Our Great Liberator
John 8:31-36
Introduction
My how we love our liberty! We crave our access to free speech, political freedom, economic freedom, freedom of mobility and activity. We relish the astounding variety of choices available to us and easily take offense at those who would limit our liberties. Yet… it is possible to crave freedom so much that., like the thirsty desert traveler seeing an oasis, we create an illusion of it in our minds.
Do you recognize the potential for enormous misconception? Is there a difference between:
choice (personal liberty), and true freedom,
and the sheer ability to act without coercion (to do as you please) and the grace to be all that you were created to be, the ability to accomplish what is right and true?
Jesus is pushing the freedom button in this text because there is a problem with their faith. Let’s explore three concepts Christ reveals about freedom:
- Jesus defines freedom as liberty from sin.
We tend to think of freedom as:
For (+): The capacity to choose
From (-): The absence of boundaries
Yet in His first sermon, recorded in Luke 4, Jesus defined true freedom as liberty from sin: (Is.61)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
The whole world is full of prisoners. You are a prisoner!
v. 35:“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”
So how do you know you are free? When you are a son! (v.35)
And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
- Jesus declared Himself the only true liberator.
v.36 “If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”
- Jesus delineates His word as the liberation manual.
Vs. 31-32 define true discipleship.
v.31 If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
What does true freedom look like?
1. You respect Jesus’ word
Jews rebuked them because My word has no place in you v.37
2. You read Jesus’ word
How much? Treat it like food. You need it or you starve.
3. You reap the fruits of that word.
It does its work in you, producing faith, love, humility,
