JESUS SPOKE TO MEN WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE FREE, BUT WERE IN REALITY SLAVES!  HE OFFERED FREEDOM

1. The great feast of the Tabernacles- where the people lived in booths- symbolized deliverance from Egypt
2. Jesus came to teach them about Salvation from Egyptian Slavery and real freedom-they should know
3. He had just set free a poor woman, who had been trapped in darkness of sin- then He offered to all those present the Light of Life, that could have set them truly free -- & you too!

1.- JESUS OFFERED MEN A CHOICE ! John 8:12-30

Men who have no choice are not truly free!  So do not throw away your choice by choosing bondage

A.- JESUS CRIED, SAYING "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, HE THAT FOLLOWETH ME SHALL ... HAVE LIGHT" 12

1. John's Gospel begins with the wonderful declaration of Jesus as the Light of life- 1:9,10
2. But John also tells how that men prefer darkness rather than light- John 3:19-21 -for evil
3. But Jesus offered the People who were within hearing distance the "Light of the World

B.- BUT JESUS WARNED THEM, "IF YE BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM HE, YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS" v. 24

1. Note "I am He", and cf. v. 58 "I Am" - the people there knew what this meant - cf. v.59 -
2. In Exod 3:14 Moses asked God "Whom shall I say sent me" and got the Answer- "I Am"
3. If you do not believe that Jesus is God- Ye are yet in your sins!- & will die that way!

C.- JESUS EXPAINED TO THEM, "WHEN I AM LIFTED UP, THEN SHALL YE KNOW THAT I AM HE" v. 28

1. They may have been excused for their ignorance- because they did not know what YOU know!
2. But Jesus was lifted up on the cruel Cross! And also by every Godly man since then!
3. As he spake many believed v.30 but many did not! They had their choice, & is recorded

So you have your choice - and it is recorded in God's books just what you do with Jesus!

II.- THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE John 8:31-35

When these men believed in Jesus- they were made free- but this did not guarantee staying free

A.- JESUS SAID TO THOSE WHICH BELIEVED ON HIM, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, YE ARE MY DISCIPLES -31

1. Being set free and staying free are two different things- Many a Son acts like a slave!
2. Paul warned the Galatians about returning to Bondage; there is a cost to stay free!
3. When you first receive Christ, you have great spiritual power- Joy, First Love!- easy to obtain

B.- JESUS SAID "YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE" V. 32

1. When the adulterous woman saw Jesus- He forgave her!- set her free!- free from condemnation
2. Many people when first saved have freedom over common sins- tobacco, alcohol, lust, -can tithe
3. When you first saw the Truth in Jesus - the pure power of God's love gave you great freedom

C.- BUT JESUS WARNED THEM "WHOSOEVER COMMITTETH SIN IS THE SERVANT OF SIN." v. 34

1. Romans 6:14-23 tells about the wonderful freedom that is ours, but it can be lost by 1 sin.
2. Paul had freedom to do anything- but he knew some things would put him back in bondage!-
3. The Truth makes you free- but if you use that freedom to sin- Bondage again!- What then?

Freedom is a fragile flower- As bumper sticker said- "Handle with Prayer"

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

Most of the time- a man does not have the strength from his chains to make himself free!

A.- OUR WONDERFUL COUNTRY, "THE LAND OF THE FREE, AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE", IS THE FREE WORLD!

1. The freedom we enjoy was purchased with patriot's blood! It has been kept by patriot's blood
2. We have a wonderful "Pledge of Allegiance" to our flag - Will you say that pledge with me now?
3. But we are not worthy of what this flag stands for unless willing to give life to keep free

B.- BUT THERE IS ANOTHER TYPE OF FREEDOM THAT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, FREEDOM OF SOUL FROM SIN!

1. It is one thing to be free to worship- another to do it! Jesus bought this freedom-his blood
2. Without Jesus to free our soul- we would exchange one dictator for another!- Pledge His Flag
3. Unless there are people to advance His kingdom, be true to His Colors- this freedom will perish

C.- THESE TWO WONDERFUL FREEDOMS DEPEND UPON US CONTINUING IN HIS WORD! -LIVING AS SONS!

1. Salvation is a free gift- purchased by the Blood of Jesus; Born Free Americans- is also free
2. But keeping both freedoms takes knowledge- and hard work - center it in the precious Word
3. You cannot stay free and be ignorant of God's Holy word! v. 31 -Continue in His word!!

If you allow the world to crowd out the word of God- you will soon be slaves again-

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS BLOOD AND SWEAT! BLOOD TO PURCHASE IT, AND SWEAT TO KEEP ITS FRESHNESS!

1. If you do not Believe in Jesus- the kindest way I can put it is- "ye shall die in your sins."
2. But if you want to be free from your sins- then come to Jesus; believe on Him- Become free!
3. After you are made free- then get into His Word- learn to live as Free Born Sons!