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Acts 2:42-47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Rev. J.B. Watkins

Every church is to make sure that their mission and vision aligns with God's mission. We cannot just do what we want. We are to bring God glory.

We are called together For Christ

Very high crime and murder rates plague our community. Not only that but also the church reflects the community. I've asked ourselves why our church is here? We are not only to alleviate poverty or build houses. We are gathering for Christ, first and foremost. Not just a social affair, because we like these people, or we eat the same things. We are here for our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We are called together For each other

We are here for each other like the three muskettiers. One for all and all for one. We may be many different cultures and background, but we are here for one another. We are to serve each other corporately.

We are called together For the world

They are here to take the gospel to the surrounding communities. The believers in acts are spreading the gospel to the area around them. Jesus is our example. He does not boast, but rather called forth a people to serve God. He taught and discipled them to bring glory to God.

Jesus the Great Emancipator

John 8:31-59 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, "You will become free"?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.  I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."  They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,  but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.  You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.  Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.  Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?  Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."  The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.  Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.  Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."  The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, "If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death."  Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, "He is our God."  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.  Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad."  So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?"  Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."  So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

In the confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders, things get more heated over time.

The myth of freedom: autonomy, total free will

Freedom is defined as total autonomy in this current day and age. Gay marriage, gun control... all speak of freedom this way. To be one's own self imposed person...

There are some assumptions in this:

Goodness is no longer transcendent. It is personal and individualistic.

Jesus says this: "... everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." The idea that we can be free and completely autonomous is an illusion. Jesus claims that we are servants and we will always serve something. And if we refuse to serve God, we will serve something else. Relationships, careers, and other things will take over our lives. Those things we seek to pursue will eventually enslave us.

We do not have complete and total free will. We cannot do everything as we wish. We are fallen and sinners, so therefore we cannot choose God. We can choose different ways to reject God, but we cannot choose God. To reject God is in our nature.

The means to true freedom

To be saved, one needs first to see the truth. Even secular addiction programs know this. The first step is this, acknowledge that they have a problem. Jesus is the truth and the savior. He is the way to freedom and life. He has to break into our lives and break us from slavery permanently.

Jesus claims that he is the son of God. Therefore, he can grant freedom as the son of the true Master of all things, God. Not only this, but he claims equality with God.

The marks of true freedom

"The slave does not remain in the house forever, the son remains forever."

Slavery leaves people in an insecure position. They always have to prove themselves and keep chasing. They are continually trying to keep their master happy.

So what does freedom look like?

We abide in the Word.
We are at peace and secure in God.
They live in joy.

God changes our nature. So we will seek out God. We are drawn to God and delight in Him. We are not perfect in obedience; rather persistent obedience. Jesus frees us to be as we were originally designed. He constrains us to be as we were originally created. That is freedom. Sin is what truly constrains us. Parents constrain their kids. Food habits, so they will be healthy and have a fuller life. Less video games and tv and more studying...so they will be successful adults.

Light of the world

John 8:12 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Matthew 5:14 ESV

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Jesus says "I am" statements seven times in John. This is the second one. It is such a simple statement, but so packed with meaning. Matthew speaks of how we are light.

The meaning of light

It is probable that this statement of light came during the feast of the tabernacle. During the feast of the tabernacle, they would light these gigantic torches in the temple. These torches would be so big that they may have lit up the entire city.

When we think of light in modern times, we think of the sun, a lightbulb, maybe an iphone. But this is not what a Jewish hearer would have thought about. They have a much bigger contextual framework when they hear about light. There are more layers of meaning. The feast of tabernacle celebrated the faithfulness of God during Israel's journey through the wilderness. The miracles of manna, bread from heaven and water from a rock. These would be on the minds of Jewish hearers during this time. So the rock in the wilderness that provided water is a representation of Christ. The one who was struck so that we would have waters of life. And also the pillar of light and fire that led the people. This pillar represented the presence of God. They used torches to represent the pillars. The pillar was God's way of showing his protection and leading of the people. Life was based on following God, much as Christians follow Jesus to stay in life. The pillar divided Egypt from Israel. He fought for His people, just as Christ defeated death and sin.

Matthew calls us to testify to Jesus the Light of the world. We are light, small L, witnessing to the world about the Light, big L. We are to testify to the world about Jesus. That is our calling, regardless of context, job, etc. This command applies to us for the rest of our lives regardless of whatever changes may come in this life.