[SUB12] ESCRAVO POR AMOR - Luciano Subirá

Summary

This sermon explores the biblical concept of 'slavery by love,' where spiritual freedom through Christ transforms the believer's relationship with God. Drawing from Exodus 21, the preacher reflects on the idea of a servant choosing to remain in servitude out of love, connecting it to the New Testament's call for Christians to serve Christ not out of obligation, but from love and obedience. Emphasizing that obedience to God is an act of love, the sermon encourages believers to align their will with God’s, trusting that His plans for them are good and filled with hope.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of spiritual slavery is introduced in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament with the example of Hebrew servitude, which offers a lesson about freedom and voluntary submission.
• 😀 In Exodus 21, God provides the option for a Hebrew slave to voluntarily remain a servant after being offered freedom, symbolized by the act of piercing the ear to signify a servant for love.
• 😀 The message emphasizes the transition from spiritual slavery to freedom through Christ, who paid the debt for humanity’s sins and liberated us from the power of sin and the devil.
• 😀 Spiritual slavery began when humanity fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, making us spiritually indebted to God, a debt that only Jesus could pay through His sacrifice.
• 😀 Jesus didn’t just forgive sins but resolved the debt that kept us enslaved. His act of redemption changed our ownership from the devil to Christ.
• 😀 Christians are called ‘servants of Christ’ as they have been bought by Him, not as a literal form of slavery but as a relationship founded on love, mercy, and adoption into God’s family.
• 😀 Even though legally Christians are in the position of ‘servants,’ their relationship with God is one of family, not mere servitude, marked by freedom of choice and voluntary obedience.
• 😀 True obedience to God is motivated by love, as shown by God’s commandments which should be followed not out of fear, but out of love for Him, just as the Israelites were told to love God by keeping His commandments.
• 😀 The act of obedience in the New Testament is not about being programmed to obey, but making the conscious choice to align one’s will with God’s will, acknowledging Jesus as Lord.
• 😀 Christians should recognize the importance of submitting to God’s will as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane, demonstrating that obedience is a sign of acknowledging God’s sovereignty over our lives.
• 😀 The life of a Christian involves living in obedience to God’s commands, which are not burdensome but a manifestation of God’s love and grace. Obeying God with a willing heart leads to a fulfilling and meaningful relationship with Him.

Q & A

What is the primary theme of the message in this transcript?

The primary theme is about understanding the concept of being a 'slave by love,' drawing parallels from biblical teachings about spiritual slavery, freedom through Christ, and the voluntary choice to serve God out of love and gratitude.

How does the script relate the idea of slavery in the Old Testament to the New Testament?

The script explains that while Old Testament slavery involved physical freedom after six years, it was symbolic of spiritual freedom through Christ. In the New Testament, Christians are described as 'slaves of Christ,' but this slavery is voluntary and based on love, not coercion.

What does the term 'slave by love' mean in the context of this sermon?

'Slave by love' refers to the voluntary submission and obedience to God, not out of fear or obligation, but as a choice motivated by love for Christ and gratitude for His sacrifice.

What is the significance of the concept of the 'ear pierced with an awl'?

The 'ear pierced with an awl' symbolizes a person who, after being freed, chooses to remain a servant to their master voluntarily. It represents a deep, lasting commitment out of love, as seen in the Old Testament example of Hebrew slavery.

Why does the script emphasize the idea of 'freedom in Christ'?

The script highlights that Jesus came to set believers free from spiritual bondage caused by sin, but also to call them into a new form of service—service to God out of love and free will, not forced servitude.

How does the Apostle Paul's writing in 1 Corinthians 7:22 relate to the idea of being a 'slave of Christ'?

In 1 Corinthians 7:22, Paul explains that Christians are 'servants of Christ,' acknowledging that while they are freed from sin's bondage, they choose to submit to Christ as their new Master out of love, showing that spiritual servitude is voluntary.

What role does obedience play in the Christian life, according to the transcript?

Obedience in the Christian life is an expression of love for God. The script emphasizes that loving God leads to keeping His commandments, showing that obedience is a choice made out of reverence and affection, not mere compliance.

What does the speaker suggest about human choice in the relationship with God?

The speaker suggests that God gives humans the freedom to choose their actions, including whether or not to follow Him. However, true followers of Christ willingly submit to His will, recognizing that their obedience is motivated by love, not obligation.

How does the concept of 'obedience through love' differ from obedience out of fear?

Obedience through love is characterized by a willing and heartfelt submission to God's will, whereas obedience out of fear is driven by a sense of duty or apprehension. The script stresses that when obedience is rooted in love, it becomes light and joyful rather than burdensome.

What example does the transcript give to illustrate the idea of choosing obedience from love?

The speaker recounts an example with his child, where the child, although capable of making his own choices, chooses to align his desires with the parent's guidance. This reflects the Christian attitude of desiring to align one's will with God's will out of trust and love.