Talks

Note: Unfortunately the recording for this talk was corrupted but we have attached the notes that were followed below. Please do get in touch if you have any questions off the back of these notes, we would love to discuss this topic with you further.

Talk 1: What is Freedom?

Introduction: A Much-Loved Value of Our Age

1) Jesus Promises Freedom

John 8:31–36

Liberated from slavery

v31–34

To enjoy definitive freedom

v35-36

2) Context of Physical Slavery

Slavery and freedom for Israel

God’s people set free from harsh slavery in Egypt

Ex 1:8–14; 2:23–24; 6:2–6

Huge part of their identity

Deut 5:15; 6:20–21; 16:12; Jos 24:17

Slavery not outlawed in Israel

Lev 25:44–46

God’s concern for the dignity and welfare of the slave

Ex 20:8–11; 21:26–27; Deut 23:15–16;  Job 31:13-15

Radical and abiding freedom for God’s people

Lev 25:39–43; Ex 21:1–6

Slavery and Freedom in the New Testament

Murray Harris’ definition of slavery:

"Someone whose person and service belongs wholly to another"

• Belonging (Slave (doulos)–Master)            

John 15:15; Acts 16:16; Philemon 12, 15–16

• Genuine service

Eph 6:5–8; Col 3:22–25

• Personal submission

Luk 7: 8; Tit 2:9–10; 1 Pet 2:18

Freedom as a technical legal status

1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Rev 6:15; 13:16

New Testament Perspective on Physical Slavery

Recognition of personal dignity of slaves

1 Cor 12:13; 1 Tim 3:1–13; Phil 16; 1 Pet 2:18–25

Repudiation of exploitation and trafficking

Eph 6:9; Col 4:1; 1 Tim 1:9-11

Tolerated part of life

Luk 17:7–10; 1 Cor 7:17-24; Col 3:18–4:1; 1 Tim 6:1–2

No talk of physical emancipation

Col 4:1; Philemon 21

Not the primary concern

1 Cor 7:17–24; 2 Cor 5:16–17; Gal 3:27–29 

3) The Nature of Spiritual Freedom

Not Freedom from God

A frequent desire of God’s people

Is 30:9–11; Jer 2:31

Autonomy is the heart of sin

Gen 3:4–6

Freedom from God is not freedom

Num 14:3–42; Jer 2:11–13; 2 Pet 2:17–19

An impossible choice

Ps 2; Is 42:8–9

The temptation to think of Christian Freedom like this

Gal 5:13; 1 Pet 2:16

Freedom for God

Israel’s spiritual freedom

Ex 12:12; Ex 6:6–7; Jos 24:14; Is 43:1

Free to be God’s people

Col 1:13–14; Tit 2:14; 1 Pet 1:18, 2:9–10

Free to know the Lord forever

John 8:35; 2 Cor 3:12–18

Free to live for the Lord

Rom 14:7–9; Tit 2:14

Free to enjoy the Lord’s blessings

Psalm 16:1–11

Freedom to Live the Life we were Created for

Living in freedom in the garden

Gen 2

Living in the freedom of God’s ways

James 1:25; 2:8, 12

Living in freedom in glory

Rev 7:15–17

Conclusion: Contentment in Freedom

1 Cor 7:17–24