Kingdom of Freedom

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-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --

Title: A Kingdom of Freedom

Last week: Ron said you have to pick a kingdom.

Colossians 1:13–14 (NIV)

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

John 8:31–32 (NIV)

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 Easter is not just an event we celebrate once a year — it is the hinge of history upon which every day of our lives is meant to swing.

The cross purchased our freedom.

The empty tomb confirmed it.

The question is: are we actually living free?

Romans 6:4 (NIV)

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Jesus was risen and we need live like it.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Christ has set us free — that’s the act.

Stand firm — that’s our response.

Freedom is given, but it must also be chosen, walked in, and maintained.

When Jesus died, veil of the Temple — the massive curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place — was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).

This was not incidental. It was bold statement written by the hand of God.

The veil was a physical declaration: you cannot come in. Your sin disqualifies you. 

When it tore, God was saying: that system is over, Sins power to separate you from me has been cancelled.

Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV)

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Many of us are like prisoners who have been released but are still sitting in the cell. The door is open. The warden handed you the paperwork. But you have not stood up yet.

 Romans 8:1 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!

The resurrection did not just forgive us — it re-created us. 

Not only am I forgiven, but re created into something new.

So how does this become my reality?

1 Samuel 30:6 (NRSV)

6 David was in great danger; for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit for their sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? ... You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself: 'Hope thou in God'—instead of muttering in this depressed, unhappy way."

We can’t just be spectator to our own emotions, instead we must become a preacher to our own soul.

ANTs automatic negative thoughts

Romans 6:11 (NIV)

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

 Romans 8:11 (NIV)

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

 Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

2 Peter 1:3–4 (NIV)

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

My problems don’t define Me, my failures don’t define me.

I am forgiven. I am a new creation. The Spirit who raised Jesus lives in me. My future is secured. I do not have to live the way I used to live. God has given me everything I need to live the life he has called me too.

John 11:43-44 (NIV)

Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.

Freedom needs a family. 

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