"A May that Matters" Part Five

Freedom Matters (Based on a sermon by Bro. Rick Taylor 5/31/09)

Romans 8:1-3 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak thorough the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."

What do you think of when you hear the word freedom? Do you think of an American flag flying proudly? Do you think of cute little houses with white picket fences and kids playing in the yard? Do you think of yellow ribbons tied around trees and the soldiers that sacrifice for us daily?

In America, we have so much to be thankful for. We are free to worship. We are free to share our faith. We are free to pursue happiness.

But we have an enemy that is attacking our freedom everyday. Satan tells us that we can find freedom in sin. He wants us to believe that when we follow our sinful desires and do whatever we please, that we will be free. And too many Christians have chosen to live their lives in bondage to sin.

But take heart - because we can be FREE:

Who is free?

1. "Them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1) We are free when we accept Jesus and become a part of Him. How do you know if you're living in Christ? Think about how much you let Him be a part of your decisions. Do you go to Him with ever question and every care? Do you seek Him daily?
2. "Who walk not after the flesh" (Romans 8:1) There is a daily battle waging within us between our flesh and the Spirit. (Imagine those old cartoons where the angel and the devil would pop up on the character's shoulder and argue out what he or she should do.) Galatians 5:16-17 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
3. Who walk "after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1) Walking in the Spirit begins with PRAYER. We cannot get closer to God or be more like Him without prayer. Prayer is followed by PURGING. As we get closer to God and follow the Spirit, He will purge things from our lives that are holding us back. This is a constant process of sanctification. Purging is followed by PROGRESS!

What are we free from?

1. The law of sin (Romans 8:2) We are all bound by our sins. We try to manage our sin, but our sins always end up controlling us. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
2. The law of death (Romans 8:2) Hebrews 9:27 "And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." We will all face death and judgment, but if we accept Jesus we can be saved from the punishment and eternity of death and have eternal life!

How are we set free? (Romans 8:3)

1. We were condemned by sin, but Jesus came and condemned sin to set us free.
2. We have a choice to live a life of sin, or to accept Jesus and live a Spirit-filled life for Him.

Romans 8:30-32 "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Romans 8:37 "Nay, in all these things WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him that loved us."

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32