Freed by Faith: Embracing True Freedom in Christ

Today, we gathered in gratitude for God’s new mercies and the privilege to worship together, reflecting on the deep meaning of freedom—both in our history and in our faith. As we celebrated our 100 Women in Red, honoring the legacy of Sister Roxy Hughes and the faithful service of our ushers, we were reminded that the spirit of welcome and love is foundational to our church family. We also took time to encourage and uplift one another, recognizing achievements within our congregation and praying for those in need, knowing that God is a comforter and restorer.

Drawing from John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” we explored the theme “Freed by Faith,” especially in the context of Juneteenth—a time that marks delayed freedom but also points us to the greater liberation found in Christ. While the world offers many versions of freedom—through information, social media, or self-help—true freedom is not found in these things. Instead, it is found in holding on to the teachings of Jesus, allowing His truth to break the chains of false narratives, anxiety, and self-doubt that so often bind us.

We saw how faith in God’s word frees our minds from the noise and lies of the world. By turning down the distractions and turning up the voice of God, we can replace negative thoughts with the truth of who we are in Christ—victorious, loved, and more than conquerors. Faith in His grace frees our hearts from shame and guilt, as illustrated by the woman caught in adultery. Jesus did not condemn her but offered her a future, telling her to “go and sin no more.” In the same way, God’s grace gives us another chance, not just a second chance, and calls us to forgive ourselves as He has forgiven us.

Finally, faith in His power frees our lives. The freedom Jesus gives is not temporary or conditional—it is eternal and transformative. Real freedom is the ability to worship, forgive, and hope even when life is hard. It is living out the truth that, because of Christ, we are no longer bound by our past, our failures, or the opinions of others. The call is to live like we are free, to walk in obedience, and to trust that God is already working on our behalf. As we prayed and interceded for one another, we stood on the promise that, in Christ, we are truly free by faith.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Freedom Begins with the Truth of Christ’s Word In a world overflowing with information and distractions, true freedom starts by holding on to the teachings of Jesus. When we let His word shape our minds, we break free from the lies and anxieties that social media and culture try to plant in us. The truth of Christ is not just something to hear, but something to live, and it will transform our thinking and our sense of worth. [52:47]
• 2. God’s Grace Offers More Than Forgiveness—It Offers a Future The story of the woman caught in adultery shows that Jesus does not just forgive our past; He releases us from shame and gives us a new direction. His command to “go and sin no more” is an invitation to rise from our failures and walk in the freedom of a changed life. We are not defined by our worst moments, but by the grace that calls us forward. [58:59]
• 3. Self-Forgiveness is Essential to Living Free Many remain bound not by God’s judgment, but by their own inability to forgive themselves. If God, in His mercy, has wiped the slate clean, we must learn to do the same for ourselves. Holding on to guilt only anchors us in the past and keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love and purpose. [67:18]
• 4. Freedom in Christ is Eternal and Unconditional The freedom Jesus gives is not based on our performance, our background, or our circumstances. It is a permanent release from spiritual bondage, rooted in relationship with Him. This freedom empowers us to worship, forgive, and hope even when life is imperfect, because our identity and destiny are secure in Christ. [69:45]
• 5. Living Free Requires Obedience and Faith in Action To truly walk in the freedom Christ offers, we must act on His word—moving forward in faith, even when we don’t see immediate results. Obedience is the bridge between God’s promise and our experience of freedom. As we step out, trusting that God is already working, we discover that faith is not just belief, but a way of living that changes everything. [80:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Opening Prayer and Gathering
• [03:00] - 100 Women in Red Celebration
• [06:30] - Honoring Ushers and Their Legacy
• [09:45] - Announcements and Church Updates
• [13:16] - Fellowship and Community Highlights
• [28:58] - Celebrating Achievements in the Congregation
• [43:17] - Scripture Reading: John 8:36
• [44:59] - Introduction: Freed by Faith
• [46:23] - Juneteenth and the Meaning of Freedom
• [47:44] - Faith in Christ Sets Us Free
• [52:47] - Freedom Begins with God’s Word
• [58:59] - Grace That Frees the Heart
• [68:07] - Living Free from the Past
• [69:45] - The Power of Eternal Freedom
• [77:28] - Living Like You’re Free
• [80:19] - Invitation to Obedience and Faith
• [82:37] - Intercessory Prayer and Restoration
• [97:00] - Testimonies and New Beginnings
• [102:34] - Offertory and Closing Remarks
• [107:29] - Upcoming Events and Final Blessing
• [112:26] - Benediction and Dismissal

Bible Reading

John 8:36 — “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Observation Questions

1. In John 8:36, who is the “Son” that sets people free, and what kind of freedom is being talked about?
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples of “bondages” that people still experience today, even after historical freedom? ([46:23])
3. What did Jesus say to the woman caught in adultery, and what was the significance of His words? ([58:59])
4. The sermon mentions that the freedom Jesus gives is not temporary or based on our performance. What words or phrases did the preacher use to describe this kind of freedom? ([01:09:45])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus connect freedom with “holding on to His teachings” rather than just knowing about Him? How does this challenge the way people usually think about freedom? ([52:47])
2. The preacher said that God’s grace offers “another chance,” not just a second chance. What does this reveal about God’s character and how He deals with our failures? ([58:59])
3. Why is self-forgiveness so important for living in the freedom Christ offers? What happens if we don’t forgive ourselves, even after God has forgiven us? ([01:07:18])
4. The sermon says that real freedom is the ability to worship, forgive, and hope even when life is hard. How does this kind of freedom look different from the freedom the world offers? ([01:10:43])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “turn off the noise” and “turn up the voice of God.” What is one specific distraction (like social media, negative self-talk, or something else) that you need to turn down this week? How will you do it? ([52:47])
2. The preacher encouraged us to write down negative thoughts and speak God’s truth over them. Is there a lie or negative thought you’ve been believing about yourself? What truth from God’s Word can you declare over it? ([53:54])
3. Jesus told the woman, “Go and sin no more.” Is there an area in your life where you need to accept God’s forgiveness and move forward instead of staying stuck in shame or guilt? What would it look like to “go” this week? ([58:59])
4. The sermon said, “If God has forgiven us, we ought to be able to forgive ourselves.” Is there something from your past that you’re still holding against yourself? What step can you take to begin letting it go? ([01:07:18])
5. The preacher said, “Real freedom is when you can worship even when life ain’t perfect.” Can you share a time when you chose to worship or trust God in a hard season? What helped you do that? ([01:10:43])
6. Living free requires obedience and faith in action. Is there a step of obedience or faith that you feel God is calling you to take, even if you don’t see immediate results? What’s holding you back, and how can the group support you? ([01:20:19])
7. The sermon reminded us that we are “more than conquerors” and “victorious” in Christ. What is one way you can remind yourself of your identity in Christ this week when you face challenges? ([53:54])