The New Year & The New You

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Freedom in the Son

Introduction

John 8: 25; 31-36

“Who are you?” they questioned. “Exactly what I’ve been telling you from the very beginning,” Jesus told them. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

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Did You Know that Jesus is the Great Liberator?

Luke 4:16-21, The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Jesus the Liberator

Have you ever considered the difference between the captives and the oppressed?

• Captive: A person physically taken prisoner, often in a war situation. 
• Oppressed: A person subjected to unjust power, control, or limitations, which can be social, economic, or even spiritual. 

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Illustration

• Imagine a bird in two situations:
1. Captive: The bird is locked in a cage. It cannot fly, no matter how hard it tries, because it is physically confined.
2. Oppressed: The bird is free to fly, but its wings are weighed down by heavy chains, making flight exhausting and progress nearly impossible.

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The People’s Bold Statement

We are Children of Abraham and have never been enslaved by anyone. How dare you say you can set us free!

1. Genesis 15:13 would be resident aliens for four hundred years in a land that does not belong to them and will be enslaved and oppressed.
• Were they not in Egypt
• Were they not taken captive by Assyria, Babylonian, and Persia?
• Are they currently not under Roman Rule

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Jesus Clears This Up.

Everyone who sins is enslaved. However, the slave does not remain forever, but the son does.

Jesus uses the picture of a home slave and son to explain his teaching.

• Slavery is temporary: In ancient times, slaves were employees who lived in their master's home but were not part of the family. They could be sold or transferred at the master's will, highlighting their lack of permanence. 
• Sons have rights: In contrast, sons had a permanent place in the family and were entitled to an inheritance. 
• God's family: The "family" in this verse refers to the household of God, which signifies belonging, relationship, and inheritance. 
• Freedom from sin: Jesus wants to free people from the curse of sin, shame, and death. He says that if the Son makes people free, they will be "free indeed". 

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Does darkness oppress you?

• According to the Bible, the devil often uses our desires to try to tempt Christians to turn to sin and away from God. This is called demonic oppression, and it often manifests as unending difficulties that cause an individual to question their relationship with God.

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Dark Oppression in the Bible

1. is Bible often portrays a powerful force that can control people's lives, similar to how darkness can envelop and obscure vision. 

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Scriptural Evidence

1. Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - This verse describes the spiritual battle against the forces of darkness that can oppress people

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2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 7

For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ.

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A Person Can Be Free From the Dark Oppression by

1. Knowing the Truth
2. Knowing their identity in Jesus
3. Take every thought captive and renewing their mind daily in the truth.

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A Biblical Theology of A Christians’ Identity in Jesus.

A Christian is a new creation in Jesus. Therefore, they can live a life of freedom and peace in the Son by tearing down the strongholds of dark oppressive thoughts and memories through the truths of Scripture while growing in their significance and identity in Jesus.

Our Learning Map

In the following weeks, we are going to learn:

• ‌Who We Are in Jesus
• ‌Recognize and Tear Down Oppressive Strongholds
• ‌We Must Crucify Learned Behaviors
• ‌Forgiveness is the Key to Healing
• ‌The Mind is the Primary Battlefield
• ‌Freedom is the Daily Practice of Spiritual Disciplines
2. ‌

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Takeaway

Invitation