086. Liberty
086. Liberty
86
LIBERTY 2 Corinthians 3:11;James 1:25;James 2:12
INTRODUCTION Liberty much abused; no true conception of it in the minds of the people. Kinds:(I) political; (2) mental; (3) moral; (4) spiritual. No liberty without law. There may be license but not liberty.
Truth shall make you free. (John 8:32.) I. CHRIST’S LIBERTY (John 12:49) 1. Could do nothing of myself. (John 5:19; John 5:30; John 8:28; John 12:49.) 2. He is restricted to the Father’s will. (Hebrews 10:7.) 3. Asked by James and John to go beyond but he refused. (Matthew 20:20-23.) 4. Gave only God’s words to the apostles. (John 17:8.) II. THE LIBERTY OF ANGELS 1. Must preach only the gospel. (Galatians 1:8.) 2. Must keep their proper habitation. (Jude 1:6.) 3. Cast down when they sinned. (2 Peter 2:4.) III. THE LIBERTY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. He is to come from the Father. (John 14:26.) 2. He will teach and bring to remembrance all that Jesus had taught-nothing else.
3. He shall not speak from himself. (John 16:13.) (a) He shall speak just what he hears. (b) No liberty beyond that.
IV. THE LIBERTY OF PROPHETS 1. Balaam restricted. (Numbers 22:18.) (a) Can not "do less or more." (b) Must speak only Jehovah’s word. (Numbers 22:20; Numbers 22:30.) (c) He tried but Jehovah restrained him. (Numbers 24:10.) 2. Micaiah . (1 Kings 22:14 .) 3. He must speak Jehovah’s word faithfully. (Jeremiah 23:13-22.) V. LIBERTY OF PREACHERS AND CHURCHES 1. Must preach only the gospel. (Galatians 1:8-9.) (a) Cursed if preach anything else. (b) Speak as the oracles of God. (1 Peter 4:11.) 2. Must speak words that befit sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1.) 3. Must not go beyond the things that are written. (1 Corinthians 4:6.) (a) Our liberty is bound by what is written.
4. Must abide in the teachings of Christ. (2 John 1:9-10.) 5. Must abide in Christ. (John 8:31; John 15:10.) VI. LIBERTY IN WORSHIP 1. Must worship in Spirit. (John 4:23-24.) (a) Must worship in truth . (b) What is truth? (John 17:17.) 2. Man surely has not more liberty than Christ, Holy Spirit or angels.