WEBVTT 00:00:00.719 --> 00:00:02.799 Well, good morning, Eastridge. 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:05.200 It is really great to see you. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:06.959 Happy 4th of July weekend. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:10.800 You know, it's it's been a really great weekend for myself and my family. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:21.600 We uh we typically go to Hayward, Wisconsin, where my uh where my parents are, and uh and we're on a lake and it's it's it's very fun, but I don't sleep really well there. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:24.879 So last night I missed the fireworks that were on the lake there. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:27.199 However, they're on the on the third as well. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:30.239 So but I I come to you very rested, uh, which is a good thing. 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:48.320 But also, you know, it's um as I and I actually left there this morning and came here today, and something that was really cool uh that I could see was that uh that I passed by all these little churches that were you know in rural Wisconsin and rural northern Wisconsin on the way here. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:55.520 And I'm just reminded of the unifying spirit that we have with those other churches, with each other. 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:03.359 And something that we are continuously learning about is how we are unified in spirit with one another and those churches as well. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:15.040 So when they are also singing those praises this morning, they're all going up to heaven with ours, which is a really cool concept to think about when we're talking about the Holy Spirit today and where we've been the last few weeks. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:20.159 It's been it's been amazing talking about how the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:38.799 And you know, we we we come back to this idea of of you know of freedom of what we're living in today and what the freedom that we have through the Holy Spirit, because uh freedom is not only an American theme, uh it is one of the central themes of the entire Bible. 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:48.400 And it is, in fact, the anchor verse of this whole series is now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:54.239 And so that it's uh it's how we you know conclude every single thought that we have through this whole series. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:57.200 Um where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:01.439 So today let's actually stop and ask this main question. 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:05.599 What kind of freedom is the spirit even talking about? 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:08.159 If we have this freedom, what is it? 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:12.560 Here's the big idea the spirit sets us free. 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:15.360 Not to do whatever we want, though. 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:17.280 We have to understand that concept. 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:23.680 I'll get into that in a little bit, but to finally become who God has made us to be. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:25.840 And I I love the Fourth of July. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:29.840 I love the fireworks, I love the uh the flags, I love the burgers, of course. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:37.759 And I, you know, um there's nothing more uh American uh than you know donuts as well, so make sure you have one of those as you as you leave. 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:45.840 But the, you know, I'm grateful for the people who paid a price so that I could be here, so that I could experience that freedom as well. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.960 So that kind of freedom is a gift. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:53.199 And it's something that we should never take for granted. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:03:02.960 But I'll tell you something that I've learned is that you can live in the freest nation on the earth and still be a prisoner on the inside. 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:11.919 That, you know, you can you can uh I've known this really personally, that there's been seasons in my life when on paper I was completely free. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:18.240 What where it says, you know, I have I have you know my birth certificate that says I'm here, I have my license that says I'm free. 00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:28.719 You know, it's but really when I when I want to go somewhere, I can do that, uh, I can do what I want, I can say what I want, yet on the inside, feeling like I'm in chains. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:46.800 Like something is bringing me down, chained to what other people have thought about me, chained to a fear that I just could not shake, uh, chained to a sin that I was promising to quit, but just kept on going back to, chained to some to you know, shame. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:52.719 Having that shame is a chain as well, uh, that you know, something that I couldn't undo. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:04:00.000 And here's the thing about those chains no election can really break them. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:08.080 You know, you can try and elect the greatest leader that we could ever could, and the chains that are inside of you are going to still be there. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:15.759 No law can touch them, no amount of national freedom can reach that chain that is bringing you down. 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:22.720 Because the deepest prisons do not have bars, they're on the inside. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:28.000 And that is exactly the freedom the Spirit came to bring for us. 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:33.759 You can be a free citizen and still be a prisoner on the inside. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:36.399 So let me ask you a question this morning. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:38.160 Are you free? 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:46.079 And I don't mean on paper, you know, not as not as a citizen, I mean really, truly free. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:52.399 Because some of you are sitting here this morning free in a very external way. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:58.639 You're free to be here, you're free to leave, you're free to eat as many donuts as you want. 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:06.160 Um, you know, you know, and quietly carrying the chains that you know somebody else needs to take off of you. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:07.759 You're carrying those things. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:12.160 So maybe those chains are a habit that you can't stop. 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:18.240 Maybe those chains are, you know, some anxieties that are just running your life. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:20.319 Not ruining your life, but running your life. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:31.360 Maybe it's exhausting to be on that treadmill of trying to earn everyone's approval, make sure you are friends with everyone, that everyone likes you, and you're trying to do that all the time. 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:37.439 Maybe it's like that shame that I talked about from your past that still whispers at you at night. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:40.000 You're chained to that. 00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:47.199 Maybe it's the fear that if people really knew who you were, that they'd walk away. