Living in Freedom: Embracing God's Transformative Love
Summary
### Summary
In our third week of the "Signature of God" series, we delve into the theme of freedom. We began by reflecting on the joy and innocence of my son Henry's love for birthdays, which led to a touching story about how even broken things, like a messy cupcake, can still be loved and cherished. This mirrors how God loves us despite our brokenness and desires to create a new, whole, and free version of us.
Our theme verse, Ephesians 2:10, reminds us that we are God's masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus to do good works. This week, we explore God's plan for our lives, focusing on not just being set free but living free. We examined Exodus 6:6-7, where God promises to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, free them from slavery, redeem them, and claim them as His own. These steps—knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference—outline God's process for our freedom.
We discussed the triune nature of humans—body, soul, and spirit—and how our spirit, made perfect through justification in Christ, must lead our body and soul to live in true freedom. Sanctification is a lifelong process where we grow to look more like Jesus every day. Even though we are no longer slaves, we often still think like slaves, and God wants to change that mindset.
Paul's struggle in Romans 7 illustrates the internal war between our spirit and our flesh. To live in freedom, we must admit our sins, train our spirit, and choose our relationships wisely. By feeding our spirit through prayer, reading the Word, and fellowship, we strengthen it to lead our body and soul. We also need the support of a community to hold us accountable and encourage us.
In conclusion, God wants us to live free, not just be set free. This freedom is a lifelong journey of sanctification, supported by the Holy Spirit and our community. As Charles Spurgeon said, our sins do not sever us from God's love; He still loves us and wants us to come to Him boldly.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Loves Us Despite Our Brokenness: Just as Henry loved the broken cupcake, God loves us in our broken state. He doesn't want to create an improved version of our current selves but a new, whole, and free person. This transformation is rooted in His unconditional love and desire to make us His masterpiece. [02:08]
2. The Process of Freedom: God's plan for our lives involves four steps: knowing Him, finding freedom, discovering our purpose, and making a difference. These steps are beautifully outlined in Exodus 6:6-7 and reflect His intentional and loving process to bring us into a life of freedom and purpose. [08:01]
3. The Triune Nature of Humans: We are composed of body, soul, and spirit. While our spirit is made perfect through justification in Christ, our body and soul need continuous work. Sanctification is the lifelong process of aligning our body and soul with our spirit, which is led by the Holy Spirit. [12:04]
4. Admitting Our Sin and Seeking Help: The first step to living in freedom is admitting our sin and not deceiving ourselves. The enemy will try to condemn us, but Romans 8:1 assures us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. We must be honest about our struggles and seek God's help to overcome them. [19:50]
5. The Importance of Community: We cannot achieve spiritual freedom alone. We need a community to hold us accountable, encourage us, and lift us up in prayer. Proverbs 27:17 and Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasize the importance of fellowship and mutual support in our journey towards freedom. [28:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:08] - Henry's Birthday Story
[03:58] - God's Plan for Freedom
[04:55] - Exodus 6:6-7 Explained
[06:29] - The Process of Sanctification
[07:12] - Four Steps to Freedom
[08:27] - Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, Make a Difference
[09:40] - The Problem of Bondage
[10:12] - Body, Soul, and Spirit
[12:04] - Justification and Sanctification
[14:16] - Strengthening the Spirit
[15:44] - Living by the Spirit
[17:47] - How to Live in Freedom
[19:50] - Admitting Sin and Seeking Help
[23:40] - Feeding the Spirit
[25:16] - Training the Spirit
[28:08] - Choosing Relationships Wisely
[30:17] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
2. Exodus 6:6-7 - "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.'"
3. Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:10, what are we described as, and what has God created us to do?
2. In Exodus 6:6-7, what are the four promises God makes to the Israelites?
3. What does Romans 8:1 assure us about our status in Christ Jesus?
4. How does the story of Henry and the broken cupcake illustrate God's love for us in our brokenness? [02:08]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be God's "masterpiece" as described in Ephesians 2:10? How does this shape our understanding of our identity in Christ?
2. How do the four promises in Exodus 6:6-7 (bringing out, freeing, redeeming, and claiming) reflect God's process for our spiritual freedom? [08:01]
3. Romans 8:1 states there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. How does this truth impact our daily walk with God, especially when we struggle with sin? [21:26]
4. The sermon mentioned the triune nature of humans (body, soul, and spirit). How does understanding this triune nature help us in our journey of sanctification? [10:12]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the story of Henry and the broken cupcake, can you identify areas in your life where you feel broken? How can you embrace God's love and allow Him to create a new, whole, and free version of you? [02:08]
2. The sermon outlined four steps to freedom: knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference. Which step do you feel you are currently in, and what practical steps can you take to move forward? [08:27]
3. Considering the triune nature of humans, what are some practical ways you can strengthen your spirit to lead your body and soul? How can you incorporate these practices into your daily routine? [12:04]
4. Admitting our sins is the first step to living in freedom. Is there a specific sin or struggle you need to confess and seek help for? How can you create a supportive environment to help you overcome this struggle? [19:50]
5. The importance of community was emphasized in the sermon. Do you have a community that holds you accountable and encourages you in your spiritual journey? If not, what steps can you take to build or join such a community? [28:53]
6. How can you train your spirit to be stronger than your body and soul? Identify one spiritual discipline (e.g., prayer, Bible reading, fasting) that you can focus on this week to strengthen your spirit. [25:16]
7. Reflect on the quote from Charles Spurgeon about God's love despite our sins. How does this perspective change the way you approach God after you have sinned? How can you come to Him boldly and seek His forgiveness and love? [30:47]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unconditional Love for Our Brokenness
God loves us despite our brokenness, just as Henry loved the broken cupcake. This love is not about improving our current selves but about creating a new, whole, and free person. God's love is unconditional and transformative, aiming to make us His masterpiece. This mirrors the story of Henry's joy and innocence in loving a messy cupcake, reflecting how God cherishes us even in our flawed state. His desire is to mold us into a new creation, free from the chains of our past and filled with His love and purpose. [02:08]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt broken or unworthy. How can you embrace God's unconditional love for you in that moment and allow Him to begin the process of making you whole?
