INTRODUCTION - PAUL DECLARES THE MINISTRY OF THE N.T. TO BE THAT OF FREEDOM AND LIFE

• The Church at Corinth had fallen into legalism and haggling and deep sin & bondage
• In their grasping for their own way in faith & practice they found slavery and death
• Paul urged them to find life, liberty, and happiness in Jesus Christ - Our nation was founded by men who wanted the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

I. THE LETTER KILLETH - THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE

We are watching America be killed just the same way as the church at Corinth

A.  THE LAW WRITTEN IN INK, AND IN THE TABLES OF STONE COULD NOT GIVE LIFE! I Cor 3:3

1. The Tablets of Stone- Ten Commandments- were all negative- don't do this- or die!
2. The pages of the OT law- hundreds of laws-like today's multiplicity- confusing, killing
3. The restraints and constraints could only warn of death and danger- could not give life

B.  THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD WROTE IN THE FLESHLY TABLETS OF THE HEART- v.3b

1. As Paul had ministered in Corinth- he brought Christ into human hearts- as in our VBS
2. Christ is not a set of laws- but a person- warm hearted, loving, companionable, wholesome
3. When you know Jesus Christ, and enjoy walking with Him, you don't have to worry about laws

C.  ONE WARNS OF DEATH DEALING DANGER, THE OTHER GIVES LIFE, VICTORY, JOYFULNESS, HAPPINESS

1. As children we need to be told NO to dangers to others or ourselves- like it or not!
2. As adventuresome teens- we still need warnings- but would rather be given good to do-lots
3. But a truly mature person needs no warnings- but enjoys life, liberty- & chance to do good

In Calif. we visited an outgoing positive church, and a very strict hypocritical one.

II. "WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS LIBERTY! I Cor 3:17

Our world is full of oppression, injustice, slavery, but some walk unbowed by circumstance

A.  PAUL WROTE THAT THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT IS MORE GLORIOUS V. 8

1. The 0.T. Prophets thundered against sin- cried out for judgement- heavy hearted
2. Later in Europe under a heavy handed church, and governments, men were oppressed, slaves
3. But the spirit of God found men willing to risk a new world to find freedom under God

B.  THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT THAT BROUGHT JOY, HAPPINESS, A GLOW AND REAL HOPE TO EACH HEART

1. Jesus walked under the law- amid the Pharisees- but with a freshness and life- victory
2. Wherever the Lord has been found in human hearts- they could not be kept in bondage
3. America has typified what happens when the basic wholesome life is found in Christ

C.  WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS LIBERTY v.17

1. With Jesus in your heart, you do not need the law to keep you from sin and danger in freed
2. The anarchy some seek today will bring bondage to Satan- and terrible oppression & death
3. But with Jesus- you can do what you want for you want to do what is Christ like-good

The only real liberty that a soul can find is that which is found in Jesus Christ

III. IF THE SON SHALL MAKE YOU FREE YOU SHALL BE FREE INDEED John 8:36

The great worry in America is that Christian people will loose their liberty-slaves

A.  JESUS BLOTTED OUT THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES AGANST US COL 2:14

1. Under the written law, we are all guilty- subject to death, made slaves by our own sin
2. But Jesus when he died in our place on the cross- wiped out the charge against us-
3. We have a new life to live, a new page to write on, a new chance- possible only in Jesus

B.  IF THE SON MAKE YOU FREE YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED John 8:36

1. Jesus is the Way, the Truth- the Life- So walk, believe, and live free from power of sin
2. In the midst of the slavery today- come to Jesus, be born again, set free from past & sin
3. Old things are cut free- no longer are you under the penalty, power, or bondage of sin

C.  STAND FAST IN THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE YOU FREE GAL 5:1

1. Some people turn back to a law of "don'ts" and become Pharisee Christians- Children
2. But others look to the spirit of life- and live- joyfully in Christ- launch out in deep
3. The abundant life of Spiritual growth is a positive, abundant, uplifting-joyful thing

What have you done for Jesus to bring joy into the hearts of others recently?

CONCLUSION - THE ONLY LIBERTY IN AMERICA COMES FROM THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

• If you do not Know Jesus- Americanism will not save you, Hippy freedom won't satisfy
• If you want victory over your own sins - or oppression of others - come to Jesus -be saved
• If you know Jesus- live like it- Keep fresh power in your life from His spirit!