WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.560 I suspect that all of you have heard or seen or tasted some very American things this weekend. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:18.719 ! Yes, hamburgers. Anybody? Hamburger? Fireworks? Oh, okay. Whether you wanted to or not, didn't you? 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:29.980 Flags all over the place. All in celebration of the 250th anniversary of our independence, right? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.520 That, in case you're confused, is why you haven't seen any kings being celebrated. 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:45.380 It just hasn't been going on this weekend. It is at the heart of our nation that nobody tells us what to do. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:53.299 Especially if you think you're going to tax us without representation. We will dump all your tea in the ocean. 00:00:54.539 --> 00:00:57.219 It wasn't even sweet tea. It's no big deal. 00:00:57.219 --> 00:01:05.739 If there's anything that we Americans love, it's our freedom, isn't it? 00:01:07.140 --> 00:01:13.159 We love to make our own decisions with no restrictions. 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:22.379 It used to be, when I was a kid, 31 flavors of ice cream was really exciting. 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:26.099 Now, we have hundreds of them. 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:30.439 And you can combine them however you would like and just put them all together. 00:01:30.599 --> 00:01:32.739 You can have all the options you want. 00:01:34.179 --> 00:01:40.599 It used to be, when I was a kid, if you had a hundred channels to choose from on your TV, 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:45.019 your house was the one everybody wanted to go to because that was a lot of options. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:46.679 Some of you remember fewer than a hundred. 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:55.200 Now, now we have dozens of streaming services and every single one of them has thousands of options 00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:58.640 that you can watch whatever you want to, whenever you want to. 00:01:58.660 --> 00:02:00.780 You don't even have to wait for it to come on. 00:02:01.080 --> 00:02:02.800 You just pick it when you want. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:12.540 Young people feel that they have freedom when they can choose what to do, what to watch. 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:20.019 When they start driving and go where they want, when they want, that seems like freedom, right? 00:02:20.139 --> 00:02:21.060 Sixteen-year-olds. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:31.039 The one thing in our society that you better not touch these days is our freedom. 00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:41.280 Having autonomous choices to run our own lives, how we want to run them, is such an assumed good for us 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:45.120 that we often don't even question its priority. 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:47.379 Nobody can challenge that, right? 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:48.879 You do you. 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:51.259 That's how we work. 00:02:53.019 --> 00:02:56.359 And then we hear about Christianity. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:02:56.440 Christianity. 00:02:57.320 --> 00:03:05.080 And there's so many rules in Christianity that we have to group them into lists of ten just to keep track of them. 00:03:05.660 --> 00:03:12.000 And many people start to feel that these restrictions are what the Bible is all about. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:19.260 For example, telling me to exercise my sexuality only with my spouse. 00:03:19.259 --> 00:03:28.739 Telling me not to lie or cheat or steal, but to love my neighbor because everyone else is as valuable as I am, 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:30.519 even when that's inconvenient. 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:41.239 Telling me to give money to God and to be generous toward others when I've got so many options and ideas for what to do with it. 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:46.340 Isn't Christianity restrictive of my freedom? 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.120 Many ask that, right? 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:51.519 Many feel that way. 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:56.679 So many have dismissed Christianity on this account. 00:03:56.939 --> 00:03:59.840 That it fails the test of freedom. 00:04:00.299 --> 00:04:05.560 That it restricts my flexibility to control my life and live it the way I want. 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:08.199 That it just generally cramps my style. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:09.840 It's not cool. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:12.739 Who needs it after all? 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:16.339 I'll let Jesus know if I ever need his help. 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:17.199 I'll tell him. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:18.399 But not usually. 00:04:18.599 --> 00:04:19.619 Not seriously. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:29.019 Well, as it turns out, Jesus has a lot to say about freedom. 00:04:29.019 --> 00:04:44.139 In fact, when Jesus introduces himself publicly, he reads from the prophet Isaiah about someone coming to proclaim freedom for the captives and liberty for the oppressed. 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:46.139 He's going to set people free. 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:46.519 He says. 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:47.079 He says. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:55.800 Today, I want to focus on a conversation Jesus has with some religious people in John chapter 8. 00:04:55.800 --> 00:05:03.560 Where Jesus seeks to clarify some faulty assumptions that they have about freedom. 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:12.400 Some misunderstandings that he is quite clear could be disastrous if they are not corrected. 00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:16.359 He wants better for them than what they are experiencing. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:19.120 And he wants better for us too. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:20.599 Which is really exciting. 00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:22.699 As we open his word together. 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:27.039 Let's read some of this back and forth that they have in this conversation. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:31.139 And then we'll discuss what we learn from Jesus about freedom. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:32.319 This is John 8. 00:05:32.539 --> 00:05:34.459 Starting at verse 31. 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:36.899 God's holy word. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:06:06.879 God's holy word. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:10.719 Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:13.859 The slave does not remain in the house forever. 00:06:14.159 --> 00:06:16.039 The son remains forever. 00:06:17.339 --> 00:06:19.079 So if the son sets you free. 00:06:19.979 --> 00:06:21.259 You will be free. 00:06:22.039 --> 00:06:22.519 Indeed. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:25.919 Thus far God's holy word. 00:06:26.039 --> 00:06:26.519 Let's pray. 00:06:29.799 --> 00:06:33.919 Jesus, would you indeed this morning set us free. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:38.300 Would you do it by your truth. 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:40.939 You tell us as we know the truth. 00:06:41.020 --> 00:06:44.080 As we know you will find this freedom. 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:47.500 So set us free by your truth. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:49.420 Your word is truth. 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:56.540 Use it to challenge even the most basic assumptions of our hearts and our culture. 00:06:56.540 --> 00:07:01.879 And give us hope and joy and purpose this morning. 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:04.720 I pray that you would do that by your spirit. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:05.920 Amen. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:20.900 One of the first things you notice in this passage that I just read is Jesus is offering freedom to people who think they already have it. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:22.000 Right? 