Better Ministry: Liberty!
Alright, praise the Lord! Who is ready to continue our series, Better Ministry?
Last week we had Mother’s Day, and First Lady Amanda helped me close out the sermon. Didn’t she do a fantastic job? She always says she gets nervous speaking, but we can never tell, can we?
As I said, we’ve been in this series called Better Ministry. This series is based upon what we are calling the five basic, or foundational, ministries that Jesus said He came to do in Luke chapter 4 as He read from the prophet Isaiah.
Jesus went to His hometown in Nazareth. He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and preached an eight-word sermon that stirred people up so much they wanted to throw Him off a cliff and kill Him.
I’m glad y’all haven’t tried to throw me off a cliff yet. I did see some people cutting their eyes at one another a few weeks ago when I said, “I’m not here to pet your sins,” but no mob formed, so I was good.
Let’s begin again with the Scripture.
Luke 4:16-21 says:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
In week one we talked about how Jesus came to save. He came to preach the Gospel to the poor in spirit — all humanity — because we are bankrupt before God and cannot save ourselves.
Then we talked about emotional healing because Jesus said He came “to heal the brokenhearted.” Every one of us has experienced brokenness in some form or fashion. Jesus came to heal not just our spirit, but the deepest parts of us emotionally.
Today we are talking about liberty.
Christ came to set you free. He came to bring liberty to everything trying to hold you captive. Whatever has you bound today, you do not have to stay bound.
I declare by faith that whatever has been holding you back, you are walking out free in Jesus’ name.
Point #1 — When God Speaks, Things Happen
When God speaks, things happen.
Genesis 1 repeatedly says:
“Then God said…”
And every time He spoke, creation responded.
Jesus stood in that synagogue and declared:
“I have come to proclaim liberty to the captives.”
Then He said:
“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Christ has spoken it, and it is so. Freedom is available today.
Point #2 — Believers and Unbelievers Can Both Be in Bondage
Some people struggle with the idea that believers can experience bondage, but Scripture teaches it clearly.
Jesus said in John 8:32:
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Most people quote that verse without realizing Jesus was speaking to believers.
John 8:31 says:
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him…”
These were believers.
Jesus was teaching that believers can continue growing in truth and becoming freer and freer through sanctification.
Then in verse 33 they answered:
“We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone.”
That’s funny because Israel had been in bondage to everybody — Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and others.
Sometimes believers do the same thing. They deny bondage while still struggling privately.
Jesus answered in John 8:34:
“Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”
This does not mean someone who falls occasionally. It means someone committed to practicing sin and making allowance for it.
When we continually excuse or allow sin in our lives, we become enslaved to it.
But Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives.
Not all bondage is sinful, but all bondage is spiritual.
In Luke 13, Jesus encountered a woman bent over for eighteen years with a spirit of infirmity. Jesus called her over and said:
“Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”
Immediately she was healed.
Jesus identified her bondage as spiritual and declared freedom over her life.
Point #3 — Whom the Son Sets Free Is Free Indeed
The religious leaders became angry when Jesus healed the woman on the Sabbath.
Not everyone will understand your freedom in Christ. Some people may criticize the changes happening in your life.
They may ask:
“Why don’t you drink anymore?”
“Why don’t you talk like you used to?”
“Why don’t you do the same things anymore?”
The answer is simple:
“I’ve been loosed. I’ve been set free.”
Jesus did not come only to save you for heaven. He came to set you free here on earth from every weight and bondage.
John 8:36 says:
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
The secret to living in liberty is understanding your identity as a son or daughter of God.
You are His child, and you are free.
Because whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
And when He speaks, things happen.