This sermon encourages us to personally know God, adhere to His teachings, and experience the spiritual freedom that comes from being His disciples.
Friends, as we gather today, let's open our hearts to the profound truth that awaits us in the hallowed pages of the Bible. With hearts full of expectation, let's turn to the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 31-36.
Opening Scripture Reading – The words of Jesus, as recorded in this passage, are a beacon of hope for those entangled in the chains of sin. They are an invitation to seek salvation and a promise of spiritual freedom. The passage reads: "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered him, 'We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?' Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'"
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to us about the shackles of sin, the quest for salvation, and the securing of spiritual freedom. Each one of us, in our own way, can relate to these truths. We have all felt the weight of sin, the yearning for salvation, and the joy of spiritual freedom.
In the words of the great Christian author, J.I. Packer, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him."
This quote resonates deeply with our passage today. It's not enough to know about God; we must know Him personally. We must hold to His teachings, as Jesus says. Only then can we experience the true freedom that comes from being His disciples.
Truth is like a mirror, reflecting our own lives, our struggles, our hopes, and our dreams. It's a truth that resonates with our deepest experiences and our most profound longings. It's a truth that speaks to us about the reality of sin and the promise of salvation. Jesus tells us, "everyone who sins is a slave to sin." These words may sound harsh, but they are filled with compassion. Jesus is not condemning us; He is inviting us to recognize our condition and seek His help. He is inviting us to break free from the chains that bind us and step into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
A. The first thing we need to understand is that sin is not just a list of wrong things we do. It's not just about breaking rules or failing to live up to certain standards. Sin is a condition, a state of being. It's a spiritual disease that affects every part of our lives. It's like a poison that seeps into our hearts and minds, distorting our perceptions, corrupting our desires, and leading us away from God.
When we sin, we are not just doing something wrong. We are stepping away from God, turning our backs on His love and grace. We are choosing to live in a way that is contrary to His will, contrary to His design for our lives. This is why sin is so destructive. It's not just about the harm we do to others or the damage we do to ourselves. It's about the rupture it causes in our relationship with God.
B. But there's more to it than that. Sin is both a personal issue and a cosmic issue. It's a rebellion against God, a rejection of His authority and lordship. When we sin, we are not just breaking God's laws; we are challenging His rule, questioning His goodness, and doubting His love. This is why sin is so serious. It's not just about our actions; it's about our attitudes, our motives, our desires.
And yet, despite the seriousness of sin, we often treat it lightly. We make excuses for it, we rationalize it, we minimize it. We think that as long as we're not hurting anyone, as long as we're not breaking any laws, as long as we're not doing anything really bad, then it's not a big deal. But Jesus tells us otherwise. He tells us that sin is a form of slavery, a bondage that we cannot escape on our own.
The words of Jesus here are a clarion call to all who are entangled in the chains of sin ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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