This is Freedom, Week One: Freedom From

"THIS IS FREEDOM." We exist to lead people into a new life of FREEDOM in Jesus. "Let there be Light" Bridge: Good news embracing the poor Comfort for all those who mourn For the broken hearted we sing louder Release from prison and shame Oppression turning to praise For ev'ry captive sing louder Restoring sight to the blind Breaking the curse of the night For all in darkness sing louder Proclaiming freedom for all This is the day of the Lord Beauty for ashes "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) He has sent me to proclaim FREEDOM for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) FREEDOM from the PRISON of SIN. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. Romans 6:20-23 (NLT) But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. Romans 6:20-23 (NLT) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:20-23 (NLT)  We can't appreciate the JOY of freedom, unless we remember the COST of slavery. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Romans 3:22-24 (NLT) Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:22-24 (NLT)  You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT) In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT) FREEDOM from a SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS. 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 4:4-6 (NIV)  For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (NIV) For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (NIV) The greatest tragedy of the Christian life is not any circumstance you will go through, but when you stop viewing everything through the LIGHT of the Cross. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:3-5 (NIV)  FREEDOM from the SHAME of your PAST. Just because we WERE guilty, doesn't mean we ARE guilty. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:8-12 (NIV) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:8-12 (NIV)  This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) FREEDOM from a LIFE without GOD. The greatest tragedy of humanity's story… is NOT having a relationship with God. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5-19 (NIV) So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding… Ephesians 1:5-19 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:5-19 (NIV) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:5-19 (NIV) Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want, but is the complete surrender of your life to the one who knows why you were created.