Are You Free from The Sermonator?

I love this cartoon! It reminds me of so many sermons I heard in my younger years that used intimidation and manipulation to control my behavior. It took me a long time to get free from it.. but as I matured in Christ and began to embrace my innermost being I began to experience freedom from the bully pulpit

I love that Jesus' ministry was full of grace and mercy towards his followers. His message was not always an easy one but He seemed to always deliver it with such grace. Consider this passage from John 8:

So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."

As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Do you see the connection between discipleship and freedom? Isn't it interesting that Jesus did not follow or try to please His religious leaders but had the freedom to please and follow the Father alone. It is sometimes difficult to buck that religious system that so often we entangle ourselves in but Jesus indicates here that we can experience that freedom when our discipleship is to Him first.

If you are under the influence of a Sermonator  (doesn't have to be a person.. could be a controlling system) you probably live a life of fear of getting caught breaking the rules.. heaven forbid a church friend find you sipping a glass of wine at a restaurant. It is hard to get free from Sermonators.. it can be difficult to find freedom in Christ.. the journey to freedom starts with a prayer:

Jesus please lead me.. reveal your truth to my heart.. strengthen my innermost being.. help me experience your freedom. Amen.

I suggest that your next step to freedom is to begin to do the things that strengthen your innermost being.. begin to read and meditate on the scriptures.. ask God to reveal Himself to your innermost being as you read.. find the voice of your innermost being.. begin to trust the Lord with all of your heart.. and do not lean on your own (or other's) understanding. Freedom is a process.. begin the journey today.