FREE IN CHRIST

Acts 13:38-39 (ESV) – “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this Man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. And by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.”

“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.” – The Declaration of Independence

The Liberty Bell is one of history’s most famous symbols of freedom and justice.

On the Liberty Bell are inscribed these words: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

Leviticus 25:10 – “And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his possessions, and each of you shall return to his family.”

Leviticus 25:9 – “Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land.”

Luke 4:18-19 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Acts 13:38-39 (ESV) – “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this Man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. And by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.”

John 8:36 – “Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

What are some of the areas of freedom the Holy Spirit is inviting us to step into today?

 

1. BE FREE FROM THE DEBT AND BURDEN OF SIN

Romans 3:23 (ESV) – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23a – “For the wages of sin is death.”

Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 3:24 – “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

 

2. BE FREE FROM SHAME AND CONDEMNATION

Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Isaiah 61:7a – “Instead of shame you shall have double honor.”

 

3. BE FREE FROM FEAR, WORRY, AND ANXIETY

CBN – 40 million adults in America face anxiety

CBN – In 2019, 11% of Americans had feelings of depression. In 2020 it was 42%.

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

1 John 4:18a – “But perfect love casts out fear.”

 

4. BE FREE FROM SEXUAL BONDAGE

The enemy wants to imprison us through pornography, sexual immorality, gender confusion, and same-sex attraction.

Jesus wants to set us free and keep us free.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

 

5. BE FREE FROM HOPELESSNESS AND DESPAIR

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Mark 9:23b – “All things are possible to him who believes.”

Isaiah 61:3b – “To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”

How do we get free? 

1. Repent

Turn away from sin. Turn to God. Matthew 4:17

 

2. Renounce

Break any partnership with sin or the powers of darkness.  Psalm 50:15

 

3. Break 

We take authority over the powers of darkness and break their power in Jesus Name.  Luke 10:19

 

4. Bless

We ask God to fill all vacated places with his Holy Spirit and bring forth His fruit.  Galatians 5:22-23

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Is there an area of your life in which you are not yet walking in freedom?

2. What is holding you back from walking in the freedom Jesus has won for you?

3. How do pride and shame hinder us from getting free?

4. Who is God calling you to sit down with and open your heart?