Walking in Freedom with K.A. Ellis
On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, we’re wrapping up our series on living in light of redemption with some encouragement from K.A. Ellis to walk forward in the freedom we have in Christ. K. A. Ellis holds an MFA from Yale University and a Master of Arts in Religion from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and is a doctoral candidate at Oxford Center for Mission Studies in Oxford, England. She speaks and writes on the theology of human rights, African-American culture, understanding Islam, and the persecuted church.
Can you tell us a little about who you are and what you do?
Jesus said he came to earth to proclaim freedom (Luke 4:18) and on another occasion he said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). What kind of freedom was Jesus promising?
What was the cost of this freedom? What does this mean for us as believers?
What does redemption free us from? What does redemption free us for?
What are some patterns we may find ourselves in if we aren't walking in the freedom that Christ offers?
What are some verses that we can turn to when we find ourselves living in bondage?
Why can it feel so difficult to actually walk forward in the freedom that Christ extends to us through the cross?
What examples of the power of redemption in your own life spur you to walk forward in the freedom you have in Christ?
What does it look like to live in light of the freedom we've received from the gospel? What kind of fruit will we see in our lives when we do so?
What do we have to look forward to when we are fully, and finally free?
THREE QUESTIONS I ASK EVERY GUEST
Do you have any resources you’d recommend for those of us who want to grow in this area?
What are your 3 simple joys?
Who has had the greatest impact on your own journey with Jesus?
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“The intention from the beginning was humans to live free from all sin. For the man and the woman in the garden everything was set up for their flourishing. Freedom involves movement towards life. Lack of freedom has a destructive element.”
“Freedom from our indigenous sin (destruction that we bring on ourselves by our foolish choices) and then our freedom from our alien sin (sin that others unjustly put on us). Christ deals with both of those realities when he teaches us to pray, ‘forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’”
“The entire trajectory of the Bible is toward freedom and safety found in Christ.”
“Not only that was lost regained through union with Christ, it’s glorified.”
“It’s not just a restoration of everything that was lost, it’s a restoration and a glorification.”
“Discipleship is a task that has been given to the church.”
“The discipleship process is actually moving from foolishness to wisdom, from patterns of destruction to patterns of life.”
“The pattern of how we are supposed to live is towards life.”
“Asking, in the decision you’re about to make, will it lead to destruction or lead to life? “
“Sin never delivers what it promises and it always leaves you in tatters wanting more of it. Sin is a chronic disappointment.”
“It’s difficult to walk forward in freedom because it hurts, it is death.”
“Walking in freedom costs, it’s a denial of yourself.”
“We can convince ourselves that it’s easier to stay in bondage because it’s familiar.”
“The entire trajectory of the Bible is toward freedom, not slavery.”
“It’s a command to make uncommon families and to make room for young women in your home.”
“(On discipleship) You can go to the Scriptures and search things out together.”
“If we wait until we know everything, we will never pour into anybody.”
“The fruit of you following Jesus and being obedient is that ‘you will have trouble.’ That is why Paul delighted in weakness, because in his weakness he was strong. The ruler of this world hates to see people be free.”
“The thing that gets me out of bed is the fulfillment of what was intended of the garden, what we were created for - to glorify God and enjoy him forever. We see glimpses of that now, later on it will be fully realized. We will be where we were meant to be. I hang on Revelation 21.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.’” Revelation 21:1-7
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What freedom was Jesus promising?
Where do see yourself walking down paths that could lead to destruction?
Do you have a Titus 2 woman in your life you can learn from? What does this look like?
Are you investing in a younger woman and inviting them into your life? What does this look like?
What does it look like to live in light of the freedom we've received from the gospel?
What has been your greatest takeaway from the “Living in Light of Redemption” series?
SCRIPTURE MEMORY
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’” Revelation 21:3-4
IMPORTANT NOTE
Journeywomen interviews are intended to serve as a springboard for continued study in the context of your local church. While we carefully select guests each week, interviews do not imply Journeywomen's endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned.
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