THE LIFE OF FREEDOM

Message for the Wesley Covenant Service

January 3, 2010

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (NKJV)

Historians of the early American colonies came up with a term called “Triangular Trade.” Most of us probably learned this in our history classes when we were in school and likely have forgotten all about it.

What was “Triangular Trade”? Triangular Trade was based on shipping. The goal of any merchant ship was not only never to arrive a port empty but to never leave a port empty. As you can see on the overhead there were three basic sets of geographic ports: Europe (primarily England), Africa (primarily the gold coastal area) and the Americas (the American colonies and the Caribbean islands). Each of these had items that the others didn’t have and needed items and goods that the others had.

For example, a ship leaving the Americas would go to England with a load of molasses, sugar and tobacco products. They would unload in England and load up guns, cloth and beer and head to Africa. Once in Africa they would then load up slaves and perhaps gold and head to the American colonies to start the process all over again.

Quite often- not always though- at the heart of the trade was slaves. Slaves would be literally hearded onto ships, packed in tightly like they were any other cargo and shipped across the Atlantic to the American colonies. This occurred for several hundred years until the slave trade was abolished by England and other nations. In fact, England would stop ships that were in the slave trade no matter what country they were from.

Thousands of slaves were captured by African tribes, delivered to the coastal ports of western Africa and traded to very eager Anglos ready to make money when they delivered them to the American colonies. The tragedy is that for so long so many tolerated slavery as “this is just the way it is.”

In fact, good Christian people owned slaves, traded and sold slaves and approved those who also participated. They literally saw nothing wrong with it.

And as I approach this whole issue of the life of freedom there are three thoughts that I want to highlight that I hope will help each of us realize that we must go beyond belief. In other words, God calls us to go deeper into this relationship through Jesus Christ that is more than just believing in Him for salvation.

1) Freedom over circumstances within your control.

I am alarmed that too many Christians have bought into that concept spiritually. That being a Christian and being a slave to a particular sin is “just the way it is.” We wink not only at the sinful behaviors of others but we actually tolerate certain aspects of it in our own lives.

a) Lust.

b) Gluttony.

c) Anger.

d) Jealousy.

e) Bitterness.

f) Pornography.

g) Critical spirit.

h) Lying.

i) Swearing.

j) Compulsive behaviors.

k) Addictive behaviors.

“But, Pastor, I’m not hurting anybody. It’s not like I’m actually killing someone by saying bad things about them behind their back. It’s not like I’m actually committing adultery because I look at someone other than my spouse with lust in my heart.”

Matthew 5:21-22 ²¹"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' ²²But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

Matthew 5:27-28 ²⁷"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' ²⁸But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Well, brother and sister, Jesus didn’t see it that way. He saw the sin behind the sin. Whatever sin we commit- even in the privacy of our minds- is subject to judgment.

There is good news, brothers and sisters. Jesus paid it all. He paid the price so that you might not only have forgiveness of sins but have victory over the strongholds of life that keep you bottled up spiritually and emotionally and even physically.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthian Church that we have “weapons of our warfare that are not carnal, but might through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

There’s another aspect of this spiritual victory that I long to see everyone of us have and that is:

2) Freedom over circumstances beyond your control.

But even further than just simply some particular enslavement to sinful behaviors, I have found so many enslaved to circumstances that seem to be beyond their control.

a) Some are enslaved to physical and emotional disability.

b) Some are enslaved to financial pressures.

c) Some are enslaved to what other people think of them.

My hope and prayer today is that we can somehow get a sense of not only hope that God will intervene for us in these different aspects but that somehow God will deliver us to spiritual victory and true freedom in spite of our circumstances and failures.

What do I mean?

You can still have victory over your finances and not earn a penny more.

You can still have victory over your physical disability and not experience physical healing.

You can still have victory over what others think about you and they never do change their mind about you.

I believe that our Lord longs to be gracious to us this day and that He desires the very best for His children.

3) Freedom to be a different person in Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul writes our text verse to a group of churches in the region known as Galatia. These believers were being imposed upon by some Jewish Christians with the idea that they had to adhere to the Jewish law in order to be Christians. Paul addresses this issue very forcefully and in such a way that there is no mistake about the basis of a Christian’s life: “I am crucified with Christ and yet not I that live but Christ in me.” (Galatians 2:19-20)

He makes very clear to these Christians who used to live under the law that if they are saved by faith how can they go back to the old life under the law?

He says something similar later in his letter to the Romans 6:1. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!”

