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John 8:31-33
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. What do you think of when you think of freedom? Webster’s New World College Dict. Defines freedom as “exemption or liberation from the control of some other person or some arbitrary power.” The only way that definition of freedom can be true is for us to be God! If that definition is played out among people in the current state of fallen, sinful humanity, every person would be doing what they thought best to serve their own interests and desires. The reason that is, and must be true is that the effect of sin causes a person to be self-centered, not others centered! In our focal passage today John records Jesus’ words that simply, clearly tell us truth is freedom. Knowledge of that truth makes one free. Let’s look at:
- FREEDOM EXPLAINED. The political concept of freedom in secular Greek world meant “to be at one’s own disposal.” It was usually thought of in comparison to the slave. A slave was/is one who does not belong to himself but to someone else. And therein is the rub. In our focal passage for today Jesus tells us Truth is the author/give of real freedom. One very simple “theological” definition of truth is the way things really The writer of Heb. tells us in 6:18 “it is impossible for God to lie.” If God is perfect in every way, and He is, He must be a God of truth, or He cannot be perfect. Read John 17:17. This simple statement is the cornerstone to true freedom. The Bible is Divinely inspired Truth from “In the beginning,” to “the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen.” Not only that, it is absolute truth! Denying that Scripture from beginning to end is God’s truth, does not change the fact that all Scripture is God’s truth! In fact all that happens in all creation is God’s truth, whether it is good or evil. Good is the consequence of obeying God’s Word, evil is the consequence of disobeying God’s Word, but it’s all His truth!! So Jesus explains that freedom is truth, and truth is God’s truth. Let’s consider
- FREEDOM EMPLOYED! Jesus tells us once we understand that true freedom is found IN God’s truth the next step is to “know” the truth. Knowledge of truth comes in two conscious decisions that Jesus makes clear in His statement in v. 32. Knowledge of truth comes 1st by abiding, remaining, living in God’s Word. The 2nd step takes us to the very heart of true freedom. To be truly free a person must know the Truth! So how do we find truth? Jesus says when HE sets a person free, that person is free indeed, or truly, really, actually free! So which is it that frees a person, the truth or Jesus? Read John 14: 6. Jesus explains that He is the Way – or the path/direction/course by which a person passes from bondage to freedom. He tells us He is the way things really are, or He is Truth. He is that which can be depended on to be reality. He is also the Life that all men seek, but few actually receive because of their stubborn pride. Freedom can be enjoyed only in Christ! Let’s consider then:
- FREEDOM ENJOYED. Here is a paradox for you to consider: true freedom is enjoyed only in voluntary slavery! Read 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 7:20-24. In Rome a person who was a slave could work and eventually earn their freedom. When they did so, they then had a choice. They could leave and be free to fend for themselves, or they could stay and continue to be a servant by choice, and the master would continue to take care of them. Christ paid the redemption price for you at Calvary. When you asked Him to save you, you voluntarily chose to “let Him buy you” back out of the slave market of sin. Because you ask for His salvation, and He gave it to you, He now owns you. You are His servant by your own choice. As God Christ always has your best interest at heart. He is the perfect owner, and given you the perfect freedom. That freedom is the freedom from bondage in sin, death, and the freedom from eternal punishment in hell! Biblical freedom does not give us the freedom to do what we want; Biblical freedom gives us the freedom to do what we should! Doing what we should, out of desire is true freedom!
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