Bible Study - Faith and Freedom

 Faith and Freedom

As we continue our journey through Lent, today’s study invites us to reflect on faith under trial and true spiritual freedom in Christ. Daniel 3 presents a powerful story of unwavering faith in the face of persecution, while John 8 calls us to embrace the truth that brings genuine freedom.

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1. Daniel 3:14–20, 24–28 – Faith Under Fire

Context

King Nebuchadnezzar had erected a golden statue and commanded all people to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, faithful Jewish men in Babylon, refused to bow to the image, choosing to remain loyal to the one true God.

Key Points

• Uncompromising Faith (vv. 14-18): The three men boldly declared that they would not worship the king’s idol, trusting in God’s deliverance but remaining faithful even if He did not rescue them.

• The Fiery Furnace (vv. 19-23): The king, furious, ordered them thrown into the blazing furnace, heated seven times hotter than usual.

• God’s Presence in the Fire (vv. 24-25): A fourth figure—often considered a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ—was seen walking with them in the fire.

• Deliverance and Impact (vv. 26-28): God preserved them completely, leading the king to acknowledge the power of the Most High God.

Application: Faith Under Trial

• How strong is our faith when we face pressure, persecution, or trials?

• Are we willing to stand for God even when it costs us something?

• Do we trust in God’s presence even in the midst of life’s “fiery furnaces”?

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2. John 8:31–42 – True Freedom in Christ

Context

In this passage, Jesus teaches that true discipleship means abiding in His word. He confronts the religious leaders about their false sense of security in their heritage rather than genuine faith in God.

Key Points

• Abiding in the Word (vv. 31-32): Jesus says that true disciples remain in His teaching, and through this, they know the truth that sets them free.

• Slavery to Sin (vv. 33-36): The Jews claim they have never been slaves, yet Jesus clarifies that all who sin are slaves to sin. Only the Son can truly set them free.

• Spiritual Ancestry (vv. 37-42): Jesus challenges their claim to be Abraham’s descendants, explaining that true children of Abraham would follow God’s ways, not reject Him.

Application: Living in Spiritual Freedom

• Do we abide in Jesus’ words daily, letting them shape our thoughts and actions?

• Are we truly free in Christ, or are there sins and habits that still enslave us?

• Do we find our identity in religious traditions, or do we genuinely follow Jesus?

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3. Connecting the Readings: Faith and Freedom

Both passages highlight the power of unwavering faith and the call to spiritual freedom. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found true freedom in obedience to God, even when facing death. Jesus teaches that true freedom is found not in heritage or external practices, but in Him.

Key Takeaways

• Faithfulness in trials brings divine intervention. God was with the three men in the furnace, just as He is with us in hardships.

• True freedom comes from Christ. We are not truly free until we abide in Jesus and break free from sin’s control.

• Obedience leads to deliverance. Like the three men who refused to bow, standing firm in faith leads to God’s mighty work in our lives.

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Practical Applications

1. Evaluate Your Faith: Are you standing firm in your beliefs even when pressured by the world?

2. Daily Abide in God’s Word: Commit to reading Scripture daily and letting it shape your actions.

3. Seek True Freedom: Ask God to reveal any areas of bondage in your life and surrender them to Christ.

4. Encourage Others in Faith: Support fellow believers who are facing trials, just as the three men stood together.

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Questions

1. When have you experienced a “fiery trial” in your life? How did you respond?

2. What does it mean for you personally to “abide in Jesus’ word”?

3. Are there any areas where you are struggling to trust God’s deliverance?

4. In what ways do you experience true freedom in Christ?

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“Heavenly Father, thank You for the powerful examples in Your Word that teach us about faith and freedom. Help us to stand firm in trials, knowing that You are always with us. May we truly abide in Your truth and live in the freedom that Jesus offers. Strengthen our faith and lead us in righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

 God is our refuge and strength, 

an ever-present help in trouble

(Psalm 46:1)

Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent

 The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not be in want.

(Psalms 23: 1)

Fifth Sunday in Lent

 I press toward the goal for the prize 

of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

(Philippians 3: 14)

Message - A New Thing in Christ

 

Pressing Forward: A New Thing in Christ

As we approach the final weeks of Lent, we are reminded that this is a time of preparation, reflection, and renewal. Today’s readings point us to God’s transformative work—He is making all things new and inviting us to let go of the past and embrace His future.

Key Questions to Consider:

1. Are we holding onto the past instead of embracing God’s new work?

2. Do we value Christ above all else, as Paul did?

3. Are we willing to pour out our devotion to Jesus, as Mary did?

Let us explore these themes in today’s message.

 

I. God is Doing a New Thing (Isaiah 43:16-21)

A. Remembering God’s Past Deliverance

• Isaiah reminds the people that God parted the Red Sea to save them from Egypt (v. 16-17).

• This event showed that God is a Deliverer and that His power is limitless.

B. Forget the Former Things – A New Exodus

• Verse 18: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."

• Verse 19: "See, I am doing a new thing!"

• Just as God led Israel out of Egypt, He promises to create a new path—one of hope and restoration.

 Reflection:

• Do we spend too much time looking backward, preventing us from seeing God’s new work?

• How is God calling us to trust Him for a new thing in our lives?

 

II. Counting Everything as Loss for Christ (Philippians 3:4b-14)

A. Paul’s Earthly Achievements Meant Nothing

Paul had every reason to boast:

• He was a Pharisee, a Hebrew of Hebrews, and righteous under the law.

• Yet, he says, all of it is loss compared to knowing Christ (v. 7-8).

B. Knowing Christ is the Greatest Gain

• Verse 9: True righteousness comes not from the law but through faith in Christ.

• Verse 10: Paul’s goal was to know Christ deeply, sharing in His suffering and resurrection.

• Verse 13-14: He forgets what is behind and presses forward toward the prize of eternity with Christ.

Reflection:

• What are we clinging to that prevents us from fully pursuing Christ?

• Are we pressing forward in our faith, or are we stuck in the past?

 

III. Extravagant Love for Jesus (John 12:1-8)

A. Mary’s Costly Act of Worship

• Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, worth a year’s wages.

• This act showed deep love, devotion, and faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

B. Judas’ Selfish Reaction

• Judas criticizes Mary, pretending to care for the poor, but in reality, he was greedy.

• Jesus defends Mary’s action, saying:

"Leave her alone. She has saved this perfume for the day of my burial." (v. 7)

• Mary understood that Jesus was preparing for His sacrifice.

Reflection:

• Are we willing to sacrifice for Jesus as Mary did?

• Do we give Him our best, or do we hold back?

 

IV. The Joy of Restoration (Psalm 126)

A. Remembering God’s Faithfulness

• The psalm recalls a time when God restored Israel, filling them with joy and laughter.

B. Trusting God for Future Restoration

• Verse 5-6: "Those who sow in tears will reap with joy."

• Even in times of sorrow, we trust that God will bring joy and renewal.

Reflection:

• Do we believe God can restore our brokenness?

• Are we willing to trust Him through seasons of difficulty?

 

Conclusion: Embracing God’s New Work

Each of today’s readings challenges us to let go of the past and embrace what God is doing now:

1. Isaiah 43: God is doing a new thing—will we perceive it?

2. Philippians 3: Our old achievements are nothing compared to knowing Christ.

3. John 12: True worship means giving our best to Jesus.

4. Psalm 126: God brings joy after sorrow, and we trust in His restoration.

As we continue in this Lenten season, let us:
Forget what is behind.
Press forward toward Christ.
Worship Him with all our hearts.
Trust in His power to restore us.