The Truth That Sets Us Free: A Reformation Message

On this Reformation Sunday, we gather to remember not only a pivotal moment in church history, but the ongoing, living reality of God’s truth breaking into our lives. The heart of the Reformation was not simply about correcting doctrine, but about rediscovering the liberating power of the gospel—the truth that in Christ, we are set free. Jesus’ words in John 8, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” are not just a slogan, but a promise that cuts through the illusions and lies that so often entangle us.

From childhood, we are taught the importance of truth and the harm of lies. Yet, as we grow, we realize that deception is not just something we do to others, but something we do to ourselves. Like the toothpaste that cannot be put back in the tube, our words and actions can leave marks that are hard to erase. God’s Word, like a mirror, shows us the truth about ourselves—our sin, our need, but also our belovedness in Christ. Sometimes, we try to cover that mirror with self-deception, convincing ourselves that we don’t need forgiveness or that we are beyond God’s help. But the gospel unmasks these lies and reveals our true identity as God’s children.

Martin Luther’s own journey was a movement from the bondage of trying to earn God’s favor to the freedom of receiving righteousness as a gift. This is the freedom that the truth brings: not denial of our sin, but the end of condemnation through the cross. The enemy, Satan, is called the father of lies because his power is rooted in deception—especially the lie that we are condemned and unforgivable. But the truth of Christ silences that accusation and proclaims grace.

This truth is not just for us, but is meant to flow through us. When we refuse to forgive, we echo the enemy’s voice, keeping others in bondage. But when we forgive, when we speak grace, we join Christ in setting captives free. The Reformation was, and remains, a call to live in the light of this truth: that we are justified by grace, and that grace is stronger than guilt. The truth may unsettle us, but it transforms us, restores us, and frees us to live as God’s beloved children.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The truth of Christ exposes both our sin and our belovedness, freeing us from the illusion that our worth is based on our performance. When we see ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word, we are confronted with our need, but also with the unshakeable reality of God’s love and grace. This truth unsettles, but it also liberates, inviting us to rest in our identity as God’s children. [23:49]
• 2. The enemy’s most effective weapon is the lie of condemnation—the whisper that we are beyond forgiveness or that our past defines us. Yet, Scripture declares that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The cross does not deny our sin, but it silences the accuser, reminding us that our standing before God is secured by grace, not by our own efforts. [32:33]
• 3. Unforgiveness is a subtle form of agreeing with the enemy’s deception. When we withhold grace from others, we become unwitting mouthpieces for the lie that some sins are beyond redemption. True freedom in Christ means not only receiving forgiveness, but extending it, breaking the cycle of accusation and joining in Christ’s mission to set others free. [36:08]
• 4. Our identity is rooted not in what we have done, but in who God is and what He has done for us. The more we know the character of God—His mercy, faithfulness, and love—the more clearly we see ourselves as His beloved children. The Reformation rediscovered this truth, and it remains the foundation for a life of freedom and joy in Christ. [38:05]
• 5. Living in the truth transforms not only our beliefs, but our relationships and our witness. When we forgive, speak grace, and restore others, we declare war on the kingdom of lies and participate in the ongoing work of the gospel. The truth of Christ does not merely inform us; it transforms us, silences the liar, and sets hearts free. [41:49]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:54] - Reformation Weekend Recap
• [05:20] - Community Outreach and Trunk or Treat
• [05:48] - Envisioning Day and Future Ministry
• [06:24] - Upcoming Family Feud Night and Peru Mission
• [06:44] - Basics Class and Announcements
• [19:27] - Gospel Reading: John 8
• [20:36] - Children’s Message: The Truth About Lies
• [23:22] - The Mirror and God’s Word
• [29:27] - Prayer and Introduction
• [30:25] - Martin Luther’s Discovery of Grace
• [31:58] - The Power of Lies and the Enemy’s Strategy
• [33:37] - The Gospel Unmasks Condemnation
• [34:28] - The Truman Show and Stepping Into Truth
• [35:14] - The Freedom of Truth in Christ
• [36:08] - Forgiveness and Breaking the Cycle of Lies
• [37:07] - Megan Wood’s Song and Gospel Identity
• [39:07] - Examining the Lies We Believe
• [40:10] - The Triumph of Grace Over Guilt
• [41:49] - Living Transformed by the Truth

Bible Reading

John 8:31-36 (ESV) — > So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) — > For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 (ESV) — > There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in John 8, what is the result of abiding in His word? ([19:27])
2. In the sermon, what illustration was used to show how lies can’t be taken back once spoken? ([22:08])
3. What does Paul say is the way we are justified before God in Romans 3? ([40:10])
4. What is the “lie” that the enemy most wants us to believe, according to the sermon? ([32:33])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus connect knowing the truth with being set free? What kind of freedom is He talking about? ([19:27])
2. The sermon says God’s Word is like a mirror. What does it mean for God’s Word to show us both our sin and our belovedness? ([23:49])
3. How does believing the enemy’s lie of condemnation affect the way we see ourselves and others? ([32:33])
4. The sermon mentions that unforgiveness is a way of agreeing with the enemy’s deception. Why is refusing to forgive so spiritually dangerous? ([36:08])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about how we sometimes lie to ourselves, convincing ourselves we don’t need forgiveness or that we’re beyond God’s help. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been tempted to believe a lie about yourself or about God? How can you bring that into the light of God’s truth this week? ([24:04])
2. When you look in the “mirror” of God’s Word, what do you see more easily—your sin or your belovedness in Christ? Why do you think that is? ([23:49])
3. The enemy’s voice often whispers that we are condemned or unforgivable. When have you struggled with feelings of condemnation? What helped you remember the truth of Romans 8:1? ([32:33])
4. The sermon said that when we refuse to forgive, we echo the enemy’s voice and keep others in bondage. Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? What would it look like to extend grace to them this week? ([36:08])
5. Martin Luther’s journey was about moving from trying to earn God’s favor to receiving righteousness as a gift. Are there ways you still try to “earn” God’s love or approval? How can you rest more in His grace? ([30:25])
6. The truth of Christ is meant to flow through us to others. What is one practical way you can speak grace or forgiveness to someone in your life this week? ([41:49])
7. The sermon challenged us to examine the lies we believe about ourselves and others. What is one lie you want to stop believing, and what truth from God’s Word can you hold onto instead? ([39:07])