Sermon Central
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Eleutheria - Freedom Within Part 1 Series
Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Jul 28, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: Did you know that in the ancient world, just before the time of Christ that nearly 90% of the population was in some form of slavery? By the time of Christ that number was still around two-thirds. Freedom was longed for.
NOTES
ELEUTHERIA
freedom within – part 1
Series Verse
But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. Romans 6:22 (NLT)
He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Romans 4:25 (NLT)
Since the war is over and you’re FREE. . .
FOCUS ON YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege [grace] where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2 (NLT)
“Christ has brought us” – Greek – prosagoge – “Ushered before royalty”
• Jesus prepares me to confidently meet God
He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Romans 4:25 (NLT)
RESHAPE WITH SPIRITUAL TRAINING
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
“trials” – Greek – thlipsis – “Life’s pressures”
• I see problems and trials as necessary for maturity
• Problems don’t rob me of my joy
• Problems develop endurance
o Endurance develops strength to “remain true under pressure”
? Strength develops hope “certainty of a promised outcome”
• Hope does not disappoint
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
EMBRACE THE LOVE OF GOD FULLY
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8 (NLT)
• Before we knew we needed Him, Christ came for us
• God pushed through our rebellion and loved us anyway
Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. Luke 7:41-43 (NLT)
EXPRESS JOY ABOUT YOUR LIFE TODAY
9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:9-11 (NLT)
• Jesus died and rose to remove the presence and power of sin, “made right with God” (we were made right, past tense)
• Salvation is complete through Jesus’ life, “will certainly be saved through the life of his Son” (future tense)
• We find joy in our relationship with God now (present tense)
Next step – Today I choose to live in the joyous freedom of God
MANUSCRIPT
ELEUTHERIA
freedom within
ME
Good morning and welcome to the celebration! My name is Tom, I’m a pastor here. Today is Independence Day, the day that people in the US celebrate their declared independence or freedom from the tyranny of English rule.
A little know fact about my family and although I had nothing to do with it, but in 1976 the Bartlett family was recognized as founding family with a certificate as our great grandfather back several generations was a signer on the declaration of independence. Last row, top name; Josiah Bartlett. Pretty cool. As a matter of fact I was born in a little town in New Hampshire very close to where he lived.
The focus of the US was founded on a principal of freedom. The founding fathers were not perfect, nor was the documents that guided the nation, yet the insight of the constitution was that as things became clearly wrong, the constitution could be amended and it has been.
