Freedom In Christ Series

Title: Freedom in Christ

Theme: To show that we can experience freedom in Christ.

Text: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 2 Corinthians 3:17

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Introduction

The year is 1776. The date is July 4th. The place is Philadelphia, PN. 56 men gathered to sign what would soon become known as the Declaration of Independence. The men represented the 13 original colonies that as we know today has grown into 50 states now called the United States of America.

Their intention with this document, that we celebrate the signing of on this July 4th, was to proclaim the independence of America from the British rule and taxation.

This was the final step in proclaiming freedom for all the citizens of America. These men risked their lives and the lives of their family. Soon the Revolutionary War would be fought and 4,435 soldiers would be killed. Another 6,188 would be wounded fighting for the freedom of our nation.

All to declare freedom in America. Men and women risks their lives to live in a free country. To escape the tyrannical rule of a king. Was the cost too high, these men and women didn’t think so.

Christ’s freedom

Yet a greater freedom happened over 2,000 years ago. A man called Jesus went to the cross. We don’t know the date and even have a hard time pinpointing the year. Yet we do know that it would change this world forever.

That cross where Jesus died declared freedom to the world. Any one who believed and received Christ can experience that freedom. Freedom was declared and Satan was defeated.

Jesus was just beginning his ministry. For 40 days he was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He was next baptized by John. Finally as if to proclaim his calling to the church he enters into the sanctuary and brings forth the word.

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty (freedom) to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty (free) those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

His purpose is to bring freedom. His purpose is to proclaim freedom. His purpose is to “set at liberty them that are bruised” “to preach deliverance to the captives”.

We don’t have to live in bondage. We don’t have to live under the curse of sin or the law. We don’t have to live as if there is no way out. Jesus said again in

John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

verse 36 as if to clarify his freedom he said

36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Freedom has been proclaimed and the price has been paid? Was the price worth it? Yes for our freedom.

How many Christians miss this freedom?

Yet how many Christian who have experienced the blood of Christ in their lives still don’t experience this freedom.

Freedom in America. Yet freedom is more than a law.

It is more than a verse. It is more than a saying it is an experience. We must let that freedom sink into our lives and take over our heart.

Remember what I said last week, Paul told Timothy to stir of the gift. Let the fire be rekindled. Let the embers be stirred. When we stir it up we experience a refreshing. The Holy Spirit once again fills us.

When we have the Holy Spirit there is boldness. Where there is boldness there is no fear. Where there is no fear there is freedom.

Paul talked of freedom to the Corinthians

That is what Paul is saying in 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Paul is telling those in Corinth that when the spirit of the Lord comes he brings liberty. The word liberty here also means “freedom”.

God’s spirit brings freedom.

I heard another minister who was talking about this verse the other day. She said another definition of this word is “relaxation”. When we have peace in our lives we can relax. Some Christians are just too uptight. And if they are not uptight they are looking at something to be uptight about.

We sometimes need to learn to relax in Christ and trust him.

That is what that word Shalom means. It means peace but it means the peace of God. It means that may God peace engulf you as you walk through the day.