Embracing True Freedom in Christ

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s faithfulness over five years, but even more, it was a call to step into the freedom Christ has already purchased for us. Gratitude filled the room for the love, support, and encouragement of this church family, and we took time to honor those who serve and lead. Yet, as we reflected on all God has done, the Spirit pressed a deeper word: the best is yet to come, and to walk in it, we must be truly free.

Freedom in Christ is not just a theological idea or a future hope—it’s a present reality meant to be lived out daily. Many believers, though alive in Christ, still walk in some form of bondage—whether it’s anger, insecurity, lust, fear, or any other stronghold. These are not just passing moments of weakness, but patterns that restrict us from living in the fullness of what Jesus died to give us. The truth is, believers can be in bondage, and the first step to freedom is honest admission. Denial only keeps us stuck; confession opens the door to deliverance.

Jesus’ words in John 8 remind us that freedom is not just about knowing facts, but about knowing Him. “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This knowing is intimate, relational, and ongoing. Eternal life isn’t just about living forever; it’s about living in daily relationship with God, starting now. The more we know Jesus, the more we experience true freedom.

We saw this illustrated in the story of Lazarus—called from death to life, yet still bound in grave clothes. Many Christians are alive but still wrapped in the remnants of their old life, unable to fully worship, serve, or see God’s vision for them. Jesus’ command, “Loose him and let him go,” is His word for us today. Freedom is possible, but it often requires the help of others, honest confession, and sometimes even radical steps of obedience.

The invitation is clear: bring whatever binds you to Jesus. Whether it’s a mindset, a habit, or a hidden struggle, He has the power to set you free. Freedom is not the absence of temptation, but the presence of authority and the ability to take every thought captive. Leave your burdens at the altar, trust in the finished work of Christ, and walk out your freedom—because whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Believers Can Be in Bondage It is possible for Christians to be genuinely saved and yet still live with areas of bondage—patterns or strongholds that restrict spiritual growth and joy. Denying this reality only perpetuates the cycle; honest recognition is the first step toward deliverance. Jesus addressed believers who were in bondage, not unbelievers, when He spoke of knowing the truth and being set free. [67:06]
• 2. Freedom Begins with Admission True freedom starts when we stop pretending and start confessing. Just as the Israelites denied their history of bondage, many today refuse to acknowledge their struggles, calling them “weaknesses” or minimizing their impact. God cannot heal what we hide; admitting our need is the doorway to transformation. [77:36]
• 3. Knowing Jesus is the Key to Freedom Freedom is not found in religious activity or head knowledge, but in a deep, ongoing relationship with Jesus. Eternal life is not just a future promise but a present experience of knowing God intimately. The more we walk with Him, the more the chains of our old life fall away. [82:35]
• 4. Deliverance is Both Instant and Progressive Like Lazarus, we can be made alive in Christ and yet still carry remnants of our past—grave clothes that need to be removed. Sometimes freedom is immediate, but often it’s a process that involves community, accountability, and persistent faith. Jesus calls us to be fully loosed so we can see, reach, and walk in our God-given purpose. [99:13]
• 5. Freedom Requires Faith and Action Deliverance is received by faith, but it is maintained by taking thoughts captive, resisting temptation, and sometimes making radical changes—like removing sources of temptation or seeking help from others. Freedom is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of Christ’s authority and the willingness to leave our burdens at His feet. [105:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [46:20] - Expressions of Gratitude and Appreciation
• [52:15] - Claiming God’s Promises for the Future
• [56:04] - Celebrating Five Years and Church Announcements
• [58:36] - Introduction to the “Called” Series
• [58:57] - Called to Be Free: Setting the Stage
• [60:35] - Recognizing the Church’s Need for Freedom
• [61:24] - Identifying Bondages Among Believers
• [63:27] - Understanding Spiritual Strongholds
• [65:58] - John 8: The Truth That Sets Us Free
• [67:06] - Believers and Bondage: Breaking Misconceptions
• [69:40] - Defining Bondage and Its Impact
• [73:14] - Freedom From Sin, Not Freedom to Sin
• [77:36] - The Necessity of Admitting Our Bondage
• [82:35] - Knowing Jesus: The Pathway to Freedom
• [90:27] - The Lazarus Illustration: Alive but Bound
• [99:13] - Jesus’ Command: Loose Him and Let Him Go
• [105:00] - Responding to the Call for Freedom
• [107:02] - Prayer and Declaration of Freedom
• [109:53] - Celebrating Freedom in Christ

Bible Reading

John 8:31-36 (ESV) — > So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 11:43-44 (ESV) — > When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Observation Questions

1. In John 8, who is Jesus speaking to when He says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”? What does this tell us about who can experience bondage? [[01:05:58]]
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples of “bondage” that believers might still struggle with, even after coming to Christ? [[01:01:24]]
3. In the story of Lazarus (John 11), what was Lazarus’s condition after Jesus called him out of the tomb, and what did Jesus command others to do for him? [[01:30:05]]
4. What is the difference between “knowing” Jesus and just “meeting” Him, as explained in the sermon? [[01:22:35]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus addressed the issue of bondage to people who already believed in Him, rather than to unbelievers? What does this reveal about the Christian life? [[01:07:06]]
2. The sermon says that freedom begins with honest admission of bondage. Why is denial so dangerous, and how does confession open the door to deliverance? [[01:17:36]]
3. In the Lazarus story, why do you think Jesus involved others in the process of unbinding Lazarus, instead of doing it all Himself? What does this suggest about the role of community in our freedom? [[01:39:13]]
4. The pastor said, “Freedom is not the absence of temptation, but the presence of authority and the ability to take every thought captive.” What does this mean for how we live out our freedom in Christ? [[01:45:57]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon made it clear that believers can still be in bondage to things like anger, insecurity, lust, or fear. Is there an area in your life where you feel “bound” or stuck in a pattern, even though you know Christ? What would it look like to honestly admit this to God or to someone you trust? [[01:17:36]]
2. The Israelites denied their history of bondage, even while living under Roman rule. Are there struggles in your life that you tend to minimize, excuse, or hide? What keeps you from admitting them, and what might change if you brought them into the light? [[01:18:47]]
3. The story of Lazarus shows that sometimes we need others to help us get free. Who in your life could you invite to help you “unwrap” the grave clothes—whether through prayer, accountability, or encouragement? [[01:39:13]]
4. The pastor shared about taking radical steps to break free from bondage, like smashing a cable box or limiting internet access. Is there a practical, maybe even “radical,” step you sense God asking you to take to walk in freedom? What’s holding you back? [[01:42:27]]
5. The sermon said, “Freedom is not the absence of temptation, but the presence of authority.” When you face temptation or old patterns, what is one way you can actively take your thoughts captive and stand in Christ’s authority this week? [[01:45:57]]
6. Eternal life is described as knowing God now, not just living forever. What is one way you can deepen your daily relationship with Jesus this week, so that you experience more of His freedom? [[01:22:35]]
7. The invitation was to “leave your burdens at the altar and not pick them back up.” Is there something you need to leave with Jesus today and trust Him with, instead of carrying it back with you? How can you remind yourself to leave it with Him? [[01:49:09]]