“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?
Many rivers have not even been discovered by mankind those on the surface of the earth and those beneath the surface of the earth because they are free to be and we should be free to serve God without hinderance.
We should not serve God depending on what kind of car we drive, or house we live in, the clothes we wear or the toys we can buy.
ILLUS: Gladys Holm. She never married, lived alone, and worked as a secretary her whole life for a medical-supplies company. 41 years as a secretary, never earning more than $15,000 a year, living in her 2 bedroom townhouse. She became known as the Teddy Bear Lady, because she sort of adopted the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago after they saved the life of a little girl named Adrian. Glady’s knew Adrians parents for years and was a friend of the family. When Adrian was born, she was blue faced. Born with a blocked aorta–enlarged heart with a hole in it. Most doctors thought she was too young for surgery but a physician at Children’s Memorial saved her life. So Gladys would send donations now and then, always adding "There will be more later." Gladys would bring teddy bears for kids who were sick, sometimes bringing dozens of Teddy Bears. Her house always had some teddy bears laying around. She died recently at age 86, and only about 30 attended the funeral. Yet she left money for them to eat at a fancy restaurant across the street with one stipulation, "Talk about good times." The most amazing thing was, however, when she died she left $18 million dollars to the hospital. Largest gift it ever received. How did this woman make so much money. She didn’t spend it all on herself. She threw a few luxurious parties and bought expensive jewelry, but she gave to help others. On $15,000 a year. Whenever her boss would buy some stock of the medical supplies company, she bought a few stocks for herself. Needless to say, the stock company went through the roof. She would often use the teddy bears as a way to get close to the families and when she would learn that the illness was putting a heavy strain on the families finances, she would quietly pay all their medical bills. Most of the time, the people didn’t know the source of the gift.
She lived on less so others could benefit. She didn’t ask that her name be put on the new hospital wing so everyone would see how generous she was. She show everyone how much money she had so that people would be impressed with her possessions. She gave out of her life to help others. How noble.
I Tim 6:6-12
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
MT 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Acts 2:43-45 "Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. All the Lord’s followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it."
Relationships were more important than possessions. They lived on less so they could enjoy more. Enjoy more what– possessions? No– better relationships.
What does this have to do with Freedom, it has all to do with freedom, Freedom comes from what you have in your heart and not what you have in your closet.
II Cor 3:17
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
“17Porque el Señor es el Espíritu; y donde hay el Espíritu del Señor, allí hay libertad.”
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.”
Jesus warned the people of the abundance of possessions, the warning sign is if your are being possessed by your abundance.
You can’t stop thinking about a particular item, person, or job. It has control over you and your actions, whether it be a sports team, or a sport today is the day of salvation.
While there are others with needs around you but you can’t take your eyes off of your possessions long enough to see how you can help those around you.
We have single moms, young and old that need our help, we have young people that need our help, we have needy among us and the question is not who will help them, the question is, what are you willing to do, what am I willing to do with the Freedom God has given us to help those around us.
