John 8:32-36 (NKJV) 32  - PowerPoint Presentation

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John 8:32-36 (NKJV)

32 

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

33 

They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How

can

You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

35 

And a slave does not abide in the house forever,

but

a son abides forever.

36 

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.Slide2
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FaithfulnessOur theme for 2017 is “Faithfulness”

We have covered several topics concerning the idea of our faithfulness to God and His faithfulness to us

Today we do a bit of what we might call a combination lesson

…Slide4

FaithfulnessIndependence Day, as we recognize it in our country, is Tuesday

We celebrate that day because we love our independence

We live in a time where independence is desired and celebrated more and moreSlide5

FaithfulnessAs we grow up, we look forward to having our independence

Many people start their own business so that they can be independent

Financial management is big today because people want to be independent Slide6

FaithfulnessWhat about us?

What do we wish for?

Do we desire independence?

Do we desire dependence?

Or perhaps, there is a measure of both we should strive for

…Slide7

IndependenceIndependence is defined as “freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others”

Certainly there is one major area that we wish to find our independence in

Independence from sin should be at the top of our priority listSlide8

IndependenceJesus spoke of freedom to the Jews in John 8:32

Although they denied being in physical bondage, Jesus was speaking of spiritual bondage

“Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin”Slide9

IndependenceThese Jews certainly did not have their independence when it came to their spiritual lives

Jesus was showing them the way to be independent from sin

Paul spoke of this same independence in Romans 6:6Slide10

IndependencePaul again uses this idea in II Timothy 2:25-26

“and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will”

Jesus died for this very independenceSlide11

IndependenceWhen we think of Independence Day, we should desire a greater independence

We should desire independence from Satan and from sin

So in this sense, we say “Yes!” to independenceSlide12

DependenceWe also consider our theme for 2017

Faithfulness carries with it the idea of dependence rather than independence

While we should strive for independence from sin, we should also strive for dependence on GodSlide13

DependenceOur faithfulness says that we trust and rely upon our God

In other words, faithfulness says that we depend upon God, that we realize we are nothing without Him

A faithful life should be one

that shows complete dependence on GodSlide14

DependenceSometimes we have to learn the hard way to depend upon God

Paul spoke of a “thorn in the flesh” that he had dealt with and wanted to have removed (II Cor. 12:7-10)

When the answer was “no”, it was dependence on God he learnedSlide15

Dependence“the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (I Cor. 1:25)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1)

“The Lord is my Shepherd

…

” (Ps. 23)Slide16

Dependence“From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2)

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5)Slide17

DependenceOur dependence on God is something that is undeniable

Many a strong man may suppose that he can handle things on his own, but at some point he finds he is wrong

We need to recognize our dependence on God to live as He wills