Colossians 2:16-18 (NLT): So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things.

Following man-made rules makes us feel good. We feel holy and pious when we do things and show off to the world. But Jesus came to break rules. He came to set us free from the law, and yet, we still bind ourselves with rules. That is not what God intended. God wants only freedom. He breaks the rules; back then and here now, He is still shattering every rule we place upon ourselves in hopes of faking piety.

Freedom is taught through the Word of God. The Bible challenges the man-made traditions that were instilled in the mind during childhood while growing up in one denomination or the other. It can be angering, but the challenge is the road to freedom. The Bible answers every question in life and addresses every issue that comes up. When you understand the Word, it becomes a foundation for freedom. Freedom let’s us move towards the things of the Kingdom and allows the Kingdom to have a major impact on our lives.

Jesus purchased our freedom with His blood. Salvation is submitting your life to Jesus, laying down your pride, and asking Jesus for help, and He does! In that moment, the spirit inside you–the part that God knew even before time as documented in Psalm 139–is reunited with God.
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 Ps. Dean - 08/24/08: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Get caught up in serving and helping people. For too long, the church has been preaching something and doing another. It is time to embed ourselves in the community, serve, and do things that give Jesus a good name.

Galatians 5:13-15: “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” (NLT)

I am talking about freedom this morning. I am not talking about political or religious freedom. I’m talking about the freedom that comes from who God is. Because, contrary to how you may have been raised or how you picture God–you perceive God through a grid forged by upbringing and the voices of authority in our lives. We take this baggage, this concept on, and it determines how we view God and life. It can be very tough to break out of these old thoughts of who God is. God is Freedom. The only real definition of “Freedom” is out of the Heart of God, Himself. He is the only free being in the universe.
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 Ps. Dean - Sunday, August 10th: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download