July 5, 2020 Sermon Notes

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LET FREEDOM RING

( What makes us free? - July 5, 2020)



Series Big Idea: "True freedom is only found in Christ"

Sermon Big Idea: "Scripture makes us free, the Savior makes us free, and the Spirit makes us free"


Key Scripture (John 8:32,36; 2 Corinthians 3:17)

I am positive that you would agree with me that God has truly blessed the country we live in; the United States of America. It is good to, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with, celebrating the goodness of God to us, as a nation. We have been blessed in almost every way imaginable. 


I believe the greatest of our blessings is the fact we are a free people. We have been politically free, in which we are not controlled by a king or dictator. We have personal freedom. Each of us can make our own decisions in life, even if those decisions at times don’t make sense or cause us heartache. But I come to you today with a question. What really makes us free? Better yet, what makes us free as Christians? 


The Scriptures make us free.

As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:30-32)


Many people quote this verse of Scripture which are the very words of Jesus. These words have traveled around the world and back millions of times. If you were to look at a world map you would see that wherever God's Word has been taken around the world, freedom has surely followed. 


Think about the United States. Columbus discovered the New World in 1492. The printing press was invented in the mid-1400's and the birth of Martin Luther was in 1483. But now think about this. When the Scriptures began to be put into print it often brought persecutions. The Reformation by Martin Luther also caused persecutions. But America now provided a place for people to flee to freedom. They came to America to follow the teachings of the Bible and to build a nation based on biblical principles. 


The Savior makes us free. 

A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. (John 8:36) 


Freedom flows like a river not only from God's Word but also from the Living Word who is Jesus Christ. Christ sets people free! He wants to set you free! Several biblical examples; Nicodemus begin set free from his religious bondage (John 3). Zacchaeus being set free from his lust of money (Luke 19). And what about the woman at the well who was set free from her immorality (John 4). Yes, it is a wonderful gift from God to have political freedom in our country but my friends spiritual freedom can only be found in a faith relationship with the Son of God Himself; Jesus Christ. 


The Spirit makes us free.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17). 


We as humans have searched for God through our own religious ceremony. But Christ came to free us from the Law and to give us His Holy Spirit. Only we must always be on our guard not to be enticed to go back into depending upon our works to save us. It is the fruit of the Spirit that will be the visible demonstration of our freedom to everyone we come into contact with in our daily lives.

 


Conclusion:   

Yes, it is wonderful to live in a country where we have such freedom as we do politically. But this only makes us free as citizens of this country. True freedom, spiritual freedom, makes us free as Christians and saints of God. So my challenge to you today is how free are you? 


Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:


Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible



The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord/Roy B. Zuck


The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith


Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 


Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.


NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.


NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson


Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Revised edition of New Bible Companion.


Borchert, Gerald L. Volume 25a: John 1-11. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1996. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.


Burge, Gary. John: From biblical text...to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.


Gangel, Kenneth. John. Edited by Max Anders. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.


Walls, David and Max Anders. I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude. Edited by Max Anders. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 


Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991. Print. The Pillar New Testament Commentary.


Hubbard, Moyer V. 2 Corinthians. Ed. Mark L. Strauss. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.


Hill, Andrew E. 1 & 2 Chronicles: From biblical text...to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.


Pratt, Richard. I & II Corinthians. Edited by Max Anders. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 


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