Basis of True Freedom

Series: Truly Free                                         Topic: Basis of True Freedom

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us…”.  – Hebrews 12:1 (AMP)

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. – John 8:36 (NLT)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – 2 Corinthians 8:32 (NIV)

Questions:

• Is there something (constraints) slowing you down or holding you back from being all that God intends for you?
• Do you have the supernatural power of the Spirit of Lord available to you?
• Are there truths you need to know?
• Are you truly free in every area of your life? Spiritual, financial, health, relationship, and mental?

Two Types of Trees

The two types of trees in the garden and both types represented a way of living.

…In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. – Genesis 2:9 (NLT)

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” – Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV)

Tree of Life:  

• Eternal Life
• Blessings
• Freedom
• Grace
• Truth (God’s Word)
• Love
• Forgiveness
• The Kingdom of God
• If you eat of this fruit you have eternal life

Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil:

• Death
• The Law
• Curses
• Condemnation
• Fear
• Lies (Counterfeit to God’s truth)
• The Kingdom of Darkness
• If you eat of this fruit you will surely die

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not sent His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:14-17)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  (John 10:10-11)

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (John 8:31-36)

BASIS OF TRUE FREEDOM

1. Accept Jesus as Lord & Savior

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him… (John 8:31) 

And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). (John 1:14, AMP)

2. Remain Faithful to the Truth of God’s Word

 “…You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings (John 8:31) 

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 , I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19)

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead”. (Revelation 3:1)

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (John 8:32-36)

3. MY COMMITMENTS REVEAL MY MASTER

I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. (John 8:34).

“And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord”. (Genesis 4:3).

“Abel also brought of the firstborn [he did not delay] of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering. (Genesis 4:4)

But He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (Genesis 4:5-6) 

4. SIN LEADS TO BONDAGE/CURSES/DEATH

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should (free will) rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7) 

…I die daily”. (1 Corinthians 15:31)

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. (Genesis 4:8)

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (John 9:1-3)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19)

5. CURSES TRAVEL DOWN GENERATIONAL LINES

Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, even a young man for hurting me (Genesis 4:23).

6. JESUS IS THE BASIS OF MY FREEDOM

 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1).

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6).

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)