WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.259 Welcome. Once again, this is the last of our Big Question series, which I hope has been helpful for you, 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:13.300 maybe helpful in some of the conversation you have with family or friends. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.480 As of next week in our evening series, we're going to do something different. 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:21.719 We're going to go to perhaps the most famous sermon that Jesus ever preached, 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:24.920 some of the most famous words that are still part of our culture today. 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:29.719 We're going to think about the Sermon on the Mount and especially the Beatitudes at the beginning. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:42.079 Thinking about the kind of lifestyle, the kind of heart, the kind of culture that God is looking for among his people, the church. 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:50.879 But tonight, we're asking the question, doesn't Christianity crush freedom? 00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:55.539 So as always, I want us to hear the Bible and then we'll think together. 00:00:55.980 --> 00:00:59.019 This is from Jesus' words in John chapter 8. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.000 The beginning of verse 21. 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:05.780 Once more Jesus said to them, 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:10.819 I am going away and you will look for me and you will die in your sin. 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:13.359 Where I go, you cannot come. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:16.359 This made the Jews ask, will he kill himself? 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:19.340 Is that why he says, where I go, you cannot come? 00:01:19.980 --> 00:01:23.159 But he continued, you are from below, I am from above. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.319 You are of this world, I am not of this world. 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:29.359 I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:34.560 If you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins. 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:36.760 Who are you, they asked. 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:40.120 Just what I have been telling you from the beginning, Jesus replied. 00:01:40.700 --> 00:01:48.159 I have much to say in judgment of you, but he who sent me is trustworthy and what I have heard from him I tell the world. 00:01:49.020 --> 00:01:51.560 They did not understand that he was telling them about his father. 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:57.900 So Jesus said, when you have lifted up the son of man, then you will know that I am he. 00:01:58.420 --> 00:02:02.299 And that I do nothing on my own, but speak just what the father has taught me. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:04.359 The one who sent me is with me. 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:08.280 He has not left me alone, but I always do what pleases him. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:11.800 Even as he spoke, many believed in him. 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:18.140 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 00:02:18.760 --> 00:02:22.000 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 00:02:22.820 --> 00:02:26.800 They answered, we are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:29.140 How can you say that we shall be set free? 00:02:30.040 --> 00:02:35.540 Jesus replied, very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:40.800 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:44.939 So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 00:02:45.760 --> 00:02:50.840 I know you are Abraham's descendants, yet you are looking for a way to kill me because you have no room for my word. 00:02:51.580 --> 00:02:56.600 I am telling you what I've seen in my father's presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father. 00:02:57.840 --> 00:02:59.600 Abraham is our father, they answered. 00:03:00.660 --> 00:03:04.360 If you were Abraham's children, said Jesus, then you would do what Abraham did. 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:08.040 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me. 00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:10.939 A man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:12.699 Abraham did not do such things. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:14.759 You are doing the works of your own father. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:17.659 We are not illegitimate children, they protested. 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:19.599 The only father we have is God himself. 00:03:20.259 --> 00:03:24.799 Jesus said to them, if God were your father, you would love me. 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:26.840 For I have come here from God. 00:03:27.239 --> 00:03:28.739 I have not come on my own. 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:30.840 God send me. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:31.840 God send me. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:37.700 So there's Jesus' words, and you probably heard the freedom note there. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:40.580 But the objection that we're thinking about this evening is this. 00:03:42.140 --> 00:03:51.420 That to believe in absolute truth, some would say, is to undermine freedom and is then to oppress others. 00:03:51.419 --> 00:04:02.319 To insist that there is one great truth that applies to all people in all places is regarded in some corners as too limiting. 00:04:02.579 --> 00:04:10.799 Each person should be free to determine their own truth, whether that's in the realm of morality, sexuality, identity. 00:04:11.359 --> 00:04:15.039 And Christianity comes along and it says, this is true and this is false. 00:04:15.179 --> 00:04:15.899 This is moral. 00:04:16.099 --> 00:04:17.099 This is immoral. 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:20.680 This is orthodox and this is heresy. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:28.379 And so people are asking the question, is the church one of the great threats to freedom? 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:34.480 Now, of course, behind that question, there is an understanding of what freedom is. 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:40.320 And that definition of freedom would imply that there is no overarching purpose to life, 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:46.100 no ultimate meaning or no destiny that we are to consider. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:49.580 So therefore, we should be free to set our own course. 