Faith, Freedom, and the Kingship of Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that miracles are not contingent on perfect conditions but on our faith in God. We often think we need to create an ideal environment for God to work miracles, but Scripture shows us that miracles happen in the everyday moments of life. We were reminded that God is always ready to perform miracles, and all we need to do is ask in faith.
We also delved into the concept of freedom, especially in the context of our American culture, which values independence and self-reliance. However, true freedom in Christ is different. It’s not about independence but about total reliance on Jesus, who is not just our President but our King. Unlike a president who needs our approval and votes, Jesus, as King, requires our allegiance and trust. This means we must stop treating Jesus like a president who we support only when it’s convenient and start recognizing Him as the King who rules over every aspect of our lives.
We discussed how we often swap one set of chains for another by trying to earn our salvation through good deeds, which only leads to further bondage. True freedom comes from understanding that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for all our needs, and we don’t need to add anything to it. We must rely on Him completely, trusting that He knows the best path for us, even when it doesn’t make sense.
Finally, we were encouraged to examine our lives and see if Jesus is truly our vine, our source of life. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, our peace and freedom come from being fully reliant on Him, knowing that He is in control and His plans are always for our good.
### Key Takeaways
1. Miracles in Everyday Life: Miracles are not dependent on perfect conditions but on our faith in God. We don't need to create an ideal environment for God to work; we just need to ask in faith. This truth challenges us to expect God's intervention in our daily lives, no matter how ordinary they may seem. [30:22]
2. True Freedom in Christ: True freedom is not about independence but about total reliance on Jesus. As Americans, we value independence, but spiritual freedom comes from recognizing that we cannot save ourselves and must rely entirely on Jesus' sacrifice. This reliance frees us from the chains of self-righteousness and the need to earn our salvation. [44:25]
3. Jesus as King, Not President: Jesus is not our president who needs our approval; He is our King who requires our allegiance. This means we must follow Him wholeheartedly, even when His plans don't align with our desires. Our faith should be based on allegiance to Him, not on whether His actions meet our approval. [39:28]
4. Stop Swapping Chains: We often try to repay Jesus for His sacrifice by doing good deeds, but this only leads to further bondage. True freedom comes from accepting that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient and that we don't need to add anything to it. Our good deeds should be a byproduct of our salvation, not a means to earn it. [45:20]
5. Total Reliance on Jesus: Our peace and freedom come from being fully reliant on Jesus, our true vine. In a world that often feels chaotic, we can trust that He knows the best path for us. This total reliance means trusting Him in every aspect of our lives, knowing that His plans are always for our good. [51:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:22] - Announcements and Offering
[35:15] - Introduction to Freedom
[39:28] - Jesus as King, Not President
[44:25] - True Freedom in Christ
[51:37] - Allegiance Over Approval
[57:48] - Trusting the Vine
[01:04:55] - Total Reliance on Jesus
[01:10:17] - Altar Call and Prayer
[01:13:12] - Closing Remarks and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:1 - "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."
2. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Galatians 5:1 say about the purpose of Christ setting us free? How does Paul advise us to maintain this freedom?
2. According to John 15:5, what is the relationship between the vine and the branches, and what happens if the branches remain in the vine?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate that miracles can happen in everyday life? [30:22]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between treating Jesus as a president versus treating Him as a king? [39:28]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of not being burdened again by a yoke of slavery in Galatians 5:1? How does this relate to the concept of true freedom in Christ discussed in the sermon? [44:25]
2. What does it mean to remain in Jesus as the vine according to John 15:5? How does this concept of total reliance on Jesus challenge our cultural values of independence? [51:37]
3. The sermon mentions that we often try to repay Jesus for His sacrifice through good deeds, which leads to further bondage. Why is it important to understand that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient? [45:20]
4. How does the sermon explain the idea of swapping one set of chains for another? What are some modern examples of this behavior? [47:05]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you needed to create perfect conditions for a miracle. How can you shift your mindset to expect God's intervention in your everyday life? [30:22]
2. In what areas of your life are you treating Jesus more like a president who needs your approval rather than a king who requires your allegiance? How can you change this perspective? [39:28]
3. Have you ever found yourself trying to earn your salvation through good deeds? What steps can you take to fully accept that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for all your needs? [45:20]
4. Think about a situation where you felt the need to control the outcome rather than relying on Jesus. How can you practice total reliance on Him in similar situations in the future? [51:37]
5. Identify one area in your life where you are still holding onto chains of self-righteousness. What practical steps can you take to let go of these chains and embrace the freedom Christ offers? [47:05]
6. How can you ensure that Jesus is truly your vine, your source of life, especially in times of chaos and uncertainty? What daily practices can help you stay connected to Him? [54:09]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about allegiance over approval. How can you demonstrate your allegiance to Jesus in your daily decisions and actions, even when His plans don't align with your desires? [51:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Miracles in Everyday Life
Miracles are not dependent on perfect conditions but on our faith in God. We often think that for God to perform miracles, everything around us must be perfect. However, the truth is that God works in the ordinary moments of our lives. The Bible is filled with stories of miracles happening in the most unexpected and mundane circumstances. This teaches us that we don't need to create an ideal environment for God to work; we just need to ask in faith. When we trust God and expect His intervention, we open ourselves up to experiencing His miraculous power in our daily lives. [30:22]
John 2:1-11 (ESV): "On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' And Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'"
Reflection: Think about a situation in your life that seems ordinary or even problematic. Can you ask God in faith to intervene and expect a miracle in that situation today?
