TITLE: July 4 Sermon

INTRODUCTION:

1. This morning I want us to consider our freedom from a Christian perspective.

2. I am not talking about political freedom, but spiritual freedom.

3. We need to understand how we got our freedom, what we are free from, and why we never should forget what that freedom means to us.

1. Freedom from Slavery in Sin

   1. The greatest reward of the Christian declaration of independence is the fact we can break free from Satan.

   2. When Christ died for our sins, he didn’t stay dead.

      1. He rose again defeating Satan once for all.

      2. With Satan defeated, we have the ability to break away from the bondage of sin.

      3. Revelation 1:5-6

      4. Romans 6:8-10

   3. So many times we tells ourselves that we just cannot overcome a certain sin.

      1. Yes we can, if we want to.

      2. It might be very hard if the sin is deeply rooted in our lives, but Christ has promised to set us free if we let him.

      3. He will give us the strength we need if we really want it.

2. Freedom to Sin

   1. It is interesting that the same act that gave us freedom from sin, also gave us freedom TO sin.

   2. God gave us the freedom to choose him or not.

   3. He could have made us robots but didn’t.

   4. Each freedom has it’s consequences

      1. Freedom from sin, will mean times of persecution, mockery, separation from friends and family, times where we just don’t fit in with other people.

      2. Freedom to sin has it’s own consequences as well. We may have it much easier on earth, but the gates of Heaven will be shut to us, and the gates of Hell will be wide open.

   5. You’re free to chose whichever one you want.

3. A Freedom Worth Dying For

   1. United States

      1. Since July 4th, 1776 - men and women have given their lives to protect our freedom.

      2. Most gave it in a sincere belief that our freedom was worth dying for.

   2. Christianity

      1. It has been the same with Christianity.

      2. Countless times, men women and children have said they would rather die in the freedom of Christ than deny Him.

      3. Even today 2000 years after Christ has died, people continue to die for him.

      4. David facing Goliath – Is there not a cause? (1 Samuel 17:29)

   3. Why?

      1. Why would people die for the cause of freedom?

      2. Is an ideology worth my life?

      3. We answer yes when we understand the alternative.

         1. The early Americans knew what it was like to be under a dictator. They knew they would rather die than to go back to living under a vicious dictator.

         2. As Christians, we understand what it was like live under the bondage of sin.

         3. In sin we knew our death was guaranteed. There was no hope, no reprieve, no commuting of our death sentence. The shackles of sin would be on us until the day we died.

      4. Who would want that? Yet it seems that people flock to be slaves of sin.

         1. You who are holy understand ideology of freedom from sin.

         2. You know what it means to be in slavery and free and have gladly embraced freedom.

4. Lest you forget

   1. On July 4th we celebrate independence. But we also do it lest we forget and take for granted our freedom.

   2. Many seem to be doing that.

      1. We have forgotten the sacrifices made for our freedom.

      2. We turn our backs on others who don’t have that freedom because they are not the same as us.

      3. We mock our constitution and flag and all that they stand for in the name of freedom.

      4. When we forget, we lose.

         1. We lose our identity

         2. We lose our freedom

5. Christians don’t seem to be faring any better.

   1. Let’s deal honestly with ourselves.

   2. We understand freedom and continue to honor the freedom from sin God has given us, but many have forgotten the sacrifice.

   3. To those of you who’s only claim to Christianity is the fact you are in church once in a while, I speak to you. Have you forgotten - - -

      1. What Christ has done for you?

      2. The price He paid for the church, his life?

      3. The blessings we have in Christ?

      4. What it felt like to be a slave to sin?

      5. To listen to Jesus at the door of your heart?

6. I can hear you saying, “he isn’t talking about me, I am here in worship service today.”

   1. Showing up at church doesn’t mean anything.

   2. Hopefully something will be said to remind you of your gift of freedom and you will renew your spirit.

7. Remember!

   1. Brothers and sisters, remember the freedom you have in Christ.

   2. Don’t take it lightly.

   3. Remember his sacrifice to give you that freedom.

   4. Feel the passion for him you had when you first gave your life to him.

   5. Remember what is was like to be enslaved in sin.

   6. Then remember what it was like when you witnessed your shackles being broken off. Do you really want to go back to slavery in sin?

   7. Our freedom to sin makes us enslaved again.

   8. We have a new master. God.

      1. He isn’t a master that will bring about your death

      2. But one that gives you abundant life. John 10:10

      3. Christ has bought us. He has not only set us free from sin, but when the time is right he will give us eternal life.

   9. READ Rom 6:18-23

Conclusion

1. You have the freedom to chose.

2. That freedom have been bought by the blood of Christ.

3. It has been preserved in the sacrifice of many.

4. It has been given to you to decide what you want to do with it.

5. You have the freedom to accept or reject Christ and his eternal life.

6. What will you do with Jesus?

This outline is adapted from - http://www.rtcol.com/%7Ejdillinger/ind99.htm