John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Yet, so many people have not found freedom. This weekend we are starting a new series talking about what Christ has freed us from.

Why is freedom such an important idea?
What does it mean to be free?

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32 (NLT)

One of the greatest obstacles to you finding freedom in a world that seeks to bind you…. IS YOU!

How are we often our own worst enemy when it comes to finding freedom?

In Genesis 3, the serpent doesn’t force Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. He just plants the idea in her head.

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. —Genesis 3:6 (NLT)

How much selfishness do you see in this one verse?

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. —James 3:16 (NLT)

Why are we often such a selfish people?

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? —Luke 9:23-25 (NLT)

What does Jesus say about being selfish?
What does Jesus say we need to do about it?

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. —Ephesians 1:3-7 (NLT)

Christ purchased our freedom because of his love for us. Our freedom came at a cost. … it always does.
What do we do with this freedom?

The love of Christ controls us, because we know that One died for all, so all have died. 15 Christ died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from the dead so that they would live for him. —2 Corinthians 5:4-5 (NCV)

What does it look like to have freedom from yourself?