Experiencing True Freedom and Love in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Experiencing the Life of Christ

Knowing Christ is more than intellectual acknowledgment; it’s about experiencing His life within us. This experience transforms us, making us free from the world's bondage. We are in the world but not of it, living out the life of Christ daily. When we truly experience Christ, we begin to see the world differently. Our priorities shift, and we find ourselves drawn to things that reflect His love and grace. This transformation is not just a one-time event but a continuous journey of growing closer to Him and allowing His life to be evident in ours.

As we navigate our daily lives, it’s essential to remember that Christ’s life within us empowers us to overcome challenges and live in freedom. This freedom is not about escaping difficulties but about facing them with the assurance that we are not alone. Christ’s presence within us provides the strength and courage to live out our faith boldly and authentically. [01:06]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: How can you make space in your daily routine to experience Christ’s life within you more fully?

Day 2: The Power of Praise

Praise is an outward expression of our inner devotion to God. It’s a sign of surrender and acknowledgment of His goodness. Even in the midst of trials, we can find something praiseworthy, recognizing that God is always good. Praise shifts our focus from our problems to God’s greatness, reminding us of His sovereignty and love. It’s a powerful tool that can change our perspective and bring us closer to God.

When we praise God, we declare His goodness and faithfulness, even when circumstances are challenging. This act of faith not only honors God but also strengthens our spirit. Praise is not just about singing songs; it’s about living a life that reflects gratitude and reverence for God. It’s about finding joy in His presence and trusting in His plan, no matter what we face. [02:16]

Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Reflection: What are three specific things you can praise God for today, even if you are facing difficulties?

Day 3: The Importance of Love

Love is the key to all relationships and situations. It opens doors to where we need to go and shuts those we shouldn’t enter. True love seeks to give, not to receive, and it is perfected when shared. Aligning our feelings with God’s love ensures we place our emotions where they belong. Love is not just a feeling but an action that reflects God’s character. It’s about putting others before ourselves and seeking their well-being.

In 1 Corinthians 13, we learn that love is patient, kind, and selfless. It’s a powerful force that can transform lives and heal wounds. When we love others as God loves us, we become instruments of His grace and mercy. This kind of love requires us to be intentional and sacrificial, always seeking to reflect God’s heart in our interactions with others. [17:50]

1 John 4:7-8 (ESV): "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love. How can you show them God’s love in a practical way this week?

Day 4: Freedom in Christ

True freedom comes from Christ, not just emancipation. Emancipation may remove some restrictions, but true freedom in Christ means no limitations. We are free to fulfill our God-given purpose and destiny without any bondage. This freedom is not about doing whatever we want but about living in alignment with God’s will. It’s about being liberated from sin and empowered to live a life that honors God.

In Christ, we find the freedom to be who God created us to be. This freedom allows us to break free from the chains of fear, guilt, and shame. It gives us the courage to pursue our calling and live out our faith boldly. True freedom in Christ is about experiencing the fullness of life that He offers and walking in the purpose He has set before us. [25:20]

2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel restricted? How can you invite Christ’s freedom into that area today?

Day 5: Dedication and Rededication

Hanukkah reminds us of the importance of dedicating and rededicating our lives as temples of God. The gospel offers us freedom and pardon from our sins, allowing us to live a life dedicated to God’s purpose. Dedication is about setting ourselves apart for God’s use and committing to live according to His will. It’s a continual process of aligning our lives with His purpose and seeking to honor Him in all we do.

Rededication is equally important as it allows us to renew our commitment to God, especially when we have strayed. It’s a time to reflect on our spiritual journey and make necessary adjustments to stay on the path God has set for us. By dedicating and rededicating our lives to God, we acknowledge His lordship and invite His presence to guide and transform us. [20:05]

Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life that needs rededication to God? How can you take a step towards that today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Glory to God! Today, we gathered in the sanctuary to lift our hands in surrender and praise to our Savior, our Lord, our Elohim. We acknowledged the life of Christ living within us, celebrating the freedom He has given us. We are no longer bound by the world; we are in it but not of it. We praised God for the simple yet profound blessings in our lives—our health, our families, and our freedom to worship Him openly. We reflected on the goodness of God, who has kept us through trials and tribulations, including the recent pandemic.

