Text: Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Introduction: This text is Messianic in nature. It tells us that when Jesus comes in His first advent, He will be both appointed and anointed by god to: preach, bind up, proclaim, open up, comfort, give, and to glorify God! He is shown by Isaiah to be a liberating Savior!
*Notice with me some things about this liberating Savior:
I This Savior can be known! And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jn 8:32 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jn 14:6
II Jesus alone can give us freedom! If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Jn 8:36 * Note the story of Barabbas Matt.27
III Jesus sets us free from sin! Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Ro 6:18 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Ro 8:2 *Note the story of the woman taken in adultery! Jn.8
IV Being made free we are holy and have everlasting life! But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Ro 6:22.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Jn 3:36
V We have become Christ’s servants! For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 1 Co 7:22
*No man in this world attains to freedom from any slavery except by entrance into some higher servitude. There is no such thing as an entirely free man conceivable. Phillips Brooks
VI As servants of Christ’s we are the servants of others! For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Co 9:19
VII We are not to use our liberty for the wrong reasons! As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 1 Pe 2:16
A man’s worst difficulties begin when he is able to do as he likes. Thoman Huxley
VIII We are to stand fast in our liberty! Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Ga 5:1
Conclusion: Prayer
Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Help us see that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to please and to do what is right.
Peter Marshall, Before the U.S. Senate.