Who You Are In Christ - Freedom From Sin

[0:00] Welcome. Thank you for choosing to listen to another word-filled message by David Entry. Preaching is the means by which God manifests His word and nourishes our spirits. May the life of God enter into you and you as you listen to this message. Be blessed.

[0:17] We have been set free from the bondage of sin. Sin is bondage. Sin paralyzes. We have been set free from the bondage of sin.

[0:31] Let's look at John chapter 8 verse 31. Then Jesus said to the Jews, those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth you know shall set you free.

[0:44] The fruit shall make you free. 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?

[0:54] Are you following the dialogue? They said you are talking about freedom. Well, we are not in bondage. So why are you talking about freedom? And verse 34, Jesus answered them, Most assuredly I say to you, Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin.

[1:12] So, you see, you are thinking about physical shackles. But Jesus is talking about emotional shackles, spiritual shackles, psychological shackles, moral shackles.

[1:28] The worst of all shackles is not the physical shackles. As for the chains, the chains on your feet or your hands, it can always be broken off. But when people see you are free man, but you are still in bondage.

[1:42] Free, but not free. So Jesus says that, Most assuredly I say to you, Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. People who have been found, they found themselves in all forms of slavery and bondage.

[1:58] All forms of slavery. It's just on that premise, Jesus was talking to them. He says that if my word abides in you. Verse 31 again. Jesus said to them in verse 31.

[2:09] Then Jesus answered and said, If you abide in my word, and that you are my disciples indeed. Then verse 32 said, And you shall know the truth. Who will know the truth? Who are the you?

[2:21] Believers. But from the context 31, The people he's talking about in verse 31 are those who know the truth. Who will know the truth? Jesus said to the Jews who believed him.

[2:31] If you abide in my word. That's why we cannot trivialize teaching of God's word. Because that is what defines your limits or dimension of your liberty and freedom.

[2:45] Because it says that if you abide in my word, then you are a disciple indeed. And it is disciples indeed who are free. That's why he said go into the world and make disciples. Not just believers.

[2:57] No, you can believe and still be in bondage. What is the difference between a believer and a disciple? A believer is someone who has accepted the worship of Jesus Christ. But a disciple is someone who has been taught the ways of Jesus and is now beginning to practice it.

[3:10] So a disciple is like an apprentice. He is looking at what the master is doing and doing it. It is in what we do. So long as God's word is the word we know is concerned. That sets us free.

[3:21] So you see, that's why we can't afford not to teach the word. Because your freedom is at the point of the entry of God's word which you practice. So if you don't practice the word you hear, first of all, Paul puts it this way when he was making his argument about winning the soul.

[3:36] Romans chapter 10, Paul says that how can they hear? No, before then, he starts by saying that as many as shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans chapter 10 verse 13. As many as shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[3:48] Then he raises this question, this argument. But how can they call on him of whom they have not heard? And then he says that, but how can they hear if there's not a preacher?

[3:59] And then he went to say, how can they preach if they have not been sent? So it starts from sending. So you see, if anyone who is not been called and sent and comes to preach to you, the preaching that brings the blessing is the preaching based on the sending.

[4:14] The preaching of a sent one. Not a preaching of a learned, someone who has learned, has studied. Some people have studied, they have PhD in theology, but they haven't been sent.

[4:25] So when they preach, they can't preach anything to you, but they are just reasoning with your mind and it will still keep you in bondage. He said, how can they preach except they'll be sent? Now, when you are sent and you preach, and when you preach, then somebody can hear.

[4:38] Now, you cannot call on God if you are not heard of God. It's so important someone tells you something. Faith is very personal. John, Jesus said, if my word abides in you, you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth.

[4:56] If you continue in my word, then you are you my disciples indeed, and you know the truth. And the truth shall set you free. Then they said, but we are not slaves. Abraham is our father, we are not slaves.

[5:08] So how come he said we shall be set free? And Jesus said that anyone who sinned, commits sin, is a slave to sin. So watch this. So that means that the freedom Jesus was talking about was freedom from slavery of sin.

[5:22] Did you understand what I'm saying? So freedom from the power of sin. So how many of you have tried not to do something before and you find yourself still doing it? And Paul puts it this way.

[5:34] For the sin I do not want to do, that I find myself doing. Then he goes, oh, wretched man. I like, who helped me from this body of sin? Because I said, the right things I want to do, I can't do.

[5:46] And anytime I want to do the right thing, there is sin lives in my members. You know this members thing. Members, sin lives in my... Romans chapter 7 from verse 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, then we're there.

[5:57] It talks about sin lives in my members. When I want to do the right thing, the sin that lives in my members is not allowing me to do it. Sin dwells in me. Now, not the born again believer.

[6:09] That sin is living in you like Jesus lives in you. But the flesh. So you can be born again and still some things are still in your body. Say the body.

