The Believer’s Freedom

SERMON BODY:

(A). Principles to Apply:

Principle #1: Edification is more important than our personal gratification (vs 23):

Principle #2: Freedom expresses itself in serving other people. (vs 24):

Principle #3: Liberty will triumph over legalism (vs 25-27):

Principle #4: Self-sacrifice wins over condemnation (vs 28-30):

(B). A Motto to Live By:

Motivation #1: To glorify God (vs 31).

Motivation #2: To encourage and not stumble other Christians (vs 32-33a)

Motivation #3: To win the lost! (vs 33b)

SERMON OUTLINE:

Ill:

• The story is told of a famous golfer;

• Who was invited by the king of Saudi Arabia to play in a golf tournament.

• He accepted the invitation,

• And the king flew his private jet over to the United States to pick up the pro.

• They played golf for several days, and enjoyed a good time.

• As the golfer was getting on the plane to return to the U.S.,

• The king stopped him and said,

• “I want to give you a gift for coming all this way and making this time so special.

• Anything you want. What could I get you?

• Ever the gentleman, the golfer replied,

• “Oh, please; don’t get me anything. You’ve been a gracious host.

• I’ve had a wonderful time. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

• But the king was adamant. He said,

• “No, I insist on giving you something;

• So you will always remember your visit to our country. “

• When the golfer realized that the king was resolute,

• He said, “Okay, fine. I collect golf clubs. Why don’t you give me a golf club?”

• He boarded the plane, and on his flight back home,

• He couldn’t help wondering what kind of golf club the king might give him.

• He imagined that it might be a solid gold putter with his name engraved on it.

• Or maybe it would be a sand wedge studded with diamonds and jewels.

• After all, this would be a gift from the oil-rich king of Saudi Arabia.

• When the golfer got home,

• He forgot all about the present until several weeks later,

• When he received a certified letter from the king of Saudi Arabia.

• The U.S. Professional thought that rather strange.

• Where’s my golf club? He wondered.

• He opened the envelope, and to his surprise,

• Inside he discovered a deed to a five hundred acre golf course in America.

• TRANSITION: Sometimes kings think differently to you and me!

• When the king and the golfer thought about the gift,

• The golfer could not grasp the kind of gift the king had in mind.

• Their minds were both on different levels.

When it comes to ‘freedom’ people think differently!

• Freedom is the most sought after commodity.

• Yet it has an elusive quality about it.

• When you don't have it you want it!

• When you do have it, you can very easily not value it.

Note:

• Remember that freedom is not free!

• There is always a price to be paid.

Ill:

• Remembrance Day is on 11 November.

• Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November,

• Which is usually the Sunday nearest to 11 November

• It is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women;

• Who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts.

• At one time the day was known as Armistice Day;

• And was renamed Remembrance Day after the Second World War.

• TRANSITION: The freedom we enjoy in this country;

• Was not free, but costs the lives of millions of people!

• Christian freedom is not free;

• It cost the life of Jesus Christ.

• In the section of this letter you looked at last week (vs 14-22);

• These verses on freedom follow on from the apostle talking about the ‘Lord’s Supper’.

• Our freedom is directly related tour relationship with Christ!

Quote: Definition of freedom:

• What freedom is?

• The power of choice to make responsible decisions for oneself and ones future.

• What freedom is not!

• To do what I want regardless of others or consequences? no!

Quote: Jo Diefenbaker

"Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong."

(A). Principles To Apply (vs 23-30)

“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’– but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.’