00:04:50.640 --> 00:04:55.620 And our purpose this evening is to compare that line of thinking with the teaching of Jesus 00:04:55.620 --> 00:05:00.879 and to see which view appears to make most sense. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:08.160 Let's begin here, thinking about freedom and truth, first of all. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:16.460 As far as many people are concerned, that we speak to today and that we live around, 00:05:16.900 --> 00:05:22.840 true freedom comes when there is no absolute truth because truth is seen to be restricted. 00:05:23.960 --> 00:05:33.820 Now, we need to see that to claim that there is no absolute truth is in itself an exclusive truth claim also, isn't it? 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:46.240 And the reality is that no matter how much we protest, there is no community, there is no group that exists without a guiding set of values and rules. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:49.740 And those values and rules will set limits. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:52.860 They will include some and exclude others. 00:05:52.860 --> 00:06:00.319 So whether we're thinking about political parties or protest movements or the local golf club or the local church, 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:08.180 each community has those guiding sets of values and rules. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:11.960 Every community has a set of shared beliefs. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:16.319 This is true, this is false, this is right and this is wrong. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:28.719 And that's important for us to recognise because one of the things that's happening today is there are attempts by some to block Christianity from the public square. 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:32.839 To deny Christianity a seat at the table, as it were. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:36.480 And that in itself is a power play. 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:43.939 It's saying that my truth is better than Christian truth and Christian views have no play. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:47.259 It limits freedom, limits freedom, actually. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:07:05.779 To answer what is true freedom, we need to assess how we think and how we think about truth, especially here, Jesus, with bold words in verse 32 or verse 31. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:12.519 If you hold to my teaching, you're really my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:15.799 Jesus is saying my truth, not just anything, my truth is freedom. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:21.439 What gives Jesus the right to make a claim like that? 00:07:22.219 --> 00:07:25.439 Well, it goes straight to Jesus' identity. 00:07:26.299 --> 00:07:31.539 In verse 12 of this chapter, Jesus has said, I am the light of the world. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:36.299 I am is the personal covenant name of God that we find in the Old Testament. 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:42.259 Jesus is saying, I am the Lord that you discover in the Old Testament, and I am the light of the world. 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:49.300 For so many looking for spiritual enlightenment, Jesus is saying, I'm the goal of your search. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:52.780 Without him, we are left groping in darkness. 00:07:53.400 --> 00:07:55.300 Jesus alone, he says, gives light. 00:07:55.300 --> 00:08:01.460 So his identity gives credence to his claims to truth. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:06.199 But also, where he is from speaks to that. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:08.180 And again, Jesus is very clear. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:13.840 So he says in verse 23 here, you are from below, I am from above. 00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:18.780 You are of this world, I am not of this world. 00:08:18.779 --> 00:08:26.279 And Jesus said in verse 38, he's talking about things that he has seen in his father's presence. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:32.539 He can claim to deliver truth because of who he is and where he is from. 00:08:33.339 --> 00:08:36.480 So he is making striking claims, exclusive claims. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:38.439 He's saying all truths are not equally valid. 00:08:39.439 --> 00:08:41.899 If you want freedom, you need to follow my truth. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:49.500 All teachers, all philosophies, all value systems don't give equal light. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:51.600 It's me or darkness, Jesus says. 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:55.079 And so we all need to decide who has the truth. 00:08:55.419 --> 00:09:03.159 And we need to look at Jesus because his claims are so big and striking that we cannot simply dismiss them out of hand. 00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:10.259 Either we contend that there's freedom in everybody making their own rules and living their own way. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:13.879 Or we say there is freedom in Jesus. 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:19.339 And what's the truth that Jesus has come to deliver to the world? 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:28.079 His truth stands in line with the great teaching of the Bible that you and I as people, as image bearers, we were made to know and enjoy God. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:34.780 We were made to enjoy the freedom to love God and to receive his love in that fellowship. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:41.740 Jesus has come down to tear into the sin barrier that separates people from God. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:50.900 He has come to show, reveal his truth by self-giving, sacrificial love to offer grace. 00:09:50.899 --> 00:10:00.179 That where we deserve God's wrath, Jesus has come to give forgiveness and eternal life by giving himself. 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:10.659 So against the accusation that the church uses truth as a power play, we look at how Jesus, who is the truth, lived. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:20.860 The all-powerful Son of God, the all-powerful Son of God, came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for men. 00:10:20.939 --> 00:10:27.159 He gave up freedom for anyone who would believe in him, who would turn from sin and trust in him. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:31.379 So that's freedom and truth. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:37.299 Another aspect of this conversation is we need to think about freedom and limits. 