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:28.800 He's explaining how to get free to people who think they already are. 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:34.579 Jesus, what do you even mean you will become free? 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:37.300 We've never been slaves. 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:40.759 Interesting comment, isn't it? 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:44.460 From Jews presently under the rule of Rome. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:48.259 Whose ancestors have been slaves in Babylon. 00:07:49.460 --> 00:07:51.439 Further back than that in Egypt. 00:07:53.280 --> 00:07:59.220 But see their belief was that as descendants of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:01.199 They were royalty. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:05.379 No matter what they were actually going through. 00:08:05.479 --> 00:08:08.879 They were never really under the control of anyone else. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.699 Just by their own status. 00:08:11.039 --> 00:08:12.680 Their own way of functioning. 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:15.800 They considered themselves free. 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:23.919 But Jesus wants them and us to know that that's not really the case. 00:08:23.919 --> 00:08:31.060 That in fact anyone who sins is a slave to sin. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:35.179 In other words he's saying our natural condition. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:37.700 Just being American for example. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:42.439 Just being able to choose without someone restricting our options. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:46.659 Does not make us really free. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:52.980 It's actually the slavery that you put yourself in. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:58.899 He's showing them when you rely on your own performance to get your free status. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:03.480 When we think that we can give ourselves freedom. 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:08.600 We don't realize the slavery that we actually face naturally. 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:11.879 It's what Paul warns the Galatians about. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:15.240 He says don't fall back into slavery. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:19.159 By feeling you control even one piece of your lives. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:23.120 One part of being good enough for God. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:25.799 In the case of the Galatians it was circumcision. 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:26.419 Right? 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:29.560 He says if you require that. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:32.299 If that's something you bring to the table. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:36.000 You'll have to follow the whole law. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:39.720 If you get bound to your own history. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.159 To your own ethnicity. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:44.419 To your own performance. 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:46.480 In order to be free. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:49.500 Then you're stuck fighting that battle forever. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.100 To be good enough. 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:52.840 To be free enough. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:55.500 Do you see it's actually enslaving. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:58.919 Even our culture's idea of freedom. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:01.120 That I was discussing earlier. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:03.840 Ends up being counterfeit. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:07.600 This freedom that we think that we have. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:12.660 Is classically referred to as the freedom of contrary choice. 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.200 Options. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.259 Right? 00:10:16.420 --> 00:10:19.600 A freedom from any restrictions. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:23.320 To choose whatever our hearts desire. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:28.720 Except that that's where it gets complicated. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:34.440 Our desires are actually part of the enslavement. 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:35.540 The bondage. 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:37.540 Rather than the freedom. 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:39.740 We get that confused. 00:10:40.160 --> 00:10:43.660 Because see we so often have conflicting desires. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:44.560 Don't we? 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:47.600 And those leave us stuck. 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:50.540 When we insist that there are no restrictions on them. 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:52.220 No restrictions on any of our desires. 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:54.500 Except that they conflict with one another. 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:57.120 Let me give you a couple examples. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:59.379 It's true physically. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:07.480 I have a deep desire to eat sweet things all the time. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.820 Just trust me. 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:09.620 It's deep. 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:16.759 And I have a desire to live a long and healthy life. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:20.820 And not to have to buy new size of clothes. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.180 Because I hate that. 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:25.320 And those are conflicting desires. 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:25.720 Right? 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:25.779 Right? 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:29.200 And we experience it emotionally. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:33.440 We want to be accepted for who we are. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:38.000 And we want to be thought extraordinary. 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:40.519 And worthy by many people. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:42.919 Because of something special we do. 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:45.200 Which desire will win? 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:51.560 These desires famously conflict relationally. 00:11:52.160 --> 00:11:58.600 We desire to be promiscuous in love with anyone we want and find ourselves attracted to. 00:11:58.680 --> 00:11:59.080 Don't we? 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:13.300 We desire to experience love with you. 00:12:13.300 --> 00:12:13.520 We desire to experience love that we can count on. 00:12:14.520 --> 00:12:16.379 Conflicting desires. 00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:20.060 You can't have them all with no restrictions on any of them. 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:21.439 They don't work together. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:25.819 Another example from a different angle maybe. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:32.279 Kids, have you seen fish kept in an aquarium before? 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:35.019 You know, in one of those glass boxes? 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:37.339 Like some of you maybe even at your own house? 00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:40.100 Yeah, you've seen fish like that. 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:44.819 And sometimes you see the fish swimming around in the water in that aquarium. 00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:51.319 And you wish that that fish could be free to swim in a pond or a lake or the ocean. 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:51.720 Right? 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:53.899 Just more room to roam. 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:55.399 More freedom for the fish. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:13:03.840 Some of you, I've heard, have even thought it would be great if that fish could come sit on the sofa and watch TV with you. 00:13:04.660 --> 00:13:06.940 Does that sound like freedom for the fish? 