Freedom from Legalism, Condemnation, & Offense (Independence Day)
Pastor Phil Derstine 7-2-23
The Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776
· “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
· Our Spiritual Declaration: Freedom from sin & death – Legalism, Condemnation, Offense
· John 8:36 “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
The Law of Love – Brought by Jesus and God’s grace
· Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? (37) Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (40) All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
· John 8:3 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery...” (6) But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. (10) Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? (11) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
No Condemnation – Don’t receive the devil’s condemnation, receive God’s Love!
· Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
· Romans 5:8 “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
· Luke 23:34 (Jesus from the cross) “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
· God’s LOVE is Unconditional – His GIFT must be Received.
No Offense – Don’t receive offense and don’t BE an offense!
· II Timothy 2:23 (NIV) “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. (24) And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; Instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. (25) Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”
· Matthew 5:20 “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
· James 3:18 “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
· Matthew 24:10 “Then [in Last Days] shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”
· Luke 17:1 “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! (2) It would be better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, then that he should offend one of these little ones.”
· Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.”
· Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord – Rom. 8:38
