## Freedom In Christ

## John 8:32

This past week we celebrated Independence Day. There were picnics, parades, and fireworks to make the day special. It was a celebration of freedom in America. I am thankful that we live in a free country. The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States says this:

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Four great freedoms are noted in that amendment. These are the freedom to worship; the freedom to speak; the freedom to print; and the freedom to assemble. I am thankful that we have freedom to gather together, as we are today, and worship the Lord. Today I want to mention some additional freedoms that those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ enjoy.

I. The Freedom from the Lie. (John 8:32) "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

A. There are two forces at work in this world today:

1. The Truth = Jesus Christ cf Jn. 14:6

2. The Lie = Satan cf Jn. 8:44

B. When we receive the Son of God as revealed to us in the Word of God, then we can know the truth!

C. Without Christ in our lives, we remain in bondage to Satan, who is the father of all lies.

D. Knowledge of the Truth protects us from error.

1. Illustration of counterfeit bills.

2. The more you know the real thing, the easier it is to spot the phony.

3. The more we know the truth of Jesus Christ, the less likely we will be deceived!

II. Freedom from Sin.

A. This doesn't mean that we will never sin, because we all have a sin nature.

B. But it does mean that we do not have to be held captive by sin.

1. We are free from the guilt of sin.

(Rom 8:1) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

2. We are free from the consequences of sin.

(Rom 8:33-34) "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. {34} Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

3. We are free from the power or control of sin.

(Rom 6:16-18) "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? {17} But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."

III. Freedom from Death.

A. Not physical death.

(Heb 9:27) "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

1. Someone said that all of us will die, if we live long enough.

2. Even the oldest man in recorded history, Methuselah, who was 969 years old, died!

B. Freedom from spiritual death.

(Rom 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

1. The Bible talks about this as the 'second death'.

2. This is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire.

(Rev 21:8) "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

IV. How Can We Obtain These Freedoms?

A. Come to Jesus Christ for salvation…the Truth will set us free!

B. Free from the lies of the devil…free from the power of sin…free from the second death!

C. As Americans, we were born in freedom by being born in the wonderful country.

D. In much the same manner, we must be born again in Jesus Christ to enjoy the freedoms that come only through Him.

E. Jesus told Nicodemus, "Marvel not that I said unto thee…ye must be born again!" cf Jn. 3:7