We were reminded that our praise should be an outward expression of our inner devotion and love for God. Knowing God is more than just knowing of Him; it’s about experiencing His healing, provision, and freedom. We shared testimonies of God’s goodness, emphasizing that prayer is a place of growth and transformation. We acknowledged God as our provider, healer, and source, and we celebrated His many names that reveal different dimensions of His character.

We read from 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, and discussed the importance of love in our lives. Love is the key that opens doors and shuts those we shouldn’t enter. It’s not just about saying "I love you," but about feeling and expressing that love genuinely. Love seeks to give, not to receive, and it is perfected when shared. We were encouraged to align our feelings with God’s love, ensuring that our emotions are placed where they belong—in His love.

We also reflected on the significance of Hanukkah, a time of dedication and rededication of our lives as temples of God. The gospel, the good news, offers us freedom and pardon from our sins. We were reminded that true freedom comes from Christ, not just emancipation. Freedom in Christ means no limitations, no bondage, and the ability to fulfill our God-given purpose and destiny.

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Key Takeaways

1. given purpose and destiny without any bondage. [25:20]
5. Dedication and Rededication: Hanukkah reminds us of the importance of dedicating and rededicating our lives as temples of God. The gospel offers us freedom and pardon from our sins, allowing us to live a life dedicated to God’s purpose.

### [25:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Acknowledging God in the Sanctuary
[01:06] - Experiencing the Life of Christ
[01:34] - Praising God for Our Blessings
[02:16] - Finding Something Praiseworthy
[03:06] - Entering His Gates with Thanksgiving
[04:07] - Knowing God by Experience
[05:31] - God as Our Provider and Healer
[07:07] - Created with Purpose and Destiny
[08:08] - The Love Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13
[14:07] - Spreading Love and Welcoming Everyone
[15:53] - The Power of Love
[17:50] - Love Seeks to Give, Not to Receive
[18:50] - Dedication and Rededication: Hanukkah
[20:05] - The Good News of the Gospel
[21:23] - The Pardon and Freedom in Christ
[22:47] - The Journey to Freedom
[23:29] - The Weight of Sin and the Yoke of Christ
[24:53] - True Freedom vs. Emancipation
[25:55] - Be Free in Christ

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 13, what are some characteristics of true love? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on love? [08:08]
In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the goodness of God in our daily lives? [01:34]
How does the sermon describe the difference between being in the world and not of the world? [01:06]
What significance does the sermon place on the celebration of Hanukkah in relation to our dedication to God? [18:50]

Interpretation Questions

How does experiencing the life of Christ within us transform our daily living, according to the sermon? [01:06]
What does it mean to have an outward expression of our inner devotion to God through praise? How can this be seen in our daily lives? [03:06]
The sermon mentions that love seeks to give, not to receive. How does this concept challenge our usual understanding of love in relationships? [17:50]
What does true freedom in Christ look like compared to mere emancipation, as discussed in the sermon? [25:20]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did you find something praiseworthy in that situation? How can you make praise a regular part of your response to difficulties? [02:16]
Think about your daily interactions. How can you ensure that your expressions of love are genuine and not just words? What specific actions can you take to show love this week? [17:03]
In what ways can you dedicate or rededicate your life as a temple of God, especially in light of the significance of Hanukkah? What steps will you take to make this dedication tangible? [18:50]
Identify an area in your life where you feel bound or limited. How can you apply the concept of true freedom in Christ to break free from these limitations? [25:55]
How can you align your feelings with God’s love to ensure that your emotions are placed where they belong? What practical steps can you take to achieve this alignment? [17:03]
Consider the different names of God mentioned in the sermon (e.g., Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Jireh). How can reflecting on these names deepen your relationship with God and enhance your prayer life? [05:31]
How can you make prayer a place of growth and transformation in your life? Share a specific instance where prayer has led to personal growth or transformation. [04:59]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You're no longer bound by this world. We're in the world, but we're not of the world. Glory to God. Woo! Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You woke up in your right mind this morning. Glory to God. You got sight. You got your senses. Oh, He's a wonderful God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah." [01:06](