The greater point for us to realize is that as Christians our lives are much different from the life we had before we got saved.

But now that you are a believer in Christ you are a new creature; old things have passed away and all things have become new.

Neil T. Anderson has three very important concepts that he constantly teaches and I have co-copted into my thinking as a Christian. These three Christian ideals have helped me so much over the years to overcoming various situations, circumstances and (yes) sin.

(The next three or four Wednesday Prayer meetings will be covering these three concepts.)

a) I am accepted.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ paid the price of his life so that I could be accepted by God. I am God’s child. Furthermore, I am a friend with God. All because I have been bought with a price.

b) I am secure.

I am so grateful for my Baptist in-laws clinging to the “once saved always saved” belief. I don’t agree whole-heartedly with the idea but yet I appreciate it because there was a time I needed to believe that. I struggled for many years with a performance orientation concept that made me feel as though I was not saved half the time.

Something else I discovered along the way that I have needed to cling to is that the devil cannot bring me harm. All of hell’s fury may come but my soul is safe in the arms of God.

1 John 5:18 ¹⁸We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.

c) I am significant.

As a lost and lonely teenager I struggled for years with understanding my importance to God. Into my twenties and early thirties I had a hard time feeling very important or needed. And all this time I was telling my teens how important they were and yet I struggled within myself in feeling very important.

But something changed as the Holy Spirit slowly began to gain access to my life. It was a campmeeting with Adrian Depres as he preached what it meant to be in Christ. And he pointed out Colossians 1:27 ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Suddenly everything began to change in my thinking. Here I was at the ripe age of 36 years old and I learned that the mystery of the gospel message was Christ in me.

And now on my cell phone wallpaper you will read “Christ in me.” Or “I am in Christ.”

I have come to realize more and more and I’m still realizing this truth that I am significant to God so much that he gave his one and only son.

And now I am God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works. (Ephesians 2:1)

So what does this mean? I am free in Christ Jesus. The victory has been won by him for me.

And so on this day, as we participate in this Wesley Covenant Service...

Conclusion: What is it that you need God to do in your life?

Galatians 5:13- For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

And so today in this Wesley Covenant Service I am calling on us as a body of Christians to believe God and what He tells us in His Holy Word about us and the freedom that is ours for the living.

Do you believe that God not only saves but saves to the uttermost?

Do you believe that God can and does deliver men and women from the enslavements of sinful behaviors- drugs, alcohol, sexual addictions such as pornography and homosexuality, and the like?

Do you believe that God can and does set men and women free from the enslavement of a bitter spirit, unforgiveness towards others and gossip?

Do you believe that God can reach down into your circumstances- both those you do control and those you do not- and do a new work in your heart and life?

I do.

Embrace this freedom through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 ¹ Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Not only…

Live the life of Christ that you were intended to live…

BUT

Love the life of Christ that you are called to live.

WESLEY COVENANT SERVICE January 3, 2010

Adapted from John Wesley

Call to Worship

Chris Vaughan: “Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant which will never be forgotten." (Jeremiah 50:5)

We come together early in this new year to join in a covenant service. Our purpose is to be reminded of our deep need of God's grace.

Every person must recognize their sinful condition and remember that they cannot experience forgiveness outside the grace of God.

Then we must acknowledge that our need of his grace is deeper than forgiveness for wrong acts, but goes to the cleansing work of His Spirit at the very core of our beings.

So we embrace, today, an opportunity for a fresh experience of His grace. Let’s rededicate ourselves to the covenant relationship provided for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Historical Background

Scott Peyton: This service comes to us through John Wesley, the forefather of our theological tradition.

For him what it meant to be a mature disciple of Christ was the joining of believers in a covenant "to serve God with all our heart and with all our soul." (Matthew 22:37)

He urged his Methodist followers to renew, "at every point, our covenant, that the Lord should be our God."

On August 11, 1755, Wesley refers to an occasion when he conducted a service that provided opportunity for persons to make or renew that covenant with God. Listen to this account from his daily journal:

"I mentioned to the congregation another means of increasing serious religion, which had been frequently practiced by our fore-fathers, namely, the joining in a covenant to serve God with all our heart and with all our soul.

“I explained this for several mornings and on Friday many of us kept a fast to the Lord, beseeching him to give us wisdom and strength, to make a promise unto the Lord our God and keep it.

“On Monday, August 11, I explained once more the nature of such an engagement, and the manner of doing it acceptably to God.

