This morning as I was waking up the Lord brought to my spirit this scripture found in John Chapter 8
John 8:36
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed
There is a lot happening in this chapter 8 of John but before we dig into the scripture, I want to share a little bit about a story I heard on the radio yesterday. Beverly and I were driving up to Harrisburg Virginia to attend the wedding of Pastor Edwin’s oldest son, Dominic. Dom married my sister Mimi’s youngest Daughter, Destiny. The wedding was very nice but it was a late wedding so most of the family stayed up there.
As we were driving up I heard a broadcast about parole hearings
A particular case about a man who had been in prison 48 years for something he claimed he never did.
There was a lot of discussion about the facts of the case. At the end of the hearing, the Parole board voted to grant him parole.
He was 72 years old, insulin dependent diabetes, Hypertension and irregular heart rhythm.
When he got released from State prison the Feds rearrested him at the gate for a federal offence that he served 2 more years and was finally released now 74 years old.
He finds himself homeless, on the streets of Chicago and staying in a shelter.
Some of the people he had served time with got together and helped him get an apartment which he stayed at each day but at night he would go sleep at the shelter. He had spend 50 years of his life surrounded by 100s of men and he was terrified to be alone.
Less that 364 days after his release from prison he became ill, in the hospital and died.
During his entire incarceration he always maintained his innocence of the crime and was such a kind man that the imamates, warden, guard gave him the nickname, Father Abraham. One of the people he served with said he was a giant of a man in prison but when he got out the world crushed him.
***I want to ask you this question. Was he really free when he was released from prison? Was the gentle giant ever really free?
Jesus speaking to the religious leaders surrounding him and trying to accuse him and find fault in him about a kind of freedom that transcends both space, time, situation and any guilt of heart or conscious.
My whole life I remember my father quote the last lines of the famous poet, 17th-century English poet Richard Lovelace:
Lovelace wrote this poem while in Gatehouse prison near Westminster Abbey in London, where he had been detained because of his opposition to the Clergy Act of 1640. It was passed at a time of controversy as the Church of England sought to absorb positive elements of the Reformation while retaining essentials of its catholic heritage. The Act limited the power of bishops who were not popular at the time. Several of them had been despatched to the Tower of London for opposing legislation. From early times, church leaders who argued with civil authorities ended up in prison.
Stone Walls do not a Prison make,
Nor Iron bars a Cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for an Hermitage.
If I have freedom in my Love,
And in my soul am free,
Angels alone that soar above,
Enjoy such Liberty.
**Turn with me in your bibles to John Chapter 8 verse 1
Let us learn everything we can this morning from God’s word about living our lives in the freedom that Jesus brought us.
St John 8:1-36
1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
***The first point of the Message today: God created inside of your heart a conscience as a basic guide of right and wrong.
I want to pause here for a minute and explore this a little more:
In his later letter to the Church John wrote about this topic
1 John 3:20-24
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
***Conscience is a good basic guide but it does not replace the need for transformation of our lives brought by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit:
I want you to write down these scripture references for more reading in your own time:
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience G4893 is defiled.
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience G4893 from dead works to serve the living God?
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, G4893 and our bodies washed with pure water.
1 Peter 3:15-22
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
***The first point of the Message today: God created inside of your heart a conscience as a basic guide of right and wrong.
***The 2nd point of the Message today: The Blood of Jesus Christ accepted and applied to your life is the only way to clean your conscience
There is no pill you can take, no treatment you can undergo, no penance or deprival of self that you can do that will clean and restore your innocence and feeling of cleanness inside. Only the Blood of Jesus. What can wash away my sins?, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
***Lets go back to John Chapter 8 and pick up where we left off at verse 10
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
**Point #3: Jesus did not come bring condemnation to you, he came to bring you freedom:
Romans 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
***Point #4 of the Message today: You will never understand the gift of salvation and eternal life with your carnal mind, you must receive it with your spiritual understanding.
Lets go back to John 8:12
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
In verses 12-20 Jesus confirms he is the light of the world, he is the son of God. The religious leaders cannot understand what he is saying because they are not opening their spirit, they are trying to comprehend with their earthly mind.
21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
***Jesus speaking of his crucifixion
Lets review what we have established so far this morning:
**The first point of the Message today: God created inside of your heart a conscience as a basic guide of right and wrong.
***The 2nd point of the Message today: The Blood of Jesus Christ accepted and applied to your life is the only way to clean your conscience
Point #3: Jesus did not come bring condemnation to you, he came to bring you freedom:
***Point #4 of the Message today: You will never understand the gift of salvation and eternal life with your carnal mind, you must receive it with your spiritual understanding.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
*** Point #5 of the Message today: True freedom begins with believing that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God!
I want to share with you some additional scriptures about being made free. This word in verse 32, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. This word for make is a very special word:
eleutheróō, el-yoo-ther-a'-o; from G1658; to liberate, i.e. (figuratively) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability):—deliver, make free.
***It comes from the root word: eleútheros, el-yoo'-ther-os
- freeborn
- in a civil sense, one who is not a slave
- of one who ceases to be a slave, freed, manumitted
- free, exempt, unrestrained, not bound by an obligation
- in an ethical sense: free from the yoke of the Mosaic Law
Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
ἐλεύθερος eleútheros, el-yoo'-ther-os; probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability):—free (man, woman), at liberty.
Here are a few other places in scripture this word is used and it is always in this context:
Being G1659 ➔ then made free G1659 from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
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But now being made free G1659 from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
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For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made G1659 ➔ me free G1659 from the law of sin and death.
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered G1659 from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
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Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made G1659 ➔ us free, G1659 and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
In closing lets, go back to John 8:33
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
***The 6th and closing point of the message today: Freedom obtained by Jesus Christ the Son of the living God is complete and permanent.
*** I have been reading the book of Genesis this week. In my reading the last few days I have been studying the story of Joseph:
Joseph had a dream, He actually had two dreams. His family ridiculed him because of his dreams. Even his father who was his biggest fan, who made him a coat of many colors in a world of drab garments. Even his father said son your dream does not make sense…….Am I and your mother going to bow down to pay respect to you?
God has given some of you dreams and callings on your lives that the world will never understand. I will not understand, your closest family members may not understand. But I want you to know that the dreams God put in your heart are real and they are important. Regardless of where you are today you need to hold on to the dreams that God put in your heart!
We have been talking about freedom today. Joseph full of dreams finds himself sold by his brothers into slavery, sold out by his master’s wife and put in prison but he never let go of his dream. I want to show you in Joseph and example of what Jesus was describing when he says in John 6:36
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Genesis 41:38-44
***This is after Pharaoh has a dream that he does not understand and the Butler who was in prison when Joseph interpreted his dream remembers him and says to Pharaoh I know someone who can tell you what your dream means
Joseph comes and tells Pharaoh was the dream means and what he should do as a result of God’s warning:
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
**My friends this is what it looks like with Christ makes you free. It is complete and permanent
**The first point of the Message today: God created inside of your heart a conscience as a basic guide of right and wrong.
***The 2nd point of the Message today: The Blood of Jesus Christ accepted and applied to your life is the only way to clean your conscience
Point #3: Jesus did not come bring condemnation to you, he came to bring you freedom:
***Point #4 of the Message today: You will never understand the gift of salvation and eternal life with your carnal mind, you must receive it with your spiritual understanding.
*** Point #5 of the Message today: True freedom begins with believing that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God!
***The 6th and closing point of the message today: Freedom obtained by Jesus Christ the Son of the living God is complete and permanent.