Freedom's Call
Pastor Bill Nichols - July 4th, 2010Today's Scripture reference is First Timothy 2:5-6
Introduction
Happy 4th of July. As I have been thinking about this years July 4th celebration, I have been thinking a lot about the reasons that our founding fathers decided that they needed to start a new and independent nation. A couple years ago I started reading a historical biography about John Adams. Unfortunately I still have not finished that book. But what I really liked about the book was how it detailed his particular thoughts concerning the birth of our nation. This week I did some research on line about the reasons the colonists decided to sever their ties to the monarchy. It appears that the colonists tried numerous times to get the King to come to their aid against the laws and taxes that the British Parliament were levying on the American colonies. But in his arrogance, he sided with Parliament and left them no choice but to rebel. If you take the time to really read the Declaration of Independence, which was approved by the 2nd Congressional delegation on July 4th, 1776 you will see that Jefferson spelled out exactly what their grievances were. It is also interesting to note that the Revolutionary War had actually begun a full year prior to this final severance of ties with Britain.
Freedom! That is what the Declaration of Independence represented. It represented freedom from the oppressive rule of men in parliament across the seas who could really care less about the welfare of the people in America. It represented freedom from laws that were enacted without representation by the people to which these laws were applied. And it represented freedom from taxation that went to help the ruling classes in England, taxes that were in addition to the taxes they paid to the local colonies to run their governments in America.
Men went to war against their mother country, against family and friends to gain this freedom. I read that William Franklin, the son of Benjamin Franklin, stayed loyal to the crown, and never again spoke to his father after the war. Men lost homes, wealth, businesses, family and friends in order to gain freedom.
And since that time, Americans have, through these last 234 years, continued to stand for freedom. Men and women have given their lives at home and abroad for this great nation because of the call of freedom. Today there are many thousands of our troops stationed in various countries around the world, some to help maintain peace in troubled nations, some to be ready to go to battle if they should need to, some to help guard against the threats that our enemies represent, and some actively fighting to help preserve our freedom and give other people an opportunity to experience the same freedoms that we enjoy.
I know that we recognized our veterans on Memorial Day weekend, but I would once again ask that all active duty, retired, and former military persons stand and be recognized this morning. Once again, thank you for your service to these United States and to the call of freedom.
Freedom's Call. We honor those who would be willing to die for our freedom. But there is another freedom that I would like to speak to you about this morning. That's the freedom that we have in Christ.
Galatians 5: 1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
Free from what? Free from the penalty and the slavery of sin. Just as it cost the lives of many men to give us freedom, it cost the life of one man, Jesus, the Son of God to give mankind freedom.
As Americans, we are born into freedom. Just by being a citizen of this nation, we enjoy these freedoms. But the freedom we gain in Christ is something that has to be acquired. It is not automatic. It is free, but it has to be received by faith in the one who died to set us free.
The freedom we have as Americans is something that is to be celebrated, not only on the 4th of July, but each and every day. Likewise, the freedom we enjoy as Christians is something that should be celebrated, not only on Sunday mornings, but every day.
We give of our time and our talents and our monies to support the freedoms that we enjoy as a nation. Yes, we pay taxes (whether we want to or not) to help pay for some of the freedoms we enjoy, and some give of their lives in service to their country either in the military or government service.
As Christians, we also give of our time, talents and monies to support the work of the church, which is to share the good news of the Gospel of Christ with others in order that they too may enjoy freedom from death and sin.
The Psalm that was read earlier gives us a little insight into God's thoughts concerning the people He has created and the nations that have arisen in this world.
Psalm 33: 10 - 22 (NIV)10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
What is God's purpose through all generations? Reconciliation! Since the fall of man, God has been concerned with the heart condition of all mankind. That's why He sent Jesus into the world, to reconcile mankind unto Himself.
Ephesians 1: 3 - 6 (Lookup and read)Continuing with Psalms 33: 10 - 22
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
God is concerned, not just with individuals, but with whole nations. Second Chronicles 7: 14 indicates that God would have whole nations humble themselves and turn to him and pray and turn from their wicked ways, and He would bless them. What greater freedom could a nation experience than to have true freedom from death and sin and the untold blessings of God, just because they love Him and turn to Him in prayer?
Again, continuing with the passage from Psalms,
13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
Proverbs 1: 7 says that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
I believe that the kind of fear being spoken of here has to do with reverencing. It means to have a healthy respect for God. We have this kind of reverence for our flag, for our nation, for our government. Should we not have an even greater reverence, a greater respect for our God?
Returning to Psalms 33,
19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Conclusion
As we conclude this morning, I want to remind you that you have two kinds of freedom to celebrate on this 4th of July. You have all the freedoms afforded to you as citizens of this great nation. Freedoms that were bought with a price by those who have gone before you and are being maintained by those who are serving you today in our military and government.
We as citizens need to keep a constant prayer vigil for our military, our president, our congress, and all those who work to maintain our freedoms in America.
You also enjoy the freedom that you have as a follower of Jesus. As Christians we need to continually give praise to our God and Father for sending His Son to pay the penalty that was required to set us free. And, we need to share this freedom with those that God puts in our path on a daily basis.