2014.6.1 礼拝

Message from John 8:21-36, “The Truth will make you Free”:
Kids – John8:32 – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. What is “truth”? Truth = Jesus. Then what is “free”? → Free from sin. Knowing Jesus, you will be freed from being a slave to sin.
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Are you free?
John 8:33-34 – They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Historically, the Jews have been taken to Babylon and even further back were in Egypt. However, their interpretation of “free” was being free with a citizenship and take part in social affairs without being a slave. Likewise, especially since slavery is banned in Japan, we are free.
What is being a slave?
・Because of stress at work and at home, we are ruled by worries and fear, therefore, in captive.
・Controlled by self-centeredness, and greed.
・ Controlled by fear and dream of self-satisfaction – financial success, educational status, important position in business/society etc. Fear how others think or look upon us and, therefore, act in a way completely different from what we really are.
Example of being a slave to sin
Galatians 5:19-21 – The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Taking the pill to get rid of fever does not cure your cold. It is not enough just to make corrections on the surface.
The outcome of sin
John 8:24 – I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins. Romans 6:23 – For the wage of sin is death, …
Slave of sin is to make sin our master instead of God. If live according to sin, eventually we die in our sins.
To be release from being a slave of sin
1. Acknowledge we are slave of sin. If we don’t know we are a slave of sin, then there is no wish to be freed as was the case of Jews in John 8:33.
2. John 8:35-36 – Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. If sin is your master, change to another master (Jesus Christ) and be freed of sin. If you are a slave because of debt, you may be released by paying back the debt; however, if slave of sin, you cannot free yourself through your own efforts.
John 8:31 – To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” Jesus has paid the ransom to free us. All we have to do is to accept his call.
Will you die in sins or live eternally in the kingdom of God?