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:10.060 I mean, watching TV on the sofa is a pretty cool thing, right? 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:11.940 Huh. 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:14.820 Maybe, you know what you enjoy in the summer? 00:13:15.180 --> 00:13:17.800 Playing in the sand and building sandcastles. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:20.420 Would that be a free thing for the fish to do? 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:24.159 Or maybe lying in the sun and getting a tan. 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:27.039 The fish could do that with you, right? 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:29.779 It would be free if the fish had that option. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:32.679 But think about it, kids. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:40.059 If you give the fish freedom from that water that he's trapped in in the aquarium, 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:43.120 that freedom's not going to go very well, is it? 00:13:43.479 --> 00:13:48.339 He's not going to be able to live very long. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:56.060 He really won't know true freedom because true freedom is not merely the absence of restrictions, 00:13:57.019 --> 00:14:04.420 but actually finding the right conditions or restrictions where one can thrive. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:07.240 I'll be honest. 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:12.620 I'm not a big fan of red lights, personally, when I'm driving. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.740 They feel restrictive. 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:21.179 They keep me from where I want to be going in the time I want to get there. 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:28.019 But see, it's just one example of a restriction on my life that actually, 00:14:28.239 --> 00:14:32.639 when I live in that reality, it can be really freeing and life-giving 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:38.419 because when the light changes, I can actually relax and drive with confidence when it's my turn. 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:46.659 The freedom of contrary choice sounds appealing to us often, 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:51.299 but our desires really complicate that idea. 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:53.639 It's why Galatians 5 says, 00:14:53.639 --> 00:15:01.620 You were called to freedom, but don't use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:03.620 or your translation may say, 00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:08.240 to indulge the sinful nature, the sinful desires. 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:12.240 You'll find that's not freedom at all. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:16.059 When you try just to live however you want in every moment, 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:19.139 to feel free, you'll find you don't. 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:26.360 Jesus is telling us our desires are naturally bound by sin. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:32.819 So something needs to be done to us besides just turning us loose with our desires 00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:35.199 if we are going to be truly free. 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:38.319 Otherwise, we will be fish out of water. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:45.720 Maybe the one who made us will understand how we best function freely. 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.139 Maybe he can help. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:54.879 Theologian D.A. Carson writes about Jesus' explanation of freedom here in John 8. 00:15:55.720 --> 00:16:00.620 True freedom is not the liberty to do anything we please, 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.120 no restrictions, 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:05.779 but the liberty to do what we ought. 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:12.259 And it is genuine liberty because doing what we ought now pleases us. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:16.500 We'll unpack that last part in a bit as we go. 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:21.840 But it's important for all of us to hear Jesus say, 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:27.460 don't get confused into thinking you have freedom without me. 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:28.620 No. 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.620 You may have something, 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:34.879 but it's not the real thing. 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:37.159 American brothers and sisters, 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:40.720 we're not truly free without Jesus. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:43.300 That's what he's saying. 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:46.639 Would you look with me at the freedom Jesus offers 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:52.360 and why it's so different from just options, choices, 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.300 directing myself, 00:16:55.120 --> 00:17:00.500 especially if you've never really given Jesus' message much attention. 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:04.859 I'd urge you to hear what he has to say. 00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.680 Back to verse 34. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:08.500 Jesus answered them, 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:10.220 truly, truly, I say to you, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:13.299 everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:16.779 The slave does not remain in the house forever. 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:20.339 The son remains forever. 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:23.179 So if the son sets you free, 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:26.079 you will be free indeed. 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:31.319 Notice the differences in the freedom that Jesus offers here. 00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:37.480 First, his freedom is received rather than achieved. 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:42.419 When the son sets you free, 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.899 someone gives you a gift. 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:47.519 Someone does something for you. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:52.139 Someone tags your hand when you're frozen in the game of freeze tag 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:54.859 so that you can move again and play. 00:17:56.220 --> 00:18:00.240 And this difference is monumental when you talk about freedom 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.900 because it means it's not all based on you. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:05.740 Your performance doesn't have to keep up. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:08.500 Your desires don't have to sort out. 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:13.660 Your consistency doesn't have to hold up all the time in order to be free. 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:18.120 No, he gives you freedom right where you are. 00:18:18.540 --> 00:18:20.580 Freedom in his performance 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:24.400 so that you're actually free from your failures 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:29.080 and from relying on your good works 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:31.400 to keep up your success. 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:35.880 with just that one new reality, 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:40.680 can you feel yourself starting to breathe again? 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:43.660 Maybe like a fish thrown back into water. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.980 It's not all on me. 00:18:46.060 --> 00:18:47.720 I'm now living in an environment 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:50.380 where his performance makes me free 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:52.820 from the bad stuff and the good stuff. 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:56.019 Maybe Jesus knows what you were made for. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:19:00.660 Jesus graces you with the gift of life, 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.799 of freedom. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:05.579 And because it's received rather than achieved, 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.559 you can know that it's permanent 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:10.220 rather than contingent. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:13.819 Jesus is saying here in verse 35, 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:16.799 you need to be adopted 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:21.200 to become a son in the Father's house 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:25.379 because then you're never leaving, right? 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:27.440 No one can kick you out 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:29.020 or snatch you away from him 00:19:29.020 --> 00:19:31.640 or cause you to lose his love. 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:33.200 You're his son. 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.740 If you go on reading the rest of this interaction 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.760 in chapter eight, it's quite long, 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:39.640 but you'll find out that Jesus 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.680 is warning these religious people 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:45.040 that they are just slaves and not sons 00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:48.380 if he hasn't set them free. 00:19:49.080 --> 00:19:49.960 Not the way they were born. 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.460 Not something they assume about themselves. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:55.360 If Jesus hasn't come to set them free, 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:57.299 then they're still slaves. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.700 They may do some stuff for God. 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:02.519 They may hang around God's house a lot, 00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:04.079 especially on Sundays. 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:06.799 But they're not sons 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:11.740 because they're not trusting Jesus for freedom. 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:15.680 They still don't realize the slavery 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:17.039 that they're living in. 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:20.200 So this is a warning for them and for us. 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:23.059 That's how serious it is for us to miss 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.819 the bondage that we're born in 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.819 and our need for Jesus's rescue. 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:30.080 You might be enslaved and never realize it. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:33.299 And so how could you be set free? 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:38.900 See how this gracious freedom we receive from Jesus 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:41.880 is freedom that can never be lost? 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:44.600 Because even if another nation conquers us, 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:47.559 even if we get lost in our conflicted desires, 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:50.559 even if we realize that we haven't done well enough, 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:52.179 we don't even impress ourselves, 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.619 we're still free. 00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:55.440 We're still in the family. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:57.159 Our debts have all been paid. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:59.619 Our eternity has been purchased and secured. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:02.059 We're not punished for our performance. 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.379 You're free. 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:07.039 That kind of freedom resonates with my heart. 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:09.619 I bet it does with yours too. 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:13.279 The reason it does 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:19.339 is because it's actually freedom in relationship 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:24.659 rather than mere independence. 00:21:26.479 --> 00:21:28.279 This is huge. 00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:30.959 I want to try to explain it. 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:35.079 See, freedom of contrary choice, 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:39.500 that secular freedom from restrictions 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:43.579 is only freedom from something. 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:47.460 Then, what are you left with? 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.960 Yourself. 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.159 You're alone. 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.240 Jesus' freedom 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:59.279 is freedom from something, 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.420 sin, 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.319 self, 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:05.660 performing to earn your place, 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:07.480 and 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:09.099 it's freedom 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:11.339 for something, 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.960 towards something, 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:15.279 for living in relationship 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:17.399 with the God who made you 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:19.079 and knows exactly 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:21.700 what's the water you were made to live in. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.119 Listen, here's the difference. 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:26.119 Jesus didn't come merely 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.980 to make bad people good 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:30.259 by giving us some better restrictions 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:32.759 so that we'd follow the right rules. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.240 No. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:35.000 No, Jesus came 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:36.980 to make dead people alive 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:39.059 because he knows 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.500 how we were made to live 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.120 and he doesn't want any of us 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.759 to miss out 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:44.860 on that glorious freedom, 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:47.140 being free indeed 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:49.700 because he makes us so. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.799 See, Jesus knows what you're made for. 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.440 Jesus knows you were made 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:55.980 to breathe the air of heaven, 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.559 heaven, 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.980 of loving relationship 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.819 with Father, 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.599 Son, 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.519 and Spirit 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.160 in every corner 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.839 of his glorious relationship. 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:06.440 You're to breathe that air 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.839 in that relationship. 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.120 And Jesus knew 00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:10.019 that our performance, 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.559 even with the best 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.360 of our desires, 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.720 was never going to be enough 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.759 to get us back 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:17.039 into that perfect 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.660 and joyous place. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.980 So what did he do? 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.900 Jesus invaded 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.440 our confusion. 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.960 Jesus, if you listen 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.759 to his words 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.480 when he's here, 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:30.320 agonized over having us 00:23:30.320 --> 00:23:31.680 home with him. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.480 He pled with his father 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:35.100 that he might have the joy 00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:36.539 of welcoming us 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:38.059 back to the family. 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.720 He even went so far 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.420 as to endure 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.580 our punishment 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:43.160 so that we prodigals 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.720 who left our father's house 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:46.299 to chase our own desires 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.360 could be adopted 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:48.759 back into the family, 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.820 could be sons 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:51.120 in the father's house 00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.080 who never leave 00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:52.779 because he knew 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.799 that when we got there, 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.859 we would love the father 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:56.059 so much that we would 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.759 delight in his freedom 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.940 because following 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.839 the house rules, 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.740 so to speak, 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:02.399 doing what we ought 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:04.180 would finally then be 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:06.259 what now pleases us. 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:09.160 We would have true freedom. 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:12.339 Did Jesus want us to know 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:15.579 the freedom from God? 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:19.460 Independence from God? 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:21.480 No way. 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.880 Friend, that kind of freedom 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:28.559 will ultimately leave you alone 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:30.700 and isolated 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:33.559 and you'll be searching 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:35.500 for people whose desires 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:37.240 you always affirm 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:39.319 and who always affirm 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.480 your desires, 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.299 whether you realize that or not, 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:44.100 and it won't work. 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:45.400 It'll never last. 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:49.960 But this freedom 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.980 in relationship, 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:53.460 it will. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.780 It's a gift of grace 00:24:55.780 --> 00:24:57.440 so you won't lose it 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:59.700 and you'll never enjoy it 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:01.600 apart from knowing the giver. 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:03.820 You're living in dependence 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:05.740 upon him. 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:07.140 It's entirely different. 00:25:08.540 --> 00:25:09.519 I'm pretty sure 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.019 that I have said 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.240 more than I understand 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:14.579 where my mind can grasp. 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.660 So let me just back up 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:18.839 and look at John 8 again. 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.559 A slave 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.519 does not remain 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.480 in the house 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.759 forever. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.900 That's a problem. 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:29.579 You're not in the relationship 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.620 with the father 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.539 forever 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.720 if that's where you stay. 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.940 But a son does. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.559 Something needs to change 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.700 so that you can stay 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.640 in that relationship. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.779 And when the son Jesus 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.440 sets you free, 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:48.559 when he makes you a son, 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.660 you will be free 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:52.039 indeed. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.500 That's all a version 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:59.360 of answering our question today 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:01.000 by saying, 00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.940 isn't Christianity 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.460 restrictive of my freedom? 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.220 No. 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.160 No, Christianity 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.860 is not restrictive 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:11.180 of your freedom 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:13.080 but actually offers you 00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:15.420 true and full 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:17.560 and lasting freedom. 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.420 The kind of freedom 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:20.259 you're actually longing for. 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:24.500 But as we close, 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:26.519 I want to offer 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.480 a different answer 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:29.040 and a different angle 00:26:29.040 --> 00:26:30.120 on this question. 00:26:30.800 --> 00:26:31.740 Isn't Christianity 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:33.340 restrictive of my freedom? 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:35.559 I think some of you 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.919 are saying, 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:38.079 you're kidding yourself. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:40.220 I've experienced it. 00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:41.559 It is restrictive 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.759 of my freedom 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.799 and let me tell you how 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.659 and maybe you can come 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.059 afterwards 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.699 and tell me 00:26:45.699 --> 00:26:47.399 how you've experienced that. 