In Chapter 4 of Luke's Gospel, Jesus stood up and read a passage from the Book of Isaiah. He then rolled up the scroll and proclaimed to the assembly that Scripture had just been fulfilled in their hearing. Jesus was indeed the long awaited Messiah sent to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and release for the oppressed. The Truth that would set men free had come at last! And His finished work on the cross would redefine the very nature of those held captive to sin. In Christ, we behold the true Great Emancipator of all those who bear his name.
 

THE PURPOSE

Freedom releases and empowers us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We demonstrate accountability and integrity by doing what is right - even when the boss is not looking. We must live our testimony before men each day. For those who long to quit their 9-to-5 job and be their own boss, freedom requires the self-motivation to "handle your business" without supervision.
 

Because freedom requires maturity even in the natural realm, children are not free. If left to make their own decisions none would make it through grade school. And so there are all kinds of collaborative efforts between parents and teachers to oversee this stage of development. However, college freshmen receive a rude awakening. No longer are their study habits micromanaged by others. It is now the responsibility of these young adults to determine whether they will sink or swim.
 

It Must be Understood That Freedom is Not For the Weak.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV) says "It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Paul goes on to say in verse 13 that although we were called to be free, we should not use this freedom to indulge the sinful nature. Freedom is for the spiritually mature who are not vulnerable to deception. Counterfeits will always arise to draw us away from the truth. Modern society offers popular arguments against the self-control that we as believers have been called to exercise over our flesh. Darkness masquerades as light in catch phrases such as "Free love" "I'm grown" "It's my body", etc. But those who travel down this road do not find the liberty they seek. When it's all said and done they find themselves "burdened again" by the slavery of sin and shame.
 

Proverbs 26:11 likens this behavior to a dog who returns to its vomit. The Prodigal Son longed to be free of his father's house. But not knowing how to handle freedom, he squandered his inheritance on carnal pursuits and soon found himself in bondage to poverty and degradation in the pig's pen.
 

Freedom is for those who have learned to exercise responsibility and temperance. Sexual sin is not the only way that we can "indulge the sinful nature." When we use our freedom to engage in certain practices without regard for those around us we may cause someone to stumble or lose faith. One example of this would be the consumption of wine or strong drink. No where does the Bible prohibit this practice. The mandate is clearly against drunkenness. However, while in the company of someone who believes that it is wrong to drink, or someone who has struggled with substance abuse, it would not be wise to indulge - even though the freedom is there to do so. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul uses the issue of food sacrificed to idols to make this point.
 

Freedom in worship requires that we have tolerance for the brethren who may not express themselves the way we do. Those who are spiritually mature understand that we are not called to be conformed to the likeness of one another. We are called to be conformed to the likeness of Christ and He will not be put in a box.
 

Freedom Costs.

Chris Tomlin's song says, "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross." Our Savior paid the ultimate price for our freedom. It should never be neglected or taken for granted. For some who have grown accustomed to bondage, freedom requires the courage to step out into the unknown, laying aside the list of do's and don'ts for genuine fellowship with God. Freedom entails spiritual liberty from traditions, mandates, and the written code because these restrictions enslave the believer to the will of an interpreter.
 

When Jesus gave up the ghost, the temple veil was torn from the top down. The priesthood changed from being exclusive to being all inclusive. Every believer would now have free access to the throne. This freedom ushered in a new level of responsibility for each individual to know God's voice and to be led by the Spirit.
 

Freedom requires a willingness to face the ridicule and rejection of those loved ones who are not free. Our freedom from the Old Testament mandate of tithing releases us to give cheerfully and not under compulsion. Likewise, freedom from the traditional Christmas celebration enables us to give to others throughout the year. This kind of giving comes from the heart with no expectation of reciprocity.
 

Freedom requires that we engage in the practice of choosing faith over flesh. Those who walk in freedom must be willing to accept God's will simply because we love and trust Him with our lives.
 

Freedom is the Doorway to Absolute Love.

Michael Card's song asks, "Why did they nail His feet and hands when His love would have held Him there?" In Acts 16, Paul and Silas demonstrated this love-in-action when they refused a prison break after the shackles fell off and the doors flew open. We learn from this story that it was not the physical chains but the love of God that had constrained them. If they had run away it would have meant certain death for the jailer. But their selfless act of not running away served as a powerful testimony. The guard cried out, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The apostles seized this opportunity to win souls and proceeded to preach the Word. As a result the guard and his house received salvation that very day!
 

THE SERVICE

Our Appreciation for What Christ Has Done Should Produce Two Things in Our Lives: Praise and Service.

