Freedom In Christ Series

John 8: 31- 36 (NIV)

To the Jews who 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.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family; but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.”

This is the world of the Lord for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Let us pray.

Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me. Make me, mold, and bend me to your will. Let theses words be your words Father. Remove me from the equation all together and place me behind the cross. We pray for a mighty word from you today. It is in the name of Christ I ask this of you, Amen.

Freedom in Christ Sermon Series

True Freedom Part 1

Our founding Fathers of this country wrote the Declaration of Independence that was signed July 4, 1776. Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men were created equal and bestowed inaliable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I beg to differ (pause) because if Thomas Jefferson was here today, I would have to tell him, “I don’t mean to disrespect but by my freedom was given to my by, My Savior, Jesus Christ. The Declaration of Independence just makes the government recognizes these rights.

We live as one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. This country is not perfect by any means. There was a time in history where our country practiced horrible violations in human rights. African Americans were not only enslaved, but upon emancipation were treated like second class citizens. I know for a fact that people in this congregation know what I am talking about, and you have experienced this first hand.

Jim Crowe Laws kept African Americans from voting, using the front entrances of businesses, in separate bathrooms, and their children were forced to receive books and educational equipment that was second hand. I am not talking about second hand in good shape, but so worn out that the material wasn’t fit to use to teach a dog.

But as sure as there is a God, there was a man that had a dream. And his dream was that people were judged by the content of their character and not based the color of their skin.

Somebody say, “Freedom”. (Repeat if Necessary)

According to dictionary.com freedom is defined as the condition of being free from restraints or Liberation of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we released from the yoke of oppression and sin. We are given the liberty to have a personal relationship with the Father free from restraints.

That was not always the case. Under the old covenant that was passed down through Moses, that freedom was not given to the Israelites, and they were God’s chosen people. In fact, back in those days the Israelites were separated from God despite the miracles that He displayed through the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.

Under the Old Covenant, people could not have a direct link to God. The priest served as mediators for them. They had to go to the temple and submit a sacrifice to the priest to make atonement for the sin. But the sin was not forgiven, (pause) it was just covered up.

When the High Priest came upon the scene was this situation was rectified. Let’s take a look at Hebrews. Paul says in the 5th chapter of Hebrews that:

Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, and to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is a subject to weakness.

Verse four says no one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son; today I have become your Father. And he says in another place, “You are high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Let’s jump down to verse 8, although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made perfect, he became a source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be the high priest in the order of Melchizedek.