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:49.759 That's bondage. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.519 And here's the second thing that I want to really name. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:56.560 A lot of us have misunderstood what freedom even is. 00:05:57.120 --> 00:06:00.720 Um, our culture says freedom means no rules, no limits. 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:03.040 You know, you can do whatever you want, nobody tells you what to do. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:06.879 I get to do whatever I feel free to do. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:09.360 But here's the strange thing. 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:17.600 The people chasing that kind of freedom are often the hardest and end up being the most enslaved. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:22.959 You know, it's it's just a, you know, it's not a it's not a chain, it's just a different master. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:24.959 Um, you know, it's not really freedom. 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:28.240 It's it's who is this freedom all about? 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:31.040 Whose freedom? 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:33.680 Who do you belong to? 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:43.279 You need you need to ask that person whose freedom to say whatever they want, whatever they cut whatever costs them that relationship. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:44.319 It's it's out there. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:55.759 It's it's heartbreaking to know that they are chained to a beverage, that they're chained to a relationship, they're chained to a lifestyle. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:07:00.720 The world's version of freedom keeps making promises it cannot keep. 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:07.600 The freedom to do whatever you want often becomes the chain that you cannot break. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:11.120 And that's where we are today. 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:13.279 Standing in those chains. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:17.519 So let's see what the scriptures actually say about this freedom. 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:21.279 Let's go to Romans chapter 8, verses 1 and 2. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.639 It says here. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:29.600 In my Bible. 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:30.800 Here we go. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:35.279 There is, therefore, now no condemnation. 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:36.240 We read this last week. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:41.279 There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:49.120 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:51.040 Set you free. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:52.879 From what? 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:57.040 From the law of sin and death. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:02.879 From the verdict that hangs over a guilty life. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:05.839 Picture a courtroom. 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:06.639 Okay? 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:09.040 The evidence is in. 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:12.959 The charges are real. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:15.439 You are guilty. 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.360 And you know it. 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:32.320 And just as the gavel is about to fall, the judge stands up and announces that the sentence that has already been in front of you is already served. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:35.039 You don't have to serve it anymore. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:40.720 And the person who actually served that sentence for you is the judge's son. 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:44.320 That's what Romans 8 is describing. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.440 No condemnation. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:50.240 Not because the charges weren't real, but because somebody has already served your sentence. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:56.159 Here's what so many people are carrying: a low, constant sense of guilt. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.679 A feeling that God is mostly disappointed in them. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:08.960 A sense that they're one mistake away from being completely rejected by the God of the universe, the God who created them. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:15.759 And the spirit that lives inside all of us, the spirit that we've been talking about the last few weeks, says, no. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:17.600 No. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.679 There is no condemnation. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:23.519 The case is closed. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:27.519 The verdict is in you are free. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:31.519 You don't have to live under that cloud anymore. 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:33.600 The spirit of life has set you free. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:38.320 The first freedom the spirit brings is freedom from the guilt that haunts you. 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:43.919 So now we go to what Paul says in Galatians, which was where we were last week. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:48.080 Galatians 5 1 says this for freedom. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:56.240 Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:58.320 A yoke of slavery. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:01.840 And a yoke is what you put on an ox to make it work. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:08.799 When you want an ox to do the work in the field, you put a yoke on it and it goes to work. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:13.679 So many of us are living the Christian life like exhausted oxen. 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:17.440 Like trying to earn what we already have. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:22.399 Trying to prove ourselves to a God who already loves us. 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:26.720 And believe me, when you're trying to do that, that is a lot of work. 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:29.759 That is a lot of work to prove yourself. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:40.159 I met so many believers who are bone-tired from trying to serve Jesus, from trying to serve and earn what he has already given us for free. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:45.840 They pray, but it feels like you're just kind of clocking in. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:49.039 I just got to get this prayer off my list and I'll move on. 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:51.679 I just have to pray this thing and then I'll be done. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:52.639 I'll be done praying. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:56.080 They serve, but it feels like they're just trying to prove something. 00:10:56.320 --> 00:11:00.559 They come to church to collect a spiritual paycheck and hope that it's enough. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:03.200 Oh, if I just show up to church, that'll be good enough. 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.559 I don't need to do anything else. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.919 I don't need to talk to anybody. