The Great Escape - Prison Break! Series

THE GREAT ESCAPE – Prison Break!

Galatians 5:1

INTRODUCTION:

ILLUSTRATION: In July 1976, one hundred and three Jewish hostages were taken by terrorists in Entebbe, Uganda. The Jewish nation sent secretly their commandos into Entebbe to free their people. The problem was tremendous; how do they free one hundred and three of their own people from seven terrorists? Their plan was simple. They entered the area where the hostages and terrorists were together and shouted in HEBREW “GET DOWN NOW, CRAWL!” Since the terrorists didn’t understand Hebrew and all the Jewish citizens did they simply shot everyone still standing after they yelled this! It was a great success as an escape story! All seven terrorists were killed and all one hundred and three Jewish hostages were freed! Only 2 Jews were hit during the firing, one because he hesitated to obey, the other because he stood back up too soon. What a great escape story!

I find some interesting parallels between the freedom Christ has given to us and the great escape of the Jewish hostages in Entebbe.

1. The hostages were helpless to help themselves. Freedom came because trained commandos came to their rescue defeating their captors. Likewise we are powerless to be set free from the bondage of sin, but Christ came to set us free and has completely defeated Satan through the cross.

2. The plan was daring: commandos had to be willing to risk their lives to free their countrymen. God’s plan was even more daring; Jesus came to die in our place. On the cross Jesus took our sin upon Him and paid the death penalty in our place. Bold plan; Satan fell for it and thought he had won, but God also planned the resurrection. Death could not hold Jesus and Satan was defeated so that we might be free.

3. The plan required following simple instructions. Everyone heard the words “Get down now, crawl!” Only those who did as they were told were rescued. Similarly God’s call goes out to those held captive in sin, “Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” Everyone who listens to God’s word and does what He says will be saved.

4. Having been set free the hostages lived as free men. Can you even imagine any of the 103 hostages refusing to return to their families or demanding that they remain in their place of captivity? Likewise as Christians we too are to live in freedom; unfortunately while Christ has set us free we continue to live in bondage.

• Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Jesus set us free to live in freedom! Live as someone who is free and don’t let yourself be taken captive again! You have the choice to live in freedom or to be taken captive by the enemy. It sounds like a simple choice: live in freedom. Far too many Christians though are taken captive.

PEOPLE ARE IN BONDAGE TO THE LIES THEY BELIEVE. You will be defeated if you allow the devil to deceive you. Satan wants you to believe that you are still sick with sin; you are a product of your past; you can’t change old habits. Satan wants you to doubt and question your identity in Christ; the devil wants you to be uncertain about God’s word to hesitate before you step out in faith.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. However living in freedom means that we don’t fall for the devils lies; only those who live in the truth are really free. Are you in bondage? Do you need to be set free? Jesus has made the great escape possible; live in freedom!

Unfortunately many Christians are so deceived they believe Satan’s lie that they are free when they are really still held in bondage. Notice I said many Christians are deceived by the lies of Satan. We all know that the devil has blinded the minds of non-Christians who are convinced that they are free live their life any way they want, yet they live in bondage to sin. But many Christians, while they have received forgiveness for their sins and are therefore free from the penalty of sin, they are still held in captivity because they are deceived. CHRISTIANS ARE IN BONDAGE TO THE LIES THEY BELIEVE.

 Are you living in bondage to fear?

 Are you held captive by depression?

 Are you imprisoned by anger?

 Are you chained by habits you can’t break?

 Are you unable to escape from the grasp of sinful behavior?

 Are you listening to the voices of your captors—voices within your mind that you can’t get away from because they follow you wherever you go?