Facebook Freedom Series

OPEN: As Americans we enjoy a number of basic freedoms that very few people on the face of the earth enjoy. What I’d like to do now is ask you what freedoms you know that we have as Americans?

(The audience responded with a number of liberties we have)

Of course many of us knew of our freedom to worship God as we see fit, the freedom to bear arms, the freedom to assemble peacably, the freedom of the Press. The least commonly known freedom in the Bill of Rights is the freedom to petition our government correct policies we disagree with, without fear of being punished by the government.

But most of us knew and believed strongly in our right to have freedom of speech.

The Internet has become one of the foremost champions of this “Freedom of Speech”, and Facebook is the one place on the Internet where people really have the opportunity to put Freedom of Speech into practice.

On Facebook, you can post almost whatever you want. And you can say almost anything you want on Facebook (some limitations).

About 2 yrs ago Facebook became the most dominant social network anywhere in world. It was a place where people could gather and say whatever they wanted… all except in places where governments don’t like freedom of speech.

Places like China, Iran and Vietnam.

In those nations, they do everything they can to stop their people from accessing Facebook. They have their own “homegrown” alternative to this social network (which is closely monitored). And, in Vietnam, for example, the government has ordered all domestic internet providers to remove Facebook’s IP addresses from their servers. In other words: you can type Facebook on your computer… but you won’t get it.

(http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/09/social_networks)

It’s like going down to the grocery story and finding that the government outlawed eggs. You may want the eggs. You may have money for the eggs. But you can’t buy them because they don’t carry them. Why? Because the government says the provider (the grocery store) can’t provide them.

But most governments don’t have to worry about Facebook being a place of social upheaval, because most of the people on Facebook are there to be entertained. There’s some political comment on that site, but for the most part, Facebook is all about “ME.”

There are people talking with one another, flirting with each other, sharing favorite songs and pictures, and expressing their ideas on a variety of subjects.

If the government took away all of our freedoms - the freedom to worship/ bear arms/ assemble peacably/ freedom of the Press & speech - very few people on Facebook would even notice, because they’d still be free to do what they’ve always done– entertain themselves. The freedoms that our nation’s founders died for could disappear --- and many of those on Facebook wouldn’t even notice it.

Now – here in John 8 we have a similar situation.

Jesus is telling the crowds that He has come to offer them freedom.

In verses 31-32 we’re told “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32

Now notice, Jesus said this to those who believed in Him. These people believed in Him, but they had a hard time … BELIEVING Him. When He said He came to set them free they got irritated and upset. They were already free – they were Jews.

It would be like telling an American that they aren’t free. They’d get upset and say “yes we are! We have the freedom to do all kinds of things. Freedom of speech, to bear arms, to assemble, to worship, etc. Yeah… we’re free!

But Jesus said – No! You’re not!

Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34

Jesus was basically saying:

· I don’t care WHO you are

· I don’t care WHERE you live

· I don’t care WHAT you think.

When you sin you’re a slave. You’re in chains no matter who you are/ where you live.

(pause)

Now, is it true that all have sinned?

Well, of course it is.

First, that’s what Jesus said.

Second, it is a deep-seated teaching of Scripture.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

And, third it is a provable concept.

ILLUS: Let’s say we have a righteous person in this congregation.

How many times a day do you think a righteous person might sin.

Let’s be generous and say only sin like that 3 times a day.

They say something they shouldn’t say, or do something they shouldn’t do, or think something they shouldn’t think. But – on average – they only do these things 3 times in any given day.