Freedom in Christ

Wrap Up Series

-Week 1: Baptism of Jesus

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-A relationship with God as our Father requires our humility and begins with Him calling us His beloved child that he is well pleased in.

-Week 2: Chosen by God

-We were chosen by God before He created anything. He chose us before.

Story

Have you ever had a moment or event that changed your life forever?

-Tramatic

-Happy

-Sad

Story about monkey bars.

Our passage for tonight begins with what happens when Jesus steps into those life changing moments.

Stand for Scripture

John 8:1-

John 8:1–11 NIV

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus offers Hope and Healing

John 8:12 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

-Jesus wants to and can bring light into whatever situation you are currently battling.

-We were created for a much deeper and hope filled life than what this world now offers.

-There is no darkness or hurt that Jesus can’t bring light and healing to

-I love that Jesus used light as analogy for His Hope and Healing.

-S.A.D. as a condition of lack of vitamin D

-Cerebral Palsy rates higher in states with less sunshine as our brain and muscles are unable to develop without vitamin D

-Life without the hope and healing offered only by Jesus is just like living life without sunlight.

Jesus offers Purpose

John 8:14–18 ESV

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”

John 8:14–15 NIV

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.

John 8:14–16 ESV

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.

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-Jesus gives a great invitation to life of deep purpose and value.

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-Our life and our story is not judged or defined by the culture or system it happens in.

-Your life was not made to be given value by this world or this culture.

-Who you are is not tied to what those around you say, but to what God has to say about you.

-Our goal is to focus on what is eternal and kingdom oriented rather than the temporary.

Jesus offers Freedom

John 8:42-

John 8:34–36 NIV

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

-There is nothing too big for the power of Jesus.

-Let her rip

Application

Take time to reflect on what freedom means to you

-What do you need freedom from in your life?

-What do you need to hear tonight?

-Proclaim your freedom in this next song!