When Freedom Costs You Freedom | Keep It Real | Pastor Steve Andres

<p>Is your freedom costing you your freedom? This weekend Pastor Steve Andres started a new series called KEEP IT REAL!</p><p><br></p><p>John 8:31-32</p><p>To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”</p><p>AI is promising everything from advice to companionship, relationship guidance to virtual resurrection. In a world that is increasingly artificial, Jesus’ words keep us grounded in a truth that is real, a truth that makes us free.</p><p><br></p><p>1) False freedoms can fool us.</p><p><br></p><p>Jesus’ audience thought they were free, but Jesus made it clear they were actually serving sin. SIN is an artificial freedom. It has the look and feel of freedom at first, but it is a counterfeit that won’t last. The more we deny God and follow our selfish desires, the less free we actually become.</p><p><br></p><p>2) Real freedom begins with freedom FROM sin.</p><p><br></p><p>Knowing what Jesus taught is not enough. We have to cling to it. Have you settled for AGREEMENT with Jesus instead of ABIDING with Jesus? Jesus came not just to pay the PENALTY for our sin, but to break the POWER of sin in our lives. When we hold to the truth that Jesus lived and taught, we find freedom.</p><p><br></p><p>3) Real freedom is freedom FOR love.</p><p><br></p><p>Real freedom in the Biblical sense is not just freedom FROM sin, but freedom FOR love. We are free to live out our design and purpose as God intended.</p><p><br></p><p>Galatians 5:13-14</p><p>You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”</p><p><br></p><p>All of our capacities and abilities come alive in love. Artificial freedoms can’t set you free. Only the Son can free you from sin, and free you for love!</p>