[6:20] The body. That's why you have to yield your members as instruments of righteousness. So it says that, if you continue in my way, then are you my disciples, and you will know the truth.

[6:31] And the truth that you know shall set you free. Okay. And Jesus said, it shall set you free from slavery of sin. Now, where am I going with this?

[6:42] When we are in Christ, we are free from the bondage of sin. You know the truth? No unbeliever can claim freedom from bondage of sin.

[6:53] You can't. On one premise. Sin will get you somewhere else. Maybe your attitude towards maybe parents or friends or anger or, you know, what do you call it?

[7:05] Greed. Greed. Or something. Somewhere. You'll be good in a lot of places. But there's this one place that you are struggling. And you say, oh, wretched man like me. Who will save me?

[7:17] So when you are in Christ, you are set free from the bondage of sin. That is the truth. So let's go to John chapter 8, verse 35. It says that, slaves do not abide in the house forever.

[7:29] But a son abides forever. When you are a slave, it's Jesus that you don't abide in the house forever. But a son does. Then go to, I like the next verse. Let's all read the next verse together.

[7:40] Let's go. Therefore, if the son makes you free, you shall be free. One more time. If the son makes you free, you shall be free.

[7:51] Some of you are not reading. Read it aloud. If the son makes you free, you shall be free. I want somebody with guts and audacity to lift up your right hand and shout, I'm free.

[8:04] I'm free. I'm free. Sorry again, I'm free. I'm free. One more time, I'm free. I'm free. If the son makes you free, you are actually free.

[8:16] It is. Properly. Truly free. Now. Identity. So some people are truly free, but they don't know. They don't know. There are people who are set free from prison.

[8:28] And they go and they still feel like they are still in prison. So you can be set free from prison, but still remain in prison in your mind. You are not free.

[8:40] So Jesus was talking about spiritual liberty. John chapter 8 verse 36. Jesus says that then you shall know the truth. He said, who who the son sets free is free indeed. Say, I'm free indeed.

[8:51] I am free indeed. All right. So your identity in crisis, you are a freed man. You are a freed woman. Don't walk in bondage. Free from what? Remember, the premise was sin.

[9:06] Okay. But once you, ah, this is good. Jesus healed somebody from sickness and said, go and sin no more. Think about it. He healed them and said, go and sin no more.

[9:17] Sin can be the foundation of every human frustration. Adam and Eve were cool. They were okay. Till sin entered the garden and messed everything up.

[9:29] So sin in your life can be the cause for every other frustration that follows. Do you get it? And so once you are free from sin, other things also follow.

[9:42] But remember, your identity in Christ is that you are actually free from sin. I keep saying this. Before you become born again, you are not able. You are not able not to sin.

[9:56] You hear what I'm saying? You are not able not to sin. But after you become born again, you are able not to sin. Before you became born again, it is difficult not to sin.

[10:08] No one is born Christian. Do you hear what I'm saying? No one is born Christian. You must be born again. Then you become a Christian. So the first birth always is defective.

[10:22] Everybody was born into slavery of sin. But when you are born again, you are born again out of slavery of sin. Amen. When you are born again, the Bible says that you are set free.

[10:35] One of your identities in Christ is you are set free from sin. Say, I'm set free from sin. I'm set free from sin. Say it again. I'm free from sin. I'm free from sin. Say it for the last time. I'm free from sin.

[10:45] I'm free from sin. So we are free from the bondage of sin. And then let me say the last one quickly. No, let me add to this. Since we are free from the bondage of sin, look at Romans chapter 6 verse 18.

[10:58] Romans chapter 6 verse 18. And having been set free from, oh, it's in the Bible. You see that thing? There's nothing like, watch this, listen to this very carefully.

[11:09] There's nothing like absolute freedom. There's nothing like absolute freedom. There's nothing like absolute freedom. So Jesus said that if you are free from sin, then you are a slave to righteousness.

[11:21] That's why Jesus said that, listen, come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, in Matthew chapter 11 verse 28, and I will give you rest. Then he goes on in verse 29 to say that, take upon yourself my yoke.

[11:34] So you can't say that, that's why you are yokeless. There will definitely be yoke. Either you are the yoke of Christ or you are the yoke of the devil. No. You can't say to me, I don't want to be, I want to be free.

[11:46] He can't be telling you everything you have to go to church. Yeah, you can be free from going to church. Free. And stay there. And then you will be bound to something else. Some form of addiction or some form of struggle and some form of all kinds of dreams and attacks.

[11:59] And you are not happy. I don't know what's wrong with you. Yeah, you won't know. Because you are running away from God. You are a yoner. When you are running away from God, have you realized that you are not happy?

[12:14] It doesn't matter the kind of music you listen to. You can listen to all the best music and be done. After you finish dancing, some people are dancing in the midst of dancing. They stop and start crying.

