Law/Gospel Theme: In our Bible story for today we are reminded that in our country we celebrate the freedom we have living in America. In this country. We are free to say what we choose. Go to church where we choose. Be friends with whoever we choose. And send our children to schools we choose.
America is an amazing country to live in. Because we have so many freedoms here! But there is an even more exciting freedom that we call all have! We can have incredible freedom through Jesus Christ!
Prayer: Lord, pour into our hearts your Holy Spirit. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth.
Protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant us Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen
Hymn: # 18 Beautiful Savior
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.
That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
John 8:31-36
31 To those who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Hymn: #19 Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine
The word “freedom.” is quite literally, tossed about these days. When we mention this word “Freedom”, it comes with individual rights and choices. Some in our culture will use this word, “freedom’ to imply there should be no limits, no restrictions, no cost for autonomy and liberty.
Some associate “Freedom,” with license, assuming that self-determination and independence implies no responsibilities or accountabilities.
Yet, there is a sense of Freedom purchased for us by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we consider the price of Freedom.
Freedom comes at a cost – Freedom is not free. It is bought with a price.
And the precious blood of Christ paid for the cost of freedom. And the price that was paid to redeem you; set you free to cover the cost of the penalty of your sin. To reconcile you back to God. That was the cost of the precious blood of Jesus.
The Savior paid for you redemption with His own blood. “You were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your Spirit, which are God’s” as St. Paul teaches. – 1 Corinthians 6:20
Yes, you were bout with a price. It cost the Savior something with which to redeem you. The price that was paid to redeem you set you free. The price to reconcile you back to God was the cost of blood, which was shed by Christ at Calvary’s cross.
Jesus tells us in our reading for today "If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
How could the Son set them free? He could say that and then do that because of who He is.
Jesus is the Son who has been sent into the world by the Father. He knew the Father's plan. He had the most intimate relationship with the Father.
He had heard everything the Father had said. And He came with this message of good news: "The Father has sent Me in order to set you free."
Jesus is that One who declares, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Today He tells us here that the Truth shall set us free.
The Truth has set you free. It is the Truth which is embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to you in His Word. You are free, indeed!
Jesus offers freedom to those believing in Him.
“Then Jesus said to those who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John reminds us that many believed in Him. (John 8:30). Jesus spoke to them. Telling them what they needed to continue in their belief and trust in Him.
Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” If you would be Jesus’ disciples. You abide in His word.
There is no other way. To be a follower of Jesus is to abide. (To live in. To dwell in. To make your home in) His word.
Jesus called men to abide in His word. In the mouth of anyone other than Jesus, these words would be absurd.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This is the result of abiding in the word of Jesus. We prove ourselves to be His disciples and we know the truth, and God works His freedom in our life through His truth.
The freedom Jesus spoke of comes from abiding in His word and being His disciple.
There is nothing like the freedom we can have in Jesus. No money can buy it. No status can obtain it. No work can earn it. And nothing can match it.
As God’s true and only Son Jesus has given us a greater freedom than we could ever have on earth or by living in America.
Jesus sets us free from our every burden. He lived a perfect life and then died on the cross taking the punishment for our sins in our place.
This God. This Father. Loved the world. That He sent His only Son into it.
He had only one Son. But He sent Him to die on a cross in order to save everyone who believes in Him.
Jesus said; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
This led Paul to explain, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not of works that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
As you believe and follow Jesus. You are given eternal freedom. When Jesus sets us free. We will for all eternity be free indeed!
Through faith in him and following his teaching, we can have true freedom.
You are free. And you are loved. Jesus loves you. That is true for everyone here. Yes? Yes! It sure is. Jesus loves each & every one of us.
Jesus loves us. He knows that we are not always going to do the right thing--even when we try very very hard. - Still he loves us.
So, each day we have opportunities to love each other and the most important 'true' thing we can know is that 'Jesus loves us' and because he loves us, he wants us to keep loving each other and he will help us do that.
The Lord wanted to let him know the good news of the Gospel is for everyone! It wasn’t just for those who followed the rules or did what was expected.
The message of God’s love and grace needs to be shared with everyone. It isn’t about your background, but about the life you live now.
You can show God’s love because He has made everyone and called us to value them. Today. Let’s practice love for one another. And thank God for the good news we have in Jesus. For He has made us free.
Thank you, Lord for your love and care. Thank you for the freedom you give us to belong to your family. You have set us free to love and serve others as you guide and lead us. We thank you for sending Jesus to show us the truth of your love.
Let us cry out to the Lord with our prayers and petitions on this day.
Today we remember those people affected by recent hurricanes and storms. We ask that as relief agencies come to their aid that they may be the hand and feet the fingers and toes of Jesus. May they show compassion, mercy and care for those who are vulnerable. And may we continue to lift them up in our prayers as this is what we are called to do. In Jesus’ name we pray.
The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for the sick and suffering.
The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord, for gathering us this day.
The Lord has given us life in a nation of opportunities and liberty; with public services such as fire and police protection, ambulances, food pantries, schools, libraries, and hospitals. We thank you Lord, for our national life.
The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.
The Lord has given us a world full of creatures that crawl, fly, swim, and climb. We enjoy a bounty of flowers and shrubs, grasses and trees, plants and moss, and rocks and hills. We thank you Lord, for your creation.
The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.
We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.[1]
Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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