07-18-2021 Freedom from the Tyranny of Freedom

The Arc from Tyranny to Freedom to the Tyranny Of Freedom

The Books of Exodus through Judges Teaches us about an Important Arc - Israel Came from Tyranny, Were Freed, Were Disobedient, Suffered, Were Forgiven, Gained the Land, Disobeyed and Ultimately Came nearly full circle from the Tyranny of one Pharoah to the Tyranny of the many and enslavement to their own sinful hearts

Judges 21:25 ESV

25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Mel Gibson movie, The Patriot, set in that era, had his character, a reluctant warrior, say something like, “It remains to be seen whether it is better to be ruled by one tyrant a thousand miles away, or by a thousand tyrants one mile away.”

THIS is what we are Experiencing on a National level Now… The Freedom and Liberty Gained from the Tyrant King of England Has become a New Despotism, where our Freedom has become the Tyranny of the Mob - Every Person Does What that which is right in their own eyes… And this false sense of Liberty has INVADED the Church and today we also have become a Tyranny of the Masses…

In order to Clarify WHAT LIBERTY WE HAVE IN CHRIST WE Must FIRST:

Consider The Purpose of the Gospel

In the First Missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas set out and go to Antioch in Psidia. As They are there, Paul stands in the synagogue to declare the Gospel and we read:

Acts 13:26–39 ESV

26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, “ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

And, after preaching and returning home, Paul and Barnabas along with others were called to Jerusalem to CLARIFY, Peter Makes it Clear for us

Acts 15:6–11 ESV

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

The Gospel is Preached so that those Who Believe May Be Forgiven Their Sins and Set Free (Justified) to Worship and Serve God without Hindrance

We Have NOT been Set Free from Sin So that our Freedom Becomes or welcomes a new Tyranny

In the moment of your TRUST IN JESUS: you were freed from your sin and guilt

As You Live LIVE YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST: you are free from the necessity to live by the works of the law in order to be Holy

As You Consider your ETERNITY WITH JESUS: you are free to be in the presence of God your creator because of the Atoning Work of Jesus

First, Consider that Paul is clear about what we were, and how we have been justified, Everything is permissible, but not everything is HELPFUL

1 Corinthians 6:11–12 ESV

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Second, Paul is Clear that our Freedom in Christ is not to be brought under the Religious Tyranny others...

Galatians 5:1–6 ESV

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Third, Paul teaches us that our Liberty is not an OPPORTUNITY to return to the Tyranny of the FLESH but remain in the FREEDOM of FAITH

Galatians 5:13–16 ESV

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Forth, Peter Teaches us that We are to LIVE as FREE but not Using our FREEDOM as a Cloak for the Tyranny of Wickedness

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Finally, Jesus Declares that TRUE LIBERTY is found in ABIDING IN THE WORD

John 8:31–36 ESV

31 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.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never 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 practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.