Free Indeed

On July 4, 1776, our founding fathers signed a bold document called the Declaration of Independence. This was the birth of a nation founded on Freedom. It is still the greatest beacon of freedom in the world. So, in spite of all of the historical revisionism that is happening, we still remember the fact that our nation was founded on the concept of individual freedom.

Freedom, the ability to make one’s own decisions and the law of personal responsibility and consequences that come from those decisions, is a subject frequently discussed throughout scripture. As we study the concept, we will discover that freedom is fragile and , though aimed for, it is often not fully realized.

Jesus was discussing the concept of freedom with the Pharisees, a group of scholars who kept people enslaved to the impossible goal of keeping enough rules to merit the favor of God. While folks were looking for freedom from the guilt of sin, they had become chained to rites, rituals, and rules while never breaking free from sin in the first place.

This morning as we study what Jesus says about freedom, we are going to discover some things that work both in the political realm of personal freedom and the spiritual realm of freedom. We will see that truth is the key that unlocks the slaves chains. We will see that once truth has done it’s work, you can be free indeed… you can be truly free.

Truth Breaks Chains

John 8:31–32 KJV

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Romans 10:17 KJV

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

John 17:17 KJV

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The more you continue in the word, the stronger your faith can become.

The more you continue in the word, the more chains are broken, and the freer you become.

The more you share Bible Truth with others, the better their chances of becoming free.

Political freedom is also dependent upon the free flow of truth. When truth is blurred, covered, or distorted, chains of ignorance and compliance tend to continue to enslave.

Truth Reveals The Reality of One’s Ignorance to His Own Slavery

John 8:33 KJV

They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Ephesians 2:1–2 KJV

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Revelation 3:17 KJV

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

*boiled frog illustration*

It is the Bible that exposes our true thoughts and intents even if we fool ourselves and others.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Truth Breaks the Bondage of Sin.

Shows the reason for bondage

John 8:34 KJV

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Shows the Power over that bondage

Romans 6:1–2 KJV

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

2 Peter 1:3–4 KJV

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Gives the steps to freedom

Galatians 5:16–17 KJV

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Truth Restores What is Rightfully Ours

John 8:35 KJV

And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Romans 8:15–17 KJV

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Free Indeed!

John 8:36 KJV

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The slave will never be able to live in the master’s house… but the truth of the adoption shows that we are no longer slaved but children and heirs… to live in the Father’s house forever!