Victory over sin pt 2

Introduction Last week we began looking at the benefit of victory over sin found in the life of a Christian We learned that this victory is a direct result of understanding the Gospel is a Gospel of freedom A message of liberation God is the God of deliverance Through Jesus Christ, God provides freedom to the Christian From the power of Satan From sin (guilt of past sin, temptation, and the actual practice) Fear of death This morning we are going to learn just a little more about this freedom

Freedom in Christ is a disciplined freedom Freedom in Christ does not mean license to act how we want…there are guidelines True freedom never gives unlimited power to a person to whatever it is he/she wants, without consequences Gen 2:15-17 “…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Rom 6:15-18 “… 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Gal 5:13 “…only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh,…” 1 Pet 2:16 “…not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”

Freedom in Christ is a disciplined freedom The blessing of freedom in Christ include The need for guidance Prov 3:5-6 “…lean not on your own understanding;…acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Prov 14:12 & 16:25 “ 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Jer 10:23 “…; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Jer 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the L ORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Freedom in Christ is a disciplined freedom The blessing of freedom in Christ include God’s divine revelation Deut 8:3 “…that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the L ORD.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 “ 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” Heb 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Jam 1:21 “…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” 1 Pet 1:20-21 “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Freedom in Christ is a disciplined freedom The blessing of freedom in Christ include The value of discipline Prov 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the L ORD, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the L ORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” 1 Cor 9:24-27 ““ 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it…” 1 Tim 4:8 “…godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Heb 12:11 “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful;…afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness …”

Freedom in Christ is a disciplined freedom The blessing of freedom in Christ include The importance of correction Job 5:17 “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;…” Prov 10:17 “…he who refuses correction goes astray.” Prov 12:1 “he who hates correction is stupid.” Prov 15:31-32 “…He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 mentions correction 2 Tim 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

This freedom is a gift from God and must be treated with respect Spiritual freedom should be cherished and protected (Judg 2:11-15; 2 Pet 2:20-22) We are to remain strong in the Lord and resist the devil 2 Cor 2:10-11 “…I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Eph 6:10-11 “…that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Jam 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” 1 Pet 5:8-9 “…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith,…”

This freedom is a gift from God and must be treated with respect Spiritual freedom should be cherished and protected (Judg 2:11-15; 2 Pet 2:20-22) We are to stand guard and protect this freedom from false teachers 2 Cor 11:12-15 “But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles…it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works….” 1 Tim 6:3-5 “ 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness…From such withdraw yourself.”

This freedom is a gift from God and must be treated with respect Spiritual freedom should be cherished and protected (Judg 2:11-15; 2 Pet 2:20-22) We are to stand guard and protect this freedom from false teachers 2 Tim 4:3-4 ““ 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,…they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Pet 2:1-3 “…there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them…many will follow their destructive ways…their destruction does not slumber.” 1 Jn 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

This freedom is a gift from God and must be treated with respect We must show our gratitude for this freedom by Godly living Showing sympathy and concern for those still living in sin and teach them Mk 2:16-17 “…Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Lk 15:2 “And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”” Rom 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Conclusion Freedom from sin is a reason Christians should rejoice This freedom frees up for the service we owe Service to God (1 Thes 1:8-10) Service to righteousness (Rom 6:17-18) Service to our fellow man (1 Cor 9:16-23) It is a privilege to share in Christ’s victory over sin (1 Jn 5:4; 1 Cor 15:56-57) We can be confident in the positive outcome of this freedom (Jn 10:27-29) This freedom gives the Christian peace and courage to live upon this earth (Jn 14:27 & 16:33; 2 Tim 1:7)