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:42.759 Because for so many, the idea of freedom is life without limits. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:51.399 But Jesus is countercultural in that sense because he connects freedom with limits and with obedience. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:55.179 So again, to go back to verse 31. 00:10:56.459 --> 00:11:05.139 If you hold to my teaching, there's the limit, his teaching, you're my disciples, you'll know the truth and the truth will set you free. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:14.179 Now Jesus' teaching certainly had some radical demands that restrict our personal choices. 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:19.319 Jesus says, you need to die to self. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:22.159 Not be the best version of yourself. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:25.120 Die to yourself in order to live for him. 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:31.299 Jesus says, if you love me, you will obey my commands. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:33.899 Is that really freedom? 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:40.139 Again, going back to the argument, freedom is life with no limits. 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:44.699 Well, what Jesus says sounds very restrictive and oppressive. 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:47.000 But here's the thing. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:54.419 So often, freedom does come with understanding proper limits. 00:11:54.419 --> 00:12:02.500 We will often limit our personal freedom for our goals. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:07.879 So in my house now, I have two boys who are keen on the piano. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:14.179 And for them to develop as piano players, it means they need to say no to doing other things. 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:20.139 They need to dedicate time and attention to learning notes and scales and all that kind of thing. 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:23.759 So they're giving up in order to have the freedom to enjoy music. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.860 It's the same with people who are serious about sport. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:30.560 There needs to be the discipline of diet and a training regime. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:41.879 There is sacrifice that's being made for the sake of greater freedom of enjoying the skill that they have chosen to pursue. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:47.320 Another example, perhaps the classic example, is marriage. 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:55.019 When we think about marriage, it simply cannot work with two people that come together in marriage and say, 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:57.360 I will not bend to your schedule. 00:12:58.019 --> 00:13:05.759 I will not concern myself with your needs if that involves restricting my freedom to do what I want to do. 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:11.500 True love necessarily brings with it restrictions. 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:17.799 And we're happy to do so for someone that we love. 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:29.219 So we said already, every group, every community has rules, has standards that place limits on behaviour, action, value. 00:13:29.339 --> 00:13:38.459 The question is, which set of limits tend towards the greatest freedom? 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:48.460 It's crucial for us to discover what are the right limits to allow for true human flourishing. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:57.580 Sometimes, and you've maybe heard this, people go to the analogy of the goldfish in the bowl on the kitchen unit. 00:13:59.040 --> 00:14:01.540 That goldfish is desperate for freedom. 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:03.340 This bowl is too small. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:12.180 But the moment that the goldfish escapes the bowl and flip-flops around on the kitchen floor, is that fish free? 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:17.460 Oh, because he needs the water so he can breathe, so he can have life. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:20.200 There needs to be the proper limits. 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:28.259 So again, the Bible teaches and Jesus teaches that we are made by God and we are made for God. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:36.480 That true life, true freedom is about right relationship with God, of knowing and being known, of loving and being loved. 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:45.740 Jesus is God and he's calling us to himself, to live under his rule, and that is freedom. 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:51.480 But Jesus is very stark in the way he talks. 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:58.620 He will say to his opponents, to reject me is to be a slave to sin. 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:03.600 Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.480 That's our natural condition. 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:14.259 We're not free biblically because we're not free to enjoy the relationship with God that we are made for. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:26.659 So true freedom, to enjoy life and light and love, only comes when Jesus, by his love and mercy, breaks down that separating wall. 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:34.539 Bridges the gap so that we can return home to our Father. 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:39.639 So yes, Christianity has limits, but they are proper limits. 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:48.220 They're the pathway to a life and a love that we were made for and deep down that we long for. 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:53.899 There's security in knowing if we walk this way, there is freedom and joy. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:16:06.439 Life without God can be exhausting when we're trying to define ourselves and trying to find our own path. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:13.380 Life with God is to us what water is to the goldfish. 00:16:13.900 --> 00:16:18.200 We need God for life and for flourishing. 00:16:21.780 --> 00:16:30.940 Now another aspect of the discussion about freedom, and it's maybe one we don't tend to think about too much, is to consider destiny. 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:37.460 I think critical to which view of freedom we pursue is this. