Intentional Freedom - Sin, Slavery, and Freedom [Sermon]

John 8: 30-37 (NIV)

30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

John 2:23-24

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

John 6: 25-26

25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

Later on

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

…

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Judges 6:13

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about….

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

It's my own desire
 It's my own remorse
 Help me to decide
 Help me make the most Of freedom and of pleasure
 Nothing ever lasts forever
 Everybody wants to rule the world
  - Tears for Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, 1985

Hush little baby, don't say a word
 And never mind that noise you heard
 It's just the beast under your bed
 In your closet, in your head
 – Metallica, Enter Sandman, 1991

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Anyone who does not believe

Anyone who does not abide

Anyone who is a slave to sin

Cover Picture: From Shawshank Redemption, 1994 https://img.moviesrankings.com/t/p/w1280/4azlwV1nBCtJXGtZssKltv5HwjS.jpg

Picture of the Pit in Caiaphas' Palace, taken on February 22, 2023