TRUTHS FREEING POWER
Text: –
“You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free” – “John 8:32b” NIV
Scripture: –
“Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!.” – “Hebrews1: 1-4” The Message
Introduction: –
I want to share with you today a little about “Who I Am – Where I’m coming from as I speak to you and What Jesus means to me.” Some of you may know me and some of you don’t. I hope however that by the time we have finished today that those I have never met or spoken with before will leave here as my friend. In addition, my prayer is that both those who know me and those that I’m meeting for the first time today will leave – Challenged, Encouraged and Inspired in your Journey with Jesus.
If I told you my story today it would tell of a young man who was a bad boy in every sense of the word. It would tell you of one who had a life mixed up with drug takers and pushers one who associated with murderers, thieves and burglars. It would be a story of one who was refused entry to Churches and Youth Groups because of the reputation I had built and my behaviour. However, it would also tell of a day when where I deserved (Condemnation and Rejection) by God instead granted (Mercy for Judgement) and He gave His so – so – so unmerited favour instead of listing my sins.
My story is one of a person who (deserved nothing but received everything) one who found (kindness and love) from a Saviour in Jesus who I had (mocked, ridiculed and blasphemed the name off).
My story is really the story of the Grace of God at work in my life.
In April 1968, the Love of Jesus was Shared with me, I was told that not only did He Die for me but that although I deserved to die He wanted to give me life.
How many of you have seen the movie “Van Helsing Frankenstein? Well you may recall a section in it where the Monster is hanging from a rope over the collapsing bridge – He cries “Help! Help me!” to the Monk and Carl the Monk says to him “But you’re supposed to die!” – The Frankenstein Monster cries “I want to live!” and the Monk Carl says “All right.” And drags him off the collapsing bridge to safety.
Well! I want to tell you today that I was no better than that Monster – I deserved to die, in fact because of my sinful state I was destined to die but I cried out in response to the good news of the gospel “I want to live” and Jesus who knew I was supposed to die gave me life and saved me.
My story then is one of Kindness drawing me in to a relationship with Jesus. It is a story of the Love of God in Christ that never gave up – It is a story of Hope in the midst of hopelessness
I was bound by Tobacco, Sex, Bigotry, Pride and all sorts of stuff, but Jesus came along and He called my name. He declared that I could know of His Freedom and He set me free.
How many here today believe that “God’s love is here and in this place.?” Great. However, “Who’s here struggling to believe that?” I know that there’s people here today, coming from different walks of life. These people have arrived – Some feeeling “Pumped Up, Guns Blazing and really Up for Anything and all about serving Jesus.”
However, the reality and truth is that for some it to took all the faith you could muster to drag yourself here today.
“Either way it’s not about how much faith you have it’s about who your faith is in.” – Did you hear me in that – “Either way it’s not about how much faith you have it’s about who your faith is in.” and the reality is that God is in this place!!!!!!
If you want to leave this place today set on a journey of discovery, or with a new-found sense of victory over your despair, hopelessness and fear – then “It’s about Whose word you are willing to believe.” – The Choice is yours.
Jesus once said – “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” – “John 14:6a” KJ He also stated “…..know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – “John 8:32b” KJ
How many of you have seen the 1st Rocky Movie? Do you remember that scene where Rocky is talking to his trainer and he is saying he has got to go 10 rounds to prove he is not a BUM – Well! Today, let me say if you are living like that it’s time to stop.
It’s time to recognise the truth that in reality – We are bums – The reality is that we could not and cannot do it. However, Jesus went the 10 Rounds and more and He did so for all of us here today.
Yes! “I want to live – but your meant to die.” Is true of us all but the reality is that Jesus became a bum in our stead, He went 10 Rounds and more against an enemy who had already conquered us and “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us – WHY – so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – “2 Corinthians 5:21” NIV
The Fight Between Truth and Falsehood
All around about us we are bombarded with lies, deceit and confusion. We are told “Drink this and you will lose kilos”, “Rub this cream into your skin and you will look ten years younger” and “Since 1973 to Today the message “Because I’m Worth It” is recognised by an astonishing 80% of women who respond to this positive phrase and its powerful sentiment.”
We are told that “All truth is relative” we are told “Your truth is not my truth”. Just the other day I was talking to a Jewish Film Producer and Author (A Very Modernistic Jew) who had to admit after discussion that by “diluting down, removing and re-translating” the Jewish Old Testament Bible there was really no room for God anymore.
The net result of this Battle between Truth and Falsehood is that we are living In Fear.
- Fear of the Future
- Fear of the Past
- Fear of Inadequacy
- Fear of being Dis-Liked
- Fear of Bankruptcy
- Fear of Redundancy
- Fear about our Family Relationships and Marriage
I could go on with this list as it is something that is common to us all.
