Getting Free from the Lies that Drag us into Darkness

Goal:

• To take in the truth of Jesus and truly experience freedom.

Overview

1. The Story
2. Falsehoods we believe
3. Taking in the truth and experiencing freedom

John 1–12 “Book of Signs”

1 Prolog

12 Epilog

“Light” in the Psalms

• For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling,
  that I may walk before God in the light of life. Psalm 56:13
• The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
  The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
• For it is you who light my lamp;
  the LORD my God lightens my darkness. Psalm 18:28
  Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Psalm 43:3
• Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

John 1 —the Prologue

4. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5. The light shines in the darkness,
   and the darkness has not mastered it.
6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light,
   that all might believe through him.
8. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9. The true light, which enlightens everyone,
   was coming into the world.

How does Truth set you free?

• What falsehoods do Christians often believe?
• I have to do everything perfectly or I will be rejected
• God only loves me when I perform well
• Unforgiven (I cannot forgive myself!)
• I can’t ultimately trust anyone

Satan’s lies, Jesus’ truth

• You cannot trust God to look after your best interests
  • God put you before even the life of his own son!
• God only loves me when I perform well
  • Jesus showed an intense commited love to broken people like Peter
• I have to do everything perfectly or I will be rejected
  • Jesus is the Shepherd, whose heart is for his flawed sheep
  • He was only interested in the broken, not the proud.
    He seemed to have a special heart for those who were abandoned and despised
• I am so alone
  • “I will never leave you nor forsake you”

Satan’s lies, Jesus’ truth

• You have failed and sinned against God too many times
  • Jesus said true forgiveness is not 7 times but “70x7”
• If you had what she has, your life would be amazing
  • Life is not in possessions. I can truly satisfy you
• If people knew what I was really like, they would reject me
  • The woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears—it was because he loved her, even in her shame
  • The Samarian woman felt deeply seen by Jesus, but he did not reject her
• You need to look after #1
  • Lose your life and you will find it. Give it to me and I will give you back ten times more

Jesus is proclaming the Gospel

• Take in my truth
• I will lead you out of slavery
• ³⁶So if the son sets you free, you will be really >free.
• You have a choice about where to get your truth from