Day 2: The Process of Freedom
God's plan for our lives involves four steps: knowing Him, finding freedom, discovering our purpose, and making a difference. These steps are outlined in Exodus 6:6-7, reflecting His intentional and loving process to bring us into a life of freedom and purpose. This process is not just about being set free but living free, experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. By understanding and embracing these steps, we can walk in the freedom and purpose that God has designed for us. [08:01]
Exodus 6:6-7 (ESV): "Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
Reflection: Reflect on which of the four steps (knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, making a difference) you are currently in. What is one practical step you can take today to move forward in this process?
Day 3: Aligning Body, Soul, and Spirit
Humans are composed of body, soul, and spirit. While our spirit is made perfect through justification in Christ, our body and soul need continuous work. Sanctification is the lifelong process of aligning our body and soul with our spirit, which is led by the Holy Spirit. This alignment is crucial for living in true freedom, as it allows our spirit to lead our body and soul in accordance with God's will. By focusing on this alignment, we can grow to look more like Jesus every day. [12:04]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways do you see a misalignment between your body, soul, and spirit? What steps can you take to bring them into alignment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
Day 4: Admitting Our Sin and Seeking Help
The first step to living in freedom is admitting our sin and not deceiving ourselves. The enemy will try to condemn us, but Romans 8:1 assures us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. We must be honest about our struggles and seek God's help to overcome them. Admitting our sins and seeking help is crucial for breaking free from the chains that hold us back and stepping into the freedom that God offers. [19:50]
1 John 1:8-9 (ESV): "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: What is one sin or struggle you have been hiding or denying? How can you bring it into the light today by confessing it to God and seeking His help?
Day 5: The Importance of Community
We cannot achieve spiritual freedom alone. We need a community to hold us accountable, encourage us, and lift us up in prayer. Proverbs 27:17 and Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasize the importance of fellowship and mutual support in our journey towards freedom. By surrounding ourselves with a supportive community, we can strengthen our faith and walk in the freedom that God has for us. [28:53]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who are the people in your life that you can rely on for spiritual support and accountability? How can you intentionally invest in these relationships to build a stronger community of faith?
Quotes
1. "Because like we said, no matter what you've done, no matter what your life may look like right now, Jesus loves you, and he wants to create a new you. So no matter what your life looks like, God still loves you. Amen? So he doesn't want to create just an improved version of your current self, but a new, whole, complete, and free person. A new, whole, and complete person." [02:08] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Not just be set free, but to live free. And I believe that this has been the plan all along. So we're going to go back to the beginning, the place where God's people, all right? Notice I say God's people, meaning they're already set free. All right, so God's plan for them. And I believe this is his plan for us as well." [03:58] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He got me out of Egypt. Now he wants to get Egypt out of me. He wants to get Egypt out of me. He wants that mindset out of me. In other words, he has set you free. Now he wants to help you to live free. And not keep living. Like all you've known prior to being set free. All right? It's a process. All right? It's a process." [05:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our spirits are saved instantly. We're set free from Egypt. Okay? But the other two, they haven't taken the journey with us yet. You've got to kind of pull them along. And it's a tough pull. All right? You can say amen on that because it's a tough pull. All right? Our soul, our thoughts, our feelings and our emotions and our body, they need work." [13:20] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The spirit simply has to become stronger than the soul and the body. The spirit has to become stronger than the soul and the body. And when that happens, the spirit starts to influence the other two. It can't happen if the spirit doesn't. The spirit is weaker than the other two. It's got to be stronger." [14:16] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5.1 says, Freedom is what we have. Christ has set us free. Stand then as free people and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again." [14:59] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Because when the Spirit leads the body and the soul, you're going to live free. When you keep your spirit man on top of your soul and your body, you're going to live free. Are y'all seeing it? Fellowshiping with other believers. Serving one another. Reading his word. Giving. And I mention giving because what does the Bible say about your treasure? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." [16:27] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The spirit is what's going to live. The spirit is what's going to live. So what are some ways to do spiritual exercise? That's you willingly placing yourself on the easel and letting God deal with you how he sees fit. And it is not easy sometimes because my flesh wants to fight God at every turn. It's not easy." [26:08] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future. I'm going to change it a little bit today. Show me your friends and I'll show you your freedom. Show me your friends and I'll show you your freedom. In other words, you're only going to be able to exercise your spirit so much by yourself. You need people. You need people around you to help you." [28:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "It doesn't matter what you've done. Jesus loves you. He wants to save you. God is for you. God's not against you. God's for you. He's not against you. Amen? He wants you to live free. He come together. give you life. He'd come to give it to you more abundantly. Yes, life is tough sometimes. Yes, we have to fight the flesh. But if we can get our spirit man on top of, we can feed our spirit, we can exercise our spirit, we can live free." [31:23] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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