Sermon: Celebrate Freedom 250 – John 8.36

Message

• From coast to coast, people will celebrate their freedom this week...

  • Fireworks...

  • Concerts...

  • Flags..

  • Hot dogs, BBQ, and apple pie...

• But there is a freedom that FOOLS us...

  • A freedom that FAILS us...

  • A freedom that is ultimately FALSE...

• Jesus said...

  • John 8.36 | So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. (CSB)

    • His hearers did not understand him...

      • They said they were children of Abraham and have never been enslaved.

    • Jesus told them they were WRONG...

      • They were slaves to sin...

      • They were slaves to their desires...

      • They were slaves to the brevity of life...

    • Jesus told them the freedom they possessed was a defective freedom.

      • Like a prisoner decorating his cell...

        • That is a kind of freedom...

        • But it is far inferior to the freedom to leave the prison cell.

      • Like the freedom of a kite that cuts its own string...

        • That is a kind of freedom...

        • But that freedom doesn't allow the kite to soar higher...

          • It brings the kite crashing to the ground.

      • Like the freedom of a borrower spending another's money...

        • That is a kind of freedom...

        • But that freedom ultimately creates the bondage of debt.

• As Americans boast of our freedom...

  • And we should be thankful for the liberty we have in this country!

  • But friends...

    • You can live in the land of the free and still not be free...

    • The only personal freedom we have apart from Christ is the freedom to sin.

    • And that freedom is a burden not a blessing.

      • That freedom leaves us enslaved to our desires...

      • That freedom leaves us enslaved to our fears...

      • That freedom leaves us enslaved to death...

        • Romans 6.23

• What kind of freedom does Jesus offer?

  • Not freedom to sin, but freedom not to sin...

  • Not freedom to fear, but freedom from fear...

  • Not freedom to die, but freedom to eternal life...

• How does Jesus provide real freedom?

  • Lived a sinless life for us...

  • Died for our sin and shame...

  • Offers forgiveness and a new life...

• So, this semiquincintennial...

  • Celebrate the precious liberty we have as Americans...

  • But also humble yourself before the Lord and seek the true freedom that only comes from Christ.