Do you want to be free?
John 8:31-36 31Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33They answered Him, "We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, "You will be made free’?" 34Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
An exert from the Autobiography of The Rev. Josiah Henson (1789 - 1883)
During the bright and hopeful days I spent in Ohio, while away on my preaching tour, I had heard much of the course pursued by fugitives from slavery, and became acquainted with a number of benevolent men engaged in helping them on their way.
During the bright and hopeful days I spent in Ohio, while away on my preaching tour, I had heard much of the course pursued by fugitives from slavery, and became acquainted with a number of benevolent men engaged in helping them on their way. Canada was often spoken of as the only sure refuge from pursuit, and that blessed land was now the desire of my longing heart. Infinite toils and perils lay between me and that haven of promise, enough to daunt the stoutest heart; but the fire behind me was too hot and fierce to let me pause to consider them. I knew the North Star - blessed be God for setting it in the heavens! Like the Star of Bethlehem, it announced where my salvation lay. Could I follow it through forest, and stream, and field, it would guide my feet in the way of hope. I thought of it as my God-given guide to the land of promise far away beneath its light. I knew that it had led thousands of my poor, hunted brethren to freedom and blessedness. I felt energy enough in my own breast to contend with privation and danger; and had I been a free, untrammelled man, knowing no tie of father or husband, and concerned for my own safety only, I would have felt all difficulties light in view of the hope that was set before me. But, alas! I had a wife and four dear children; how should I provide for them? Abandon them I could not; no! not even for the blessed boon of freedom. They, too, must go. They, too, must share with me the life of liberty...
The next evening we reached Buffalo, but it was too late to cross the river that night. "You see those trees," said the noble-hearted captain, next morning, pointing to a group in the distance; "they grow on free soil, and as soon as your feet touch that, you’re a mon. I want to see you go and be a freeman. I’m poor myself, and have nothing to give you; I only sail the boat for wages; but I’ll see you across. Here, Green," said he to a ferryman, "what will you take this man and his family over for - he’s got no money?" "Three shillings." He then took a dollar out of his pocket and gave it to me. Never shall I forget the spirit in which he spoke. He put his hand on my head and said, "Be a good fellow, won’t you?" I felt streams of emotion running down in electric courses from head to foot. "Yes," said I; "I’ll use my freedom well; I’ll give my soul to God." He stood waving his hat as we pushed off for the opposite shore. God bless him! God bless him eternally! Amen!
Main Entry: slav·ery
2 : submission to a dominating influence
3 a : the state of a person who is a chattel of another
Slavery is a product of the fall of man and has existed in the world since that time.
Vs 31 Jesus is talking to the people who believe in him. He gives them this statement, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” Everyone who calles themselves a Christian, isn’t one. They say..
· I’m saved, but they don’t come to church.
· I believe in Jesus, but they say HIS name.
· I’m saved sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, on Sunday, cuss you out at work on Monday.
· The bible say’s all those who says Lord, Lord shall not enter in.
Disciple: 1. A learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another; as the disciples of Plato.
2. A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.
What is the word, that we are to abide in? Jesus is the word of God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
To know the truth. JESUS IS THE TRUTH! John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Free from what? Sin. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
We are not enslaved by a single sin any more than we become addicted by a single cigarette or a single drink. It is the ongoing addictive behavior or sin that enslaves us.
Slavery is not inflicted from without, but from within. The Church cannot preach the Gospel and offer freedom without addressing the issue of slavery to sin.
Three types of sin known to man: 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1. Spiritual
2. Mental
3. Physical
How Do I get Free?
1. Realize your in bondage.
2. understand it’s something you can’t fix….The madness has to end !!!
3. You must be born again!
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wreach like me. I once was lost but now I’m found. Was blind but now I see.