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2. "I can say the name of Jesus and not be in prison. Oh, oh, He's good. Oh, He's good. I can carry His name in the streets right now. I can shout His name from the rooftops. Oh, He's good right now. Oh, He's good. My goodness. My goodness. Woo! Glory to God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah." [02:16](

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3. "Do you know Him? Do you just know of Him or do you know Him? Do you know Him by experience? My God. Has He done something for you? He healed you. Has He healed your body? Oh, I know Him as a healer. I know Him as a provider. My goodness. My God. Hallelujah. My goodness." [03:40](

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4. "Love is the key to all. It opens the doors to where you need to go. It'll even shut the doors to places you don't need to go. Love will. Love will. Love never, Courtney, did I tell y'all love? You love me? See, it's one thing to say it. I was talking to my wife. I said, but do you feel my love? See, it's one thing to hear it. But do you feel my love?" [16:24](

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5. "You could be free. Watch this, y'all. For real. It's nothing like you've been pardoned. You're a criminal. You've been caught with the goods. You are guilty. And someone says, you know what? I love you. I'm going to do this. I'm going to come in in your stead. And I'm going to take your place. And you can go free. You are pardoned. What? I'm free? What? I'm free." [20:41](

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### Quotes for Members

1. "See, his names are just different dimensions of who he is. My God, hallelujah, he is Abba, Father, Source, he's worthy of our praise. He's a healer, isn't he, Tashana? See, and that's why can't nobody rob your praise, because you know he's a healer. See, they don't know. They don't know. There was a time you had to be brought up these stairs. Now, she's a BTW, Built to Worship. Oh, he's still in the healing. He's still in the healing business. Still in the healing business. Last February, I lost half my blood, but look at me, he's still a healer." [07:07](

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2. "Love always has an expression. Love is always seeking, watch this, to love. It never seeks love. It never seeks its own. It only seeks to love. And this is why he said love, true love, God love, is for God and man. See, love is not complete unless it's shared. That word in Hebrew is reikim. Love is not perfected until it's shared. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. So you should feel, not just hear the word, you should feel the love." [17:50](

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3. "See, but you're free. You're free. And when it came out, they came out with great substance. The Bible said, well, they came out with their own economy. And they use that economy for the wrong thing. They made themselves an image to worship. See, a lot of times when we come out of bondage, we make self images. And still worship. Self. I'm free. Ah. I'm free in my mind and my thinking. Sin, the Bible said, the weight of it, of sin is heavy. He said, take my yoke. It's light. I want to take his. I'm carrying all these luggages and rocks and bricks. And it's hard. Be free. Be free." [23:29](

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4. "We emancipated. But you ain't free. When the slaves were emancipated, they still couldn't go a certain place. They still couldn't buy certain things. They still were limited on what they could do. They weren't free. Emancipation don't set you free. It makes you think that you're free. You're limited. My hand is still on you. The oppression is still on you. But who the Son sets free? It's free indeed. I'm free. I'm not emancipated. I'm free. Well, free means there's no limitation. I can eat, drink, go where I want to go. Ain't that right? They can't limit to me saying you can't do it. I can't vote." [25:20](

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5. "Stop letting your flesh keep you in captivity. Because your flesh has a mind. It has an appetite. It has a will. we feed it. free. See, we don't understand. When you hear a song, we just come into church. It's, oh, that's nice. No, it's prophetic. It's God speaking through the psalmist for your life. But we've been trained so bad. You're free. You're free. Watch this. If you want to be. Because freedom is a choice." [24:13](

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Transcript

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