THE DOOR IS OPEN, YOU’RE FREE TO GO!
Pastor Talbert W. Swan, II, M.Div.
TEXT: John 10:9, Luke 23:43, Galatians 5:1
SCRIPTURE
John 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
SUBJECT: THE DOOR IS OPEN, YOU’RE FREE TO GO
INTRODUCTION
In his book Exodus and Emancipation: Biblical and African-American Slavery, Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Chelst gives a unique perspective on the saga of the Jewish people’s enslavement and departure from Egypt by comparing it with the African-American slave experience in the United States, their emancipation and subsequent fight for dignity and equality. The comparison enriches the reader’s understanding of both experiences.
Both peoples suffered centuries-long oppression, with the African-American slave population at the time of emancipation in the 1860s roughly double that of the Israelites at the time of the biblical Exodus.
Whatever the setting, slavery takes a terrible toll on the individual as well as the community. When you look into the Biblical narrative and the documented experience of our forefathers in this land you will note that there are social, psychological, religious, and philosophical dimensions of the slave experience and mentality.
The linkage between the slavery of the Israelites and that of African Americans is nothing new.
Just as the Israelites desired to be free, the story of their exodus from Egypt resonated with our ancestors when they found themselves in bondage in a strange land.
It is quite amazing that our African ancestors were taught a form of Christianity that would make them better tools of service for their oppressors, yet adopted a theology of liberation that would not accept “slaves be obedient to your masters” as a directive to remain in bondage. They developed a philosophy that supported the eradication of the racist institution of slavery that kept them from being free, as their God desired them to be.
Africans like Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth translated their understandings of the Bible into a justified battle for emancipation against their racist white oppressors. They used the Bible, as an example of the fact that God intended for them to be free. When we take a closer look at our Lesson today—The Word “Emancipation” is really another Word for Freedom.
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
—In other Words when you are Emancipated from Something or Someone you are “Freed from the Restraint, Control, or Power of another.”—“Emancipation” means you are Free from Certain Influences and Bondages.— I believe that most of us are somewhat familiar with the word “Emancipation” because History teaches us about the “Emancipation Proclamation.”
The “Emancipation Proclamation” was a Declaration by then U.S. President Abraham Lincoln announcing that all slaves in The Confederate States would be Set free. While it only freed a Small Number of Slaves, It did set the stage for Slavery’s ultimate demise here in the U.S.-----Now we need to understand that the Signing of the “Emancipation Proclamation” was really an act of divinity— Now just to be clear and concise with you—An act of divinity is when God steps in on your behalf and does what you could not do by yourself. It’s when God steps in, breaks the shackles of bondage and frees you from your circumstances, your habits and your Issues!!—
ACTS OF DIVINITY
---If you have been born again and delivered from bondage to sin—you’ve experienced an act of divinity!!---If you don’t go where you used to go or say things that you used to say—of do what you used to do, you’ve experienced and act of divinity.
IF you ever been Sick and God has healed you— you’ve experienced and act of divinity.
.----If you’ve ever been in bondage to your flesh, or your mind but God Set you free— you’ve experienced and act of divinity.!!---
The Bible itself and in its Entirety is replete with episode after episode of acts of divinity.
---When the Disciples were In a storm and God wiped the Sleep out of his eyes and walked out on Deck and said “Peace be still”—That was an act of divinity---When a Man that was living in a Graveyard and was running around town naked and crying and cutting himself with Stones, but Jesus delivered him---That was an act of divinity!!-----When The 3 Hebrew Boys were delivered from the Fiery Furnace—That was an act of divinity ---When Peter was bailed out of Prison by angels that was an act of divinity!!
-- Now in the case of “The Emancipation Proclamation”—God used Abraham Lincoln as a vessel and as President to sign it—But it was God that Stamped it a done deal!!—This was a promissory note drawn on the Bank of Grace, signed in His blood….It was God that Finalized it!!-Simply because around this time, just as it is today—God in the Person of Jesus Christ had already taken a cloud back to glory!!---
-And since he has been gone—He now uses US as his vessels to do his work!!----If you remember when he wanted the Egyptians to be freed from bondage and slavery, Instead of simply doing it himself—He used Moses!
