FREEDOM – Free to Be
• John 8:31-32 (NIV)
[31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
INTRODUCTION:
On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before a crowd around a quarter of a million people. That day King delivered his infamous speech “I Have a Dream.” He concluded that message with these timeless words: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.”
Regardless of whom you are or what difficulties you may encounter along the journey of life, those are sweet words to the heart. Free at last! We can be free from the entanglements of life that weigh us down; free from the burdens and cares that make our hearts heavy. Oh to be free!
Is there anyone who wants to be free today? This morning we are going to talk about what it means to be free. But before we go any further I need your help. As we go through the rest of the year, Lord willing, I will from time to time come to another sermon in a series of freedom messages. Here’s what I need from you. What do you need set free from? What are the issues or concerns that you are struggling with that keep you from being free? Would you write that down and turn it in at the welcome center. Just fill in the blank: I need to be free from ______. (Leave these anonymous.) Let me take a second and prime the pump with some ideas.
Freedom from guilt Freedom from anger
Freedom from depression Freedom from grief
Freedom from debt Freedom from habitual sin
Freedom from fear or worry Freedom from pornography
Freedom from lying Freedom from whatever
You may identify with one or more of these; it may be other issues. Whatever it is please let me know so that together we can discover the freedom the God has made available to all of us.
I. Freedom is not Free
ILLUSTRATION: As Americans we should know that freedom can only be purchased. Our freedom was purchased with the blood of soldiers on battlefields around the world. However, that is only part of the price that must be paid. If we are to be free then we must also be willing to defend our freedom otherwise it can and will be taken away.
• John 8:31-32 (NIV)
[31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
1. Simply believing is not enough! To believe in Jesus is only the first step toward being free.
a) Jesus shows us here that it takes more than just believing in Him to be free. Belief is a necessary step, but belief is only the first step toward being free.
b) Jesus knew that many listening to His teaching had taken that all important first step of belief. Therefore Jesus speaks directly to those who have put their faith in Him.
• John 8:30 (NIV)
Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
c) Jesus says those who believe (which includes each of us today) that we must believe and also “hold to my teaching.” What is Jesus saying?
o “If you stick with this.” (MsgB)
o “If you keep obeying my teaching.” (NLT)
o “If you live by what I say.” (GW)
o “If you abide in my word.” (NKJV)
o “If ye continue in my word.” (KJV)
d) It is not enough to simply believe we must live out what we believe in our day to day lives.
2. Don’t make the mistake of just believing in Jesus. Believing the right thing is not good enough.
• Follow along in your Bibles in Matthew 25:34-46
a) Jesus shows us two groups of people separated on the day of final judgment; BOTH BELIEVE HE IS LORD.
b) One group acted upon what they believed and thought of others instead of only themselves, therefore they met the needs of Jesus, even when they didn’t know they were giving help to Him.
c) The other group believed but refused to live differently. They continued to only think of themselves and therefore were unwilling to help anyone. If they had only know they were rejecting Jesus by how the chose to live.
3. Too many people believe that freedom means independence.
a) You may be here today and believe that Jesus can set you free, but you think that means you are free to live for yourself.
b) Unfortunately, Jesus has shown us that freedom only comes to those who remain in His word. Freedom is given to those who learn to live out what He has taught us, to abide in Him. Those who refuse to move beyond belief only end up in bondage and slavery to sin all over again.
ILLUSTRATION: It’s like a guitar string. A string on a guitar can be set free. It can be released from the guitar, the tension is gone and it is free. But a guitar string cannot fulfill its purpose when it is independent and free from the guitar. That only happens when it’s strung down the long neck of a guitar and tightened until it is taut. Freedom comes, not in being separated from everything (or everyone). Real freedom comes by being joined together in Christ. That’s when we are set apart like a guitar string to fulfill God’s purposes in our lives. (Karl Eckhoff SermonCentral.com)
4. Jesus shows us how to live in real freedom; however freedom comes only to those who believe and abide in His Word.
a) As we continue to believe in Christ and hold on to His Word we are set free. Those whom Jesus sets free are FREE INDEED!
b) But why has Jesus set us free? What good is it to be free if you don’t know what you are free to be?
c) Jesus shows us that when we believe and abide we are free to be an AUTHENTIC DISCIPLE, free to be ACQUAINTED intimately with the truth, and free to be FREE.
II. Free to be an Authentic Disciple
• John 8:31-32 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
1. What does it mean to be one of Christ’s disciples?
a) In regards to Jesus we often only think of his 12 disciples, but notice Jesus is talking to those who have believed in Him, and in turn to us. All who believe in Christ and then hold to his teaching show themselves to be an authentic disciple of Christ.
b) A simple definition of disciple is to be a follower, learner or student of Jesus Christ, to follow the teaching and example of Jesus.
c) Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines a disciple as “one who (1) believes Christ’s doctrine, (2) rests upon his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example.” A disciple:
o > believes the things Jesus taught,
o > has faith in the death of Jesus to forgive their sin,
o > drinks from the living water that only Jesus can give us which is the Holy Spirit, a disciple is filled with the Holy Spirit,
o > lives a transformed life following Christ’s example by the power of the Holy Spirit within them.
d) Notice how this fits with what we’ve said about how freedom is not free.
o Belief is only the first step, the first half of being a disciple. You believe Christ’s teaching and have faith that you are forgiven of your sin’s by His death.
o You remain in His Word or abide in Christ by drinking of the Holy Spirit, to be continually filled with the power of the Spirit in order to live a new life following the example of Christ.
