Finding Freedom and Healing in Christ's Wounds

 

Summary

The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the freedom that believers have in Christ, cautioning against using this freedom as an excuse to engage in sinful behavior. Instead, he encourages the congregation to live as slaves to God, recognizing that they have been bought with a price. The pastor also emphasizes the importance of showing proper respect to everyone, as every human being is created in the image of God. He then addresses how we should respond when we are mistreated or when things don't go our way, referring to the Apostle Peter's letter to Christians who were experiencing harsh conditions and persecution. The pastor emphasizes the importance of knowing our identity as followers of Christ, as it shapes how we face challenges and live according to higher standards.

The pastor then delves into the concept of fearing God, acknowledging that it can be a challenging phrase to understand. However, he describes the fear of the Lord as a simple yet profound idea that recognizes God's greatness, mightiness, and awesomeness. The pastor emphasizes the need to have a proper view of God's majesty and reverence, recognizing that all earthly authorities, even evil ones, must ultimately submit to the holy and powerful God. The pastor then focuses on the concept of submission and enduring suffering, referring to 1 Peter 2:18, where it is stated that slaves should submit themselves to their masters, even if they are harsh. The pastor emphasizes that Christians have historically worked to end slavery using other scriptures.

The pastor shares a personal experience where they did not navigate a difficult situation perfectly and expressed hurt in an unhealthy way. However, they acknowledge the guidance and support they received from fellow believers who called them to take a higher road and respond with love and grace instead of hurt. The pastor highlights the importance of blessing those who persecute us and not returning curses, emphasizing that Jesus calls us to be a people who bring love and healing rather than hurt and bitterness. The pastor encourages the congregation to consider where they are on this journey and to strive to be a reflection of Christ's love and healing in their interactions with others.

The pastor discusses the concept of submission as taught in the New Testament, explaining that submission involves yielding one's life and will to others, essentially submitting one's mission to someone else's mission. The pastor focuses on the idea of submitting to human authorities, even if they are evil or unjust. He emphasizes that by doing good and submitting to these authorities, believers can silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. The pastor also highlights the importance of living as free people in Christ, but not using that freedom as an excuse for evil. Instead, believers are called to live as God's slaves, serving Him and others with love and humility.

The pastor concludes by emphasizing the idea of love and healing flowing out of our wounds. He encourages the congregation to become a people who reflect Jesus even in times of pain and hurt. The pastor poses the question of what would happen if the church, as a whole, could become a place of healing, love, and graciousness when faced with wounds and hurts. The pastor acknowledges that there are wounds present within the congregation and invites them to run to God, the perfect Heavenly physician, for healing.

Key Takeaways:

- The pastor emphasizes that believers have been set free from sin through the blood of Christ, but this freedom should not be used as an excuse to engage in sinful behavior. Instead, believers should live as slaves to God, recognizing that they have been bought with a price ([12:45]).
- The fear of the Lord is a simple yet profound idea that recognizes God's greatness, mightiness, and awesomeness. When our fear is directed towards God, we will have no fear of anything or anyone else ([24:30]).
- The pastor shares a personal experience where they did not navigate a difficult situation perfectly and expressed hurt in an unhealthy way. However, they acknowledge the guidance and support they received from fellow believers who called them to take a higher road and respond with love and grace instead of hurt ([36:15]).
- The pastor discusses the concept of submission as taught in the New Testament, explaining that submission involves yielding one's life and will to others, essentially submitting one's mission to someone else's mission. The pastor focuses on the idea of submitting to human authorities, even if they are evil or unjust ([48:20]).
- The pastor emphasizes the idea of love and healing flowing out of our wounds. He encourages the congregation to become a people who reflect Jesus even in times of pain and hurt. The pastor poses the question of what would happen if the church, as a whole, could become a place of healing, love, and graciousness when faced with wounds and hurts ([59:10]).

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1) 1 Peter 2:13-25
2) Ephesians 5:21
3) Galatians 5:1

Observation Questions:
1) In 1 Peter 2:13-25, what does it mean to submit to every human authority? How does this passage describe the relationship between believers and authorities?
2) Ephesians 5:21 calls for mutual submission among believers. How is this concept presented in the text?
3) Galatians 5:1 speaks about the freedom we have in Christ. What does this freedom entail according to the passage?

Interpretation Questions:
1) How does the concept of submission in 1 Peter 2:13-25 align with the idea of fearing God and recognizing His authority?
2) In Ephesians 5:21, how does mutual submission among believers reflect our relationship with Christ?
3) How does the freedom mentioned in Galatians 5:1 influence our behavior as believers? How should this freedom be exercised?