When he wanted to destroy the Earth the first time—In order to save some of humankind—He used Noah and the Ark.—When he wanted someone to go spy out the land of Canaan he sent Joshua and Caleb.
When he wanted someone to go in the valley and preach the Gospel to Dry Bones—he used Ezekiel.—When he wanted someone to be a forerunner for Jesus he used John the Baptist.
When he wanted someone to spread the Gospel wherever he went—He used Paul!!-------And the question that really needs to be raised at this point is “Are we allowing God to use US as his vessels??”—Are we as The Church and the People of God allowing ourselves to be used by him!!
WHAT PAUL TAUGHT
When we look inside the Confines and the Context of our text:---This Letter was Written by that famous Gospel Globetrotter himself--The Apostle Paul.---- Now, You know Paul don’t you? --It was Paul who wrote over half of the New Testament----It was Paul who knew Several Different Languages—It was Paul that said “To live is Christ but to Die is Gain”-It was Paul that said “If any man be in Christ, he Is a New Creature, Old things are Passed Away and all things are become New”—
-Paul was a Man who could preach like an Archangel—Paul was a Man that was Bold as a Lion but at the same time Tender as a Hospital Nurse.---Now whenever you saw Paul’s name on a letter it has value!!---Not value in the Financial sense, but rather value in the Spiritual sense.—
The Name Paul on a letter was like Mozart’s Name on Music
Mercedes Name on a Car
Versace Name on Clothes
Sterling name on Silver
Rockefellers name on a Check
In other Words when Paul’s name was on a letter—It was very valuable!!—Simply because Paul was considered by many to be The Church’s Greatest Thinker—The Churches Greatest Missionary—Greatest Theologian and The Greatest Apostle!!—
He was a Man that literally turned the World upside down for God!!----And so here in Galatians 5-----Paul and the Gospel of Jesus Christ were under attack, just as it is on today!!
—These Judiazers had came down from Jerusalem to Galatia and taught the Gentiles that they needed to return to the Mosaic Law. They were teaching that if you weren’t circumcised, you weren’t saved!!—They were trying to mix Old Testament Law with New Testament Grace!!—They were trying to entice these New Christian converts into the Jewish Religious System. They were teaching that a person was saved partly by faith and then partly by works.—
-They were teaching that a person grew in Christ partly by faith and then partly by his own effort.--- They were Perverting the Doctrine of Justification that Paul had been preaching!! And we need to understand that -The Gospel Paul taught was very Simple!!—The Gospel of Our Lord is very Simple!!—There are no Strings Attached!!
It was not a prosperity Gospel…There were no hundred dollar lines…..It was not the Gospel of inclusion. It was not a politically correct Gospel designed not to offend a powerful group or lobby….It was not a right wing Gospel or a left wing Gospel.
Paul simply taught that a man was Saved by the Atoning Blood of Jesus and Jesus alone.— Paul taught that its not about Circumcision but about Crucifixion. Paul taught that it not about Ceremony, but Christ!! Paul taught that it was not about your Works but about His Wonder!! It was not about your Money but His Majesty!!! Paul was teaching them that it wasn’t an ACT that can save you!!—Not Tithing, Not Speaking in tongue, Not Baptism, Not Holy Dancing, Not rolling under Pews and Running around the Church---No Right, no Rule, no Regulations can save you!!-- Surgical Procedures didn’t matter, a Dress Code didn’t matter, a Special Diet didn’t matter--Paul message was of Gods Pure and unadulterated Grace!!—Outward Rituals may effect the Body, but it takes more to effect the Soul!!--Paul’s message was You cant Earn Salvation, Win Salvation or Merit Salvation----Jesus paid it all!!—
THIEF ON THE CROSS
Just ask the thief on the cross in our Luke 23 text. He was bound by sin, bound by habits, bound by a lifestyle, bound by a life that led him on a winding road to a cross at Calvary. He had no way out of his death sentence, no way out of his dire circumstance….until he met the man in the middle. If you want to know how to be free, you’ve got to make sure that Jesus is in the middle…..in the middle of your circumstance, in the middle of your problem, in the middle of your issue….when Jesus is in the middle, He provides a way out, for He is the DOOR!!!
