This sermon explores the freedom found in knowing and abiding in Christ's truth, and our identity as God's children, free from the bondage of sin.
Welcome, beloved. It's always a joy to gather together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and today, we have the privilege of turning our hearts and minds to His word in the book of John, chapter 8, verses 31 to 36.
It's in these verses that we find Jesus speaking to the Jews who had believed Him. He says, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
These verses are a treasure trove of divine wisdom, and today we will be focusing on three main points: Discovering Divine Deliverance, Dwelling in the Truth of Christ, and Defining Our Identity in Freedom.
It's a well-known and respected Christian author, J.I. Packer, who once said, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him." It's this knowing, this intimate understanding of our God that we desire to cultivate as we study His word today.
As we embark on this study, let us open with a prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and minds, ready to receive Your truth. Guide us as we study Your word, Lord. Let it be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Help us to truly know You, to serve You with energy, to share You with boldness, and to find our contentment in You. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
In the heart of the scripture, we find Jesus speaking about freedom. But this isn't the kind of freedom that the world offers. It's not about political liberty or personal autonomy. It's a deeper, more profound freedom. It's the freedom from the power and penalty of sin. This is the divine deliverance that Jesus offers.
Jesus tells us that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. This is a hard truth to swallow. We like to think of ourselves as free, as masters of our own destiny. But sin has a way of entangling us, of binding us in chains we often don't even realize we're wearing. It's a cruel master, promising pleasure and fulfillment but delivering only pain and emptiness.
But there's good news. Jesus didn't just diagnose our condition; He provided the cure. He said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This is the promise of divine deliverance. Jesus, the Son of God, has the power to break the chains of sin and set us free. This freedom isn't just about escaping the negative consequences of sin. It's about living in the light of God's love, experiencing His peace and joy, and walking in His purposes. This is the true freedom that Jesus offers.
But how do we experience this divine deliverance? Jesus gives us the answer: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The path to freedom is through faith in Jesus and obedience to His teaching. It's about surrendering our lives to Him, trusting in His sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and following His lead in every area of our lives.
This requires humility, courage, and perseverance. It means letting go of our pride, our fears, and our self-reliance. But the reward is worth it. For when we surrender to Jesus, we find true freedom. We find divine deliverance. But let's not stop there. Let's look at what this divine deliverance means for us in practical terms.
Firstly, it means that we are no longer slaves to sin. We are no longer bound by the power of sin, compelled to follow its destructive path. We are free to choose righteousness, to choose life. This doesn't mean that we will never sin again. We still live in a fallen world, and we still struggle with our sinful nature. But the power of sin over us is broken. We are no longer its slaves.
Secondly, divine deliverance means that we are no longer under the penalty of sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we are forgiven. Our debt is paid. We are free from the fear of judgment and the dread of eternal separation from God.
Thirdly, divine deliverance means that we are adopted into God's family. Jesus said, "A slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever." As believers in Jesus, we are not just freed slaves; we are sons and daughters of the Most High God. We are heirs of His promises and partakers of His divine nature.
Finally, divine deliverance means that we have a new identity in Christ. We are no longer defined by our past, our mistakes, or our failures. We are defined by our relationship with Jesus. We are new creations, made in the image of God, destined for His glory.
Transition. So let's embrace this divine deliverance. Let's hold fast to the teachings of Jesus, walk in the freedom He offers, and live as the beloved children of God that we are. For in Christ, we are free indeed.
As we turn our attention to the second point, we find ourselves immersed in the profound reality of dwelling in the truth of Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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