Set Free

Sermons Set Free

Pastor Larry Hopkins

Introduction:

Freedom is never free! Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their
Lord and Savior have been set free in the spirit. But the mind has to be
renewed and the flesh must be disciple to overcome those old nature habits and
thoughts that would keep us in bondage. Many of us are able to overcome the
obvious habits and sin in our lives by renewing our minds in God’s word. Yet
most of us have those areas in our life that is so ingrained into us that they
are difficult to break away from. So we as Christians are life bound by
various habits and thoughts.

I. Let’s look at 3 questions concerning the strides we need
to take to obtain complete freedom.

As Paul says in (Galatians 5:1) don’t let yourself be
burdened again by a yoke of bondage.

1. Who needs to be set free?

2. Who sets us free?

3. What do we need set free from?

1. Who needs to be set free?

(John 8:31-36) John says that anyone who is a slave to sin or
any other controlling factor produced by a lie needs to be set free.

(Cor. 7:20-23) You can be called of God (set free in the spirit) and
still be a slave to someone or thing physically or a spiritual oppression that
can affect you physically.

Paul says (vs. 21b) if you can gain your freedom, do so.

2. Who sets us free?

(Luke 4:18) Tells us that Jesus anointed to:

a. Preach the Good News-salvation.

b. Set the captives free from bondage (this covers more than just
salvation but any bondage area)

c. Pray for one another so that they may be healed.

God uses others to help us get free from bondage when we can’t seem to
break loose ourselves.

(John 11:1, 14, 38-44) Lazarus death, burial and restoration are a type
of a believer’s salvation experience. We must die tot eh world and its old
nature; we must bury that old man and be restored into a new creation. (Vs.
43-44) As Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the grave he comes but he is
still wrapped in strips of cloth, bound in the old grave clothes. He turns to
the people standing by and commanded them to take off the grave clothes and
let him go.

Just as Lazarus needed help to be completely free, we often times need
others to help us be released from the things of the old nature that hang on.
(Jn. 8:36) Says if the Son (Jesus) set you free, you will be free indeed.
Jesus is the only one who can set us free from the sin nature or the bondages
of this world.

3. What do we need set free from?

1. (Colossians 2:20-23) If through the Holy Spirit’s life
renewing work is on us, we are no longer under the worlds condemning law. Why
do we act like we are still under it?

We need to be set free from man made rules and traditions
that do not please God. Freedom comes as we accept his loving grace as a way
of salvation.

2. (Colossians 3:1-10) (vs5) We need set free from our old
nature. Jesus freed us from the condemning hold this sinful world held on us.
Now it is up to us to put to death that old earthly nature such as sexual
immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire and greed. As well as, anger, rage,
malice, slander, and filthy language or lying to each other. Some of these can
be put to death easy; others need help to do so.

Conclusion:

1.(Matt. 10:8) Jesus gave the twelve disciples authority to go heal
the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those that had leprosy, drive out demons,
freely we have received, freely we must give. The gifts God has given us to
use to help others be free.

2. Freedom can come from tour own application of God’s word and the Holy
Spirits help to break out of the bondages of life’s experiences or the attack
of the enemy.

3. There are other things we may need help with such as:

a. Hurts of the past

b. Lies we believed.

c. Bitterness and unforgiveness with deep roots.

d. Rebellion.

e. Pride.

f. Generational curses.

g. Sin that has become habitual.

4. Freedom cost. It cost Jesus his life with great suffering. Will we
honor that cost by striving to be as free to serve him as we possibly can?

Jesus is the only one who can set us free from the sin nature or the
bondages of this world.

(Ja. 5:16) Tells us to confess our sins to

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