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.480 But I want to give you 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.839 an answer 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.299 that agrees with you 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.439 at some level. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.879 An answer that says, 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.539 yes, it does restrict 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.679 your freedom 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:59.059 of contrary choice. 00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:00.799 but in the most 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.859 beautiful, 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:04.099 life-giving, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:07.339 purpose-filled way. 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:11.179 This requires us 00:27:11.179 --> 00:27:11.940 to understand 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:13.299 that Christianity 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:15.259 is not merely 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.339 or primarily 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:18.399 a list of rules 00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:21.099 which, friends, 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.539 if you read the Bible 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:24.440 with any intellectual honesty, 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.299 you'll realize 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.119 very soon. 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:29.399 It contains rules 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:32.179 but it's primarily 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:34.839 a story about God. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:37.579 About a God 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.919 that I just described 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:41.839 as being perfectly free, 00:27:42.719 --> 00:27:44.279 perfectly happy, 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.719 perfectly fulfilled, 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:49.279 who had every right 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:51.500 to live for himself 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:53.719 in uninterrupted peace 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:56.460 and unlimited prosperity. 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.900 That God 00:27:57.900 --> 00:28:00.079 who nonetheless 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:03.720 gave up his freedom. 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:07.140 His freedom to live 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.140 just for himself 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:09.279 with no restrictions. 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.460 He gave that up 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:14.779 in order to sacrifice himself 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:17.019 for us. 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.100 And this is, 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.600 as you start to read that 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.220 in this story, 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:21.420 you realize you're reading 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.360 a love story 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:24.859 rather than a mere rule book. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.419 In fact, 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.639 it's the greatest 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:29.839 kind of love story 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:31.379 where the strong hero 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.619 fights his way 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:33.740 to cross heaven 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.419 and earth 00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.259 to rescue 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.819 the undeserving one 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.519 that he loves 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:39.079 even when the beloved 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:40.039 is unsure 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.959 she wants anything 00:28:40.959 --> 00:28:41.579 to do with him. 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:43.859 His love 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.859 eventually 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.119 overwhelms her. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.779 In time, 00:28:46.919 --> 00:28:48.259 it earns her love. 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.179 It inspires 00:28:49.179 --> 00:28:50.219 her love 00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:51.240 in return. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.620 See, friends, 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:54.079 listen to the good news 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.839 of Jesus. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.940 It's not merely 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.079 that he was willing 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.039 to sacrifice 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.059 his freedom 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:00.099 to come live 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:01.240 and die in our place 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.299 because of the great love 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.299 with which he loved us, 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.960 although that is wonderful enough. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.160 Amen? 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:07.460 He did do that. 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.759 But actually, 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.759 the good news of Jesus 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:11.019 is he knew 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.720 that kind of love 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.579 was the water 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.579 that we needed 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.359 to live in. 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.480 See, 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.120 for people 00:29:17.120 --> 00:29:18.259 being put 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.339 in a relationship 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.160 of love 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.259 like that 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.460 is like finding 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.319 a fish 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.680 stuck on the sand 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.519 and quickly 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.440 pushing it back 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.019 into the water. 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:31.680 You can breathe again. 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:34.599 You can live 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.279 again there. 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:35.720 See, 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:37.099 God's love for us 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.779 in Jesus 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:39.539 sets us free, 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.859 sets us free 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.599 to live, 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.759 sets us free 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.480 to live 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:45.200 for him. 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.180 Free, 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:46.740 in fact, 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:47.099 then, 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.059 if you're living 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.940 for him, 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.460 to give up 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:53.660 our freedom 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:55.500 of contrary choice. 