Westhill Episcopal Church

Sunday 16^th October 2005

Theme: His Truth Brings Freedom

Aim: to understand and experience the freedom available in Christ.

Key verse: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (Jn 8:32).

Reading

John 8:31-47

1. The Dispute about Truth

Jesus challenged some Jews who had decided to follow Him. He focused on the very essence of their understanding of truth and reality – who they were. We might think that there is no other aspect of truth that we can be more certain about than our own personal identity. We would be wrong!

Two Views of Truth
The Jews	Jesus
We are free	You are slaves
We are Abraham’s offspring	You are children of the devil
We are not illegitimate	You do what the devil does
God alone is our Father	You are deaf to God’s voice
We don’t need to be set free	You can be set free
Focus on history	Focus on reality

2. Perception and Reality

Truth is what is real and what is lasting. Truth is what God plans and makes real, not what we perceive or think.

The Perception

The Reality

3. Freedom in Christ

Jesus said

Hold to my teaching
Be my disciples in reality
Then you will know the truth
The truth will set you free

(John 8:31,32)

What Jesus Taught

Prisoners and Slaves

Prisoners of Satan. Enslaved to sin. Trapped and helpless.

A Way of Deliverance

Jesus can set us free. We must put our faith in Him.

Members of the Royal Family

God makes us sons. We know Him and hear Him. We are family forever.

Staying Free from Chains

Freedom that is ours by right! Things need not bind us. Fears need not overwhelm us. Cinderella didn’t return back to servitude!

Response

Ask God to show you if there is any area of your life in which you need to know His deliverance and freedom. Ask the Lord for deliverance and believe His word: “If the Son sets you free you shall be free indeed” (Jn 8:36).