FREEDOM
This week we celebrate Independence Day, the 4th of July. On that day 230 years ago, the founding fathers of our nation signed the Declaration of Independence. In that document, the founders of our nation said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Our founding fathers purchased those freedoms for us in battles that cost many of their lives, and all of their fortunes. We enjoy freedoms today, many in the world only dream of, because of the sacrifices of those men. I thank God, I have the opportunity to live in the United States of America, where we enjoy luxury, security, and liberty that many in the world only dream about. But let me tell you my friend, the greatest freedom we ever received was not freedom from British rule. It was not freedom from taxation without representation. It was not freedom from quartering troops in our homes.
The greatest freedom we have ever received is the freedom Jesus bought for us over nearly 2000 years ago.
- John 8:30-36
Ruth Tucker tells the story of Kari Torjesen Malcolm, who served for 15 years as a missionary to the Philippines. Kari was an MK (missionary kid) who grew up in China: "As a teenager, she was confined for a time during World War II in an internment camp, and there she discovered a deep truth that changed her life.
"In the camp she was number 16, and only one of many Westerners who sought self-identity and comfort behind the walls and the electric fence that separated them from the outside world. There were other MKs in the same predicament, and often they managed to get together for a few moments of prayer--prayer for freedom.
"But as time passed, Kari began to feel uneasy about these times of prayer. Freedom was becoming the ultimate goal in life, and God seemed to become less and less important--except for His answer to their prayers for freedom. She began to pray and search the Bible.
"Kari came to a new outlook on life, and she no longer desired to join the others in their prayers for freedom. It was only then that Kari was able to pray the prayer that changed her life: `Lord, I am willing to stay in this prison for the rest of my life if only I may know You.’ At that moment, she was free."(Quoted in SermonCentral.com)
I am grateful for the freedom we enjoy in this country. I am grateful for those who found to purchase that freedom, and for those who continue to defend our freedom today, on the battlefields of Iraq, Aphganistan, and around the world. I am grateful for the freedoms we have, but I am afraid that we often take for granted some of the greatest freedoms we have. A freedom we can enjoy, even while being detained. A freedom we can enjoy even when imprisoned, the freedom from sin and its consequences.
As we look at this passage of scripture this morning, I would you to notice first, the freedom Christians share.
I. CHRISTIANS SHARE FREEDOMS
1. Christians are free from the bondage of sin - vv 34-36
Did you see that? The Bible says that if you sin you are the slave of sin. Some of you remember the old comedian on TV, Flip Wilson. He was really before my time, but I still remember one of the punch lines he frequently used for his jokes. Every time he would say or do something inappropriate he would say, “The Devil made me do it.”
The Devil never makes you do anything. He just presents the opportunity. However, sin is powerful. Sin can get its hooks in you and destroy your life.
Jesus, however, has delivered us from the bondage of sin. My friend, you can escape gluttony. You can escape immorality. You can escape addictions. You can escape covetousness. You can escape immorality.
It’s been said “Nature forms us. Sin deforms us. Education informs us. BUT ONLY CHRIST TRANSFORMS US.” Christians are free from the bondage of sin.
2. Christians are free from price of sin
- John 8:51
> Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There was a price to pay for our sins. The price, the debt we all owed was death. But Jesus has paid that price for us. He has paid for our sins. He has paid for our freedom.
Maybe you remember the end of the movie Braveheart. William Wallace, the Scottish hero, is being tortured. The king wants Wallace and his people to give into his power and rule. But Wallace suffers through it. He won’t give in. And the very last word that he shouts as he marshals all his strength is he lets out a loud cry of “FREEEEDOOOOM!” My friends, that is the same thing Jesus cried, as shortly before His death on the cross He cried out, “Totelisti” After the shedding of his blood, Jesus shouted out, “It is finished. It has been paid!” They are free from the price of their sins.(Quoted in SermonCentral.com)
3. Christians are free from the guilt of sin
The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
When you and I confess our sins, God forgives those sins. The Bible says God places them behind His back, to see them no more. They are placed in the deepest part of the ocean, out of God’s sight. They are placed as far as the east is from the west from God. God forgets them.
Often, however, we continue to worry about those sins. We continue to feel guilty about them. …
It is not for no reason the Devil is called the Accuser. …
II. CHRISTIANS SHARE A MISSION
- Matthew 28:19-20
The mission of sharing Jesus Christ isn’t a mission for just the preacher. It isn’t a mission for just the Sunday School teachers. It isn’t a mission for just the evangelist. It is a mission we all share.
- Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt and the light! You share a mission!
I remember when we first started, … taking gifts to our neighbors, etc. How seldom we do that anymore. Can it be we have forgotten the mission we are on? We all share a mission.
III. CHRISTIANS SHARE A BURDEN
Now, this mission isn’t going to be completed by itself. It is going to take some work on our part. It’s going to cost you some resources.
1. It’s going to cost Prayer
- Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus moved with compassion, said “Pray!” It starts with prayer. *** Share vision of church & property.
2. It’s going to cost Resources
It’s going to cost resources. “Where the ministry is extensive, the ministry is expensive.” It’s going to cost resources.
3. It’s going to cost Time
- Luke 10:30-37
There is a war going on in Iraq right now, called “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” It is high time we start an operation of our own, “Operation Volusia Freedom.” …
