Are You Free?

“Are You Free?”

7/1/2007 - Marsing, ID

Ricardo Rodriguez

pastor_rr@yahoo.com

Luke 12:15

“And he said unto them, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

“Y díjoles: Mirad, y guardaos de toda avaricia; porque la vida del hombre no consiste en la abundancia de los bienes que posee.”

“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."”(NIV)

(More is Not Better-- Simplicity Brings Freedom by Randy Croft)

Have you seen the bumper sticker "He who dies with the most toys wins." I saw one that said, "He who dies with the most toys still dies." I believe that many of us have bought that idea that life consists in how much we have.

In the “Land of the free and the home of the brave…” we tend to say, “This is a free country”. Unfortunately in this land of the free there are many that are in bondage and many don’t even realize it.

Sadly to say that in our day in age, Freedom to many is Fireworks, BBQ’s and Red, White and Blue.

If I were to ask you today, individually, “What is Freedom?” There would be different answers given and some would even say, “I don’t know?”

The scriptures tell us of a young man that wanted to be free and do whatever he wanted to. He wanted to party, be with his friends and have money in his pocket. His father was hurt that his son didn’t want to stay with his family but he went ahead and gave into his son’s request.

There are hospitals, that are full of children whose parents gave into their requests. Let me tell you there are graves that are full of children whose parents gave into their requests.

You see freedom is not doing what you want to do just because you want to. Freedom isn’t spending money like there is a Money Tree in your back yard.

Freedom is having the liberty to worship God without reservation. It’s funny we live in a society that won’t think twice about yelling for a Touchdown, a Goal or a Homerun but in church we’re hesitant to clap our hands, say, “Amen” or “Praise the Lord”.

Every person is bombarded with an average of one hour of advertisements every day.

Advertising is on our streets and highways; in restaurants, shops, movies, and magazines; at concerts and sports event; in our schools and museums; and even in our homes and on our clothes.

• In a recent survey, 93% of teenage girls named shopping as their favorite thing to do.

• By the time they’re three years old, most American children are making specific requests for brand-name products.

• Every day you are being told that unless you buy this product or eat at this restaurant, you’re not really happy.

• We’ve grown up in a culture that says having more means being happier.

Luke 12:15

"A person’s life does not consist of the abundance of possessions." That’s not where you’re really going to find fulfillment and happiness.

Money & Happiness

Ask most people today if money buys happiness and they’ll say no.

But ask those same people if a little more money will make us a little more happy-- and most will agree.

The Roper Organization asked Americans who make $15,000-$30,000 how much they needed to fulfill all their dreams. The largest group said they’d need $50,000-$60,000. Yet when that same question was put to people earning over $50,000, the largest group in that segment said they’d need at least $125,000 a year, if not more.

Over the past 15 years researchers have studied the relationship between money and happiness. They have concluded that money can buy pleasure, but not happiness. What’s the difference?

Pleasure is temporary release. Ability to take a Florida vacation, buy a better car, a membership at the country club. We can buy temporary feel goods, and we can often do it for years at a time. But, Happiness comes from your experiences in which you enjoy investing your mental and emotional energies.

You will know Freedom when you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, not only as the Lord of your grandparents or your parents or your friends, but as YOUR Lord, YOUR TRUE FREEDOM!

John 7:38

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

“El que cree en mí, como dice la Escritura, ríos de agua viva correrán de su vientre.”

Who tells the rivers where to go? Who tells the river how much water they should carry? Who tells the river how fast to go? Who tells the river what it should do?