Last Sunday’s sermon by Pastor Jonathan was very fitting. As we celebrate Memorial Day, we are reminded of the cost of freedom and we give thanks for it. However, as important as physical freedom is, our spiritual freedom is even more essential. The good news is that we can experience an eternal freedom through the redemptive work of Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection. The bad news is that many of us have not been truly experiencing the freedom of Christ in our lives. We are still living as slaves to sin in many ways.
Pastor Jonathan presented 6 things that we can do to transition from slavery to experiencing freedom in Christ. As I look through these 6 points, I am reminded of how God is using the Freedom Ministry at Oasis to help people truly experience His freedom in their lives. My hope is that those who read this will be led by the Spirit into freedom, be it through the Freedom ministry or other routes. Remember, it is “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Pray for humility
Pride blinds us to our sin. Many who hear about Freedom think that it is for someone else. Their pride blinds them to the sin in their own lives as they spout off a list of the things they don’t do: I don’t do drugs, I’m not an alcoholic, I don’t sleep around, etc. I know because I was one of them. My pride prevented me from seeing that my perfectionism and independence were sins. The very traits that people praised in me were the sins that plagued my heart. My motivations were impure and I was enslaved to my fears. Pray that God will allow you to see your sin and give you courage to choose a different path.
Join a Life Group community
God created us for dependence; dependence on Him first and foremost. But He is a relational God and He designed us for community as well. In the context of community, He helps us to see our sin and gives us support to repent of it. Life groups are a great place to experience this community, but the Freedom ministry fulfills this role as well. Double up on the community in your life group and in Freedom, so that others may speak God’s truth into your life in love.
Read and study the Scriptures
The Freedom ministry is founded in God’s word. We learn how to recognize Satan’s lies and replace them with God’s truth. The key to experiencing freedom is the renewing of our minds. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Confess, ask forgiveness, repent
Working through a Christ-centered twelve step program is an effective way to uncover our sins, experience God’s forgiveness, and turn away from them. Break the cycle of sin in your life and learn how to walk more closely with Him.
Be aware of the weights in your life
The weights that so easily entangle are very deceptive at times. Things that are not inherently bad can become stumbling blocks in our walk with Him. Freedom helps you dig deeper and uncover the root cause of your sin. As a result, it becomes easier to recognize the weights and ask for God’s power to overcome them.
Serve and think of others more than yourself
So maybe you have found some freedom in your life. Maybe life isn’t as crazy or out of control as it used to be. This doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from attending Freedom. Furthermore, your participation in the group can be a great source of hope to those who are currently where you used to be. God uses our testimonies in mighty ways in the lives of others. Maybe He’s waiting to use yours to help struggling people move from slavery into freedom.
If you are interested in learning more about the Freedom Ministry, check out the rest of this website or e-mail us at [email protected]. To listen to Pastor Jonathan’s message, visit http://www.oasischurchlive.com/#!sermons/ci3v and listen to the sermon titled “Christ the Liberator.”
Pastor Jonathan presented 6 things that we can do to transition from slavery to experiencing freedom in Christ. As I look through these 6 points, I am reminded of how God is using the Freedom Ministry at Oasis to help people truly experience His freedom in their lives. My hope is that those who read this will be led by the Spirit into freedom, be it through the Freedom ministry or other routes. Remember, it is “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Pray for humility
Pride blinds us to our sin. Many who hear about Freedom think that it is for someone else. Their pride blinds them to the sin in their own lives as they spout off a list of the things they don’t do: I don’t do drugs, I’m not an alcoholic, I don’t sleep around, etc. I know because I was one of them. My pride prevented me from seeing that my perfectionism and independence were sins. The very traits that people praised in me were the sins that plagued my heart. My motivations were impure and I was enslaved to my fears. Pray that God will allow you to see your sin and give you courage to choose a different path.
Join a Life Group community
God created us for dependence; dependence on Him first and foremost. But He is a relational God and He designed us for community as well. In the context of community, He helps us to see our sin and gives us support to repent of it. Life groups are a great place to experience this community, but the Freedom ministry fulfills this role as well. Double up on the community in your life group and in Freedom, so that others may speak God’s truth into your life in love.
Read and study the Scriptures
The Freedom ministry is founded in God’s word. We learn how to recognize Satan’s lies and replace them with God’s truth. The key to experiencing freedom is the renewing of our minds. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Confess, ask forgiveness, repent
Working through a Christ-centered twelve step program is an effective way to uncover our sins, experience God’s forgiveness, and turn away from them. Break the cycle of sin in your life and learn how to walk more closely with Him.
Be aware of the weights in your life
The weights that so easily entangle are very deceptive at times. Things that are not inherently bad can become stumbling blocks in our walk with Him. Freedom helps you dig deeper and uncover the root cause of your sin. As a result, it becomes easier to recognize the weights and ask for God’s power to overcome them.
Serve and think of others more than yourself
So maybe you have found some freedom in your life. Maybe life isn’t as crazy or out of control as it used to be. This doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from attending Freedom. Furthermore, your participation in the group can be a great source of hope to those who are currently where you used to be. God uses our testimonies in mighty ways in the lives of others. Maybe He’s waiting to use yours to help struggling people move from slavery into freedom.
If you are interested in learning more about the Freedom Ministry, check out the rest of this website or e-mail us at [email protected]. To listen to Pastor Jonathan’s message, visit http://www.oasischurchlive.com/#!sermons/ci3v and listen to the sermon titled “Christ the Liberator.”