Those Now Set Free Shouted Out, “The Monster is Dying.”

Humanity has been under the control of dark powers for thousands of years, but in recent days, God is revealing Himself to different countries and cultures to show that sin has an addictive power, keeping us spiritually enslaved to habitual sinful practices. These dark, manipulative forces do not want people to hear or know that Christ has set us free from invisible chains that kept us in bondage to sin. In New Testament times, even the most religious people believed they were free, but they were unaware of the spiritual bonds of slavery. Jesus addressed this, saying:

31So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” 34Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin (John 8:31-34; emphasis added).

On July 31, 1838, on the Island of Jamaica, William Knibbs gathered 10,000 enslaved people for a grand praise gathering. They celebrated the New Emancipation Proclamation Act that would abolish slavery on the island. They built a massive coffin, and into it were placed whips, branding irons, chains, fetters of all kinds, slave garments, and all the items that symbolized the brutal slavery system that was now coming to an end.

At the midnight bell's first stroke, Knibbs shouted, "The monster is dying." The cry was repeated with each toll of the bell, and the large crowd began joining in the call. By the twelfth strike, 10,000 voices shouted, "The monster is dead, the monster is dead, let us bury him." They then pressed the coffin lid shut, lowered it into a massive grave, and covered it. That night, every heart rejoiced, and 10,000 voices grew hoarse, shouting and crying out with joy. Once, they were enslaved, but now they were free.

There is a tragic side to this story. While many celebrated their new liberty and freedom, some enslaved people living in remote areas of the island were unaware they had been legally freed. Because they didn't know the Emancipation Proclamation had become law, they continued to serve their slave masters. Their former masters successfully kept the news from them as long as possible. They were declared free by law and no longer had to live as slaves. However, ignorance of the truth kept them in bondage.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

Now let me tell you an even sadder story. Today, if we were to hear a story about something like that happening, we'd be shocked, sympathetic, and even angry. However, the truth is that the same thing is happening in our day. Because of His victory against sin on the cross, Jesus Christ issued everyone on earth an Emancipation Proclamation of liberty and freedom from sin. But like some Jamaicans, some today don't understand that they no longer have to live as slaves to sin, and the devil is trying to keep them in that mindset.

The message of the cross is this: Satan has been defeated, and sin's penalty has been paid. We no longer have to surrender to sinful practices or be controlled by Satan. We can belong to Jesus and live to please God.

Adapted by Keith Thomas from: http://www.sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-bill-lobbs-stories-whatisevangelism-greatcommission-lordshipofchrist-1204.asp