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:46.020 What does this person, what does this view of the world, what does this way of life say to us? 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:50.460 What hope does it offer us when we think about final destiny? 00:16:50.460 --> 00:17:00.560 So I guess many people, thinking or unthinkingly, are pursuing a way of life that says you need to live your best life now. 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:04.900 This is all there is, so grab what you can. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:14.279 And again, Jesus sounds very different, because Jesus in his teaching gives hope not just for this life, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:20.980 but also gives hope to face death, but also gives hope to face death, and it gives hope of eternal life. 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:26.460 Jesus in verse 21 speaks of his departure. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:31.180 I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.500 When I go, you cannot come. 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:48.559 He is anticipating the cross, where he will bear the sins of his people, where he will be that sacrifice that gives cleansing, 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:51.500 and gives eternal life for all who trust in him. 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:58.119 And then Jesus is thinking also about his resurrection, his return to life, and then his return to glory. 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:06.479 And Jesus is saying, if you don't believe in me, if you don't trust me, then where I go, you won't come. 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:17.259 Without that belief and without that forgiveness, glory will not be the final destiny of those who reject Jesus then, 00:18:17.979 --> 00:18:20.659 and indeed of those who reject Jesus today. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:24.119 He's talking to Pharisees here. 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:34.859 A group of people who were incredibly sincere in their beliefs, who were devoted to moral excellence, 00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:39.179 who were respected in their community. 00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:47.899 But Jesus is saying, you are wrong, and you are in danger when you reject me. 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:51.019 It's another loving warning from Jesus. 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:55.820 To reject me, Jesus says, is to reject true life. 00:18:56.800 --> 00:19:11.220 Their path will not give them freedom from their ultimate fear that overshadows us all, the ultimate fear, death. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:18.380 There is no hope for them beyond death, because their relationship with God is not right, 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:21.680 because their relationship with Jesus is not right. 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.960 Let's use another image. 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:32.740 Imagine a skydiver who's jumped out of a plane and is free-falling at incredible speeds, 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:37.059 and he's enjoying the rush, enjoying the ride, and he's feeling great. 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:40.639 That skydiver has no parachute. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:48.419 Is that freedom, or is that the ultimate act of folly? 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:58.740 To have freedom is to be able to face death with hope. 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:03.700 And to do that, we must believe in Jesus. 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:10.100 He does again what he says to his opponents in verse 24. 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:13.220 I told you that you would die in your sins. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:19.539 If you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:23.039 A person must believe that Jesus is I am. 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.779 That he is the Lord. 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:27.880 That he has rights over my life. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.759 That I must submit in obedience to him. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:33.619 That I have disobeyed and rebelled against him. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:37.900 So actually what I justly deserve is judgment and condemnation. 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:44.000 And my only hope is that Jesus, by his love and his grace and his sacrifice, 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:47.740 would forgive me by dying on the cross for me. 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:50.700 So we must believe Jesus is I am. 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:54.980 He's the Lord and that he gives forgiveness of sins. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:58.599 Jesus said he'll be lifted up. 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.259 Lifted up on the cross. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:03.920 He is the Lord, our creator. 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:06.539 The Lord, our judge. 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:09.779 Who takes the place of the condemned. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:16.000 In order to raise us to life with God. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:20.299 He gives himself to die in our place. 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:26.619 The ultimate limit that you and I will face. 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:28.440 At some point. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:32.200 Is our own mortality. 00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:35.680 And we have no freedom. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.619 To say no. 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:38.779 To that. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:41.839 And so what we need is a view of life. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:44.659 That prepares us to face death with real hope. 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.519 What we need. 00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:48.019 Is to hear Jesus. 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:48.879 We need Jesus. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:51.160 As he is the saviour who takes death for us. 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.860 He conquers it as our head. 00:21:54.800 --> 00:21:56.620 He rises in victory. 00:21:57.320 --> 00:22:00.720 And he promises that freedom and that life to us. 