Freedom

Night 3 Freedom I know that over the past couple days many of you have come to know that you can choose life because of God’s love. I am overjoyed to know that some of you have made this decision at some point in life and are in a joyous relationship with God. But the Christian life does not end at salvation. Salvation is rebirth. You still have to grow. Now this is where a lot of the problems I had you write down on your cards the first day come in. Life isn’t easy. Who here has problems in there life? We all have problems and most of them can come back down to sin. Do you ever feel like you wish you could live for God and not mess up but you just can’t? I want to read to you guys Romans 7:14-24 “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” Paul from the Bible had the exact same problem we do. He wanted to do good, but He couldn’t. I love when he says “who will set me free?” Being set free, sounds good doesn’t it ladies? The word used there for free is the word Rhoumai (who am I) It means “to draw to one's self, to rescue, to deliver” Who will set us free? Who will rescue us? You see, Jesus doesn’t just rescue us from hell, but from sin. We have freedom over sin and death. Troubles will come in life. There is no way around that. But Jesus gives those of us with trouble in our lives hope in John 16. “"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage ; I have overcome the world." But what about that one sin that you can’t seem to quite get over. That one sin that is like a huge wall right in front of you and God. Maybe it’s pride. Maybe it’s looking at things you shouldn’t be. Maybe it’s lying. Whatever it is I have hope for you as well. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” But God doesn’t leave things at that. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says “13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.” That is God’s promise to each of you. No matter what you are struggling with God will always be there to help you through it. Now this does not give you permission to continue in your sins. Sin is still a terrible thing. There is no real way to justify sin. Sin hurts you, and it hurts God. One of my favorite verses is Galatians 5:1. It says “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Do you remember the story of the slave girl from our first night? The King set her free not so she could keep being beaten every day, but so that she could be free and live in the palace with Him. Romans 6:1-2 describes this perfectly. “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” I want each of you to realize that you have victory over sin in your life. This is a promise Jesus gives to us. So lets end this night with a promise from God. James 4:7-10 says, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. “