Main Thought
What does freedom sound like? Jesus wants us to experience freedom, which means that the “sound of freedom” should come from each of us. Freedom sounds like praise. We praise God because of who He is and what He’s done. Freedom also sounds like surrender. We offer our lives - our love, our minds, our pride, our bodies, our worship, and more - to God in gratitude for all He’s done. The posture with which we live our lives should be marked by surrender and gratitude. Freedom sounds like wholeness too. The bitter wounds and patterns of our past should emerge from us less frequently. Instead, the fruit of the Spirit should become increasingly evident in our words, prayers, and songs. People stop to hear the sound of beautiful music. The world will stop to listen when the “sound of freedom” emerges from our church and from our lives.
Main Passages
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
- Luke 17:11-14
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
- Luke 17:15-19
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.
- Hebrews 13:15
' I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. '
- Romans 12:1-2
Discussion Questions
What does Hebrews 13:15 mean by “a sacrifice of praise?” Why might praise feel like a sacrifice at times?
Do you think unchurched people hear “the sound of freedom” coming from your life? Why or why not?
What can you do to offer sacrifices of praise and worship from your life more consistently?