Pastor Phil Vance
Truth Sets us Free
November 1, 2015
Highlights:
1.) We cannot count on our spiritual heritage, past accomplisments and good behavior when it comes to freedom. Freedom comes because we know and practice the truth.
2.) We lie when we say, as long as no one knows I will not be in trouble. This lie keeps us living and preserving a lie. Everyone gets caught in the end.
3.) If we are in habitual sin, we are caged and boxed into doing the same thing over and over again. We can look good and sound tuff (lion in a cage), but we are stuck where we are at.
4.) Jesus never pointed His finger at sinners; He gave His whole hand and helped them.
Discussion Questions:
1.) When it comes to your relationship with the Lord: are you living in a present day love relationship with Jesus or are you relying on past experiences with the Lord?
2.) Talk together about the benefits of getting caught. When was the last time you were found out, exposed and grew through that process? What about that experience made it better than hiding?
3.) Pastor Phil asked, “When was the last time you beat your chest in confession to God?”
Key Sceiptures and Quotes and Definitions:
John 8:31-45 niv
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never
been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.” “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.” Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!
“The truth may hurt for a little while but a lie hurts forever.”
Luke 18:9-14
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer : ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”