Keys of Freedom

[A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing.] She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." — Matthew 9:21

The woman who said this to herself knew ostracism and loneliness because of her 12 year bout with an illness that made her unclean under Jewish law. She was imprisoned in isolation because of this condition. Just as Jesus freed her from her prison (vs. 22), he longs to free you from yours as well. What holds you captive? Jesus longs to give you freedom through five gifts: 1) the Scripture to help you know God's will,  2) your surrender to his lordship, 3) cleansing from your sin and guilt, 4) the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower you, and 5) a family of brothers and sisters in Christ to support you and hold you accountable. These are God's five precious keys to freedom.

How to escape the Judgment?

. Being merciful to others

James 2:13

Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.

. By our own words 

Matthew 12:37

For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

God’s Word

.. Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem & said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” - Matthew 2:7-8

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'” - Matthew 2:5-6

[Message No: 7964]