SLAVE OR FREE? (3 OF 5)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: John 8:31-34, Romans 6:2-23
This content is part of a series.
Slave or Free? (3 of 5)
Series: The Upside Down Teachings of Jesus
Jeff Strite
John 8:31-34, Romans 6:1-23
OPEN: I’m not sure who wrote the following words, but this story says a lot about mankind:
When my oldest son was about three years old, I was outside doing some yard work one afternoon. I took Kevin outside to play while I trimmed the hedges. Holding his hand, I knelt down beside him so that we could look at each other face to face. Slowly and carefully I said,
• "Now, Kevin, you can play here in our front yard.
• You can go next door and play in your friend’s front yard.
• You can ride your Big Wheel up and down the driveway.
• You can go in the back yard and play with the dog or play on your swing.
• You can go back inside and watch television.
• You can stay here and watch me trim the hedges.
• These are all the things you have my permission to do.
But you can NOT go out into the street. It is very dangerous there. You cannot play in the street. Do you understand what I’m saying?"
And 3 year old Kevin nodded his head and said "Yes, Daddy".
I let go of his hand and he ran straight to the curb, put one foot in the street, and then turned his head toward me and smiled, as if to say, "Foolish mortal!"
APPLY: Now – why would that little boy do that?
Why – after understanding all the freedoms his father had allowed him would he deliberately go out to the one place his dad had told him not to go?
He did it because that little boy is like so many people.
• They want to be FREE to do things “their way”
• They want to be FREE to live by their own rules
• They want to be FREE to be the ones who make the final decisions of what is right or wrong for them
This reality – that man often rejects the authority of his Father - lies at the very heart of the conflict between man and God. God created us and loves us. He wants to supply us with all kinds of blessings. As He told Israel in Jeremiah 29:11 - “I know the plans I have for ...
Series: The Upside Down Teachings of Jesus
Jeff Strite
John 8:31-34, Romans 6:1-23
OPEN: I’m not sure who wrote the following words, but this story says a lot about mankind:
When my oldest son was about three years old, I was outside doing some yard work one afternoon. I took Kevin outside to play while I trimmed the hedges. Holding his hand, I knelt down beside him so that we could look at each other face to face. Slowly and carefully I said,
• "Now, Kevin, you can play here in our front yard.
• You can go next door and play in your friend’s front yard.
• You can ride your Big Wheel up and down the driveway.
• You can go in the back yard and play with the dog or play on your swing.
• You can go back inside and watch television.
• You can stay here and watch me trim the hedges.
• These are all the things you have my permission to do.
But you can NOT go out into the street. It is very dangerous there. You cannot play in the street. Do you understand what I’m saying?"
And 3 year old Kevin nodded his head and said "Yes, Daddy".
I let go of his hand and he ran straight to the curb, put one foot in the street, and then turned his head toward me and smiled, as if to say, "Foolish mortal!"
APPLY: Now – why would that little boy do that?
Why – after understanding all the freedoms his father had allowed him would he deliberately go out to the one place his dad had told him not to go?
He did it because that little boy is like so many people.
• They want to be FREE to do things “their way”
• They want to be FREE to live by their own rules
• They want to be FREE to be the ones who make the final decisions of what is right or wrong for them
This reality – that man often rejects the authority of his Father - lies at the very heart of the conflict between man and God. God created us and loves us. He wants to supply us with all kinds of blessings. As He told Israel in Jeremiah 29:11 - “I know the plans I have for ...
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