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Feb 03, 2019

Truly Free

Truly Free

Speaker: Jennifer Adams

Series: Other

Category: Sunday Morning

Freedom is something we all long for and it's available. Yet, we have a choice to walk in freedom or continue to live in bondage.

TRULY FREE

Galatians 5:1 "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, we receive access to freedom. Jesus did the work on the cross. It is available and it is ours. Yet, we have a choice whether we are going to walk in freedom or continue to live in bondage. The truth that we are free in Christ doesn't guarantee that we will actually experience that freedom.

Part 1:  THE MINDSET OF FREEDOM     

John 8:1-11 The Adulterous Woman

We must believe that we are free if we are going to walk like we are free. We long for freedom – and it’s available. Embrace that freedom. 

Romans 8:1-2 (NASB) "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." John 8:31-32 (ESV) "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (TPT) "Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "When you continue to embrace all that I teach, you prove that you are my true followers. For if you embrace the truth, it will release more freedom into your lives.” 

Two things Jesus wants to set free from:

1) Freedom from sin – vs 3-4 Hers is not a secret sin but it's out in the open, yet Jesus does not condemn her. Romans 8:2 Jesus died so we could be free. We can’t free ourselves by trying harder. The good news is that we have the Holy Spirit within to set us free. Believe that Jesus has set us free and then walk in it.

Sin comes and whispers joy and fulfillment. It entices us to satisfaction, but it doesn’t deliver. Romans 6:23 The wages of sin; James 1:14-15 temptation; Proverbs 14:12 leads to death. Sin is a monster and it’s out to destroy us.

Truth: I am no longer a slave to sin or my past. I have the power of the risen Savior inside me, and He has already defeated sin! Embrace that truth to walk in freedom.

2) Freedom from the opinion of man – Everyone knew what she had done. There are two voices in this story: the religious crowd's disapproval and condemnation and the voice of Jesus offering her forgiveness and a different future. Which voice did she listen to?

Read scripture to find who you are in Christ. Then embrace it, believe it, even though we may not understand it. Stop defining ourselves by what others say about us, by our past mistakes, by the world’s standards of success.

Truth: What God says about me is the only thing that matters!! The opinions of man do not define me. You can't walk in freedom when man's opinion matters more to you than God's opinion. 

Part 2:  THE FRUIT OF FREEDOM  

John 8:11 "And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Jesus wanted to see her set free from the past but also was offering her freedom to something.

1) Set free to go – to a future that looked radically different from her present reality. Say "yes" to Jesus, to what He is wanting me to do, to where He is asking me to go? To love on people across the street? Or across the world? Luke 17:11-14 Jesus asked the lepers to go wash before they saw the healing. While they were going (obeying), they were healed. Sometimes freedom, healing, and deliverance are on the other side of our “yes”. Am I waiting for other people in my life to get on board with this? Stop waiting - Go!

Dream – What could it be like on the other side of my "yes"? What could Jesus do? What miracles will happen?

2) Set free to be transformed – to change. Jesus says to the adulterous woman, go and sin no more. She was not to be defined by her sin. Romans 12:2 Be transformed; II Cor 5:17 You are a new creation; Luke 9:23 Deny self and follow.

There is always hope because we have Jesus – He takes the dead and brings to life; from darkness to light. I am not too far-gone. God is bigger. It’s not always easy, but it’s a process, a journey. God works in a process as we walk with Him, continually dying to self, submitting, and walking every step with Jesus. We can’t overcome alone, but we have the Holy Spirit the moment we accept Christ. The Holy Spirit gives the power to change.

3) Set free to love and serve - to truly love other people. Gal 5:13-14 When we fully embrace the truth of our freedom, it frees us up to truly love and serve other people. Jesus gave the adulterous woman love and acceptance, not the judgment she deserved. Embrace His acceptance for true freedom – freedom from the need to impress or judge people because I am securely accepted and rooted to Him. 

When we have an emptiness that we’re trying to fill, then we serve and love out of our flesh, with strings, with expectation, with judgment or with an agenda. When we experience the freedom God has for us and become fully satisfied in Christ, then we serve and love out of fullness. People need this kind of love – without judgment – without agenda – without expectations. Walk in freedom, so others can experience and desire that freedom.

What do I need freedom from? From shame? From sin?

How can I be changed - transformed?

What scripture will help me? What scripture can I memorize? 

Do I love people out of emptiness or fullness?