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:09.440 I'll grab a donut, but I'm not going to make eye contact with the person who's serving it to me. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:14.080 You know, I'm going to do all these things that are going to help me, and it's going to be all about me. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:22.320 And the spirit that is in you says, stop. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:25.679 You don't have to do that anymore. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:28.000 You don't have to live that way anymore. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:29.840 Jesus already did that. 00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:34.240 And when the spirit lives in you, you stop working for acceptance. 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:38.399 And you start working from acceptance. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:39.679 Let me say that again. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:45.840 When the spirit lives in you, you stop working for acceptance and you start working from that acceptance. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:47.200 That's freedom. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:53.279 You're not a slave trying to earn wages, you're a child enjoying time spent with his father. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:58.240 Now this is where we have to be careful. 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:03.600 Because the moment people hear freedom, like I said, some hear, great, I can do whatever I want. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:07.120 There's freedom in whatever I want to do. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:09.039 Paul saw that coming. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.440 In Galatians 5.13, it says this. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:12.879 I want you to hear this. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.320 Galatians 5.13. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:16.960 For you were called to freedom, brothers. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:25.840 Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:28.240 Serve one another. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.200 Did you catch that? 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.120 You were called to freedom. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.960 We are all called to freedom. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:35.919 If the Spirit is in you, you are called to live a free life. 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:39.120 But don't use your freedom as a launch pad for sin. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.399 That says, you know what? 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:42.480 I you know, I have this freedom in Christ. 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:47.759 I can do whatever I want now, and I'm gonna go sin, and you know, it's just gonna be the way I live. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.919 It's not what we get to do. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.159 Here's the picture that I can't shake. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:13:03.759 Um a few months ago, actually, it was in I want to say November, um, I bought a fish that is still alive somehow. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:08.320 Um, and I use it as an illustration of what it's like to live out of water. 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:08.799 Okay? 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:13.600 And I said that that that fish needs to live in that water, otherwise it will die. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:17.360 And somehow it's still surviving at my house. 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:24.080 But if you take that fish out of water, what's gonna happen? 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:27.120 Kids, what's gonna happen if you take the fish out of the water? 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.320 It's gonna die. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:28.879 Exactly. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.320 It's going to die. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:36.000 Because true freedom is not about an absence of all limits. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:42.159 The true freedom is living the way you were designed to live. 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:46.639 A fish is meant to live in the water. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:51.759 A train is free on the tracks. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:14:01.120 You can try, believe me, I've I know people who have you know try to make this work, to see a train that works without having tracks on it. 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.480 It's really difficult. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.759 It doesn't work. 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:10.320 And you are made free to live the way God made us to live. 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.600 In that freedom. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.399 Think about it. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:18.960 Some of us, some of the most miserable people you will ever meet have the fewest limits and the most options. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:32.399 And some of the most settled, joyful, free people you'll ever meet are living inside the good boundaries of a life completely surrendered to God. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:36.000 That is not a coincidence. 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:40.320 We were built to run on certain tracks. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:46.000 And when we jump the tracks chasing freedom, we don't fly, we crash. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.039 Think about that. 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:57.120 When when you see how we're uh how a train is supposed to stay on the tracks, to stay the course to get to its destination, if it goes off of those tracks, it crashes. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.960 It's the same for us. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:08.399 Sin promises freedom and delivers complete slavery. 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:19.600 The Spirit asks us to give up something, so some of these so-called freedoms that we think we have and delivers actual life. 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:23.919 Sin is not freedom dressed up. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:29.039 Real freedom is what sin is all has only been imitating. 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:38.320 Meaning that that when we are sinning and we think that we are free, it's imitating what true freedom really is: living in the Spirit. 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.279 And here is the destination. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:46.960 We are not just free from things, we are set free for something. 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:51.279 Look at the end of that verse again. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:57.759 In Galatians 5.13, it says, through love, serve one another. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:04.799 The Spirit set you free so that you can finally love the way you were made to love. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:10.799 Free from having to protect yourself, you can serve. 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:15.679 Free from having to prove yourself, you can give yourself. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:20.399 Free from beginning, being consumed with yourself, you can actually see other people. 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:28.320 When you are so consumed with yourself, when you have that selfie, when you have that mirror in front of you, you can't see what other people need. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:31.120 There's freedom there. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.960 And it goes even further. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:38.480 Let's go back to that anchor verse of 2 Corinthians 3.18. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:49.679 And we all have with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:53.679 For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:59.039 The Spirit sets us free so that we can be transformed. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:06.079 That is the freedom of heaven leaking into your life right now. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:14.880 The Spirit doesn't just set you free from your worst, he set you free for your best, becoming like Jesus. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:22.079 And before I go into this next part, uh I I my uh my ear just popped really crazy, okay? 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:28.480 And I've been swimming with my kids and doing these other things, so um there was a distraction that was going on in my head. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:31.119 So whoever was praying for that distraction to end, thank you. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.000 I appreciate it. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:35.440 Um but uh but but here's the here's the real idea. 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:38.160 The question that that matters the most. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:41.759 How do we get this freedom? 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:50.559 This freedom that I've been talking about the last you know 20 minutes or so, how do we get this freedom? 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:53.440 We have to start with the hard truth. 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:57.519 You cannot free yourself. 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.359 You can't. 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:06.400 A prisoner cannot pardon himself, a slave cannot purchase his own freedom. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:12.240 And no matter how hard you try, you cannot break the chains of your own sin by just trying harder. 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:16.960 Willpower has never once set a captive free. 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:21.920 We needed someone to come from the outside and break in. 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:27.920 And here is the most hopeful news the world has ever heard. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:32.960 God did not leave us in our chains. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.440 He came for us. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:48.000 Not after we cleaned ourselves up, not after we got our act together, while we were still slaves, still rebels, still face down in our own sin, he came to us. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:55.039 But God who shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:01.359 And listen to how Jesus described his own mission. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:04.079 On the very first day he stood up to preach. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:06.960 He opened the scroll and read these words about himself. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:11.599 In Luke 4.18, the Spirit of the Lord is upon me. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:19.759 This is Jesus talking about himself now, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:27.279 He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:30.000 Do you hear that? 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:39.839 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, said his whole mission was to set prisoners free. 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:43.119 This is not just a side project. 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:47.039 This is the whole mission of Jesus Christ. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:53.599 And to do it, he walked straight toward a cross. 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.599 Think about what happened there. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:20:05.200 The only true free man who ever lived himself became bound when they carried him to that cross. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:08.000 He was bound so that we could be loosed. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:13.200 He was condemned so that we could hear the words again, no condemnation before you. 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:43.039 That is the word the Bible reaches for us to describe the cross. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:48.559 Jesus walked into the marketplace of our slavery. 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:52.480 He paid the full price with his own blood. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:56.079 And he walked us out free. 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:03.759 You were not freed on a technicality. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:11.279 You were bought at the highest price in the universe and set free. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:20.079 But the story does not end at the cross because three days later the tomb was empty, which is what we celebrate on Easter. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:29.039 Death itself, the final prison, the last chain on every human being who has ever lived was defeated. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.759 And here is what that means for you this morning. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:37.759 If Jesus walked out of his own grave, there is no chain in your life that he cannot break. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:46.000 There is no prison strong enough, no sin too deep, there is no habit too old, no person too far gone, not you, not ever. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:51.920 If Jesus walked out of his grave, there is no chain in your life that he cannot break. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:54.400 And now here is where the Holy Spirit comes in. 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:57.119 The Holy Spirit who we've been talking about for weeks now. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:59.599 Because everything Jesus did, he did. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:04.319 2,000 years ago on a hill outside of Jerusalem. 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:09.680 So how does that freedom get from there all the way here today? 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.519 There's only one answer. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.759 The Holy Spirit. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.400 Listen to what the promise says in the Bible. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:33.920 It says in Romans 8 11, if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit who dwells in you. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.599 So I want to offer this up today. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.559 A response. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:45.599 A response to that good news. 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:51.599 You know, if if if you know who Christ is, you are free, and you are free indeed. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:55.359 There is a joy that comes from being a freed person. 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.400 You need to feel that. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:23:02.640 But also we need to do something else that helps us understand the depth of this death. 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:05.680 How the Holy Spirit works. 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:11.039 Why the Holy Spirit is here today is because we are to be set free. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.640 So let me bring this home. