How to Really Have Freedom - March 30, 2025

The Cross

How to Really Have Freedom

Jon Fredricks

Today's Scripture: Luke 23:32-34 NIV

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Luke 23:32-34 NIV

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

 

Revelation 1:5 NIV

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

 

John 8:34 NIV

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

 

Romans 7:21-24 NIV

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

 

Romans 6:6 NIV

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—

 

Romans 6:4, 14 NIV

4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

 

1) HATE THE UGLY

Isaiah 53:3 NIV

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

 

Romans 8:6 ESV  

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

 

Galatians 5:24 ESV  

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

2) REACH OUT FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE

John 3:16 NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

Acts 16:29-31 NIV

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

 

3) WASH THE STAIN WITH HIS WORD

Ephesians 5:25-26 NIV

25 … Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 

 

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

4) DEPEND ON HIS SPIRIT WHO IS IN YOU!

John 16:7, 13 NIV

7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the