2017-07-02
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
Titus 3:4-5
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
The true definition of freedom. We use the word freedom in so many different ways. We use it to describe our ability to live the way we choose in America. We use it to describe what happens when we out of school for the Summer. We use it to talk about vacations with the family. But there is one real definition that I want to focus on today and it’s found in the book of Titus.
Titus 3:1-8 (NLT)
1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
1. Freedom Requires Submission
Vs 1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
– On this July weekend, it’s important to remember the responsibility we have to be good citizens
– Our freedom in Christ requires us to “live right” while here
2. Freedom Requires Humility
Vs 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
– Reminder of the great commandment (Love God, Love People)
3. Freedom Requires Reflection
Vs 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
– For us to truly celebrate our freedom, we must remember from whence we came
– We were once slaves because of our sins
Galatians 4:3-7
3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
4. Freedom Requires Release
Vs 4-5 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
– Freedom comes through salvation, through a release from sin’s bondage
– New birth (change in status) to New life (change in action)
5. Freedom Requires A Future
Vs 6-7 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
– If freedom didn’t promise a future, then the benefits would be minimal
– Eternal life is the reward for freedom given through salvation
6. Freedom Requires A Response
Vs 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
– Freedom through salvation should never result in our being selfish with the Gospel
– Outreach and Discipleship are critical components of our freedom in Christ