THE PITFALLS OF FREEDOM

SERMON STARTER

 

FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY

 

On June 19, 1865, over two years after President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and read General Order Number 3: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free." For the first time, slaves in Texas learned that they were already free. Some were shocked; many others celebrated. June 19 soon became known as "Juneteenth". Our Daily Bread 19th June, 2008

 

Up From Slavery

Booker T. Washington, in his book, Up from Slavery, describes the scenes among the blacks on the night of the proclamation of their freedom.

"There was no sleep that night," he says. "All was excitement and expectancy. Early in the morning we were all sent for. The proclamation was read and we were told that we were free and could go when and where we pleased. ... There was great rejoicing, followed by wild scenes of ecstasy. But," he goes on to say, "the wild rejoicing did not last long. By the time the colored people had returned to their cabins, there was a marked change in their feelings. The great responsibility of being free seemed to take possession of them. It was very much like suddenly turning a youth of ten or twelve out into the world to provide for himself. Within a few minutes the wild rejoicing ceased and a feeling of deep gloom seemed to pervade the slave quarters. Now that they were liberated, they found possession of freedom to be much more serious business than they had anticipated."

 

Pastor Phil   <><<

June 26, 2011 - Sheepfold Ministries

Pastor Phil Roland

 

THE PITFALLS OF FREEDOM

John 8:30-36

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

 

“If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

 

I. FREEDOM IS THE LONGING OF EVERY HUMAN HEART

          A. Who wants to be free?

                        1. Slaves in any culture

                        2. Muslim women forced to wear the Hijab and the Burqa

                        3. Business People who are taxed to death

                        4. Those with high interest mortgage payments

                        5. Persons trapped in failed marriages

                        6. People working at dead end jobs

                        7. Those enslaved by addictions

                                    a. Substance Abuse

                                    b. High Interest Credit Cards

                                    c. Gambling

                                    d. Codependents

          B. There are at least Four kinds of Freedom

                        1. Desire - If desire is missing, you are not free to do it

                   2. Ability - If you have Desire but no Ability there's no Freedom

                        3. Opportunity - If you have desire + ability but no opportunity,

                                    there's no Freedom there

                                    a. Sky Diving analogy

                                    b. If the chute fails, you end in destruction

                        4. Destruction - If you have desire + Ability + Opportunity, but                                          it leads you to destruction, you are not free

            C. Complete Freedom is. . .Free Indeed!

                "When you have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity that will grant                   you lasting fullfillment and satisfaction, and not destroy you, then you                        are fully free."

          D. Freedom is the Longing to be free from the enslavement of sin

            "Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin             is a slave of sin."                          Romans 8:34
                        1. Sin enslaves us by producing Desires that Attract

                                    a. Sin makes anything look more Desirable than Jesus

                                    b. Sin is Desiring Something above Jesus

                                    c. Sin is Acting on that Desire

                        2. Sin enslaves us by Damning us, not Freeing us

                                    a. Sin will lead you to Hell

                                    b. Sin's smooth, paved road leads to destruction

         

THE PITFALLS OF FREEDOM, cont.

 

          E. We long to be Free from the Domination and Damnation of Sin

                        1. Jesus alone can set us free from the Curse of Sin - Gal. 3:13

                        "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a                        curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a                                  tree"

                   2. Jesus Became Damnation for us

                        3. Jesus freed us from the Domination of Sin

                                    a. He changed our nature through the New Birth

                                    b. We desire Him / His Approval more than all the World

                                    c. Our Sins are forgiven and God's Wrath is gone

                        4. Because of Jesus, We are Free Indeed!!

 

II. FINDING FREEDOM FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

Romans 8:1-2
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

            A. Recognize - Sin's problem in your life

                        1. Was it voluntary?

                        2. Was it chosen?

                        3. Was it involuntary?

                        4. Have your choices made Sin's Problem worse?

                                    a. Have you listened to Satan's Accusation?

                                    b. Have you believed the Devil's Lies about God and                                                   yourself?                                         

          B. Repent - Make a conscious choice to turn from sin

                        1. Repentance calls for your mind and your will

                        2. Choose daily to turn from sin

          C. Renounce - Declare aloud to God, yourself and others

                        1. You are finished with that particular sin

                        "I am finished with the sin of__________________!"

                                    a. Note: You are Renouncing a Particular Sin

                                    b. You cannot be free from all sins on your own

                                    c. Only Jesus lived a "Free from Sin" life

                                    d. You are not Him!

                        2. Verbalizing is a necessary part of Freedom

          D. Remove It - Do something about closing Sin's Door

                        1. Avoid tempting situations

                        2. "Police Yourself"

                        3. Post mental and physical "STOP" signs

                        4. Do not allow yourself to be in compromising situations

          E. Resist It - Jesus did it with "Thus says the Lord. . ." - James 4:7

             "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

            F. Rejoice - Thank God for Freeing you from Sin's Bondage - Phil 4:4

              "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

 

THE PITFALLS OF FREEDOM

 

John 8:30-59 (NKJV)
30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?"
34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.