Application Questions:
1) Reflect on a recent situation where you found it difficult to submit to an authority figure. How could you have applied the principles from 1 Peter 2:13-25 in that situation?
2) Can you identify a relationship in your life where mutual submission, as described in Ephesians 5:21, could improve your interactions? What specific steps can you take to foster this mutual submission?
3) Considering the freedom we have in Christ as described in Galatians 5:1, identify a specific area in your life where you may be using this freedom as an excuse for sinful behavior. What changes can you make to align your actions with God's will?
4) Reflect on a time when you responded to hurt or mistreatment with bitterness instead of love and grace. How can you apply the teachings of Jesus to respond differently in the future?
5) Think of a person who has hurt you. How can you extend love and healing to this person in a practical way this week?

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Freedom in Christ Responsibly

Believers have been set free from sin through the blood of Christ, but this freedom should not be used as an excuse to engage in sinful behavior. Instead, it is a call to live as slaves to God, recognizing that they have been bought with a price ([12:45]). This freedom is not a license for self-indulgence, but an opportunity to serve God and others with love and humility.

1 Corinthians 7:23 - "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings."

Reflection: How can you exercise your freedom in Christ responsibly today? Can you identify one area in your life where you might be using this freedom as an excuse for sinful behavior?

Day 2: The Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is a simple yet profound idea that recognizes God's greatness, mightiness, and awesomeness. When our fear is directed towards God, we will have no fear of anything or anyone else ([24:30]). This fear is not about being afraid, but about having a deep sense of awe and reverence for God's majesty.

Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord in your life today? Can you think of one practical way to show reverence for God's majesty?

Day 3: Responding with Love and Grace

There are times when we may not navigate difficult situations perfectly and express hurt in an unhealthy way. However, we are called to take a higher road and respond with love and grace instead of hurt ([36:15]). This is a call to bless those who persecute us and not return curses.

Romans 12:14 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

Reflection: Can you think of a recent situation where you responded with hurt instead of love and grace? How can you respond differently if a similar situation arises today?

Day 4: Submission to Authority

Submission involves yielding one's life and will to others, essentially submitting one's mission to someone else's mission. This includes submitting to human authorities, even if they are evil or unjust ([48:20]). By doing good and submitting to these authorities, believers can silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

1 Peter 2:15 - "For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people."

Reflection: How can you practice submission to authority in your life today? Can you identify one area where you struggle with submission and think of a practical step towards yielding in that area?

Day 5: Love and Healing Flowing from Wounds

Love and healing should flow out of our wounds. We are encouraged to become a people who reflect Jesus even in times of pain and hurt ([59:10]). This is a call to become a place of healing, love, and graciousness when faced with wounds and hurts.

Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: How can you allow love and healing to flow from your wounds today? Can you think of one practical step towards becoming a source of healing and love for others?

Quotes

"Live as God's slaves...a slave is somebody who's been bought with a price...we have been bought with a price...we are called to live in step and obedience with the one who lovingly paid the price for our lives with his life."

"Show proper respect to everyone...every human being on this planet is created in the image of God...even evil Emperors and brutal Governors...we're all created in the image of God...because we're each image bearers, that means that as I hang out with you as I interact with you, there's something about the resemblance and image of God in each and every one of us."

"Whenever we think of submission, we go to Ephesians 5:21 because every follower of Christ is called to lower themselves under others...we are to submit ourselves to every human authority, even an evil governor and an evil emperor."

"The fear of the Lord is a simple but big idea that God is so great and mighty, and we stand in awe of Him."

"What if we could become a people where love and healing flowed out of our wounds? What if we could become a people with lives so entrusted to Jesus that when we're poked, when we're wounded, people see Jesus in us more than ever?"

"When we speak of hurt, hurt something that can run so deeply, so there are some wounds in this place and yet God, we need to run to you today. I pray that we would find you to be our perfect Heavenly physician."

"When Jesus was facing all of that wrongful accusation, when Jesus was being hurt and harmed in so many ways, he did not retaliate and he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."

"It's hard to entrust our life to the one who judges justly, isn't it? But it's the key to be able to respond like Jesus does in those moments of hurt, in those moments of pain."

"By his wounds, you have been healed. For years, I knew this as a beautiful theological truth about healing, but in the last few months, God has been using it to teach me afresh that by the wounds of Christ, I can find healing."

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Transcript
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