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.900 One of Jesus' followers. 00:22:04.020 --> 00:22:04.880 The apostle Paul. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:07.720 Who wrote so many of the letters of the New Testament. 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.800 Could write while in prison. 00:22:10.760 --> 00:22:11.660 For me. 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:13.620 To live as Christ. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.200 To die. 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.600 As gain. 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:18.980 Because he knew. 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.279 Glory. 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.759 In the presence of Jesus. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.240 Was his hope. 00:22:23.959 --> 00:22:26.639 So he had freedom to face death with hope. 00:22:27.939 --> 00:22:29.659 And that can be true of us as well. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.240 When we love. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.980 When we trust. 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:34.419 Jesus the death defeating saviour. 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:38.400 Let me finish fourthly. 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:40.840 By drawing our thoughts to a close. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:42.160 By thinking about freedom. 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.340 And Jesus. 00:22:43.560 --> 00:22:44.640 Which in a sense we've been doing. 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.279 All along. 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:49.519 Maybe we've all heard. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.840 The idea. 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:53.300 Just be true to yourself. 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:57.779 Be your authentic self. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:02.019 Is that where freedom. 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.079 Is found. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.359 Well not according to Jesus. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:09.799 Jesus would say something quite different. 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:12.200 He has been saying all along. 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.539 That our self. 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.299 Is sinful. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.700 And that makes us slaves. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.859 So we are not free. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.680 And we are heading to death. 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:22.700 The key is not to be true to our self. 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:25.100 But to be ready to die to self. 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.319 To embrace. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.880 To live for Jesus. 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.680 And Jesus says. 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.860 If we lose ourselves. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.720 In him. 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.539 There is ultimate gain. 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:39.420 There is true freedom. 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.180 Listen to this. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.120 A slave. 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.559 Has no permanent place in the family. 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.240 But a son. 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.059 Belongs to it forever. 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:51.080 To trust in Jesus. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.680 Is to become a child. 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.279 A child of God. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.940 To belong to his family. 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.140 So if the son. 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.720 Sets you free. 00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:00.860 You will be free. 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:01.840 Indeed. 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.380 There is freedom. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:06.920 To belong forever. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.519 To God. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.920 And to his family. 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.400 To enjoy life. 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.640 And love. 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.000 Whether we accept. 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.799 The truth. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.000 And the limits. 00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:17.960 That Jesus sets. 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.920 Will depend on. 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.319 Do I trust. 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.080 Who Jesus is. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.019 Do I trust. 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.960 Who he says here. 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.000 Jesus said. 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.740 He is light. 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:31.480 And any other claim of truth. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.079 Is dark. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.019 He said. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.199 In verse 32. 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.659 He is truth. 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.859 And that any other. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.740 Path. 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.359 Is a road. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.399 To nowhere. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.079 Is slavery. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.899 Not freedom. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:46.240 And in verse 36. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.640 He said. 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.640 He is the rescuer. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.740 He is the liberator. 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.700 He is the redeemer. 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:50.660 He's the only way. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.640 To enjoy the life. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.259 That we were. 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.640 Made for. 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:55.520 So in a world. 00:24:55.520 --> 00:24:56.140 In a world. 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.060 Of competing. 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.220 Claims. 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.620 About where freedom lies. 00:25:00.060 --> 00:25:00.560 Christianity. 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:02.080 Believes. 00:25:02.800 --> 00:25:03.440 Christians. 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:04.140 Believe. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.080 Jesus. 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:06.240 As son of God. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.140 Is the right person. 00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:09.180 To set the limits. 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.800 For our life. 00:25:10.540 --> 00:25:10.900 His. 00:25:11.020 --> 00:25:11.860 Is the right. 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:12.400 Truth. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.040 To hold. 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:15.000 And his love. 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.980 Gives us freedom. 00:25:17.800 --> 00:25:18.160 Freedom. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.160 To enjoy. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.259 The gift. 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.340 Of eternal life. 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.300 The gift. 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.620 Of eternal love. 00:25:24.060 --> 00:25:24.620 To enjoy. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.480 That relationship. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.080 With God. 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:27.400 That we were made for. 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.800 And when we know that. 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.779 Then we can gladly. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.320 Submit to him. 00:25:34.320 --> 00:25:35.100 Now let's. 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:35.580 Pray. 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:36.960 Together. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.640 Briefly. 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:38.800 And then. 00:25:39.060 --> 00:25:39.900 We'll sing. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.080 As we close. 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:41.779 So let's pray. 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.340 Dear God. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.040 Thank you. 00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:47.180 That Jesus. 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.380 Was so clear. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.500 As he taught. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.100 About. 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:52.340 True freedom. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.000 Thank you. 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.600 That he. 00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:55.580 Ultimately. 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.900 Centered it on. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.500 Knowing him. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.320 Believing him. 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.700 And trusting. 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.800 In the truth. 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:04.160 That he came to reveal. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.759 Thank you. 00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.660 That in his. 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:07.940 Self-giving. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.540 Love. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.160 That his. 00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:10.740 Dying. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.160 In our place. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.380 Facing. 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.620 The just. 00:26:14.800 --> 00:26:15.259 Anger. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.340 Of God. 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.040 Against. 00:26:17.320 --> 00:26:17.600 Sin. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:20.299 That in trusting. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.379 That message. 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:21.439 That is. 00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:23.480 That is. 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.399 Freedom. 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.539 Freedom from guilt. 00:26:25.959 --> 00:26:26.579 And fear. 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:27.699 And shame. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.819 And condemnation. 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.419 Freedom to know. 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.939 Life with God. 00:26:33.719 --> 00:26:35.019 Pray for anybody. 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.480 Who is. 00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:36.679 Wrestling. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.500 With questions. 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.000 Of. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.299 Christianity. 00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:41.579 And faith. 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.480 And belief. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.860 And wondering. 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.539 And looking. 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.299 For freedom. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.579 And may you help. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.779 Each one of us. 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.640 To consider Jesus. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.860 To discover more. 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.500 About him. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.099 That we would know. 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.819 His truth. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.400 That the truth. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.920 Would set us free. 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.200 Amen.