The Truth That Sets Us Free: A Reformation Reflection

Freedom is at the heart of Jesus’ words in John 8: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Yet, the path to freedom is not always comfortable. When confronted with truth—especially truth that challenges our identity, our beliefs, or our cherished traditions—our first instinct is often defensiveness. We want to justify ourselves, to argue, to protect what feels safe and familiar. But Jesus’ truth is not meant to simply affirm us; it is meant to set us free, and that often means first being unsettled, even wounded, by what we hear.

The freedom Jesus offers is not found in our heritage, our religious practices, or our traditions. It is not secured by our church, our family, or even our own sense of morality. Jesus alone saves. This is the radical claim that sparked the Reformation and continues to challenge us today. To accept this truth is to admit that we are not enough on our own, that we are in need of saving, and that only Jesus can do it. This is a hard word, because it means letting go of the things we cling to for security and identity, and opening ourselves to continual change and repentance.

The call of Christ is not a one-time event but a lifelong openness to being changed by him. Even as believers, we are not finished products. Jesus continues to provoke, challenge, and unsettle us, calling us to repentance and deeper trust. This means being willing to hear hard truths about ourselves, our church, and our world—even when those truths make us defensive or uncomfortable. Whether it’s the accusation of racism in our institutions, the challenge to our political or moral self-understanding, or the exposure of our hidden sins, Jesus invites us to listen, to repent, and to be changed.

True freedom comes not from defending ourselves, but from surrendering to Christ. We come to him with empty hands, admitting our need, and trusting that his grace is sufficient. This is the spirit of the Reformation: not pride in our tradition, but humility before the living Christ who alone can set us free. As we gather at the table, we remember that we are not perfect, but we are loved, forgiven, and called to continual transformation by the one who gave himself for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Truth That Frees Is Often Truth That Hurts The truth Jesus speaks is liberating, but it first unsettles us. Our instinct is to defend ourselves when confronted with uncomfortable realities, especially those that challenge our core beliefs or identity. Yet, it is precisely this discomfort that signals the presence of a truth that can set us free—if we are willing to listen and repent. [20:08]
• 2. Jesus Alone Is Sufficient for Salvation No heritage, tradition, or religious practice can save us—only Jesus can. This is a humbling reality that strips away our illusions of self-sufficiency and security in anything other than Christ. Accepting this truth means letting go of our pride and surrendering our need to control our own salvation. [22:45]
• 3. Openness to Change Is the Mark of a True Disciple To follow Jesus is to remain open to continual transformation. Even as believers, we are called to let Christ question and change us, especially in areas we think are already settled. The spirit of the Reformation is not self-congratulation, but a posture of humility and readiness to be challenged by the living Word. [27:38]
• 4. Defensiveness Blocks the Work of the Spirit When confronted with accusations—whether about personal sin or institutional failings—our defensiveness can prevent us from hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. Instead of arguing or justifying ourselves, we are invited to listen, to ask, “Is there something I need to change?” and to allow God’s truth to do its work in us. [26:32]
• 5. Freedom Comes Through Surrender, Not Self-Justification True freedom is found not in defending our goodness or our traditions, but in surrendering to Jesus with empty hands. We admit our need, confess our inability to save ourselves, and receive the grace that Christ offers. This ongoing surrender is difficult, but it is the only path to the freedom and salvation Jesus promises.
  
  ** [30:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [17:46] - The Instinct to Defend Ourselves
• [18:56] - A Personal Story of Defensiveness
• [19:34] - Wrestling with Being Wrong
• [20:08] - The Uncomfortable Truth Jesus Tells
• [21:31] - Why the Truth Provokes Us
• [22:08] - Jesus Alone Saves
• [22:45] - Challenging Our Religious Security
• [23:59] - Trusting Jesus Over Tradition
• [24:42] - The Reality of Sin and Need for Freedom
• [25:18] - The Cross as Ongoing Truth
• [25:53] - Hard Truths About Our Church
• [27:05] - Keeping Hearts Open to the Spirit
• [28:16] - Other Hard Truths We Resist
• [29:54] - The Reformation’s Call to Return to Jesus
• [30:41] - Surrender and True Freedom
• [31:27] - Jesus’ Patient Provocation
• [32:10] - Coming to the Table in Need
• [32:53] - Farewell and Blessing for Jeremy and Britt
• [35:01] - Sending Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

John 8:31-36 (ESV) — So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed 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 practices 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.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in John 8, what is the connection between abiding in his word and being set free?
2. How did the people respond when Jesus told them they needed to be set free? What was their reasoning?
3. In the sermon, what are some things people rely on for security or identity instead of Jesus? ([22:45])
4. What does Jesus say is the real source of freedom?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do people often become defensive when confronted with uncomfortable truths, especially about their beliefs or identity? ([20:08])
2. The sermon says, “Jesus alone saves.” What does it mean to let go of our pride and surrender our need to control our own salvation? ([22:45])
3. How does being open to continual change and repentance show that someone is a true disciple of Jesus? ([27:38])
4. What are some ways defensiveness can block the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives or in our church? ([26:32])

Application Questions

1. Think of a time when someone pointed out something uncomfortable or challenging about you or your beliefs. How did you react? Did you become defensive, or were you able to listen? What would it look like to respond differently next time? ([18:56])
2. Are there any traditions, practices, or beliefs you tend to rely on for your sense of security or identity, rather than Jesus himself? What would it mean for you to “let go” of those things? ([22:45])
3. The sermon mentions accusations about racism in the church. When you hear hard truths about your church or community, do you tend to argue or listen? How can you practice asking, “Is there something I need to change?” ([26:32])
4. Jesus calls us to continual openness and repentance. Is there an area of your life where you feel resistant to change or correction? What might it look like to invite Jesus to speak truth into that area? ([27:38])
5. The pastor said, “We come to Jesus with empty hands, admitting our need.” What does it look like for you, personally, to come to Jesus with empty hands this week? ([30:41])
6. When was the last time you prayed and asked Jesus to tell you a hard truth about yourself? Are you willing to do that this week? Why or why not? ([28:48])
7. The spirit of the Reformation is humility before Christ, not pride in tradition. How can you practice humility in your faith this week, especially when you are tempted to defend yourself or your group? ([29:54])