Marty Sloan – Living the Dream

Freedom Series Intro – Truth and Freedom

7 7 10 HT PM

John 8:30-36 NKJV

Tonight we kick off a series for our midweek Bible study on the subject of Freedom – Freedom is a continual cry of the heart and a purpose of the Cross.  Over the next few weeks we are going to cover various areas of Freedom:

• Freedom from sin and your past.
• Freedom to be you
• Freedom to know and be known by God

And much more J

Tonight we will look at the connection of Freedom of Truth

John 8:30

As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

John 8:31

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

John 8:32

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:33

They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

John 8:34

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

John 8:35

And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.

John 8:36

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV

Thoughts about truth and freedom:

1. 1. Freedom is based on truth ( Jesus is the Truth)
2. 2. Truth is an ongoing (progressive work, founded in truth) Founded on LOGOS / lived out on RHEMA
3. 3. Knowing is a work in progress ( like working on a car engine 20 years ago to today, things change) the word “know”:

• Ginosko

Verb

Definition:

to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel

to become known

to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of

to understand

to know

The benefits of Freedom

2 Peter 1:1

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 1:2

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

2 Peter 1:3

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

2 Peter 1:4

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:5

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

2 Peter 1:6

to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

2 Peter 1:7

to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

2 Peter 1:8

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:9

For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:10

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; NKJV

2 Peter 1:2

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

Building on the word “know” we see the word knowledge, from the word Ginosko, we have Epignosis;

• Epignosis

Definition: precise and correct knowledge used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine

Benefits of freedom in Christ;

1. 1. Freedom produces fruit (vs.8)
2. 2. Freedom passes us through the character formation process (character is forged, not found).  (vs.5-8)
3. 3. Freedom in Christ is found “in” Him (He is your total source) (vs. 3-4)
4. 4. Freedom relieves us from worldly corruption (vs. 4)
5. 5. Freedom reaches for community (vs. 7)

Freedom is the outcome of maturity in Christ

Hebrews 5:12

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Hebrews 5:13

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

Hebrews 5:14

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. NKJV

Maturity requires

• Effort
• Exercise
• Examples

Freedom is found at the intersection of truth and faith

Romans 10:7

or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” ◙ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

Romans 10:8

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” ◙ (that is, the word of faith which we preach):

Romans 10:9

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:10

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:11

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” ◙

Romans 10:12

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

Romans 10:13

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” ◙

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? NKJV

If you believe that Jesus as set you free from your sin – then He can set you free from anything else, if you will just believe!