One of the things that turns people off about religion is talk about the great by and by. Talk about treasure that is in store for you in heaven. Some would even say that religion is the Opium of the Masses, because it focuses so much attention on the other world. Theologians call that eschatology. That’s a futuristic view. Many theologians subscribe to that view.
Another view is that eschatological talk is symbolic. That’s the view of Paul Tillich that suggests that eschatology should not be taken literally, but symbolically.
But I subscribe to the understanding that when Jesus speaks and says Today. That’s realized eschatology. When Jesus says today. He means today. Jesus speaks to us in a theological dimension that is called the already/not yet.
When Jesus says to the thief that “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise” He is saying that no life is beyond the love of God. No one is beyond redemption. No one is permanently locked into their circumstances because I am the door…..and if I open it, you’re free to go.
THIEF IN HEAVEN
So I don’t know who else is in Heaven, but I know there is a thief in Glory!
And Jesus didn’t ask the thief if he spoke in tongues. He didn’t ask if he’d been baptized. He didn’t ask if he know the Pentateuch. He didn’t ask what church he went to. He didn’t ask if he knew salvation theology or if he was AME…..UCC..COGIC…UMC..BCA…ABC..PNBC…or if he had ADD, OCD, HIV, KMT, if he was drug free or drove a BMW or an LTD... He didn’t ask if he liked Jay Z or if he was playing with the JB’s.
He didn’t ask if he was divorced…if he was rich, if he was poor, if he was Democrat or if he was Republican. He didn’t say WESTSIDE…He didn’t say SOUTHSIDE. He didn’t ask if he was down with the Crips or the Bloods…He just said…this day you will be with me in Paradise! I’ve opened the door, you’re free to go!!!!
STAND FAST IN THE LIBERTY
So, Let’s get back to Paul--- And when Paul heard that these Galatians were being Hoodwinked and swindled, Taken away and Captured by this Damnable Doctrine, Paul takes out his Pen and Paper and dips it into the Ink of Inspiration and says “I better write now”! And so here in Chapter 5, —Paul in his own Pauletic writing style confronts this False Doctrine by telling us about the Liberty that we have in Him!!
1. First of all, he deals with our position---“Stand fast”---Now we need to understand that God has always been concerned about our Position in Him!! As a matter of fact, all over the Bible he talks about our Position. In Ephesians he says “Walk Circumspectly”— Walking is a Position. In Acts 3 it talks about a man who was “Laying” at the Gate of the Temple”—Laying is a Position. In St. Luke 13:11 it talks about a Woman that was “Bent over and could not lift herself up”—Bent over is a Position!!—As a Matter of fact, God is so concerned about our Position in him that one day he touched the Psalmist to tell us in the very 1st Psalm that we are Blessed according to our Position in him—Watch what he says—“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”—Walking, standing or sitting are Positions in him!!—
And so Paul says Stand!!—The Word “Stand” in the Greek text simply means “stationary”----We need to realize that as Believers, we cant be like these Galatians.—They were Wishy-Washy, They were 2-Faced, They would Believe one thing one day and something else on the next.---We as the People of God we cant be like spiritual Kangaroos—Jumping from Church to Church to Church, but we have to know what we Believe in and be Stationary in whatever it is that we believe!!!!—But watch what else Paul says—“Stand Fast therefore in the Liberty!!”—That word Liberty simply means “Freedom”!!—Freedom to do what??--- We have the Liberty and the freedom to Pick and choose our Own Praying Ground!!
—We have Liberty to Worship where we want to Worship!!—In other words-Don’t knock me because I am a member of Spring of Hope, or Cathedral of Praise, Third Baptist, Bethel AME, C.M.E. or the COGIC or Non-denominational—Don’t knock me because that’s the Liberty that God gave me. He gave me freedom to shout if I want to shout, to dance if I feel like dancing, to clap my hands if I feel like clapping, to stomp my feet if I feel like stomping them…………….but not only does he deal with our Position
2. He also deals with our Practice---“In the Liberty wherewith Christ has made us free”----Now we need to understand that if we are Free, we should Live as Free People!!---But the Problem that we have in Today’s church is that we have to many “Free” People acting “Bound”!!----Once we give our Lives to Christ and become Full of the Holy Ghost, we don’t have to let the enemy “HAVE” Dominion over us because the Word tells us “He whom the Son sets free is Free Indeed.” Touch somebody and tell them “I’ve got liberty.” Tell somebody else “I’ve been emancipated.”
