26-0705p - Detailed Summary

Scott greets the evening congregation and notes how studying the Bible’s teachings on freedom and liberty makes familiar passages feel new, revealing fresh insights from a different perspective. The Bible truly produces faith.

There are two aspects to our liberty in Christ. The first, most familiar, concerns what one must do to be saved and deals with our standing before God in judgment: are we righteous, justified, or condemned? Labeled as reconciliation from Romans 5:9-11, it spans Romans chapters 3-8, freeing us from sin. Through hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and baptism (the typology committed to from the heart), we are freed from sin, receive the gift of righteousness and justification, and the Holy Spirit. This fulfills Psalm 32:1 and Romans 4:7 on forgiven transgression. In the first aspect, we have been freed from sin and are no longer slaves to it.

The second aspect, while familiar, is less clearly defined and often viewed as the "live faithfully until death" step at the end of the five-step plan of salvation. It involves progressive growth in faith, called sanctification in Romans 6:22: having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, one reaps benefits leading to sanctification and eternal life. God has works for us to do, requiring continual cleansing. This is where Romans 4:8 (quoting Psalm 32:2, emphasizing no deceit in spirit) and 1 John 1:6-7 on walking in the light for fellowship and purification by Jesus' blood come into play, along with confessing sins for forgiveness. In Christianity, freedom is integral, not an afterthought.

Jesus makes us free from sin, no longer slaves to it. In John 8:31-36, holding to His teachings makes one a true disciple who knows the truth that sets one free. Romans 6 proves this: baptism into Christ’s death and burial leads to new life (verses 3-4); the old self is crucified so we are no longer slaves to sin (verse 6); the one who died with Christ is freed from sin (verse 7). Verse 8 adds belief that we will live with Him. Romans 6:5 speaks of union in a death like His and a resurrection like His. Paul thanks God that former slaves to sin obeyed from the heart the standard or type of teaching (baptism typology).

Having obeyed the baptismal teaching, believers become slaves of righteousness. This fulfills Jesus' words and grants the gift of righteousness. Romans 4 discusses Abraham’s faith that God fulfills promises, counted as righteousness, applying also to us who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, delivered for our trespasses and raised for justification. Romans 5:1 brings peace with God through Christ. The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into hearts (5:5). Romans 5:9-11 explains justification by blood saves from wrath; enemies reconciled by death are now saved by His life, receiving reconciliation.

Romans 8:1-2 declares no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, freed by the law of the Spirit of life from the law of sin and death. Discussion turns to law involving righteousness, transgression, and justification. Righteousness means alignment with the law; transgression breaks it. Justification comes through Christ’s gift of righteousness. Paul limits the law’s power.

Where there is no law, there is no transgression (Romans 4:15) or sin counted (Romans 5:13). The Cain and Abel story illustrates: Cain’s murder resulted in banishment, not death, as no formal law existed yet; God later establishes punishment. Before the law, sins occurred but were not accounted as transgressions.

Romans 7:1, 4-6 states the law has power only while one lives; dying with Christ frees from the law of Moses. The law has no jurisdiction over the dead, freeing us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Righteousness does not come from law-keeping. Through obedient faith in baptismal typology and belief in Christ’s work, we die to the law and receive justification. Galatians 5:1 urges standing firm against slavery’s yoke. The Galatians were pressured toward law-keeping for justification, which Paul rejects.

This freedom concerns legal standing: declared righteous at baptism by faith—complete and based on Christ’s finished work. Supporting passages: Romans 8:33-34 (no charge or condemnation), 2 Corinthians 5:21 (becoming God’s righteousness), Galatians 3:13 (redeemed from curse), Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9 (redemption and grace through faith, not works). Believers have confidence before God: no condemnation, justified, adopted, redeemed. This is the "already" part of salvation.

The New Testament continues with growing freedom by walking in the Spirit—progressive sanctification from sin’s power. Galatians 5:13-14 calls the free to serve humbly in love, fulfilling the law. Freedom is not license to sin. Romans 6:22 links freedom to sanctification and eternal life. Romans 8:2, 8:15 (adoption), 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (freedom and transformation), Galatians 5:16-25 (walk by Spirit, fruit), and Philippians 2:12-13 (God works in you) support this. Reconciliation gives confidence; sanctification transforms. The same Spirit justifies and sanctifies. Creation awaits liberation (Romans 8:21).

Freedom demands responsibility. It must not cover evil (Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 2:16); live as God’s slaves. 1 Corinthians 6:12 prioritizes benefit. In disputable matters, pursue peace without stumbling others. James 1:25 blesses continuing in the perfect law of liberty. The gospel is a liberating law.

Liberty’s source is Christ’s work and the Holy Spirit. Freedom is from sin, law’s condemnation, fear, and death—for loving service, holiness, confidence, and glory. Live by faith, self-control, and love, standing firm without returning to bondage. This costly freedom calls for responsible living under Christ’s Lordship. Reconciled believers have resources for sanctification. The Son sets us free indeed. The sermon concludes with an extended invitation as the congregation stands to sing.