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:56.960 You see, 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.759 I've found 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.039 the one thing 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.160 that is truly 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:01.420 worth living for. 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.000 In fact, 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.279 the one person 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:05.180 truly worth living for. 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.720 I'll sell 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.819 everything else 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:08.759 to have this treasure. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.160 I'll deny myself, 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:10.440 Jesus. 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:11.400 I'll take up 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.480 my cross daily. 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.440 I will surrender. 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.720 All to live 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.460 with you. 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.140 That's 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:18.220 where I start 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.900 to breathe. 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.059 That's such 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.599 good news. 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:22.339 Christian, 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.160 listen, 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.539 you have been 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.500 set free 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.660 not merely 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.539 to watch 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.200 fireworks 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.360 and eat 00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:30.319 ice cream 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.599 and dream 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.779 of a job 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.559 and a white 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.680 picket fence 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.839 and two and a half 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.440 kids 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.180 and early 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.000 retirement. 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:40.900 Oh, 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.839 it's so much 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.200 better. 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:42.980 Let me lift 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.620 your eyes. 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.259 You've been 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.620 set free 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:48.700 to love, 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.640 to love, 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:52.319 even to give 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.140 yourselves 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:54.700 then to others 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.779 to reflect 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.740 the glory 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.440 of the one 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.400 who gave himself 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:59.799 for you. 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.299 Remember the true 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.799 freedom 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:03.240 that Jesus 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.980 gives us? 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.640 Don't use your freedom, 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.480 God says, 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.440 to indulge 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.960 sinful desires. 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.960 Jesus 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:13.019 died to kill 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.440 those 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:13.860 so they don't 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:14.880 please us anymore. 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:15.700 Rather, 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.140 what? 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.400 What pleases 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.120 us? 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.519 Through 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.519 love, 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:21.960 serve 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.759 one 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.940 another. 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.960 Love 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.860 your neighbor 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:29.160 as yourself. 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.259 As your neighbor, 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:30.960 Jesus 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.920 loves 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.480 you. 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:32.860 He said, 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.039 there's a purpose 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:35.459 worth living 00:31:35.459 --> 00:31:36.339 your entire 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.459 life for. 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.799 The Christian 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.579 dream 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.699 of love, 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.859 unbounded, 00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:42.879 unbroken, 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.979 and unending, 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.719 and y'all, 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:45.719 you just get to go 00:31:45.719 --> 00:31:46.599 crazy there. 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.539 That's the freedom 00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:48.599 you get with Jesus. 00:31:48.919 --> 00:31:49.799 His laws don't 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.979 restrict your freedom, 00:31:51.199 --> 00:31:52.000 they give you 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.719 life. 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.439 So find a friend 00:31:54.439 --> 00:31:55.779 to astonish 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.139 with the pursuing, 00:31:57.979 --> 00:31:58.500 generous, 00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.419 forgiving, 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.500 listening, 00:32:01.080 --> 00:32:01.560 laughing, 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.860 persistent 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.600 nature 00:32:03.600 --> 00:32:04.700 of your love. 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.580 Cry 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.420 with 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.180 a grieving 00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:08.800 neighbor. 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.100 Throw a party 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:11.080 for a lonely 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:11.620 widow. 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.620 Adopt 00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:13.380 an orphan. 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.240 Rearrange 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:15.980 your life 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.060 and your schedule 00:32:17.060 --> 00:32:18.420 for 50 years 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.480 for a spouse. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.519 Pay your 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.320 employee better 00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.880 than you pay 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.480 yourself. 