The Sound of the Free

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

1. What does Hebrews 13:15 mean by “a sacrifice of praise?” Why might praise feel like a sacrifice at times?

2. Do you think unchurched people hear “the sound of freedom” coming from your life? Why or why not?

3. What can you do to offer sacrifices of praise and worship from your life more consistently?

Set Free for a Purpose

Main Thought

God wants us to be free. He can set us free from our past, harmful habits and mindsets, sin, spiritual bondage, and more. This freedom is marked by power. Christ commissioned His followers with authority to overcome. He gives us new desires to honor Him. He transforms us over time. God also gives us a purpose in our freedom. We can participate in His mission to set others free. People gain freedom when we engage them (with an invitation, our testimonies, the gospel, etc.), and they respond to the Good News with faith. Then, people grow in freedom when they’re established with basic, biblical doctrines; in the habits of reading the Word and prayer; and, in Christian community. The Lord wants us to become freed people who free people.

Main Passages

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

- Acts 16:16-18

27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

- Acts 16:27–28

29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

- Acts 16:29-33

Discussion Questions

1. What does “freedom in Christ” (Galatians 5:1; John 8:36; etc.) mean to you personally? How might this Christian freedom differ from the world’s idea of freedom?  

2. What might be one step God is inviting you to take toward experiencing greater freedom this week?

3. How can we use our freedom in Christ to serve people who don’t know God, like Paul and Silas did?

Freedom from Church Hurt

Main Thought

Church hurt exists. It can be defined as the mental, emotional, spiritual, or even physical damage people experience in a church context. Church hurt can be caused by misunderstandings, disagreements, abuse of authority, personal sin, or many different things. Yet the common thread that ties all Church hurt together is people. People cause hurt. This makes Church hurt (and every other kind of relational hurt) practically unavoidable. What are we supposed to do when we’re hurt, including in a church setting?

We can bring all of our hurts to Jesus, who is the head of the Church. In a sense, Jesus experienced Church hurt too. We’ve all contributed to His Church hurt through sin. Jesus forgives us. He also wants to heal us, and teach us how to love like Him. Church hurt can become an opportunity for us to learn how to love like Jesus. He lovingly commands us to extend the same grace we’ve received from Him to other people. Learning to love like Jesus - by forgiving those who offended us - is the key to being free from church hurt. Hurt doesn't have to hinder us from loving God, loving people, and making a difference.

Main Passages

'And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.'

- Acts 15:36-41

'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…'

- Isaiah 61:1

'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.'

- John 13:34

Discussion Questions

1. How do you typically respond to hurt - withdrawal, silence, confrontation, prayer, etc.?

2. What role does grace play in both giving and receiving forgiveness?

3. Have you ever had the opportunity to become more like Christ by extending love, grace, and forgiveness? If so, how?