2. As an authentic disciple how do we follow Christ’s example.
• 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
a) If you are going to follow the example of Jesus and follow in His footsteps, then you need to get to know Jesus! Read the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and see how Jesus lived His life.
o And don’t believe the lie that once you start following Jesus life will be easy and you won’t have anymore problems!
• 1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
b) Second, the Holy Spirit will help you to live in alignment with the pattern of Jesus’ life. Learn to listen to the voice of the Spirit directing you in how to live your life each day. Put simply the Holy Spirit will tell you what is right and wrong.
• John 16:7-8 (NIV)
[7] But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor [the Friend, MsgB] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.
c) Third, you can follow the example of other believers. We need to help each other follow the example Jesus has given to us.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
• Philippians 3:17 (NIV)
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
3. When we believe in Christ and abide in Him holding on to His teaching we are set free to be authentic disciples. As an authentic disciple we are:
III. Free to be Acquainted Intimately with the Truth
• John 8:31-32 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
1. Jesus says we will “ginosko” know the truth that is TO KNOW BY EXPERIENCE.
a) Jesus is not talking about just having a head knowledge about the truth. This is not just a superficial understanding or the mere knowledge of information.
b) We will know the truth through a personal experience with the truth; Jesus gives us an intimate interaction with the truth. We can handle the truth, we can touch it and see that it is indeed truth.
2. The knowledge of truth is not abstract. To know the truth is to know Jesus!
• John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
a) Jesus is THE TRUTH. We come to personally know Jesus experientially as we come to know the truth. And as we know Jesus, the truth, we are saved.
• 1 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)
[God our Savior] wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
b) Again we are not saved by an abstract knowledge of truth, we are save as we put our faith in Jesus Christ who is the truth. We are saved through our knowledge of Christ that is through the experience of a personal relationship with Jesus, the truth.
3. We are free not only to live by the truth as we follow the example of Jesus, but as we become more and more acquainted with the truth we are set free to feel what Jesus feels. HIS PASSION BECOMES OUR PASSION!
ILLUSTRATION: As husbands and wives experience life together their knowledge of each other grows. Through their awareness of each other they begin to think like each other; they feel what each other feels. Many times I can look at Susie and I know when there are things bothering her long before she says anything about it. We are connected emotionally and can feel what the other feels.
• 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 (NIV)
[9] However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"—[10] but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. [11] For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
a) We are set free to be acquainted with Christ, the truth, to know Him intimately and personally.
b) The more we come to know Jesus the more of his thoughts He will reveal to us by His Spirit. Things hidden to others will be made known to us because we have been set free to know Him. Our heart is no longer consumed with the passions of this world; our heart’s desire is united with Christ.
4. When we believe in Christ and abide in Him holding on to His teaching we are set free to be authentic disciples. As an authentic disciple we are set free to be acquainted intimately with the truth and we are:
IV. Free to be Free
• John 8:31-32 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
1. The truth sets us free; we are no longer slaves to sin and death.
ILLUSTRATION: On January 1, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This presidential order gave slaves throughout the south their freedom. But on that day no slaves went free; through out the south blacks continued to serve their plantation masters. Freedom did not come to the slaves until after a bloody Civil War had been fought and they were finally free to live as free men.
a) God declared that He would set those held captive to sin and death free, but freedom did not ultimately come until Jesus died on the cross of Calvary. Only after His blood was spilt on our behalf could we really be set free.
b) While Christ has secured our freedom, we must choose to receive it.
c) We can choose to continue to live as slaves, or we can believe by faith that Jesus died in our place; our sins are forgiven and we are finally free to be free!
• Romans 6:14 (MsgB)
Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God.
2. We have come full circle—we are set free because we believe in Jesus and abide in His Word.
• John 8:36 (NIV)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
a) We are free, yes free indeed! Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty we’re free at last!
b) Jesus has set us free to live free from the bondage of sin and death. We are free!
3. Conclusion:
a) Jesus has come to set us free.
o Believe in Jesus! Put your faith in Him today. (But don’t stop there!)
b) Freedom is not free. Believe and Abide! Jesus says, “Hold on to my word!” Continue to obey his teaching; stick with it to the end and live by what Jesus says. THEN YOU WILL BE FREE!
c) You will be free to be an authentic disciple of Jesus following His example.
d) You will be free to be acquainted intimately with the truth; you will experience a personal relationship with Jesus, the truth and come to know Him more and more.
e) You will be free to be free no longer living in bondage to sin and death. Yes, you are free at last!
