Free

Objective

have people recognize that w/o Christ they are not really free but instead that they are in bondage

to have people acknowledge their condition and seek their solution, Christ, that they may be made free

Introduction

Definition

36 of them on dictionary.com

don’t worry, I won’t put you through that

enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery.

a land of free people.

able to do something at will; at liberty.

free to choose.

not occupied or in use; available.

I think the main conference room is free, so we can meet there.

I'm moving to a new apartment, and that’s taking up most of my free time.

without cost, payment, or charge.

Shopping experience

speaking of free of charge

You do not have to raise your hands but how many of you have set off the alarm when walking out of a store?

Recently due to a sprained ankle, I chose to go to buy new ankle sleeves because I could not find some of my better ones

I walked out of the store, set the alarm off, but the cashier looked at me and said not to worry, that everything was fine

So I walked away

but everything was not fine

More on that later

Dates for different Independence Days

For some perhaps there are dates that share what the 4th of July is

August 6, 1962— Jamaica, Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley

July 5, 1811— Venezuela, Simón Bolívar

September 30, 1966— Botswana

February 7, 1974— Grenada

Text

John 8:31–36 LSB

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s seed and have never yet been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Points

Jesus was offering the people freedom

but they claimed they had never been enslaved even though:

they were currently under Roman rule

were captives in Babylon for 70 years

were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years

You may read the book of Judges where from time to time Israel would go under the rule and oppression of another nation

and yet somehow this was still their answer

Are we much different?

may may have the appearance of being free but might we or some of us be under the rule or bondage or something?

Text

James 1:13–15 LSB

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death.

Romans 7:18–8:2 LSB

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the working out of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one working it out, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in my members, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Points

some rejected the freedom that Christ offers

but not everyone

which camp do you want to be in?

to avoid being like those in the first text we read, we need to have a time of reflection and ask God to help us see our true condition

it does not end with that true condition, because as you already know, there is a great offer!

Does anyone here want to accept Jesus’ offer to be free?

Story continued

I found out why I had set the alarm off at the store

When I got home and opened the little box where the ankle sleeve was I realized it had that plastic tag on it still

I was cleared though from before, no charges no worries but I now seeing and being aware of why the alarm went off I had to go back

otherwise I would not be able to use the product and should I go through that store again I’d set off the alarm again

so I went back to the store because only they could make it right and release the product form its tag

when I went back to the store, I knew I would once more set off the alarm

but I was not worried

I walked in, the alarm sounded loud

everyone stared at me

but I was calm and even smiled

I had a receipt

people returned to whatever they were doing

problem was solved

I realized the problem

went to the place where it could the (sin) tag could get released

had my (Holy Spirit) receipt and knew I was good

and no condemnation came upon me

I ask again, is there someone here who wants the peace of knowing they will have no condemnation and desires Jesus to make them free? (because thats the only way)

One Last Point

Liberty is important. To us. To God. This why, you might know, that He has a Law. A Law of Liberty

James 2:12 LSB

12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.

And this Law is something we know fallen angels attack. We will see this on full display in a future. There is a future coming where, well…

Turn with me to the book of Revelation chapter 13

I’d like to invite others to go to Exodus 20

Revelation 13:4 LSB

4 And they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

Revelation 13:8 LSB

8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

What is the first commandment?

Revelation 13:14–15 LSB

14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which were given to him to do in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

What is the second commandment?

Revelation 13:5–6 LSB

5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking great boasts and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

what is the third commandment?

Revelation 13:16 LSB

16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, that they be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

does someone recall a story where buying and selling food, or maybe another story where something with food was to be remembered in the Old Testament?

What is the fourth commandment?

Satan will attack the Law of Liberty with use of force and the removal of liberty

He will spend much energy on attacking the 1st four commandments

these have to do with our relationship with God

perhaps another time we can talk more of the book of Revelation

for now…

How are we doing with our own relationship with God?

Is it good by our own definition or by His?

Are we honoring God and His Law?

Or are we more concerned with doing things our way?

or are we more concerned with honoring the rules of our employer even if they clearly go against the law of God so that we can keep our jobs?

there are freedoms here we love and should not take for granted

we should consider preparing ourselves also for a future predicted too

so that we do not end up worshiping the beast and dragon

Summary

we defined freedom and looked at some examples

In this world there are many dates called Independence Day

but there is one more we are looking forward to

We saw that Jesus wants to make us all free but that some were in times past and in times present under the impression that they have never been in bondage. Such have and may continue missing out. We have to be able to recognize our true condition w/o Christ so that we may accept His offer and recognize Him as the only way to find true freedom

our greatest battle sometimes is against self

there is no condemnation Christ

There is a Law of Liberty which has been under attack but will receive greater opposition in the future

God wins, and wants you to win with Him

Invitation

Maybe there is someone here who lately has been like some of the Jews of old believing they’ve never been in bondage but perhaps the Holy Spirit is bringing something to your attention.

perhaps you are feeling a need to accept this gift of freedom that can only come from Jesus

If you’d like that, I’d like to pray for you, if you’ll raise your hand or stand

We have freedom now

maybe there is someone here who would like God to help them use their time differently

I’d like to invite you to raise your hand or stand. I’d like to pray for you

We can enjoy these freedoms, but if we’re paying attention we see that some little by little are being challenged and justified by people reasoning this way or that

one day the people of God will meet Revelation 13

I don’t know when that is coming or who will be there for it

but if you would like to join me in prayer so that we can have the faith and strength for today’s challenges and tomorrow, I invite you to stand also

Jesus wins. One day we’ll have our ultimate and eternal Independence Day. We just have to choose to be in His side.

Who would like to either remain or join His side?

Lets pray.