1001 South Fourth Street, Philadelphia PA 19147
(215) 336-1444, welcome@emanuel-lutheran.org
Cornelius D. Eaddy, Pastor
The Rev. William G. Erat, Mentoring Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Philip D. W. Krey, Pastoral Associate

FREED TO BE FREE
Reformation Sunday message
October 29, 2000
Pastor Cornelius D. Eaddy

In the Gospel of John [John 8:31-36] we find that very familiar verse: "If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." Concentrate with me for a moment on the theme freed to be free. Freed to be free.

One of the things that we as a people are constantly searching for is ways to be free. We seek it in self-employment. We seek it in being the top dawg on the job, the leader in our homes...everybody wants to be free. Martin Luther wanted to be free from some of the ways of the Catholic church so he on this Reformation Day, established the Lutheran Church. Last week's Gospel talked about being a slave and Pastor Eaddy talked about some of the negative connotation that the word slave carries with it. The word free just sounds so much better to the human ear... Dr. King ended his famous "I have a dream" speech saying "free at last; free at last; thank God almighty, we are free at last."

In John's Gospel, after Jesus made the statement about the truth making you free the disciples asked the question. "What do you mean, we will be made free? We ain't never been slaves to no one."

That's the same thought that's prevalent among many today. Because there's not a physical ball and chain tied around their legs or because they don't have bars around them, they believe that they are free. The days of Jim crow and slave master charley are over ....This response indicates that some us really don't yet understand.. Yes, it's true that the days of ball and chain are over. But, my brothers and sisters, another slave master has crept on the scene. In fact he's been here since the beginning of creation. His name is Master Sin. All of us are born under his charge. Jesus says everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

Anybody here not sin this week ? Anybody here not yet sin today? Now, there may be folk who believe that they don't sin--but the fact of the matter is all of us do. We are slaves to sin -- some of us willingly.

Some folk brag about it. Why does the slave master sin have such a hold on us? Why is it impossible to break from his hold? Well, let's be honest here. Sin can feel good! There ain't no need to sugar coat it. The truth of the matter is there are some sins that can bring a world of carnal pleasure. You may not want to admit it this morning, but in my 35 years of living there have been some sins that I have committed that have brought me a world of pleasure. There have been some times when I have used the sin of lying just to save my own self. Well, preacher, that's pretty bold of you to stand up in front of the church and admit it.

But, you see my brothers and sisters, I'm free this morning . I stand before you and admit that I'm a sinner saved by grace. You see, in verse 36 of this same lesson John writes "If the Son makes you free then you are free indeed." If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That's why we start off our service with the brief order of confession. WE start off by saying "most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to Sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves . For the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive, us renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in your ways to the glory of Your holy name." That is good. I'm glad we say that, but I believe that some time we just say it out of habit and don't really think about what we are saying. In a sense there is a reformation within . The sin is blotted out.

But you see, my brothers and sisters, daily we need to get alone with God. Tell him all about your sins. No offense to anyone here but I don't believe that you have to sit in a box and confess your sin to anybody else. You see even in my role as one of your pastors, I'm not interested in you coming to me and expressing all your sins. Don't get me wrong, now, if your want to come and talk to me I can make some suggestions, but talking to me is certainly not a prerequisite for forgiveness of sins. As a matter of fact I've got some sins of my own. The word said if the Son makes you free then you are free indeed. It didn't say Willie and Margaret's son, but the Son, capital S-son. If you don't know who I'm talking about, His name is Jesus. He's the second person in the Triune Godhead. When we are freed by the Son we are freed to be free.

When you are freed from the punishment of things, there are three things you must do. T.D. Jakes says to admit it, quit it, and forget it. Step one: Admit it- Confess to God. Step two: Quit it. There are some sins that we do and have been forgiven for that we keep right on doing. The Son has freed us and we keep on going back. What person in their right mind, once released from prison, would turn around and go back? Quit it. You may not be able to quit it all at once but at least try. Forget it. People will always try to throw your sin back up in your face. They will say. there ain't much to you. I knew you when you used to be the biggest sinner in the world. When folk say this to you, don't feel bad because remember, it's the Son, not folk, who has made you free and the word says if the Son has made you free then you are free indeed. Jeremiah writes in that first lesson [Jeremiah 31:31-34] that God says, "Know the Lord for they shall know me from the least of them to the greatest says the lord. For I will forgive their sin and remember their Sin no more." Paul writes in the second lesson [Romans 3:19-28] "But now apart from law the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the law and the prophets the righteousness of Jesus Christ for all who believe, for there is no distinction since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God they are now justified by his grace as a gift thorough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed." Paraphrased, that simply means you have been cleansed through you faith in Jesus Christ. If God forgives and forgets, don't worry about what folk say. You can shout Hallelujah because you have been freed to be free. I am free, praise the Lord, I'm free. No longer bound, no more chains holding me. My soil is resting, it's such a blessing . Praise the LORD, Hallelujah . I'm free.