We begin by identifying the slavery men know: even - sometimes especially - those who boast in their freedom, are moral slaves to sin: ambition, anger, lust, greed, revenge, appetite, opinion, religion, superstition and scepticism. This is the illusory freedom of the condemned prisoner dreaming of open spaces.
From there, we consider the freedom Christ gives: “if the Son makes you free.” That ‘if’ is the key in the lock, the gleam of light in darkness that promises the prospect of deliverance. It points to the author of freedom, the Son, who acts righteously, justly, freely, instantly and eternally in making free. In might and with mercy, with authority and compassion, he can and does set the prisoners free.
It is a glorious freedom, a freedom that alone is worthy of the name. We are set free from the guilt, punishment, power and consequences of sin. We are set free to obey God, not needing to fear either men or outcomes in our pursuit of glorifying the God of our salvation.
Some need to feel their chains, that they might not boast in an illusion when offered freedom indeed. Christ alone can liberate the captives.
Some need to feel their freedoms, to enjoy and employ the freedom bestowed by Jesus, so that we glorify God as those who are free indeed. |
Email Sermon
Digg
Facebook
Del.icio.us
Furl
StumbleUpon
Twitter
|
