Self-Inprisonment

TEXTJohn 8:32

INTRODUCTION:

A.      ONE WORD SUMS UP THE IDEAL FOR ALL AMERICANS - "FREEDOM."

          Patrick Henry"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains or

          slavery?  I know not what course others may choose, but as for me, give me liberty or give

          me death."

B.      MANY OF US ARE SLAVES!!

          1.       To false ideas about self, mistakes, the past, talents, relations, etc.

          2.       Freedom derives from a knowledge of the truth( John 8:32 ).

C.      WE ARE FREE BORN.

          1.       "Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage."

          2.       Our limitations are lines WE have drawn in our heads.

I.      THE PRISON OF INFERIORITY.

A.      AN EXAGGERATED SENSE OF INADEQUACY.

          1.       Exemplified( Matt. 25:24-25;  Rev. 21:8 ).

          2.       All of us experience such feelings.  What do we do?

                   a.  Brag and boast.         b.  Withdraw.        c.  Press on!

          3.       Such a feeling is no proof that one is incapable.  It may be the cause.

          4.       Remember:  "I can't never did do nothing."  & "Success comes in cans."

B.      WHAT CAN WE DO?

          1.       Develop a positive attitude.  Meditate on success, not failure( Phil. 4:8 ).

          2.       Exploit your weaknesses( 2 Cor. 12:10 ).

          3.       Pray( Luke 18:1;  1 Pet. 5:7;  Matt. 7:7-11 ).

          4.       Trust God( Psa. 46:1;  94:17;  Prov. 3:5-8 ).

                   a.       His might( Eph. 6:10;  Phil. 4:13 ).

                   b.       His promise( Rom. 8:28 ).

                   c.       Remember who you are( 1 John 3:1 ).

          5.       Refuse to submit.  Stand up and fight!

II.     OF SELF-SATISFACTION.

A.      SELF-SATISFACTION LIMITS AND RESTRICTS FROM IMPROVEMENT.

          1.       Nothing is static ... all things change.

          2.       Either progress or digress.

          3.       By what do we measure success( 2 Cor. 10:12 ). "..as good as the other guy."

B.      POISON IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM( Rev. 3:17 ).

C.      WE ARE EXPECTED TO GROW( 2 Pet. 3:18;  1:5-7;  Phil. 3:12-16 ).

III.    OF SUPERSTITION.

A.      ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOS?  Black cats, 13, mirrors, ladders, etc.

B.      UNTYPICAL SUPERSTITIONS:  UFO's, Faith healers, Devil's Triangle, etc.

C.      MANY IN BONDAGE TO ZODIAC.  SILLY AND CONDEMNED

          ( Deut. 18-9-14;  1 Tim. 4:7 ).

D.      NO FAITH IN GOD - ALL IS IN HIS HANDS( Acts 17:24-28;  19:18-20 ).

IV.   OF PREJUDICE.

A.      AGAINST OTHERS.

          1.       Commanded( 2 Cor. 6:14, 17-18 ).

          2.       Condemned( Gal. 2:11-14;  Col. 3:11 ).

B.      AGAINST THE TRUTH.

          1.       Acts 17:11.  The truth suffers not by examination.

          2.       Must desire the truth( John 7:17;  Matt. 12:10-16;  2 Thess. 2:11-12 ).

V.    OF RESTLESSNESS.

A.      THE INABILITY TO SIT STILL, TO STICK TO SOMETHING,

                   A CONSTANT SHIFTING ABOUT.

B.      MANIFEST IN MURMERING, JOB CHANGING, GAMBLING, SUICIDE,

                   DRUNKNESS, PROMISCUITY - THE DRUG CULTURE & MUSIC.

C.      CAUSED BY DISSATISFACTION, GUILT, FEAR, LACK OF CHARACTER,

          GRUNGENO PURPOSE OR ANCHORNO CENTER OR SOUL.

D.      SOLUTIONS:

          1.       Meaning is not in pleasure or material satisfaction( Ecc. 1:12-17;  12:13-14 ).

          2.       Relay on God( Matt. 11:28;  Phil. 4:6 ).

          3.       Live so the conscience approves( 2 Tim. 4:6-8;  Acts 23:1;  Rom. 14:23 ).

          4.       Stop living for self( Matt. 20:26-28 ).

E.      WE HAVE AN ANCHOR( Heb. 6:13-20 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE ABILITY TO LIVE FULFILLED LIVES IS IN OUR HANDS.

B.      BUT WHAT IF WE ARE LOST?  WHAT THEN SHALL WE HAVE?