Day 2: True Freedom in Christ
True freedom is not about independence but about total reliance on Jesus. In our culture, we often equate freedom with independence and self-reliance. However, spiritual freedom is found in recognizing that we cannot save ourselves and must rely entirely on Jesus' sacrifice. This reliance frees us from the chains of self-righteousness and the need to earn our salvation. When we understand that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for all our needs, we experience true freedom and peace. [44:25]
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: In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's approval through your actions? How can you shift your focus to relying entirely on Jesus' sacrifice for your freedom?
Day 3: Jesus as King, Not President
Jesus is not our president who needs our approval; He is our King who requires our allegiance. Unlike a president who needs our votes and support, Jesus, as King, demands our total allegiance and trust. This means we must follow Him wholeheartedly, even when His plans don't align with our desires. Our faith should be based on our allegiance to Him, not on whether His actions meet our approval. Recognizing Jesus as King transforms the way we live and follow Him. [39:28]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you treat Jesus more like a president than a king? How can you demonstrate your allegiance to Him in those areas today?
Day 4: Stop Swapping Chains
We often try to repay Jesus for His sacrifice by doing good deeds, but this only leads to further bondage. True freedom comes from accepting that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient and that we don't need to add anything to it. Our good deeds should be a byproduct of our salvation, not a means to earn it. When we understand this, we stop swapping one set of chains for another and experience the true freedom that comes from relying on Jesus alone. [45:20]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for doing good deeds. Are you trying to earn God's favor, or are you responding to His grace? How can you shift your mindset to one of gratitude and reliance on Jesus' sacrifice?
Day 5: Total Reliance on Jesus
Our peace and freedom come from being fully reliant on Jesus, our true vine. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, we can trust that He knows the best path for us. This total reliance means trusting Him in every aspect of our lives, knowing that His plans are always for our good. When we remain connected to Jesus, we find the peace and freedom that only He can provide. [51:37]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to rely fully on Jesus? What steps can you take today to deepen your trust and reliance on Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Maybe you came into this place and you're saying man a miracle is so far beyond what could be possible for me but that's not the God that we serve a miracle is only as far as Lord I need a miracle did you come in here needing a miracle well July 7th 2024 can be that day it doesn't have to be the perfect place we don't have to have three working ac's it jock and do it right here that's all you need." [30:22] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you've got a kid, if you've got a grandkid, if your neighbor has a kid that needs Jesus, listen, get them signed up. Bring them to VBS. And don't just drop your kid off. We encourage you, man, come in and experience VBS with your child, with your grandchild. It's going to be a rewarding experience, so make sure you do that." [32:08] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus isn't our president. He's our king. Presidents have a duty to act based on the people's vision. But as children of God, we were made to act in his vision. And the things that we can get in trouble with is, that we treat Jesus like a president. Then we're like, Jesus, I support you 100%. 100% is what you say, lines up with what I want to do." [40:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You won't find freedom by being a better saint, you'll find freedom by being a better seeker. Your good deeds don't make you a better Christian. Your good deeds don't get you closer to Christ. Listen, good deeds are not an ingredient of your salvation, they're a byproduct of it. Our salvation and the blood of Jesus compels us to do good works." [49:38] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The freedom is knowing that it's not about me or my own capabilities. It's not about what I can offer God. I can offer nothing to God yet he offers everything to me. That is the freedom that I have. The freedom that any other voice could say anything to me but if it's not in this word, it's not true." [01:04:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "As Americans, I think we can all agree, it means independence. It means that our authority figures are held accountable to us. Or, at least, they should be. It means a sense of control. You know, the no taxation without representation. Things our country was founded on. It's all about independence and us having a voice." [37:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Stop swapping chains. We're going to read from Galatians 5.1, and it says, 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. And so reading on, because Paul elaborates more about this further on in the verses, but Paul talking about, He's talking to the Galatians, because the Jews have taught these non-Jews, these Gentiles, that have come to know the saving grace of Jesus, has taught them that, yes, cruel, awesome, you accept Jesus as your Savior, but you also still have to follow all these laws in order to be saved on top of Jesus." [43:09] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus isn't a president, he's king. So freedom in Christ is about number two, allegiance over approval. John 15, 5, it says, I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. If you've been in church for any length of time, you've probably heard this verse preached. You've probably read it." [51:00] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It didn't make sense why my wife and I had to go through the pain of a miscarriage and the hurt from previous ministries, but we kept our faith in him. Now we've got a beautiful baby boy and a pretty great church. It doesn't make sense how we could have such amazing senior pastors that Jesus could just call to pastor some other church, but at Northside Assembly, we're still keeping our faith in him." [58:54] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It seems easy to pick and choose when we want to go with the will of God. It seems easy to live out our faith from the outside. But a faith that is based on approval and not allegiance is quickly crushed under pressure. And therefore, a faith, and I need you to hear me this morning, therefore, a faith that is based on sunny skies will result in a freedom that is destroyed in stormy weather." [01:00:45] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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