The Lord’s Message:  Freedom In Christ

The Lord’s Message:  Freedom In Christ
Date:  July 5, 2026
Where:  Tilghman Methodist Church
Scripture Reference:  John 8:31-36

            Can you name where these freedom statements are found:  “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.  We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Quote from the Declaration of Independence.

“Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10) message on the Liberty Bell. 

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”                 Message on the Statue of Liberty.

            Even though these freedom messages are either quotes from the Bible or founded on Christian principles, there is none that compares to Freedom in Christ. 

            Let us pray.

            Jesus is speaking to a crowd of new Jewish believers that have gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles.  Jesus has been engaging in an intense debate with the Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders who want to kill Him.  Before this debate, many people were starting to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  The one who would come and liberate them from the Roman occupation.  During this debate, many more people have come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.  This is confirmed in John 8:30. 

            The debate changes to who or what or where is freedom found.  In verses 31-32, Jesus points out three steps necessary for us to find freedom in Him.  First, accept Jesus’ teachings as the formula for living our lives.  “If you ‘hold’ to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”  To hold means to grasp, to contain, or to maintain possession of something. “Hold to my teaching.”  We apply Jesus’ teachings to how we live our lives.  What we say and what we do, shows others Jesus is living through us. 

            Four examples of applying Jesus’ teachings to show Jesus living through us:

 Practice active listening:  Do you actively listen to other people especially when they are going through a tough time.  Do you set aside your own agenda to genuinely listen and support them without judgment. 

Extend radical generosity:  What is your reaction when you know of a person and family that is struggling?  Maybe you take a meal to them or buy groceries for them.  Maybe they need help with maintaining their yard.

Bridge the gap.  Intentionally strike up a conversation with someone in your community who is from a different background or social circle, showing them the same hospitality and respect you would want for yourself.

Volunteer your time. At church, you could help with Vacation Bible School, or you could help Susan by asking her what can I do to help prepare the meals for the 16 – 18 people each week.  She is always looking for people to step forward and cook the meats and/or vegetables before the team comes in to pack the meals or you could make soup. 

The next step to finding freedom in Jesus is to know the truth.  In order for us to know the truth, we have to define what “truth” is.  Knowing the truth has been a struggle since the earth began.  The serpent tempted Eve with false truth in the Garden of Eden.  Pontius Pilate responded to Jesus’s statement, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”  Pilate replied, “What is the truth?”  In our day, someone is spouting out some truth statement.  We have to verify the statement with logic and also other resources to find out if it is true.  Jesus did not expect the disciples to grasp the fullness of His claim or blindly follow Him.  He expected them to grow in their knowledge and determine the truth through remaining connected to Him.  “If we live with Him,” become the phrase that we should embrace. Experiencing Jesus on a daily basis is the key to trusting Him.  This is accomplished by reading the Bible, prayer, and interaction with Christian brothers and sisters. 

The third step to finding freedom in Jesus is knowing the truth will set us free.  Free from our preconceived ideas and thoughts. Freedom from the burden of sin. Freedom to have peace in our lives when chaos is all around. Freedom to know security as a child of God. 

There unfortunately are some people who would respond as these Jewish believers in verse 33, we “have never been slaves of anyone.  How can you say that we shall be set free?”   

There are many things that enslave us.  The influence of the world:  excessive greed, materialism, constant need for approval, and status seeking.  Paul says in Romans 12:1-2 to not be conformed to the world.   Idolatry and false security:  Money, career, relationships, or personal achievement.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:24 you cannot love two masters.   Fear and Anxiety:  Fear can paralyze us and control our actions, choices, and thoughts.  In                          1 Peter 5: 6-7, Peter says to cast your fears on the Lord.  Spiritual deception is destructive thought patterns, unforgiveness, bitterness, and feelings of worthlessness.  God says in             Isaiah 43:1 that we are His.

Jesus points out in verse 34 the number one thing that enslaves us “sin.”  Sin is behind every one of the previous examples.  The devil makes people enslaved to him.  The devil seeks to destroy all that God has created, including you and me.  We need to recognize this fact and follow the example of 1 Peter 1:13-16. 

Jesus points out in verse 35, if we continue to give in to the devil’s desires, then we become a slave and not a child of God.  The results are that we are not part of God’s family. 

Now, we will all fail to be holy.  That is where we need to repent of our sins and turn away from sin and to God, 1 John 1:8-10.

In verse 36, this is the truth we need to hold on to.  True freedom is only found in Jesus Christ.

So, let us continue to listen to God and do what He says.  Amen.