I will be reading from the New Living Translation of the Bible – which may use slightly different words, but attempts to convey the meaning and content of the ancient text.

Since we are talking about Freedom today, I need to give you all special freedom. Last time I spoke before you, I got excited and loud. Well, very loud for some people. Today I am wired to maintain microphone distance, but I still could get loud. So…

• You have the freedom to turn down microphone, or move back, put hands over ears.
• Yes, you are absolutely free to be comfortable and yourself.

Dear Lord help us, we really need you. Holy Spirit, I invite your presence. Fill this place. Guide my mouth to speak your word. Open our minds to receive and understand your word. Open our hearts to respond to your word. Deepen our relationship with you. Give us your peace and joy and faith in the journey you have called us on. Amen.

What is Sin? To understand true freedom from sin and shame, let me describe the absence of sin. The Bible records God’s original and unblemished design in Genesis 1:27, “God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

The breath of God’s Spirit put a living soul into human form. A soul with individuality, intelligence, will, and emotions. A soul that reflects God’s own character, and is freely connected by love to God’s Spirit. We are created to be in relationship and blended in harmony with God. We can not always express it, but our deepest yearning is to restore this connection to God’s love and righteousness.

In Genesis 2:18-25, we see that God created man and woman to be helpers and companions for each other, and together they reflect God’s Trinitarian, 3–in–1 nature. Husband and wife partnered and in community with God. Fully known by each other. Verse 25 describes this relationship with these words: “the man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

Before the fall of creation, man and woman were fully open and transparent with each other and with God. They enjoyed intimate and direct fellowship with God, walking and talking together.

This is the absence of sin and shame. In God’s own words, “it is very good.” (Gen 1:31)

What is sin? Sin is quite simply a voluntary departure from God’s pure character or His perfect will. Sin comprehends not only action, but neglect to comply with the express commands of God. The most important commands are to love God with all your heart and soul and strength and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. Our fleshly depravity includes all evil thoughts, contrary purposes, hurtful words, and selfish desires; whatever is not like God.

Who has Sinned? Who has sinned? In Romans 3:10, Paul reminds us that compared to the perfection of God, “no one is righteous, not even one.” Every child born in the flesh is also born into a sinful nature, and separated from God. Our flesh is selfish, proud, accusing, and completely corrupted compared to God’s Spirit. Since God is holy and righteous, He can have no part of sin. Even the least sin in our thoughts separates us from God.

Think back to when you were a child. Do you remember getting dirty? I remember once my cousins and I once saw National Geographic pictures of African tribes who covered themselves in mud and wore huge mud helmets. It looked so cool, that we had to try it. Yes, we caked thick mud on each other – on our arms, on our shirts, on our pants, in our hair, and on our faces. Then we stood in the sun to let it dry like armor so we could be proper savages when we chased my sister with spears.

Well, I am sure you have your own stories. Did anyone make it through childhood without getting dirty? Just as we have all been dirty at least once in our lives, we have all sinned.

In Romans 3 verses 20-24 NLT, Paul says, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.”

We can’t get clean by ourselves. Scratching off the dried mud did not restore me to my original purity. We can’t do it on our own. In the same way we need help to remove sin, and only God provides it.

Verse (21) But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. (22) We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (23) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. (24) Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

Although my fellow heathen cousins put on less mud than me, we all looked like the Pigpen character from Charlie Brown. Little puffs of dust flying with every move or pat. My grandma was not thrilled about our discovery, and insisted we be hosed off outside, clothes stripped off, and sent to the bath tub. Where ever you grew up, in the summer, water from the hose is cold.

Getting rid of that dirt took water, soap, and scrubbing. It took work, but in the end you could see change. The bath water became so dark, that you could not see any white in the tub. After draining the bath water, the bottom of the tub looked like a river bed, and the mud almost clogged the drain. Can you believe I had to take a second bath? And for several days we woke up to find our bed sheets filled with bits of sand. But eventually, we were clean, at least for awhile.

God’s Gift of Forgiveness ONLY through Jesus Christ – our soap & water Just as I needed water and soap to get clean, we need Jesus Christ to cleanse us from sin. Nothing else will do.

Only through Jesus Christ can we be redeemed into God’s intended relationship with us. This is not religious arrogance. This is a fact. This is God making a way for us to come back home by his son. Since we are all sinners saved by grace, this is like one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. Hopeless and starving beggars facing certain death, who discover the righteous and merciful king who offers the bread of life to all willing to recognize his sovereignty and live by his just kingdom rules.

1Timothy 2:5-6 NLT For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. (6) He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

Jesus Christ, God in flesh – This is God’s way – the only way, the only truth, and the only real life (John 14:6. Jesus perfectly expresses God’s choice to love and forgive us when we return to living God’s way. We make our choice daily, even moment by moment as we choose who we serve – God, or ourselves.

Water and soap was the only way we got free from our mud skin. And accepting Jesus Christ as savior and His forgiveness is the only way to be free from sin. He is our soap and water for sin. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit our cleansing Lord finds our hidden dirt behind ears and unknown blemishes, and restores us.

Daily Wash The process of accepting forgiveness and identifying new areas in our lives that need to be exposed and cleaned can be just as shocking and uncomfortable as that blast of cold water. I remember shouting, “I am clean, I am clean – turn the hose off!” Then my inspecting grandma discovered my ears were still full of sand and stuck my head back under the hose. And this was only the beginning of my cleaning process. Every night before bed we had to bathe with soap too. Something about keeping the bed sheets clean? Remember having your hair smelt to make sure you used shampoo? And if your hair was dry, you were sent back and told to wash it again? Well, I heard that happened to some children. Perhaps you know someone like that?

