July 4, 2010 Series: Title: "Free Indeed" Pastor Curt Snyder Freedom has been the cry of every man throughout history. Freedom is the driving force behind the independent nature of our will. Freedom is not Free! “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free…So if the Son sets you free, you will be Free Indeed!” - John 8:31 & 36 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” -Romans 8:1-6 Freedom from the Condemnation of Sin. (2 Cor. 3:17) We are no longer condemned of or by our past sin. We are unburdened of the weight of self-condemnation. We are released from blame, criticism, or penalty. Freedom from the Constraint of Sin. (2 Cor. 3:6) We are not good enough in our own righteousness. We are free through God’s Spirit helping us, through Christ’s forgiveness, and through the Father’s constant mercy toward us. Freedom from the Cost of Sin. (Romans 6:15-23) True freedom doesn’t come in our own strength, but by accepting the free gift of Grace. The Cost of our Sin is Death but God’s grace replaces it with Eternal Life.     X Close Window