1. THE FREEDOM OF THE FAMILY OF GOD Hebrews 2:10-13 THE FREEDOM OF THE FAMILY OF GOD Hebrews 2:10-13

4. “Freedom can be understood ultimately as the freedom of a person who belongs wholly to no social group who is a citizen of two cities, who is responsible to God. Christian faith provides not only the most adequate grounding for what is true in the common morality, but also the motives for obedience which in the long run are the most dependable.” (John C. Bennett: Christians and the State, Charles Scriber’s Sons) “Freedom can be understood ultimately as the freedom of a person who belongs wholly to no social group who is a citizen of two cities, who is responsible to God. Christian faith provides not only the most adequate grounding for what is true in the common morality, but also the motives for obedience which in the long run are the most dependable.” (John C. Bennett: Christians and the State, Charles Scriber’s Sons)

6. Our text reads: “And it was only right that God – who made everything and for whom everything was made – should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation, So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God,

7. ‘I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters. I will Praise you among all your people.’ He also said, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And in the same context he said, ‘Here I am – together with the children God has given me.’

8. “Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

9. “We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels. Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.”

11. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ “ (Gal 5:13-14, KJV)

12. “I am not repenting of what I have done and if I had to begin now, I would again do the same thing that I did, because that is my duty. Gladly I depart to expose myself to danger, not to atone for my faults (for on this point I do not believe I have committed any) but to finish my work and affirm with my example what I have always preached.” (Hongkong, 20 June 1892, EpistolarioRizalino III, No. 550, p. 346) “I am not repenting of what I have done and if I had to begin now, I would again do the same thing that I did, because that is my duty. Gladly I depart to expose myself to danger, not to atone for my faults (for on this point I do not believe I have committed any) but to finish my work and affirm with my example what I have always preached.” (Hongkong, 20 June 1892, EpistolarioRizalino III, No. 550, p. 346)

13. “He who was slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freed man; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”