“At six in the evening we met for that purpose. After I had recited the tenor of the covenant proposed, all those who desired to give testimony of their entrance into this covenant stood up, to the number of about 1,800 persons.

“Such a night I scarce ever saw before. Surely the fruit of it shall remain forever."

It is important that we recognize our continuing need for confession. We have tended to connect confession only to the moment of turning to Christ for the first time.

But scripture validates, and Wesley affirmed, even the Christian’s need for a periodic prayer of confession as well. In Wesley’s own words: "the most holy among us is subject to a thousand infirmities which spring from our fallen-ness.”

Our shortcomings and human failings need the atoning blood of Christ as well as our 'properly so-called' sins. According to the apostle Paul, all of us must live daily, recognizing our need of the cleansing work of Christ.

This morning we recognize again not only our great need of the grace of God, but our need to express our community covenant and our personal covenant – that in 2008 we will love and serve the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Hymn #64 “O Worship the King”

Scripture Reading Psalm 1- Kim Eubank

Meditation: Pastor Rob- “What it Means to be Called to Salvation”

Solo: Chris Vaughan {I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb}

CONFESSION

Pastor Rob: Confession is coming to Christ as our priest. And by this we now renounce our own righteousness. Do you deeply sense your need of God's grace in Christ?

Bob Gray: We acknowledge a deep sense of our need. We see ourselves as sinners in need of a savior. The spirit of God has awakened us; for we have cried out, "Lord, where are we?”

Is there no hope of escaping out of this wretched state? We are but dead, if we continue as we are. What may we do to be saved?"

Pastor Rob: Being made aware of our sin and its danger, we look for help and deliverance, but we often look everywhere else before looking unto Christ.

Nothing will bring us to Christ but absolute necessity. We try to forsake our sins through prayers, and sermons, and sacraments, searching for salvation.

But all of these, though they are needed in their places, cannot save in and of themselves. Our determination cannot help us; in fact, it may reflect the source of our sin.

Ritual alone cannot help; these are but empty vessels. They tell us, "You knock at a wrong door; salvation is not in us."

Can we now utterly despair of our own goodness, or do we trust in anything but Christ?

SUPPLICATION

(Congregation standing)

Pastor Jack & Congregation: Lord, be merciful to us. What shall we do? We dare not abide as we are, and we are weary of trying to do it alone.

Our praying alone will not help us. Our hearing alone will not help us. If we give everything we have to the poor, or give up our bodies to be burned, all this would not save our souls. Woe is us. What shall we do?

Pastor Rob: We must let our sins go. We must let our righteousness go. Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He came to seek and to save them that are lost.

Friends, will you now trust Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and has provided everything needed for our forgiveness?

Pastor Jack & Congregation: Lord Jesus, here we are, lost creatures, and enemies to God, under his wrath and curse. Lord, undertake for us, reconcile us to God, and save our souls.

You have promised not to refuse us, for we have nowhere else to go. If we had come in our own righteousness, you may well have sent us away; but since we come at the command of the Father, and because of your great love, we know you will not reject us.

We come, Lord. We believe, Lord. We throw ourselves upon your grace and mercy. We cast ourselves upon your blood. On you we will trust, and rest. On you we lay our hope for pardon, for life, and for salvation.

Responsive Reading #78- Jacob & Jordan Peyton

The Lord’s Prayer- Joshua Henderson:

Jesus invited us into this covenant relationship with God. Nowhere is that more evident than when Jesus invites us to pray the prayer we have come to call, "The Lord's Prayer." Let’s be reminded of what a few of these phrases cause us to focus on.

“The Lord’s Prayer” is a community prayer. We pray “Our Father” recognizing that He has drawn us to Himself as a people. He is “Our” Father.

“The Lord’s Prayer” also expresses our desire together to see God's kingdom revealed among us as we pray: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

“The Lord’s Prayer also recognizes that we are sinners in need of God’s grace. Think about we are praying when we ask: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” This reminds us of our sins and the necessity of God’s grace for forgiveness.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

Message

Pastor Rob- “THE LIFE OF FREEDOM”

Galatians 5:1- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

COMMITMENT

(Congregation Standing)

Pastor Rob: We now yield ourselves to the Lord. As his servants, we must give up the dominion and control of ourselves to Christ.

Joshua Henderson: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey it evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. for sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:12-14)

Bob Gray & Congregation: We are yours, Lord. We reverence you. We dedicate ourselves to your service.

Pastor Rob: In so giving ourselves to the Lord, we affirm that we will heartily embrace what he has appointed us to do, both corporately and personally.

