Embracing Freedom: A Call to Action

Devotional

Day 1: Christ Sets Us Free for a Purpose

Freedom in Christ is not just for our own benefit, but so that we can stand firm and refuse to return to the chains that once held us, living out our calling to help others experience the same freedom. Jesus has broken every yoke of slavery—whether it’s shame, addiction, fear, or regret—and calls us to live boldly in that freedom, never going back to what once defined us. This freedom is both a gift and a responsibility, empowering us to partner with Jesus in bringing hope and liberation to those still trapped in darkness. Stand firm, plant your feet in the new life Christ has given you, and let your story become a weapon against the enemy’s lies. [41:00]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to return to old chains or patterns? How can you stand firm in Christ’s freedom today and refuse to go back?

Day 2: Your Story + God’s Grace = Freedom for Others

Your freedom story—no matter how messy or broken—combined with God’s grace, is a powerful tool that Jesus wants to use to set others free. You are not called to hide your past or your struggles, but to let them become a testimony of what Jesus can do, reaching into the lives of those who feel hopeless or unworthy. When you share how Christ met you in your weakness and brought you out of darkness, you become a living invitation for others to experience the same transformation. Free people, free people; your story is not just about you, but about the next person who needs hope. [40:13]

1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear your freedom story? What step can you take this week to share how Jesus has changed you?

Day 3: Jesus Did Everything Necessary Before We Even Turned to Him

Before you ever looked in Jesus’ direction, He had already done everything needed for your freedom—He loved you, died for you, and made a way for you to be set free from guilt, shame, and condemnation. You don’t have to earn your way to God or clean yourself up first; Christ’s sacrifice is complete, and your new life begins the moment you say yes to Him. This truth means you can approach God with confidence, knowing that your past does not disqualify you from His love or His plans for your future. [29:09]

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Reflection: In what ways do you still try to earn God’s love or approval? How can you rest today in the truth that Jesus has already done everything necessary for your freedom?

Day 4: The Church Is a Forward Outpost, Not a Fortress

The church is not meant to be a safe fortress where we hide from the world, but a forward outpost—strategically placed to equip and send people into the darkest places to bring freedom, hope, and healing through Jesus. We are called to go where Jesus isn’t yet known, to serve, rescue, and restore those who are still enslaved, and to plant new outposts of freedom wherever God leads. Our mission is not to settle for comfort or safety, but to be brave, pioneering warriors who refuse to let the enemy have the final word over our communities and families. [45:13]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Reflection: Where is God calling you to step out of your comfort zone and be part of His mission to bring freedom to others? What is one practical way you can serve as an “outpost” this week?

Day 5: It Will Take Everything—But Jesus Is Worth It

To partner with Jesus in bringing freedom to others will require everything: your time, your resources, your plans, and your willingness to step onto the battlefield for the sake of those still in chains. The call is costly, but the reward is eternal—seeing lives, families, and generations transformed by the power of Christ. When you bring everything to Jesus, holding nothing back, you become part of a movement that can shake the gates of hell and bring hope to the hopeless. The journey starts now; are you willing to say, “Here I am, use me”? [01:03:32]

Luke 9:23 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Reflection: What is one thing you are holding back from Jesus? What would it look like to bring Him everything and trust Him with your “from now on”?

Sermon Summary

Freedom is at the very heart of what Jesus has done for us. Long before we ever turned toward Him, Christ accomplished everything necessary for us to be set free from the chains of guilt, shame, addiction, and brokenness. This freedom is not just a personal gift to be enjoyed in isolation; it is a calling and a mission. We are invited to stand firm in that freedom, refusing to return to the yoke of slavery, and to partner with Jesus in bringing that same freedom to others who are still trapped and hurting.

Our stories—especially the messy, broken, and shameful parts—are not liabilities but powerful testimonies of God’s grace. When we combine our freedom stories with the mercy and power of Jesus, we become dangerous to the gates of hell. The church is not meant to be a fortress where we hide from the world, but a forward outpost, a base camp from which we launch rescue missions into enemy territory. We are called to go where Jesus isn’t yet known, to bring hope, healing, and freedom to those who are still enslaved.