And so Paul was saying in so many Words, Practice your Freedom…Act like you know you’re free. Walk like you’re free, talk like you’re free, live like you’re free.
LAW VS GRACE
What was going on in this text is that these False Teachers were still teaching from the LAW point of view, but Paul was teaching from the GRACE Point of View!!---Now There’s a big Difference between Law and Grace-----The Law says—“If you earn your Freedom, you will become free”—but Grace says “You’ve been made free at the Cross of Calvary”.—Law Commands but does not enable, but Grace Provides what the Law Demands!!----CH Mackintosh said it best—“The Law demands strength from one who has none and curses him if he cannot display it, but The Gospel gives Strength to one who has no strength and Blesses him in the exhibition of it”
----Watchman Nee says that “Law means I must do something for God, but Grace means that God does something for me”!!------IS there anybody here that Knows what Grace can do????----Grace is God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.---Grace is The Beginning of Glory within us----Grace is a State of mind that sees God in Everything—Grace is not given because we have done Good Works, but rather that we might do Good Works-----Grace can help us when were down, Heal us when we are wounded---Grace is God Himself-----Grace the old saints used to sing—“Woke me up this Morning, Grace started me on my way”
But not only does Paul deal with our Position—and our Practice
3. But he deals with the our Plan---“And be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”--- That word “Entangled” in the Greek text simply means “To Ensnare”. That Word “Again” means “Repetition” or to “repeat” That Word “Yoke” means “Servitude----Paul is telling us in so many Words that our Future plans should be not to be entangled once again in Servitude to things are unlike God!!
And I’m Sure that it might be somebody here that used to Live a Life of bondage!!. You used to be a Slave to Satan. He had you wrapped up, tangled up, tied up! Cigarettes had you bound, liquor had you locked up, habits had you shacked—You had an Invisible ball and chain around your neck.
CONCLUSION
- But Paul says, that once we experience an act of divinity, our plans should be not to live our lives looking in the rearview mirror. In other words, we don’t need to go back to the way that we once used to live.---If you have been delivered, If you have been set free, Why in the World would you go back to the Life that you once lived??—
--- We no Longer have to sit in the back of the bus.—We no longer have to fight for our right to vote---We no longer have to go to the back of restaurants to get a doggy Bag----we no longer have to drink from different water fountains—
We don’t have to stay in bondage because I met somebody who has set me free!!-----His Name is Jehovah Jireh----Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, The Prince of Peace---His name is Jesus!!
He Emancipated a Woman with a Issue of Blood one day
He Emancipated a Woman who was caught in Adultery
He Emancipated a Woman who was by Jacobs Well.
He Emancipated Jarius daughter from the Clutches of death.
He Emancipated a man who had been born Blind.
He Emancipated Paul and Silas in a jail Cell.----
He emancipated me one day…….Where did it happen? It happened at the Cross
AT THE CROSS
Well preacher, there are many crosses that represent Christ, the church and Christendom. What cross are you talking about? Could it be the famed Edinburgh Cross, Aberdeen Cross, Banbury Cross Charing Cross. Salisbury Cross, Glastonbury Cross, or the Waltham Cross? I’m glad you asked the question, because the cross I’m talking about is Calvary’s cross.
John Bowring in his great hymn, said:
In the cross of Christ I glory,
Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.
It is the one cross that towers over all other crosses. Other crosses are more elaborate and ornate, some made of stone and marble, but I’m talking about the old rugged cross of Calvary.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame, And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Let me close with a story ……. Can I tell my story?
STORY
I'm reminded of the two little children who rode a school bus to school everyday in the big city. They lived next door to a big church in a crowded neighborhood. Their mother worried that one day something might go wrong and they might get lost. She wrote down their address and directions and gave it to each child with the instructions,
