Freedom in Christ - Pastor Mark
Freedom In Christ
Pastor Mark Krieg
Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy as the people lined the road waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!”
In the Old Testament, Hosanna comes from the Hebrew phrase meaning “Save, please!” — a cry for deliverance.
In the New Testament, the meaning shifts to a declaration of victory — “The One who saves is here!”
Jesus came to save, heal, deliver, and restore.
The Greek word sozo, used many times in the New Testament, means salvation, healing, and deliverance.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to have new life, freedom, purpose, and restoration.
Freedom Comes Through Truth
Jesus said:
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
— John 8:31–32
Freedom comes through knowing the truth — not just hearing it, but believing it and living in it.
Jesus also said,
“If the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”
So the question many believers ask is this:
If Jesus set us free, why do we still struggle?
Scripture shows that our freedom has two major parts:
Salvation — a free gift we receive
Sanctification — a process we walk through with God
Both require repentance, which means changing the way we think.
Salvation Is a Gift, Not an Achievement
Many people grow up thinking salvation only means avoiding hell.
While that is part of it, the gospel is much bigger.
Salvation is not earned through effort or rule-keeping.
It is a gift of grace.
Because of Jesus:
We are forgiven
We are brought into God’s family
We are seated with Christ
We become children of the Living God
We are ambassadors of His Kingdom
We often think too little of who we are in Christ.
The enemy loves to keep believers feeling powerless, but the truth is that we have been given authority, identity, and purpose.
From Slavery to Sons and Daughters
The story of Israel leaving Egypt is a picture of our journey.
Egypt represents slavery.
The Promised Land represents the life God has for us.
God brought Israel out of Egypt by His power alone.
But entering the Promised Land required a process of trust, obedience, and growth.
In the same way:
Salvation is God’s work
Sanctification is a journey with God
God often gives freedom in stages, not all at once, because we grow as we walk with Him.
Sanctification: Becoming Set Apart
Sanctification means being made holy, but the biblical meaning of holy is not perfection.
The Hebrew word for holy means set apart for a purpose.
God is shaping us to become useful for His Kingdom.
That process takes time.
Things that can keep us from walking in freedom include:
Wrong mindsets
Unforgiveness
Sin patterns
Emotional wounds
Spiritual oppression
Jesus came to set captives free — both those trapped by the enemy and those trapped by their own choices.
But freedom often requires us to go deeper with God.
Obtaining the Promise Is a Process
The Promised Land was given to Israel little by little.
In the same way, God often works in our lives step by step.
Freedom is not instant in every area.
It is a journey.
We must be willing to confront the things that stand in the way:
Fear
Bitterness
Sin
Lies we believe about ourselves
As we walk with God, He helps us remove those obstacles and take hold of the life He promised.
This process cannot be rushed.
We grow at the pace we are willing to surrender.
Called to Live Free
Scripture says:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
Jesus did not die so we could live half-free lives.
He died so we could live as sons and daughters, walking in truth, authority, and purpose.
Freedom begins when we receive salvation.
Freedom continues as we allow God to transform us.
Freedom grows as we believe who He says we are.
And the more we know the truth,
the more we walk in the freedom He has already given.