This is a pivotal moment for us as a church. We are being called out of comfort, out of neutrality, and into a season of bold, sacrificial action. The needs around us are overwhelming—addiction, broken families, human trafficking, spiritual darkness—but we are not powerless. Jesus has entrusted us with His mission, and He is with us. Our answer to Him must be “yes,” even before we know the full cost or the details. We are to bring everything we have—our resources, our stories, our willingness—to the table, trusting that God will use us to set captives free.

The journey ahead will require everything. It will mean building and equipping outposts of freedom, investing deeply in the rescue and restoration of the most vulnerable, and refusing to settle for a safe, comfortable version of church. We are to be a people who declare war on the darkness, who refuse to let the enemy steal, kill, and destroy on our watch. Free people, free people. This is our calling, our privilege, and our mission—from now on.

Key Takeaways

1. Freedom in Christ is both a gift and a calling. Jesus set us free not just for our own sake, but so that we could become agents of freedom for others. Our past chains—guilt, shame, addiction—no longer define us, but they do equip us to empathize with and reach those still in bondage. The freedom we have received is meant to be shared, not hoarded. [19:44]
2. Our greatest ministry often flows from our greatest wounds. The places of deepest failure and pain in our lives become the very places where God’s grace shines brightest. When we are honest about our brokenness, we invite others to believe that freedom is possible for them too. God uses our “me too” stories to break chains in others. [32:26]
3. The church is called to be a forward outpost, not a fortress. We are not meant to hide from the world or simply maintain what we have. Instead, we are to equip, supply, and send out disciples into the darkest places, bringing hope and freedom where it is most needed. Our mission is to go, not to stay. [45:13]
4. The battle for freedom is costly and requires everything. To partner with Jesus in setting captives free means holding nothing back—our time, our resources, our comfort, even our reputations. The enemy is real and the stakes are high, but Jesus has already won the decisive victory. Our role is to say “yes” and step onto the battlefield, trusting Him with the outcome. [51:05]
5. Free people, free people. The most powerful weapon we have is our own freedom story, combined with the grace of Jesus. As we go, we do not go alone; we go as part of an army, a movement, a family on mission. The future of countless lives depends on our willingness to bring everything to Jesus and to fight for the freedom of others, no matter the cost. [58:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:07] - Hail King Jesus & Opening Prayer
[19:21] - Experiencing Freedom in Christ
[20:32] - Launching the “Be Free” Journey
[21:44] - The Call to Bring Freedom to Others
[22:41] - Guidebooks and Engaging the Journey
[24:39] - The Stakes: Our Future and the World’s
[29:09] - My Story: Freedom and Calling
[32:26] - Ministry from Brokenness
[36:40] - Everyone Has a Freedom Story
[40:45] - Galatians 5:1 – The Purpose of Freedom
[45:13] - Church as Outpost, Not Fortress
[49:29] - A Call to Boldness and Truth
[51:05] - The Cost and Call of Spiritual War
[54:43] - Rescuing the Vulnerable: Human Trafficking
[58:58] - Free People, Free People
[62:45] - What Will It Take?
[64:45] - Stand Firm in Freedom
[66:55] - Closing Prayer and Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Galatians 5:1 (ESV) — > For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Observation Questions

According to Galatians 5:1, what is the purpose of the freedom Christ gives us? What does Paul warn us not to do after being set free?
In the sermon, what are some examples of “chains” or “slavery” that people are set free from through Jesus? ([21:44])
The pastor described the church as a “forward outpost” rather than a “fortress.” What does he mean by that? ([45:13])
What does the phrase “free people, free people” mean in the context of the sermon? ([42:41])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes “stand firm” after being set free? What might it look like to “submit again to a yoke of slavery” in our lives today? ([41:00])
The pastor said our greatest ministry often flows from our greatest wounds. Why might God use our brokenness and past struggles to help others? ([32:26])
The sermon challenges the idea of church as a place to hide from the world. What are the risks and rewards of seeing church as a “base camp” for rescue missions instead? ([45:13])
The pastor calls the church to “declare war on the darkness” and to bring everything—time, resources, stories—to the table. What might hold someone back from saying “yes” to this kind of calling? ([51:05])