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:20.240 This weekend, we have celebrated that freedom has come at a great cost. 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:27.920 We know that, and we we we have that etched in our mind now that 250 years ago that freedom was paid for. 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:32.079 The freedom to live in this nation as free citizens. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:36.400 But 2,000 years ago, that looked a lot different. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:46.640 There's a greater cost that the Son gave for us through blood, through death, through resurrection. 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:51.759 So the worship team is gonna come back up here. 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:57.680 And, you know, I want you all to do something with me on this 4th of July weekend. 00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:03.039 This is this is kind of a different thing, but but I want you to really pay attention to what's going on here. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:06.480 That right where you are right now, okay, it's okay. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:12.400 The worship team is gonna play some music underneath here, but right now where you are, uh, you know, bow your heads and close your eyes, okay? 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:14.400 Just bow your heads and close your eyes. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:20.319 And with with no one looking around, I want this conversation to be between just you and God. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:33.359 Because I know that some of you came here this morning carrying chains, that you were just so tired of carrying around. 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:49.839 A guilt that you cannot shake, shame that you cannot outrun, a sin in your life that you keep going back to, a fear that runs your life. 00:24:50.960 --> 00:25:01.440 And this morning, maybe for the first time, you realize that you do not have to stay in that cell, you do not have to stay chained. 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:07.200 Jesus already paid to set you free. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:12.559 His death purchased your true freedom. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:15.200 And it is a gift. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:23.119 You cannot earn it, you cannot buy it, you can only receive it. 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:28.799 So with your heads down, your eyes closed still right now, here's what I want to offer you today. 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:52.880 If you today are ready to stop trying to free yourself, and you're ready to turn from your sin, ready to trust Jesus and receive the gift of freedom that his death purchased, and to receive his spirit, who sets you free from the inside out, that I want to pray with you. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:58.400 And so that I can pray with you, I want to invite you to respond. 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:18.880 With every head still bowed and every eye still closed, if that is the cry of your heart this morning, right where you are sitting, if you are ready to receive the freedom of Christ, or if you want to recommit yourself to that faith in freedom, just simply raise your hand. 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:24.319 Just slip it up where I can see it. 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.160 I see your hands. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.839 So keep them raised. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.279 Don't rush this moment. 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:43.359 If this is still something that's that you're going through in your heart, in your mind. 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:50.960 If this is still something that you want to commit to, just slowly raise your hand. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.759 Keep them up for just a moment. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:58.559 God sees you. 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:05.200 And all of heaven is rejoicing over you right now. 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:07.920 Thank you. 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:10.720 You can put your hands down, you can open your eyes. 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:22.559 Now, everyone who raised your hand, and anyone else who's who who is whose heart is ready to receive that, I'm gonna lead you in a simple prayer. 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:25.119 And you don't have to get these words perfect. 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:30.720 God is not listening for these perfect words, He is looking at your heart right now. 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:35.200 So if you mean it, pray it with me this morning. 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:37.119 In your heart right now. 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:44.400 Say it in your heart, Jesus, I cannot free myself. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:48.799 I have sinned and I need you. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:55.200 I believe you died in my place and rose from the grave. 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:02.720 I believe your death paid the full price for my freedom. 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:07.599 Today I turn from my sin. 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:12.640 Today I put my trust in you. 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:19.279 I receive your gift of forgiveness and freedom. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:23.680 Fill me with your Holy Spirit. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:32.240 Set me free and lead me for the rest of my life. 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:37.279 Thank you for making me your own. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.599 In Jesus' name. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.880 Amen. 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:49.359 And if you prayed that prayer this morning and you meant it, hear me on the authority of God's word. 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:51.440 The chains are off. 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:56.160 You are forgiven. 00:28:56.799 --> 00:29:00.720 The Spirit of God now lives in you. 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:05.279 You are free indeed. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:09.440 Please do not keep that a secret. 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:13.039 Tell me or tell someone on our team today. 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:17.200 Uh, if you, you know, we have those cards that are in the seat back in front of you. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:23.279 If you feel like you want to fill one of those out to let us know your commitment today, just let us know. 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:25.440 We would love to talk with you. 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:31.279 We would love nothing more than to celebrate with the people that are in heaven celebrating right now as well. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:36.400 And now, would you stand with me, church, as we go into more worship? 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:41.279 Because everything we have said this morning comes down to one thing together. 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:45.759 The freedom we could never win, Christ won it. 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:50.240 The chains we could never break, he broke them. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:57.519 The life that we could never live, he now lives in us by his spirit. 00:29:58.559 --> 00:30:06.000 Not by strength, not by striving, not I, but Christ in me.