But, I want to tell you something right here and now that FEAR IS A LIAR let me repeat that for you and say FEAR IS A LIAR (Call its Bluff).
What does the Bible tell us in “1 Peter 5: 8” – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” NIV
You have an enemy today, he is your adversary and it does not matter if you are a person of faith or an atheist his desire is to bring about your destruction. How does he accomplish this? Well! Let me give you some ideas as to what he is and has planted into your mind.
He tells you that: –
- You’re not good enough.
- You’re not strong enough
- You’re not worthy enough
Do any of those things ring true in your experience? You’ve tried to do your best but even when you have put up the best fight you can you have just fallen flat on your face.
He tells you that: –
- You’re not Loved.
- You’re not Beautiful.
- You’re never be good enough.
Again! Do any of those things ring true in your experience? In your quite moments of reflection have these thoughts pervaded your thinking.
He tells you that: –
- You’re a Troubled Mind.
- You’re always going to be Alone.
- You’re Dirty and Should be Ashamed.
- You’re the One that Grace cannot Reach and Changed.
Again! Do any of those things ring true in your experience? In those times when you want life to be better is this is all you can think of and believe.
If so let me repeat FEAR IS A LIAR even when you find that you are “Stopped in your steps” or you find that “Your Robbed of your Rest” – your “Happiness appears to have been stolen” and it’s got so bad that its “Difficult even to Breath” still the truth is FEAR IS A LIAR (Call its Bluff).
Your enemy wants to devour your life in such a way that it’s of no use to Man or God and he does so by speaking fear into your life.
So, what’s the answer? Well! That’s simple the Bible clearly tells us that “God gives to us a spirit of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND (NOT FEAR) – “2 Timothy 1:7”
We discover the truth of these words when we discover the reality that Jesus is not only the Way and Life but He is the Embodiment of Truth knowing Christ, living in relationship with Him owning Him as Lord brings the Freedom that Truth Brings.
Truth is not simply a Concept or an Idea it is a Living, Breathing and Vibrant Force that has its Beginning and Ending in Jesus who is declared the Alpha and Omega of our Faith.
We discover from the words I used as my text that the truth is: –
- Personal – Jesus declared YOU shall know the Truth.
- Comprehensible – Jesus declared SHALL KNOW.
- Definitive – Jesus declared His word is TRUTH.
- Liberating – Jesus declared WILL SET YOU FREE
So, I ask you today – What are you going to do with your fear? Are you going to commit it into the hands of Jesus who calls upon you to Fear Not? Are you going to take on board that God has made a way for you to live differently?
The encouragement and command to “Not Fear” is declared 365 Times in the Bible that is one Encouragement for Every Day of the Year.
Conclusion: –
Our enemy and our adversaries desire is to steal the truth that God has planted into our lives. Why? because he wants us captive to a lie. He has already blinded the eyes of those who have not surrendered to the Lordship of Christ – “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – “2 Corinthians 4: 4” and he further desires to (Kill, Destroy and Steal) everything good from your life – He wants to make you “In-effectual, to Dilute your Saltiness, to Dim your Light” – Are we going to let him? Well! Are you going to let him.?
The devil cannot kill you in respect of your on-going new life in Jesus but he can and will steal the on-going work of salvation in our lives – Make no mistake (He will steal the releasing and life-giving seed of truth from you) if he is allowed to. You see we again Have a Choice in this matter.
Has the enemy stolen away your Fruit Growth? Has he Plundered your Crops? Has he Destroyed your On-Going Hope? Has he Diminished your Joy?
If so, I have great news for you today and it is that you can Come out of your Darkness and Deception, out of Falsehood. You can once again know the Light of God in your Soul – and your – Negative Thinking can be Reversed.
In “Matthew 12: 20” it says “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.” NIV
If today the Wick of Testimony is only smouldering because the enemy has deceived you into thinking that the weaknesses of temperament, disposition and character are all unchangeable. If through fear he has impaired the flow of oil and make the Wick of Truth simply smoke. Then let me re-assure you that He does not condemn you. Don’t let condemnation rule your thinking. “Psalm 34:18” – Says “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
The Lord, unlike your enemy does not kick you when you are down. He does not trample the oppressed. He does not break you like a bruised reed.
Stephen King said “Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.” Jesus say’s – “Don’t let this (fear) throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.” “John 14: 1a”
Do not give in to the Voice in your Head but Surrender now to Christ and Discover the Truth Releasing Power of His Salvation in your life.
Jesus Christ into your life then congratulations, it's great to know you have joined the family of God.
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