Application Questions

The sermon says, “Freedom in Christ is both a gift and a calling.” In what ways have you experienced freedom in your own life? Is there an area where you still feel chained or stuck? ([19:44])
The pastor shared that his greatest ministry came from his greatest failures and weaknesses. Is there a part of your story—maybe something messy or painful—that God could use to help someone else? What would it look like to share that honestly? ([32:26])
The church is called to be a “forward outpost.” What is one practical way you (or your group) could move from comfort or neutrality into action for the sake of others’ freedom? ([45:13])
The needs around us—addiction, broken families, human trafficking—can feel overwhelming. What is one specific need or group of people God is putting on your heart? How could you take a first step to get involved? ([54:43])
The pastor said, “Our answer to Him must be ‘yes,’ even before we know the full cost or the details.” Is there something God is asking you to say “yes” to right now? What is holding you back? ([28:18])
“Free people, free people.” Who in your life is still trapped or hurting? How could you come alongside them, share your story, or invite them into the freedom you’ve found in Jesus? ([58:58])
The journey ahead “will require everything.” What is one comfort, resource, or plan you might need to hold more loosely in order to join Jesus in His mission? ([51:05])

Sermon Clips

If Jesus is king, he doesn't really ask or suggest. He makes commands, right? Do this. Follow me, pick up a cross. So what is he telling us to do? And then we're gonna look around at the needs of a very lost and broken world we live in and ask God this question, what could we do? What do you want us to do to join you in what you're already doing? Like, we're not trying to make stuff up and then ask God to get on board with our plan. We're looking around going, God, what are you already doing? And we wanna get on board with what you're doing. [00:21:08]

What are we willing to do? What to give up to sacrifice? What are we willing to fight for in order to bring the freedom that only Jesus can bring to people in this world who are trapped, imprisoned, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, sexually, literally, physically? We're gonna talk about all that by an enemy that has one agenda, to steal, kill and destroy them. That's all the devil wants for their life. [00:21:41]

Because the future literally hangs in the balance for a lot of us. Like what our walk with Jesus is gonna look like based on what we do with these next six weeks. And not only that, but then how we're gonna come together as a church. What's the future of this church gonna be? And I'm not exaggerating that the future hangs in the balance for literally millions of people and families that we don't know yet. We haven't met them yet, but we know this. They don't know what it means to experience the freedom that only Jesus can bring. [00:24:29]

While I was still a sinner, God demonstrated his level of love for me in this is that he sent Christ to die for me. Now, he did that before I believed. Listen, I was baptized. I was a pastor's kid. I was baptized when I was 8. But I put all that to the side. You know, Christians were the meanest people I've ever met in my life. I went to church and stuff like that. But my relationship with Jesus was very, very distant and at arm's length. Okay. I was kind of mad at Jesus, as a matter of fact. [00:29:11]

So before I believed in Jesus, before I trusted him with anything, before I repented or changed my mind, before I changed anything, while I was actively sinning against. While I was rejecting God. Meaning this, I grew up in church. I know what God said. Here's my answer. No. When I was doing all that, God knew that a day would come when I would look back in his direction and go, I just need some help, right? I need some help in my life, God. If it's not too late for me. And he made sure that everything, according to everything, was already prepared and already finished, right? So that I could be Free. Free from condemnation, from guilt, from shame, from the wounds of my past. [00:29:35]

When I started walking with Jesus, gotta be honest with you, I wasn't healed in an instant. Like, I still got some wounds, right? I mean, they're getting better, right? But I was saved immediately and I was set free in that moment. And if you would've asked me in that moment in that parking lot at Milligan College down in Tennessee, like, hey, in that moment, Jim, what do you think is now possible for you that wasn't possible before this moment when I became a free person? And here's my answer. My answer would have been everything. Everything's now possible for me. All things are now possible for me. And a week ago, I'm not sure they were. But now that Jesus is in my life and he's setting me free from these things, I can honestly say this. [00:30:14]

Looking back at that freedom moment, like the moment after that freedom moment, I can now look back and see that not only did God choose to set me free individually through Jesus, but his plan, it didn't make sense in the moment. I didn't see it in the moment. His plan all along was to send me back to where I came from. Hey, Jim, I'm gonna save you. Then I'm send you back to the same pig pen that I pulled you out of. Back to the places where there are men and women just like me still trapped in the same chains of guilt and shame, condemnation, all kinds of debt, fear and pride. Let's just call it what the Bible calls it, still trapped in slavery. He said, I'm gonna save you and then I'm send you back so that they have the same chance to experience what I have been able to experience freely at Christ's expense. Freedom. [00:30:56]