Just like itching or stinking before my daily bath as a kid; guilt is our conscience reminding us that we need to come and bathe in Christ’s forgiveness. You could not scratch around my grandma, because that was a dead give away that you had fleas or were dirty. Either way, she sent us straight to the bath tub. Today I still need to wash away my sweat and filth from each day. The process and certainty of cleaning my soul like this is described in…..

1John 1:9-10, 2:1-6 NLT …if we confess our sins to Him (Jesus), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Show Christ our dirt, all of it! Check behind our ears, and ask if you missed any spots. Without fear of accusation, our Lord’s grace will faithfully cleanse us more perfectly than soap or water.

Verse (10) If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts. (1) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous. (2) He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

We get dirty and we should know that. Don’t be enslaved or ashamed to admit that you have dirt. Now is the time to rejoice as you shiver in the cold garden hose and hop in the bath tub! Righteous King Jesus sacrificed and provided us the way to be restored – He is our gift of forgiveness.

Verse (3) And we can be sure that we know Him if we obey His commandments. (4) If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. (5) But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. (6) Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

That is a pretty high standard. Jesus lived in purity, loving God and loving others perfectly. As I grew up I eventually enjoyed being clean and voluntarily took baths, and there was much rejoicing in our household. The invitation to wash your sins away on a regular basis is very similar. When you get your hands dirty working on engines, using the toilet, or digging in the garden at some point you make a decision to wash your hands and be clean again.

Imagine what your hands would become if you ignored being unclean and allowed filth to build up with daily life? I would not like to see that. Washing regularly makes dirt and sin temporary.

How do you respond to this invitation to be clean? God offers Love, Forgiveness, and Relationship through Jesus Christ. If you love and obey, God promises His presence in you to lead you into all truth and maturity. Like a toddler learning to walk. This means Father God walks beside you, offers His hand and support through all the bumps and bruises of life. He is ready to pick you up when you fall. He encourages you to press on and take another baby step as you learn to walk in the spirit. He builds your faith and confidence to run with strength and endurance. Guides you to dance in joy, and in freedom set your stride as you come along side other believers to help and cheer them on.

Don’t worry about your failings or mistakes or getting dirty. It is going to happen. Like a 4 year old finger painting – life is going to be beautifully messy! As the apostle Paul testified in 2 Cor 12:9 Christ said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore (Paul says) I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Christ is more than sufficient and he empowers us to succeed and be transformed.

Even now, I seldom make it through the day without accumulating some smudges or dirt. Yes, even though I am alert to dirt, I can usually find something at the end of the day that needs to be cleaned. As an adult I know to regularly bathe and wash my hands. Where ever I go, I usually find soap and water are available to give me freedom from dirt. In the same way Our Lord declared an end to sin's control over us by becoming a sacrifice for our sins. His forgiveness and mercy are always available for those who ask.

In John 15:9-14 NLT Jesus told his disciples “I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. (10) When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father's commandments and remain in His love. (11) I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (12) This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (13) There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. (14) You are My friends if you do what I command.”

Freedom from Sin! When you submit to Christ and follow His commandment to LOVE, You are FREE from living in sin and shame. As God’s child you are meant to keep clean by confessing your shortcomings and trusting that “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus Christ.” (Rom 8:1). When you belong to Christ, Christ lives in you! Tell someone next to you – If you trust Christ, Christ lives in you! (pause) Then the power of the life-giving Spirit works to make an end of your sinful nature and frees you from the power of sin and death (Rom 8:2, 9).

Sisters and brothers, you are called to live in the fullness of this freedom moment by moment, and serve one another in love. This fulfills the whole law to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal 5:13-14) And the servants of God are set free indeed by the grace of His son (John 8:36). This is the power of the Living God!

Freedom! If you claim it, shout it out – Freedom! I am clean! (pause) Regardless of your circumstances or spiritual maturity, you have Freedom living for Christ. You have Freedom following God’s command to Love. You have Freedom to stumble and be lifted back up. You have Freedom to say I am dirty, Lord help me to be clean. You have Freedom to know our Redeemer reigns and already has the victory. You have Freedom from Sin and Shame and Death – it has no hold on you! God’s righteousness empowers and transforms you!

Now walk rejoicing in the Freedom provided by our Lord!

Summary – Closing Prayer – Call to dedicate your heart to God Let us pray. Holy God, let your words sink deep into our beings like the heat from soaking in a hot tub. Soften our hearts to surrender in love and faith that our Savior has made a way for us to wash and be purified. Help us to faithfully come before you for cleansing, and rejoice that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ. As we strive to obey your command to LOVE, we thank you for your grace and forgiveness that covers us and allows life-giving transformation by your Holy Spirit (Rom 8:1-2). Amen.

End of service Prayer (Praise God and Bless the people) - Karen Sisters and brothers, in Christ you have been called to put aside your sinful nature and live in freedom. Live free in love and forgiveness as you serve one another (Gal 5:13-16). Live free and be transformed in purity as you come before Christ and seek to know Him more.

Scripture for references:

Romans 3:20-24 NLT For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. (21) But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. (22) We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (23) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. (24) Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.

1John 1:9-10, 2:1-6 NLT But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (10) If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts. (1) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous. (2) He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (3) And we can be sure that we know Him if we obey His commandments. (4) If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. (5) But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. (6) Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

John 15:9-14 NLT I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. (10) When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father's commandments and remain in His love. (11) I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (12) This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (13) There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. (14) You are My friends if you do what I command.

Romans 8:1-2 NLT So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (2) And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Galatians 5:13-16 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. (14) For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (15) But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. (16) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.