Freedom Cost!

This is Memorial Day weekend. A day when we remember all those that gave their life to give us the freedom we experience today. We should take time to remember them, thank God for them and never forget the price they paid for our freedoms and I do not think there are many people who would disagree with that.

PRAY THANKSGIVING FOR THOSE THAT GAVE ALL.

Today I want us to think about something just a little different. Still a Memorial Day theme. Not to diminish what the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom have done, but something of more significance. There was one man who suffered and died to bring freedom to us. On this Memorial Day I want us to remember Jesus above all else.

Mankind placed himself into a bondage that we had no way of escaping. But God loved us so much that He made a way of escape for us. He sent His only begotten Son into the world to:

1) live the life we could not live;

2) die the death He did not deserve;

3) pay the price He did not owe;

4) give us a righteousness that we could not earn;

5) buy our freedom with His own blood;

6) show us how to live in this new found freedom.

But what Jesus paid to bring us that freedom goes much deeper and has much more meaning and application that we typically consider. When we think about what Jesus paid for us we think of His shed blood, maybe the cross and even sometimes the nails but folks it cost Him so much more than that.

1. It cost Him relationships, comfort, wealth, peace, joy. He had to leave His Father, the Spirit, the angels. He had to leave Heaven, His throne, His position. He had to leave the streets of gold, the cattle on a thousand hills (and the hills). He had to leave a place of PERFECT PEACE and JOY. Long before the cross, the freedom we enjoy today because of what Jesus has done, cost Jesus a large price just being born. (expound)

a. When Jesus asks you to step out of your comfort zones He is not asking you to do anything – He hasn’t already done for you.

b. When Jesus asks you to love Him more than your relationships. He is not asking you to do something – He hasn’t already done for you.

c. When Jesus asks you to leave your home, your job, your wealth, your position, your pride to follow Him – He isn’t asking you to do something He hasn’t already done for you.

d. When Jesus asks you to do something or go through something that does not bring peace or joy – He is not asking you to do something He has not already done for your.

2. Jesus was betrayed by a friend not once but three times. Judas betrayed Him with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver. Peter betrayed Jesus by denying Him 3 times. ALL the disciples forsook Him. (expound)

a. When you have someone close to you, a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, a brother or sister in Christ betray you or hurt you – Jesus understands cause it happened to Him.

b. When you deny Jesus know that Jesus understands you are not the first, will not be the last, and may not even be the last time you deny Him, but the freedom that Jesus bought for us forgives us if we confess to Him and repent.

c. When you forsake Jesus, by backsliding, or getting out of His will – the blood Jesus shed brings forgiveness if we confess and repent.

3. Jesus experienced pain and humiliation the likes of which we cannot even imagine. He was spit upon, ridiculed, slapped, crown of thornes beat upon his head, beaten with a rod, was dressed up and mocked and made fun of, scourged, called names etc…. (the King of Kings who could have called down a multitude of angels went through all of that) [expound]

a. When Jesus says turn the other cheek – He is telling you to do something He has not already done.

b. When Jesus says forgive those that ridicule you, persecute you, despitefully use you – He is not asking you to do anything He has not already done.

4. Jesus was then hung naked on a cross for all to see, while he suffered from all the previous physical and mental wounds inflicted upon Him, he began to suffocate, while still being mocked and made fun of. (expound)

a. When Jesus says confess with your mouth, confess your sins one to another, when you need help in an area of your walk ask a brother in sister in Christ to walk along side you (even if it make you feel vulnerable or naked) – He is not asking you to do something He hasn’t already done.