—it’s about looking closer. You can’t win the war against idols by focusing on the idols. You win by refocusing on the One who already won.

So…

Reorient Your Heart Around the Finished Work of Christ

Freedom only begins when your battle with idols shifts from self-effort to gospel-centered worship.

In the passage we just read we see that God’s grace is available for all people…That means if you are not yet a Christian, God’s grace is available to you this morning. What you do is you focus yourself on the finished work of the cross that Jesus accomplished. Setting your mind on the truth of Christ return gives you the strength and desire to live a holy life. However, that means that you are not focused on the idol you have been worshiping, but you are focused on the God who defeated that idol. That’s where freedom really comes from…

Freedom starts with remembering who won the fight.

Here’s the deal…Jesus didn’t just pay for your sin on the cross—He broke the power of sin and death so that you no longer live under its rule. Sin is no longer the master of your heart…Jesus is.

That means that when sin and your idols startt whispering things like, You need me”…you just have to remind them that Christ has already given you everything you truly need.

When the battle feels overwhelming, remember—you’re not fighting for victory, you’re fighting from victory.

And once your heart remembers who won the fight, you start to see how every idol loses its power in the light of that victory.

Let me say that again…

Every idol loses power in the light of the cross.

Let me prove it to you using just three pretty common idols. Now, these idols can expose themselves in multiple ways, but these are three very common idols.

Let’s talk about the idol of Approval. You want or feel like you need people to like you…Well, Eph 1:6 says that you are already accepted and beloved!

Let’s talk about the idol of power. You feel like you need to be in control of everything that is going on around you, and that you have to be the strong one for everyone…Men, I’m talking to you…2 Cor. 12:9-10 tells us that when I am weak, then I am strong.

Finally, let’s talk about money. You know money tells you that you need more so that you can survive. You always need more and you never have enough…Well, 2 Cor. 8:9 tells us that Christ literally became poor so that I can be rich in grace.

Once your heart is reoriented to Christ, the next step is to renew your mind with his truth. Let;s read

Colossians 3:1–3 ESV

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.

So before we can live free, we have to look back—to the cross. But to stay free, we have to look up—to truth. Because what captures your attention will soon control your affection. In other words, it isn’t about trying harder…its about thinking higher.

Renew Your Mind with the Unchanging Truth of God’s Word

Your freedom will grow deeper as God’s truth rewires what you believe about life, comfort, and control.

The object of a believers’ effort and thought are Christ and things above rather than earthly things. That means, as a believer, your thoughts are not focused here in Leaf River…Your thoughts are focused on eternity with the Father. Now this way of thinking is in direct opposition to the worldly wisdom isn’t it. Worldly wisdom tells you to focus on your desired state and what you have to do to get there. However, Godly wisdom says that you need to focus on him and what eternity will be like with him. This is the difference between true spiritual living with false “spirituality” that the culture around us seeks.

Of course that reveals where the true battle is fought and won.

The battle for freedom is won in your thought life.

Romans 12:2 tells us that we should be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Our mind is only renewed towards God by spending time with the Lord daily. Here’s the truth…When you are not spending time with the Lord daily, then your mind is still being renewed…but it’s being renewed according to the wisdom of man, and not the wisdom of God. You tell me which is better…

Some of you know this is true because you’ve been battling your thoughts for years…maybe decades. Those that are addicted to things like porn, or alcohol, or something else. You know that when your mind is focused on those things, it makes it alot harder to get away from them. However, when you change your focused it starts to get a little easier. Look at the strength this passage gives you

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Here’s the truth: if you’re not renewing your mind in God’s Word, the world is renewing it for you.

But renewing your mind isn’t just about memorizing verses—it’s about seeing reality as God sees it.

God’s Word doesn’t just inform you; it reforms you.

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Listen, Paul wrote this to the church in a place called Philippi to encourage them with how to receive God’s peace over various situations.