I can't save anybody way above my pay grade, okay? I can't set anybody free. I don't have the magic sermon to do that. Only Jesus can do that. But he sent me back to deliver the message that freedom is. And Jesus is the only one who can do it. And I know it's true. I'm not making this stuff up because he did it for me. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. [00:31:46]

My greatest point of connection with anybody is pointing back to my greatest failures and weaknesses. Like the shameful parts of my life where Jesus came to me in that loved me, accepted me as I was, but loved me too much to let me stay that way. Right? We just sang it, right? It's okay. It's okay to not be okay. Welcome. It's just not okay to stay. Not okay. See, when I was weak in this, your story, when I was weak, he was strong. I had big sin. You know what? Jesus had bigger grace. His grace is bigger than anything we've ever done wrong. [00:32:21]

Why do I care about addiction? Because I'm not. Again, this is not hyperbole. I know me and I have thought about it. I am five minutes away, one text message, one drink, one decision away from blowing up everything. Why do I care so much about kids of the next generation? Because my childhood got abused and broken. It took me decades. I didn't even start working on the junk for my childhood till I was 50. It took decades to replace the lie with the truth of who I really am and what I'm really worth to God and to some other people. [00:33:55]

I don't. We don't. You don't. We don't need. Give me another chance. Give me a second chance at life or marriage or parenting or sobriety. Why? Cause on my own, I'll just screw that one up, too. If you give me a third one and a fourth one, I'll jack it up, too. What I need is what Jesus promised in John chapter three. I need a whole new life. Life from above. I need a new identity. I need a new future. I need a new heart put in me. And here's the good news. All right? Write this down or take a picture. All you need is the blood of Christ. And all you have is from now on. We just sang it. And if you have everything else but don't have that, you have nothing. [00:35:24]

There was a day when, by definition, we were slaves to something. And here's what I mean by that. Something that didn't come from God, which means it's a lie. You believed. You believed a lie that was different than what God said was true about you. And when you believe that, then you operate out of that and it owns you. And it interferes with every relationship, every conversation, with your parenting, with your marriage. You believe the lie, and so you turn to things that are not God to try to medicate or whatever that is. [00:36:46]

But something happened. Some of us can remember the moment, some of it. It was a season, right? But you were washed. You didn't wash yourself. You were made holy. You can't make yourself holy. You were bought out of your change. You were justified, right? Later, in Galatians 5, Paul's about to show us that as good as your freedom is, it's not the end of your story. [00:39:23]

But Jesus didn't save me just for me. I believe he also saved you and me because he knew that if we're willing to take our messy, ugly, embarrassing. I wish it was different freedom story and combine that with what's possible, with Jesus, grace and mercy of Jesus and what Jesus wants to do in another person's life. God teaches us that people that are messy, ugly, embarrassing, lost and broken just like we were, could be set free. [00:39:53]

Your story and God's grace are a dangerous combination that Jesus will use to shake the gates of hell. That's our plan, okay? Literally, what shakes the gates of hell? Literally. Knock down the prison gates of hell, go to the other side, go into hell if we have to, and grab prisoners and bring them home to Jesus. [00:40:24]

We weren't set free just to sit still. Paul's saying that. Who wrote this? Christ has set you free for a reason. And it's not just to get you out of hell. I mean, thank you, that's good enough. But in the same verse, he says, here's the what for, okay? You were set free to partner with Jesus for the purpose of setting other people free. That's how you're here. Somebody partnered with Jesus years ago, and now you're sitting here going, I am free. [00:41:46]

Freedom is not a trophy that you hang on your wall. It's a weapon we take into enemy territory. I'm armed with freedom. If you've been rescued, you just don't come to church and sing and celebrate. You go back into the darkness and you pull somebody else out of the pig pen, right? You've heard this before. You experience hurt people. Hurt people. Same truth, different application. How about this? Free people. Free people. [00:42:19]

Somewhere along the line over the last 2,000 years, right, we started treating church like it was a fortress. Like, this is the fortress. Like, this is the destination. You know, it's safe. We have good music. We hope people find us like we found it and wonder in. I mean, I got mine. Good luck finding yours. But Jesus, this is gonna disrupt some of your church stuff, all right? Jesus never told us to build fortresses. He never even told us to build big churches to escape from the world. He told us, whatever church you find yourself in, get up and leave. Go right? Be like, go. Go where? To where Jesus isn't. And do what? Teach them. And tell them what Jesus has done for you. Your freedom story. [00:45:15]

