July 4, 2010
True Freedom 
John Sprecher

TRUE FREEDOM
Text: John 8:31-32
Context: John 8:31-47
Introduction: Today we celebrate the freedom of our nation.  The reality however, is that political freedom or bondage does not change the source of real freedom, which is in the soul of men.  Some in prison are freer behind bars than those who put them there.  Real freedom comes from the truth about who we are and what we do with that discovery.

1. THE JEWS HAD A CONCEPT, BUT NOT THE REALITY
1. Claimed to have been children of Abraham
1. Free because of God’s promises
2. Ignored the political history
1. Slaves in Egypt
2. Overrun by Syrians, Philistines, Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Romans
3. Were really children of satan, the father of lies
1. Wanted to kill Jesus
2. Satan was a murderer and speaks from his own resources
4. Some, like the Jews of Jesus’ day, have made peace with slavery
1. It is familiar
2. It is predictable
3. Its memory is better than its reality
1. Israelites who wanted to go back to Egypt
4. True freedom is costly and requires diligent pursuit
5. The price paid by the signers of the Declaration of Independence
2. THE PURPOSE OF LIBERTY
1. Not to allow selfish pursuits, but for the betterment of all
2. We are not to use our liberty in Christ as an excuse for the flesh, but for the freedom to love our neighbor as ourselves      (Gal. 5:13-14)
3. TRUTHS THAT WE NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH
1. We are slaves to sin and controlled by it
2. We cannot save ourselves
1. No one is justified by the works of the law (Gal. 2:16)
2. If we could save ourselves there is no reason for a Savior Human potential may improve things on the surface, but dos not change the heart anymore than empty religion does (Col. 2:23)
3. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23)
4. Christ paid the full price for our sin on the cross (Col. 2:13-15)
1. He took all our sins
2. Nailed to the cross with Him
3. He died in open shame for us
4. No condemnation to those in Christ who walk after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-6)
5. Slaves are not forever, but sons are
1. We have been made sons and daughters by His grace (Gal. 4:4-7)
2. We are heirs of the promise (Romans 8:12-18)
3. The nature of forgiveness
1. We may never forget the event, but we release our rights
2. We give rights for vengeance to God (Rom. 12:17-21)
3. Others may remind and remember and we may have scars, but His scars trump ours and we are seen by God as His blessed children (Heb. 10:16-17)
6. Satan is the father of lies and longs to keep sin covered
1. “It doesn’t really matter”
2. Everyone is doing it
3. No one needs to know
4. God is tired of hearing your confessions
5. It’s too late
6. Just think what you will miss/give up
7. Steps to freedom
1. Acknowledge your sin and condition 
1. Own it (Psalm 51)
2. Accept forgiveness
1. Receive it (I John 1:9)
3. Agree with God
1. His covenant in your heart (Heb. 10:16-17)
2. Celebrate what He has done in your life
3. The one forgiven much will love much (Luke 7:36-50)