What we read here is that when your mind is focused on these seven qualities, you are able to experience the peace of God. True is ethical “truthfulness.” Honorable is “noble,” to be respected. Just is giving people what they deserve. Pure is holy in relation to God. Lovely, mentioned only here in the NT, is attractive. Commendable, also used only here in the NT, is praiseworthy. The God of peace complements “the peace of God”. So these are the places you should point your mind to…These are the things that don’t just inform what you do, they reform who you are.

You know…even with renewed minds, there’s one trap we still fall into—making the fight about ourselves.

So yes, we fight with truth—but we also have to guard our focus. Because even with the right weapons in hand, if you aim them at the wrong target—yourself—you’ll still lose the battle.

Let’s take a moment and take a look at what the writer of Hebrews tells us.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Freedom isn’t maintained by focusing on our fight, but by fixing our eyes on our Savior.

That’s why it’s important to…

Refocus Your Fight on Christ, Not Your Performance

Your freedom only lasts when your focus shifts from your progress to His power.

Listen, Jesus Christ is the source and the perfector of Christian faith. That means that the faith you have is only possible because of the strength of his sacrifice. That’s why its so important to keep your eyes focused on Jesus and not yourself.

You see, a faithful Christian will lay aside every sinful weight and run towards Christ. That means you will lay down every other sinful behavior or idol that you have in your heart for the opportunity to run towards Christ. We do this because Jesus endured the cross so you don’t have to. We do this because Jesus dealt with being truly despised despite having done nothing to cause shame. We do this because we desire the joy of being in the presence of God the father, where Jesus has joined him in the heavenly places.

However, you cannot lay down your own idolatry and sinfulness if you are still focused on your own performance.

Performance-driven faith always leads to pride or despair.

Here’s what happens when you are focused on your own performance.

If you win, you think you did it. If you lose, you think you ruined it. Both mindsets keep you at the center. The gospel sets you free by moving the spotlight off you and back onto Jesus.

Another name for “idol of self” is pride. When you think everything rises and falls on you, then that is pride and you are not focused on Jesus, who is the author of the faith that you claim to hold.

Listen, because this is pretty important. This freedom from idolatry that I’m talking about doesn’t mean you stop fighting—it means you fight in the right direction. You fight with the gospel that was written with nail scared hands. You realize where victory comes from. You see…

Christ has already nailed your failure to the cross.

Paul wrote in Colossians

Colossians 2:13–14 ESV

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

That means your worst day doesn’t define you—His finished work on the cross does.

You see, you no longer are a slave to your own idolatry…you have been given the freedom to walk away

That’s how the gospel not only sets you free—but keeps you free.

Let’s remember…

The Gospel That Keeps Us Free

You didn’t save yourself, and you don’t sustain yourself. The same grace that broke your chains is the grace that teaches you to walk in freedom.

The Gospel that we reflect on, trains you how to walk in freedom.

Titus 2:11–12 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Listen, you don’t have to fear a relapse back into your old idols—because Chrsit grip is stronger that yours.

You don’t have to pretend to be perfect—because your freedom isn’t your achievement, it’s a free gift from Jesus.

So, the gospel isn’t a one-time event — it’s a new operating system. It doesn’t just sit in your head; it runs through your heart.

Remember that phone update waiting to be installed—the one that promises to fix what’s broken, but only works if you press “apply”? That’s where many of us live spiritually. We’ve downloaded the truth, but we haven’t let it run. We’ve heard the gospel, but we haven’t allowed it to reshape our hearts.

Idols promise a faster app, a better connection, an easier way to feel whole—but none of them can do what the gospel already has. Jesus didn’t die to patch up your old system with religious updates; He came to make you new from the inside out.

Christ didn’t die so you could keep running the same outdated system with a few religious updates. He came to make you new from the inside out.

So stop swiping away the Spirit’s reminder. Let grace do its work. Let the gospel run through you like power, like truth, like freedom.

Maybe today that begins for the first time. If you’ve never trusted Christ, don’t wait another day. Admit your sin, believe in the Savior who died and rose for you, and receive His transforming grace.

Or maybe you’ve known Him for years but realize you haven’t been living free. Then right now—re-install what’s already yours. Turn your eyes back to the One who never turned His back on you.

Let’s pray