If all we do is come to church and hide inside the fort. If all we do is have our weekly holy huddle in our church buildings. But we don't get up from here and go out and fight for the freedom of others. I don't care how meaningful a message is or how good the music is or the sound or lights or whatever. If this becomes the destination, if this is the finish line, we've made it to here. We've already lost the mission. And the enemy will continue to steal, kill and destroy and enslave while we sit inside of our. [00:47:13]

I'm calling us. You, to be done with whatever neutered. Bury our heads in the sand, not my problem. Version of church that describes too many churches in America. I'm calling you to be consistent. Being done with whatever version of church that's weak and powerless and afraid to offend anyone's feelings because of Jesus truth. Jesus truth. Listen, right? Not Jim's truth. You didn't come here to hear Flatiron's truth. Not the Republican truth. Democrat truth. Not Trump's truth. Not Charlie Kirk's truth. Not Taylor Swift's truth. Jesus truth. Pick any color flag you want. No. What does Jesus say is true about that? That's what I'm gonna preach. That's what I'm gonna hold on to. [00:49:21]

Today, I'm not inviting some weak of a word. I'm calling you up to join me and thousands of other disciples to plant a flag called Be Free Today. I'm calling you to join me in this. Look at this. We declare war against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly places we're coming to. Cause you're enslaving our souls, our minds, our emotions, our identities. You're slaughtering our children and our families. I'm calling you up to enlist. In the fight against a very real enemy who delights, enjoys, rejoices at one and only goal. The stealing, killing and destruction of the most vulnerable people on the planet. And we're done with it. We will be the department of war. Spiritual warfare. Okay. I'm calling us to war and to stop playing. Not to lose defense anymore. Jesus has entrusted with his church. This is our turn. This is our watch. It is time to let go of the past and move on. Move forward. How far? To the ends of the earth. How long until Jesus comes back? Here's what I want him to find us doing. Rescuing. One more. One more. One more. One more. One more. [00:50:05]

We will get up off our knees and we will go fight for freedom until it rains in every home, every marriage, every family, every school and every government hall, every chamber who mistakenly think they can determine and enslave the future of our children. Not on our watch. We're done with it, all right? We. We are. Come on. I couldn't wait to get here. We are the followers of Jesus. And we will no longer be silent if Jesus listen. If Jesus is lord of all like we just sang about, then it means Jesus is lord of Colorado. Colorado belongs to Jesus. And he wants it back. [00:51:43]

We will also go into places we've never been before. New frontiers, new cities, new neighborhoods. We will reach people we've never met. We will plant more campuses, more churches, all over the place until. How about this? Until no one in the front range from Wyoming to Springs, right? It's more than 20 minutes away from an outpost of freedom. And I get it. That's a lot. It's overwhelming, it's daunting. And the enemy is real. And we know they fight back, they shoot back. But they have awakened a beast called the Church of Jesus Christ. [00:52:16]

This is not a pep rally. This is not a drill. This is not a PR campaign. This is not a fundraiser. This is a declaration of war. Not against anybody, but for people's souls. And we will not retreat. We won't quit. Or to quote Winston Churchill, we will never, never, never, never give up. And we cannot fail. We will not fail because the Lord is on our side and we are on the Lord's side. And we won't fail or retreat until every enslaved soul has a chance to be free or Jesus comes back. Whichever happens first. [00:52:46]

If giving them a chance at freedom takes everything I have, then Jesus, Lord Jesus, Jesus. I bring you everything. Everything. Okay, so this is it. The journey starts now. Nothing's changed. The future starts now. [01:03:41]

When we were in chains. We stood in one place because we were chained. That's not the same thing as standing firm. Now that we're free, we got to plant our feet someplace different and we got to kind of make up our minds. I'm not going back. I'm not going back to that. We're gonna talk about that next week. I'm not going back to slavery. That doesn't get to own me or define me anymore. I'm not going to surrender. We won't fail because we have been set free. And free people, free people, even if it costs us everything. [01:04:58]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?