[12:24] They don't know why. Why are you crying? I don't know why. Why? Are you okay? Yes. You are sitting with your friends behind the bar or the restaurant. Everybody is happy. Why is it?

[12:35] I don't know why. I am not happy. Yeah. That bondage is worse. Jesus' bondage is good. I am bound to be praying. I am bound to be praising God.

[12:47] But when I finish, I feel good. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Once you are free from one thing, you must hold on to the new thing that you are bound to.

[13:01] Slaves of righteousness. Your friends are running around doing all sorts of things and you feel like you can't do that. Most of us, you see, we compare that to, I need a new job.

[13:13] I haven't got a job. And my friends are not going to church. And look, they even got a better job. No, see, job is different from freedom. See, I understand. Listen, so in Christ, it's not so much about a miracle you are getting.

[13:26] The real miracle is liberty. You are a free man. You are a free man. You are a free man. That's what you actually got. You are a free man.

[13:37] But they can get all the car. They can buy all the houses. They can get all the jobs, which is good. God will give it to you. And the Bible said, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And all these other things will be added.

[13:49] So he's coming. Say he's coming. Say he's coming. But worse is yet on the welcoming. Don't be frustrated. Don't compare yourself to the people who use. We all went for the interview.

[14:01] And we wrote the exam. They don't go to church. I go to church every time. But look, I failed. I didn't get a job. And they say, don't compare yourself to a slave. You are a free man.

[14:15] Shut up, I'm free. I'm free. Shut up, I'm free. I'm free. Galatians chapter 5 verse 1 in NIV. It says that it is for freedom while Christ has set you free.

[14:26] So stay free. It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. He actually set you free to be free. So stay free. Don't go and entangle.

[14:37] And stand firm. And do not let yourself be burdened again with the yoke of slavery. Don't go back to your vomit. Don't go back. There's nothing there for you.

[14:52] And don't deceive yourself. Say, okay, okay, I will have black and white. Just add a little bit of this. Add a little bit. So take the best year. The best year. There's nothing there for you. Stay in Christ.

[15:02] Because Bible says that we are complete in Him. Freedom. Shut and free. I'm free. When you wake up in the morning, you feel all kinds of things.

[15:13] You feel down. Just encourage yourself. Know that after all, I am free in Christ. Sin cannot have dominion. Romans chapter 8 verse 17 says that sin cannot. We are set free from sin.

[15:24] Free from sin. Freedom from sin. No one can buy it for you. No employer can give it to you. No material possession can give it to you. That's what he says. He says that what does a man gain?

[15:36] If he gains the whole wealth and loses your soul, when it's time for you to die, your car cannot say, oh, please spare her life.

[15:46] Let me stay because she's got a nice car. Listen, no amount of material things can guarantee good life. Can I say something? Good life is not in the watch.

[15:58] Good life is not in the shoe. Neither is it in your suit. Good life is not in the car you drive. Stay in Christ and keep giving yourself to work.

[16:10] You can't be like that. Because he said that all these things shall be added. If he doesn't add it to you, he'll see life to you. Seek ye first. Actually, even happiness is not based on marriage.

[16:25] There are people who get married and they get worse. Frustrated in life. But when you have Christ and you do it in Christ, Jesus is the answer.

[16:40] And he's the center of my joy. The center. Because I'm a free man. I'm a free man. I don't owe any devil.

[16:52] I'm a free man. I am free and you are free. That's who we are in Christ. Say I'm free. I am free. We are free from the bondage of sin.

[17:03] And free, the last thing I was going to say is free from the consequences of sin. So God does not hold your sin against you anymore. That's why he taught us to pray that.

[17:15] And forgive us our debts. So it is part of your covenant right to be forgiven once you ask for forgiveness. Romans 6.23.

[17:26] What does it say? For the wickedness of sin is death. And the gift of promise is eternal. Some people are wondering. What? What? I put you on the screen already. The wickedness of sin is death.

[17:38] So, once you sin, payday is coming. Payday is coming. But the good news is that we have been freed from the consequences of sin. Free from the consequences of sin.

[17:52] Say I'm free from the consequences of sin. I'm free from the consequences of sin. Bible says in Romans chapter 8 verse 1. Now there is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. I'm free.

[18:02] Jesus said, where are all your accusers? They are nowhere. He said, therefore I also do not have anything against you. Go and sin no more. The consequences of sin are no more held against you when you are in Christ.

[18:17] You are actually free by the justice of heaven. The justice of heaven has discharged you from the death of sin.

[18:29] Say I'm free. I'm free. That's who we are in Christ. Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry.

[18:40] To hear more from David Entry, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also subscribe to Karis Church on YouTube. Don't forget to share and subscribe to our podcast so you are always up to date.

[18:53] Be blessed. Thank you.