I am excited that next Sunday we are launching a brand new series called Well Spent. It is a challenge to stop wasting our time, energy, and money, but investing them in what actually matters. I really want you to be back with us for that, and I want you to start thinking now about who you can invite.

But today, I want to welcome you.

Welcome back to Redemption Church in Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I am happy to see you in the room and everyone watching online.

Follow along with us!

ME

Over the last few weeks we’ve talked about:

And some of you have experienced real freedom.

But here’s what I know.

Some people get free… and drift back.

Not because they don’t love Jesus.
Not because they weren’t sincere.

But because freedom requires maintenance.

And some people get free… and stop there.

But Jesus never frees someone just to stabilize them.

He frees them to mobilize them.

I am calling this message:
Breaking Free + Helping Others Break Free.

Say this with me:
Lord, free me.
Lord, keep me free.
Lord, use me to free others.

It is not easy to stay free. We know this right?

Relapse Reality Stats

That tells us something.

Freedom is real.
But freedom is fragile without support.

Now here’s what’s fascinating.

The Freedom Multiplier Effect

In plain language:

Helping someone else stay free helps you stay free.

That’s not just spiritual language.

That’s behavioral science, and it completely aligns with what God says. Let’s look at 3 points about Freedom from God’s Word.

1. Freedom Must Be Maintained

Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

The verse says – Stand firm.

Freedom isn’t passive.

You don’t drift into freedom.
You stand in it.

You don’t casually hold it.
You plant your feet in it.

Stand firm in the freedom Christ has given you.

And that should remind you of something we talked about last week.

John 8:31–32 “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Not visit the truth on Sundays.

Not agree with the truth occasionally.

Hold to the truth.

Stand firm in freedom.
Hold to His teaching.

And then Galatians comes back and says:

“Do not let yourselves be burdened again.”

That means you can drift.
You can fall back.
You can be burdened again.

And we know that because we’ve experienced it.

We’ve said, “Never again.”

And then slowly… we were burdened again.
Freedom is the work of Jesus.
Maintenance is the walk with Jesus.

You stay free by standing firm in freedom,
holding to His truth,
and walking with His people.

2. Freedom Is Meant To Multiply

Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”

Why were you set free?

Not just to feel relief.

To live free and to help others walk free.

In Mark 2, the paralyzed man did not crawl to Jesus.

Four friends carried him, ripped off a roof and lowered him into the house. They were COMMITTED to bring their friend to Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith… the faith of the 4 friends, the man was forgiven and healed.

Somebody carried you.

Somebody prayed for you.
Invited you.
Spoke truth to you.
Refused to give up on you.

Freedom came to you because someone multiplied it.

Freedom must be Maintained.
Freedom is meant to Multiply.

3. Free People Free People

Jesus tells Peter to “strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32) and to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).

Peter fails.
Peter is restored.
Peter is commissioned.

Freedom restored becomes responsibility assigned.

Free people free people.

It is not just the pastor’s job to rescue people.

Ephesians 4 says pastors equip the saints for the work of ministry.

If you have been freed from something,
you have been assigned to someone.

Freedom must be maintained.
Freedom must be multiplied.
And Free People Free People!

Are there any free people here?
Free to worship without shame.
Free to pray without fear.
Free to lift your hands without apology.

Are there any free people here?
Free to love again.
Free to trust again.
Free to try again.

If you’re free, act like you’re free.
If you’re free, stand firm like you’re free.
If you’re free, help somebody else get free.

Breaking Free + Helping Others Break Free.
So let me ask you:

Are you maintaining your freedom
or drifting?

Are you multiplying your freedom
or sitting on it?

What if staying free requires stepping up?

What if serving in your church helps you keep coming to church?

What if being active in a Connect Group keeps you anchored in community?

What if helping someone fight the battle you used to fight strengthens your own resolve?

Consumers drift.
Contributors stay anchored.

Freedom that is only enjoyed eventually erodes.

Freedom that is maintained and multiplied becomes a lifestyle.

It’s a double win.

You help someone else stay free.
And in the process, you protect your own freedom.

Redemption Church…

We are not building a church of spectators.

We are building a church of carriers. Like the 4 friends who carried their friend to Jesus.

Musician

Imagine a church where:

That is how chains break in a city.

Jesus sets you free so your freedom can be maintained and multiplied.

You stay free by walking in truth
and walking with people.

1 Bold Call to Action

Right now, we’re not going to rush out.
I’m not going to give you multiple things to do.

Because freedom is not just a work that happens on a Sunday service.

Freedom is a walk that happens in community.

Some of you need the work of freedom today.

Some of you need the walk of freedom today.

You need truth.

You need people.

You need someone to carry you.

And someone needs you to carry them.

Let’s pray.