AS IT WAS 2: From Slaves to Free

In the second installment of the "As It Was" series, this message explores the profound transition from being slaves to sin to finding true freedom in Christ. Using the powerful illustration of Otis Johnson, a man who struggled to live as a free man after serving 44 years in prison, the speaker highlights how many people remain mentally and emotionally "stuck" in old habits even when the door to their "cell" is wide open. Drawing from Ephesians 2 and Romans 6, the message clarifies that before Jesus, we weren't just struggling; we were owned and controlled by a sinful nature. However, through the "But God" moment of the Gospel, Jesus became our High Priest, providing us with constant access to God’s throne and the power to "cross over" into a new life. The episode concludes with a challenge for students to not waste their freedom on selfish desires, but to follow the biblical calling to serve others in love, just as Otis Johnson eventually used his liberty to help those still trapped in the system. (Preached by Steve Coots on 3-25-2026)