Freedom?Location, Location, Location
I. Introduction
The statement was coined in 1944 by Harold Samuel. When asked what was the most important factor when trying to buy or sell real estate. He said it was “Location, location, location.” Location determines the value of the property. Since that time others have said that this quote when it comes to real estate, is gospel, gospel, gospel.
This morning I want you to know that the gospel in regards to real estate is also the gospel when it comes to our ability to walk in freedom. There are two important passages of Scripture that we are forced to wrestle with when we talk about being free or finding freedom. They are important because they clearly reveal to us a revelation that we must have if we sincerely want to be free.
Text: John 8:36 (NLT)
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
Galatians 5:1(NIV)?It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Message - So Christ has made us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get all tied up again in the chains of slavery to Jewish laws and ceremonies.
Jesus and then Paul made it abundantly clear about the source of freedom. Their audience is the same. Speaking directly to Jews who had spent centuries trying to work themselves to freedom, obey to freedom, and sacrifice to freedom they state that freedom is found only in what Christ as done. Don't get it twisted during this series . . . although we must partner with the freedom that is promised we will not find freedom via self control, will power, mantras, discipline or any other means than through Jesus. If we are to be free, then it is only because it is what Christ died to provide for us. Christ makes us free . . . period. No set of rules, no program, no pastor or anything else can do what Jesus can do! So, it is essential to start our discussion there. (SLIDES 7-8) We must remain sure of our source of freedom. Finding freedom requires finding Jesus.
Jesus died for my freedom. Jesus bought my freedom. Jesus paid the price for my freedom. That is why when I come in this place I can't help but worship. That is why I can't take the credit for the cleaned up condition of my life today. That is why I serve. You may say you’ve never seen a miracle, but look at me you are looking at a miracle. When I experienced the source of freedom, He rescued me He set me free.
That is why I want others to meet Jesus. Not to pad our numbers. Not to win crowns. Not to get acclaim. I want them to meet Jesus because He is the only source for freedom and if they don't meet Him they will live in bondage. They may live in a nice house. They may have money in the bank. They may have man's applause. However, without Jesus they are and will remain in chains. Bound. Jailed. Imprisoned. Shackled. Dying a slow death. The Romans had an interesting punishment for a person who murdered someone. They would strap the dead body to the guilty and slowly the decay of that body would invade the life of the guilty until death was sure. That is how we live. We carry around what is slowly killing us. Jesus is the solution for that. His burden is easy and His yoke is light.
However, there is a third verse of Scripture that we must work through that isn't about the source of freedom. It instead is the gospel of freedom. This passage addresses the location of freedom. Once we know and embrace the source of freedom knowing the location of freedom is the key to staying free.
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)?Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Location, location, location! Paul declares that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is a byproduct, the fruit, the result of that presence and he says it is freedom. When the Spirit of Lord is present there is freedom.
So, if Paul is right, and I believe he is, it forces me to conclude logically that in any area where there is bondage, or lack of freedom, the Spirit of the Lord is absent. Because if He was there then there would be freedom. In other words, what I am saying to you is that if we have accepted the source of freedom, but don't pay attention to the location of freedom we can find ourselves saved but bound! In the Kingdom, but without a King's power being wielded and brought to bear in areas of our life.
We literally walk around as a living example of what it was like when David was anointed to be King. Samuel pours oil over David's head and declares that God has anointed him to become king of Israel. But after Saul's death David is king of Judah for 7.5 years. He was anointed to be King of the entire nation but was only allowed to reign over the a portion of the kingdom. Reigned over Judah … praise. We allow Jesus to rule over our praise/church life but deny access to other areas of our lives. There were areas where he was anointed to be king where people lived without bowing to the ruling power of the king.
So, as we take this journey towards freedom it will require more than just knowing the source of freedom. We must also give the source of freedom complete access to our lives. We can’t just give Him access to our church life.
I cannot expect to have freedom financially if I will not allow the Spirit of the Lord to invade my finances.
I cannot expect to have freedom in relationships that I will not allow the presence of God to invade.
I cannot anticipate that I will have freedom from habits that I will not allow the Spirit of the Lord to have any say so in.
If we are to have freedom this year, then we must give the Spirit of the Lord ALL access. I can prophecy to you today that the only areas in which you will remain bound in 2024 are the areas where no access is given. The reason some of us don’t have freedom is because we keep allowing areas of our life to remain off limits to His reach, His rule, His laws. Claim His as savior - the source of freedom but to experience freedom in every area of your life will require you to let Him be Lord in every area of your life. We must remove the no trespassing signs and let Him in.
We must allow the Jesus we welcome in here invade every corner, square inch, segment of our lives.
To find freedom you must get saved. To stay free you must get surrendered!
If we do not do this, then we will approach Jesus as savior because we need Him to rescue us on the back end of decisions, choices, habits that we make, but freedom is found when we make Him, Lord. Because when we make Him Lord He rescues us on the front end. He helps us make decisions on the front end that keep us out of bondage later.
What is it that you want to be free from this year? The answer is Jesus. Your freedom can be found in Him. Remaining free will come down to allowing Him to have continued access. Access to your preferences, your desires, your appetites, your attitudes, your habits, your friend selection, your date selection, your thoughts, your choices. He must have all access. Freedom is found only as you stay as close to Him as possible. The closer you are to Him the more free you will remain.
Where the Spirit is there is freedom. If you are bound, then the question is what doors, walls, off limit signs have you installed to keep Him out? If He is present there is freedom!
