Freedom in Christ (2)

Introduction

Good Morning, Tomorrow is the 4th of July and is the day our country celebrates our independence from England and the birth of the United States of America. We have freedoms that most countries only dream of and we are fortunate to live in a country that values rights of an individual and based upon the fundamental belief that all men are created equal and Have the bedrock belief that we all that the right to Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as long as it does not harm another . Some may argue that point in the light of the past couple of weeks, and if you want to debate my statement i am free after the service this morning. But as much as I love this country, and I consider myself a flag waving citizen, there is something that takes precedent, something more infanitly more important than the freedom we have here in our country. And unfortunately not many people will find it. Not many people will understand it , not many church goers will ever get it. The sad part is many people shout freedom freedom, some people think they lost freedom, will shout and protest might have been Jan 6th or June 24th. Citizens of the US think they are experts of what true freedom is. When in fact very few know what true freedom is today it is fitting to to examine the definition of what true freedom is.

Turn in your bibles to Galatians chapter 5 and examine the true meaning of freedom.

You may ask “Pastor what on earth does that have to do with my freedom and my rights as an American ? These two do not mix, they are two septerate issues, I am a free american and you are talking about being a slave to sin?”

Well here is my answer to that, if you are still under the slavery of sin, if you have not been born again then your “Freedom” is an illusion, a half truth… you may fight for your freedom and your rights but you never know true freedom and never appreciate the breaking of your bonds. Many live in your mind that you are free yet you are bound.

John 8:31-36 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 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’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

What are we slaves too

A.Slave because of sin—Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” . By birth, man is a sinner. Despite his parents and family, he is a sinner. He who continues to sin is a slave—John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” .

B.Slave because of Satan—John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” . A person who obeys Satan is a “son of Satan.” Satan controls man. He controls his thoughts and actions.

C.Slave because of stubbornness—Romans 5:19 “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” . Adam’s disobedience made all men sinners. However, notice, Christ’s obedience makes man righteous!

2 things that make us free

I.REDEMPTION

To redeem means “to buy back.” We were slaves, but Christ bought us back, putting us into God’s family.

II.RANSOM

Ransom is something you use to buy something that once was yours but was taken away. Man belonged to Christ, but Satan took them away. Christ’s blood was the ransom paid for man.

A.Purchased by His blood—Acts 20:20–28. Not with money, but with His blood, which cleanses from all sins—1 John 1:7.

B.Pardoned by His blood—Romans 5:9 “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” . By this we are justified.

C.Precious blood—1 Peter 1:18–19 “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” . The word precious means “something unusual; something special.”

D.Purified by His blood—Titus 2:14 “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” . Made a “peculiar” people. This means a special group of people. All through His blood.

E.Purged by His blood—Hebrews 13:12 “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” . Sanctified by His blood. Only His blood can make us holy.

F.Powerful blood—Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” . Brought near to God through His blood. Through this joined back to God.

G.Perfected through His blood—Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24. Healing through the blood of Christ.

III.REPRIEVE

This means to be excused or pardoned, and set free!

A.Promise—John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” . Note, “not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christ’s death saves men from this certain death!

B.Plan—John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” . Notice the importance of believing on the words of Christ. Then, pass from death to life.

C.Peace—Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” . God’s pay for sin is death, but God’s gift is eternal life. Rom 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

D.Power—Romans 10:13 “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” . Any person calling upon the Lord will be saved and delivered from the power of sin.

Today we celebrate freedom, for those who know, we know. it is not our freedom that we have given by men and women who run our country that we elect and make our Government. Our freedom is in Christ and Christ alone. In the past couple of week we have had quite a few young people Give their lives to Christ. They have had their bonds of slavery broken… How about you today are you ready to taste true freedom?

Isa 61:1-4 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”