Walk in Freedom

Intro

talk about the freedom we have in Christ, truth that goes unseen

first a bit about myself, testimony

testimony

God is on the move here at MRCC, excited

Scripture

Explain layout - walk through scripture, dive deeper into the theme of freedom, look into what in our own lives keeps us from living out that freedom

Prayer

Prayer

vs 31 - What does “Believed Him” refer to if they want to kill him - Many different views, general agreement is mental ascent or belief in statements or works

Challenges us to think someone can have information about but not faith in “ On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ ”

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

How then can we have confidence in our salvation? Possible to have information of, but not faith in.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)

, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear , but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God ( Do our heart cry out Abba, what excites us about heaven?)

“If you abide in my word, are disciples” by abiding in His word. ( continue, remain, dwell , reside, hold fast)

vs 32 - see the train of thought (freedom-truth-abide word) do you feel the freedom that comes from abiding in Gods Word?

True freedom is not doing whatever we want, but doing what we were created to do.(greatest joy) (fence analogy)

vs 33 - 1) Strange to say this - slaves egypt, deportation to Babylon, present subjection to Rome 2) Is this not our cultures view( How am i not free right now? Total autonomy, its a joke, all worship something)

vs 34 - Truly, truly -amen - end of statement (so be it, endorse, agree) / beginning - what follows is true, but person speaking firsthand knowledge, how? watched history)

Clarifying of slavery, not external but internal condition one cannot flee but must be redeemed from

vs 35 - (translation-NIV family) continues to distinguish - external, not part of family/ son is family, inheritance, never sold or fired

vs 36 - So clear, not us who is the determining factor / God changes, darkness to light / freedom in evangelism, healing ect

Can you feel the weight of that statement? The beauty of that word?

vs 37,38 - Seek to Kill, knowledge of but not love for, His word had not taken root

vs 37,38 - Seek to Kill, surprised/ Believed to an certain extent, His word had not taken root, hard heart

Freedom

Read again with context, fullness

Read passage again

Freedom

Read again in context, fullness

Freedom thread through all of scripture. Had it, lost it, God dies for it, offers it again to humanity, still reject it

know we are free and what free from/ remind Israel again and again

Deut - “take care lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” “the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery”

On and on, reminders of where we are without him. Harder for christian at early age(1-look around, 2-your heart, convincing)

Such short memories. Book of remembrance. Aria.

Remember where you were without Him, And rejoice where you are now with Him

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

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

“

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

We all long for it, Braveheart.

Do you feel that, all long for it, Braveheart(execution, hang drawn quartered, history recalls he requesting his book of psalms, freedom)

Everyone, Christian or not has an innate longing for freedom. Our culture has simply mislabeled freedom so people are looking for it in all the wrong places.

As Christians we NEED to be walking in the freedom and joy Christ has provided for us, not for ourselves but for those outside these walls in every aspect of our lives..... family, work, friends, groceries, gym, neighbours....(how was your weekend?)

They long for it..... freedom in Christ frees us from the weight of expectations and fear of man so we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in every second of everyday of our lives......When we are free in Christ other can so easily TASTE and SEE the our Lord is good

it is carrying that freedom to everyone around you, ....

Free and unburdened on a Sunday morning... it is carrying that freedom to everyone around you, family, work, friends, groceries, gym, neighbors.... true freedom in Christ frees us from the weight of expectations and fear of man so we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in every second of everyday of our lives

We could stop here, sing a great song of celebration about our the freedom Christ has provided us through the cross, and we should celebrate that. But i think we should go one step further this morning, and deal with some of the things that keep us from that freedom so graciously offered us through the cross.

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

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

Challenge

So many of the reasons we do not walk in the freedom God has offered us has to do with the lies we believe. About ourselves, about others, about God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The main way Satan hinders Gods children is through the power of the lie. True in the garden (Satan says “you will not surely die), and its true today. Satan hates you more than you can imagine because you bear the image of God whom he despises.

“ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

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

English Standard Version Chapter 10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly

Easier to see those clearly negative things - Dependance on alcohol/drugs, sexual immorality, pornography,

We are very susceptible to the lies of the enemy particularly when they are told to us in times of weakness or trauma. These lies often exist in the backs of our mind usually undetected, and can guide and direct our thoughts and actions, sometimes for decades, and keeping us from living out our lives in the freedom Christ offers us.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly

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

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

How many of us here, right now, have something else in that center? Can I be so bold as to say that everyone of us here today, myself included has at least something, if not multiple things vying for that position, and weve let those things get too close.

My question to every one of us this morning is “what in your life, my life, is keeping us from experiencing the freedom Christ has laid before us.

When i say freedom what comes to mind....whats triggered.....where does your mind go, can you think of something

If the Spirit has brought something to mind, praise God....but if not, Im going to read out some of the common lies spoken to our hearts and minds by the enemy.....If any of these connect with you, try and remember them as we will be going into a time of prayer after this.

When i say freedom what comes to mind....whats triggered.....where does your mind go, can you think of something

I am a failure, I am not strong enough, I am ugly, I have no worth, I must always succeed, I can only trust myself, its all up to me, there is no hope, nothing will change, what I have to say doesn't matter, God cant be trusted, God wont provide for me, Im not a real man, Im not a real woman, Im not good enough, God doesn't really love ME, this secret hurts no one but me, I deserve this, I must be in control, I can do it on my own, other people will only hurt me, God could never use someone like me, I must preform to be seen, I am alone, if I was only like this other person, God doesn't speak to me, I’ll never find someone to love, God isn't good, my past is unforgivable, no one will accept me if the know the real me, I don’t measure up to others around me

Or deep seeded fears such as the fear of man( raise hands, share faith), fear of failure, of being hurt by others, of missing out,

Easier to see those clearly negative things - Dependance on alcohol/drugs, sexual immorality, pornography,

Did any of those ring true..... can you feel the weight of those lies....how they keep us from truly living in freedom

a bit harder to see - jealousy,

The most common and sneakiest, good things -

“ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” He has come to bring freedom, and Satan may want to kill steal and destroy, but we know our God is so much greater, “If God is for us, who can be against us.”

Church, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, and I believe the spirit of God is here amongst us this very morning to free us, unburden us from the ties that bind us far too often.

We are going to enter into a time of reflection and prayer now. This is going to look different for everyone, please do not feel obligated to stand and sing...... for some it may be sitting and praying, others it may be standing and declaring freedom, and for others you need to come forward stand or kneel and release these lies youve been believing, there will be some men and women from the leadership up here at the front to pray with you if you'd like too. Dont allow the fear of man to stop you from doing whatever it is God is leading you to do, every one of us is a work in progress that has need of Jesus.

Throw that lie into the fire, repent of it, accept the freedom and forgiveness Christ bought on the cross and then speak the truth of Gods word that counteracts that lie. If the enemy has been whispering that you are all alone speak Gods truth that He never leaves or forsakes his children. Who the Son sets free is free indeed....may we know this freedom again fresh this morning.

Pray - sprirt to fall, reveal, challenge, free, break through

Worship song

Benediction - “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “ And who the Son set free, is free indeed” May you walk out that freedom this week as beacons on a hill, light in the darkness, all unto the glory of God.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.