The First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton

Christian Freedom, at its best, should follow the sacrifice of Jesus. When the Church acts, it should act in free obedience to the God who is revealed in Christ’s sacrifice. This means we are called to put our neighbor’s interests before our own, sacrificing our time, talent, and spirit in service to them and to God.

Christians historically have fought to exclude their enemies from the life of the church - through wars, schisms, and trials. Their justification? To purify the church through its worship and practice. The results are not convincing. But what happens when Jesus is the one who draws the boundary - what happens when obedience to his means giving up some of our freedom?

What happens when Jesus asks you to break God’s law? Christian freedom means liberation from the oppressive laws of man - but what does it mean for God’s law? Jesus models how the way of the Gospel is not anarchy or lawlessness, rather it accomplishes what law cannot.

When Jesus finds us struggling under the burden of tradition and man's law, he reminds us that we are subject only to His law. This means that we remove any barrier to loving God and neighbor, no matter its source: nation, religion, gender, or ethnicity. Jesus makes clear that his way is above the way of the world, and the kingdom he inaugurates conquers the ways of man.

What does it mean to be born again? If the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these, why doesn’t Jesus clearly explain how we can be born again? In the mystery of birth, we discover that God’s grace poured out must have more to do with his action than ours - his call which makes our response possible.

Christian freedom is nothing less than freedom from fear - fear of neighbor, self, and God. Jesus bravely models the fearlessness he calls disciples to imitate. In taking on the powers of exploitation and injustice, Jesus embodies the Christian mission: to love God and neighbor in the face of fear.

How does conversion work? Is it more like conquest or liberation? The Bible provides several examples of how Jesus calls us to discipleship, but the most common is through dialogue. We bring our questions, doubts, and authentic selves to Jesus and he meets us as we are.

John's Gospel is unique. It was born out of a crisis of faith and the need to articulate unambiguously the truth of Jesus' mission and identity. More than any other evangelist, John paints a picture of Jesus colored by Christian Freedom - freedom for and from. In Christ, we are freed for obedience and from sin.

Jesus came to give us life and to save us from death. The story of salvation runs through all of scripture and challenges us to see Jesus as more than just a teacher of morality. He is our savior and liberator. Through his life and work, we are freed for obedience.

The joy of the world is fleeting, but divine joy endures. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the joy found in Jesus is something like a desert flower sprouting from dry ground. It is the resilient anchor that provides peace amid uncertainty, and allows us to shine a light into a darkened world.