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.620 Watch 00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.259 as you do 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.900 these things 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.640 and a bunch 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.080 of others 00:32:27.080 --> 00:32:28.019 your marriage 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.539 or your family 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.839 or your neighborhood 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:32.200 or your city 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.400 transform 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.819 because of 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.660 love. 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.740 Restrict 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.379 our freedom? 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:39.799 Are you 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.799 kidding me? 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:41.839 Go 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:43.359 crazy with this, 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.099 Jesus says. 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.279 You're free 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.139 in my love 00:32:46.139 --> 00:32:47.059 to do all 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.759 of these things. 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.319 Oh, 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:48.740 Jesus, 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.879 please restrict 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.920 me from living 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:52.720 only for myself. 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.879 I need that 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:55.799 because that's 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:56.619 not the dream. 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:58.259 the real dream 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.839 that you were 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.639 made for. 00:32:59.979 --> 00:33:01.159 The real story 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:02.299 you were made 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.299 to live in 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.519 is of living 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.419 in this 00:33:05.419 --> 00:33:06.259 love 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:06.959 with all 00:33:06.959 --> 00:33:07.679 your kids, 00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:09.399 with everyone 00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:10.319 else you can 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.199 love into this 00:33:11.199 --> 00:33:11.939 family from 00:33:11.939 --> 00:33:12.719 every tribe, 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.179 tongue, 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:13.939 language, 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.959 and nation 00:33:14.959 --> 00:33:16.619 starting today, 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.019 lasting forever 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.779 with the God 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.599 who made you 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.500 and set you 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.939 free to enjoy 00:33:21.939 --> 00:33:23.259 such wonderful 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:25.079 and life-giving 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.720 love 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:27.079 with Him. 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.879 That's 00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.599 what you're 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.160 free for. 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.660 Let's pray. 00:33:32.879 --> 00:33:33.660 Jesus, 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:34.539 praise you 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:36.500 for making 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.500 us free 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:37.980 indeed 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:39.440 and would 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.599 you protect 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.400 us 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.980 from giving 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.839 back into 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.339 a yoke 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.240 of slavery 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.059 in order to 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:47.160 feel good 00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:47.960 about ourselves 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.879 or impress 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:49.539 you or 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.839 make others 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.420 think we're 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.039 something. 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.460 Forgive us 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.080 for that. 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.200 Forgive us 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:58.019 for failing 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.580 to use 00:33:58.580 --> 00:33:59.300 your freedom 00:33:59.300 --> 00:34:00.240 to love 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.740 the way 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.200 you've loved 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:02.860 us. 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:04.900 Would you 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.200 set our 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:05.920 hearts free, 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.580 our minds 00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:07.539 dreaming, 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:09.820 our lives 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:11.119 as an 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:11.659 offering 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:13.240 to you. 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:14.079 Show us 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.460 what it will 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:14.980 look like 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.440 for each 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:15.980 of us. 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:17.920 Give us 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.559 joy 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.760 in your 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:20.180 freedom. 00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.239 freedom. 00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.440 It's true 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.899 freedom 00:34:21.899 --> 00:34:22.699 you promise 00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.219 us. 00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:24.779 May we 00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:25.059 know it 00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:25.579 more fully 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.299 even today. 00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:27.480 Take our 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:27.980 lives, 00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:28.399 Lord. 00:34:28.899 --> 00:34:29.259 They are 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.179 yours and 00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:32.480 we wouldn't 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:32.719 want to 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:33.179 live them 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.219 for or 00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:34.659 with anyone 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.059 else. 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:36.980 We ask 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.299 that in 00:34:37.299 --> 00:34:37.679 your name. 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.460 Amen. 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:38.579 Amen. 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.579 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:40.579 Amen.