Let him appoint you to your work. Christ has many services to be done; some are more easy and honorable, others more difficult and menial.

Some are suitable to our inclinations and interest; others are contrary to both. In some we may please Christ and please ourselves, as when he requires us to feed and clothe ourselves.

Indeed, there are some spiritual duties that are more pleasing than others; as to rejoice in the Lord, to be a blessing and praising God.

These are the sweet works of a Christian. But then there are other works, wherein to please Christ is to deny ourselves.

Find what it is that Christ expects of you and then give yourselves totally to his will, without bargaining and without reservation.

Bob Gray & Congregation: Make us what you will, Lord, and send us where we are to go. Let us be vessels of silver or gold, or vessels of wood or stone; as long as we are vessels of honor we are content.

If we are not the head, or the eye, or the ear, one of the nobler and more honorable instruments, then let us be the hands, or the feet, as one of the lowest and least esteemed of all the servants of our Lord.

Pastor Rob: Lord, place us in your kingdom in the roles you have designed for us.

Bob Gray & Congregation: Lord, make all of us your servants.

Pastor Rob: in exalted places, or humble places.

Bob Gray & Congregation: let us be full; let us be empty.

Pastor Rob: let us have all things; let us have nothing.

Bob Gray & Congregation: we freely and gladly embrace our places in your kingdom.

Everyone: Amen!

Hymn #499 “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me”

Offering/Offertory (Marge Walsworth)

Doxology Hymn #7-

COVENANT REQUIREMENTS

Pastor Rob: Friends, the commitment to Christ we have just expressed is the essence of discipleship. When we have laid all our hopes upon Christ, casting ourselves wholly upon the merits of his righteousness; when we have with understanding, given ourselves to him; then we are Christians indeed, and not until then. His people are a willing people. He will be all in all, or he will be nothing.

THE COVENANT

Chris Vaughan: And now let us confirm our commitment by a solemn covenant to him.

What would it take for us to make a covenant with God? What would it mean for us to commit ourselves to his plan for our lives in 2010?

First, this covenant would mean the forgiveness of our sins and the constant realization of our continual need of the grace of God in our lives.

Second, this covenant would mean a resolve in our own lives to live as disciples of our Lord, forgoing our own selfish motivations and living in our world as servant to others in the name of God.

Third, this covenant would mean not trusting in our own strength and abilities, but anchoring in the source of our strength and abilities . . . God himself.

God is here in a very real way. His presence is here to give evidence of his promises to us. His grace is sufficient for you today. Can you trust him? Let us pray together.

Scott Peyton: What do you want God to do for you spiritually in 2010? In this moment of silent prayer consider praying about these things-

-Thanks for what He offers.

-That God would show you the strongholds that are keeping Him from being in control of your life.

-That God would show you the freedom that Christ has given to you over sin and its power.

-That you would commit your entire being and all these things to him.

Scott Peyton & Congregation: The Covenant Prayer-

I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by You or laid aside by You. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

[Servers: Scott Peyton-Main; Stan Eubank-Main; Jim Mead-West; John Huston-East]

Pastor Rob: By the grace of our God who demonstrated his own love for us that while we were yet sinners Christ died in our place. By faith in the work of Jesus Christ you are forgiven of your sins and cleansed by his blood through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“O God of grace and mercy, we thank You that You ever loved us and provided for our redemption. We thank you for your son who died to save us, and for you Spirit who invites us to draw near. Guide us now as we commemorate the suffering of our Lord. Help us to remember the cost of our salvation. Help us to commune with you and with each other. And so consecrate the bread and wine which are here prepared, that as we partake of them we may receive the spiritual benefits of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. In His name we pray, Amen.”

[Sharing of the bread and wine.]

Special Music- Naomi Henderson {Breathe}

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this remembering that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your heart, by faith, with thanksgiving.

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Drink this remembering that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

BENEDICTION

(Congregation Standing)

Bob Gray & Congregation: And now receive glory, O God, from your children. Thank you for the privilege you give us of calling you Father.

And glory be to the Son, who has loved us and washed our sins in His own blood, and has now become our Savior and Redeemer.

And glory to the Spirit, who by His mighty power has turned our hearts from sin to God.

You, God, have now become our covenant-friend, and through Your unlimited grace we are Your covenant-servants.

Pastor Rob: And now may the covenant we have made on earth be sealed in heaven. And may God enable you to live faithfully before him. May the peace of the Christ be with you all. Amen.

Closing Hymn #442 “Blessed Assurance”