In Ephesians 4 we see that the ministry gifts were given to the church so that every believer could be equipped and released to go out and do the work of ministry. Furthermore, Scripture shows us that the so called "five-fold" ministers did not labor alone. The apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors had men and women who were co-laborers with them. This has not changed for the 21st Century church. The musicians, psalmists, audio and video workers, greeters, deacons, etc. are all crucial to the furtherance of the Gospel.
 

We assemble in the name of our Lord for corporate praise, worship, prayer and devotion. However, what goes on inside the church walls is not really ministry. What we do in the assembly is actually for the equipping of the saints to go out and do the work of ministry throughout the week. The purpose of our church service is not just to make us feel good. How pointless it would be if soldiers who were fully prepared for battle remained in their bunkers admiring one another's armor! The reason for our assembly is to prepare us to go forth as labors for the harvest. Jesus has assured us that the harvest is plentiful. For too long man-made tradition has kept the laborers in bondage.
 

Because the so-called "laity" has not been released to minister, the concept may seem intimidating at first. But fear is not of God. We have been given love, power, and a sound mind. Shyness may seem to be a more acceptable excuse, at first glance. But it's actually just another pre-occupation with self. God provides opportunities for each of us to share our faith. We must recognize when the Holy Spirit has opened a door for evangelism. Has a stranger ever come up to you and began pouring their heart out? Or just suppose someone approached you with these words: "There is something different about you." "Are you a minister?" "How do you stay celibate?" "How come you're always smiling?" "How come you never get upset?" "Why are you always talking about God?" Do any of these encounters sound familiar? They are divinely orchestrated so that you may share the reason for the hope you have in Christ.
 

Salt and light should have an impact on the darkness. The world should be able to acknowledge that we are different and set apart - even the ones who reject our message. Everyone did not accept Jesus during His earthly ministry, but they could not deny the power.
 

According to Acts 5:13-14 the people were converted in the street and their discipleship took place in "the house." Unbelievers did not attend the worship service when the saints gathered on Solomon's porch. Yet, the Lord added to the church as believers went out from the gathering and won souls.
 

Ministry does not require formal education or training, just a sincere willingness to share what you know about Jesus. The harvest does not have to involve a missionary journey to a foreign country. You may be called to evangelize an unsaved loved one or a co-worker. Your radically changed life can be a powerful testimony to someone who "knew you when." Understand that Christ has set us free. But if we are not using our freedom as servants of God, we are indulging the sinful nature.
 

Freedom Acknowledges that Jesus is Working Through Us.

We serve God by serving one another. Our all-sufficient God has no needs. However, He accredits what we do for "the least of these" as being done for Him. Service is not about working for God - it's about allowing God to work through us. We cannot take ownership or credit for what God does. Acknowledging this truth will prevent us from being crushed when we are not recognized or rewarded for our efforts.
 

Competition and discord should not take place among those who are on the same team. The parable of the laborers in Matthew 20 tells us that God has the right to bless according to His good pleasure. Luke 14:8 warns us about assuming the seat of honor for ourselves. According to Matthew 6:1, those who seek an earthly reward may be disqualified for the greater blessing in the age to come.
 

Likewise, we must understand that when someone rejects the message we've been given they are actually rejecting God. In 1 Samuel, Chapter 8, the children of Israel cried out for a King. Samuel took it as a personal rejection. But God informed him that they were actually rejecting Him. Our call is to keep our eyes on things above and not grow weary in well doing.
 

Our Service is Either Selfless or Selfish.

Selfish service involves natural love that leads us to give with an expectation of recognition or reward. Most of us have been guilty of this type, though few would admit it. If your desire to serve is determined by the response you receive from others, then your service is selfish. Now is a good time for some honest self-assessment and contrite repentance so that you can become a yielded instrument of God's plan. In 2 Corinthians 12:15 (KJV), Paul talks of his willingness to "very gladly spend and be spent" for the brethren. He goes on to acknowledge that, "The more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." Here he exemplifies the supernatural and selfless service that we are called to. Jesus demonstrated this kind of service by becoming poor and ultimately laying down His life for our sake. In Matthew 5:44 our Savior exhorts us to bless our enemies so that we may be sons of the Father. Just as God causes His sun to rise on the just and the unjust, we as His children must love others whether they reciprocate or not.
 

1 Peter 2:16 (NIV) instructs us to use our freedom as servants of God and to show proper respect to everyone. The exercise of this freedom is not a selfish pursuit of personal gratification. It's the selfless pursuit of love-in-action for the cause of Christ.
 

From a three-part sermon by Pastor Antonio Thomas, Senior Pastor of Freedom Christian Church. Songs referenced: "Here I am to Worship" by Chris Tomlin and "Why" by Michael Card.