4th of July = Freedom

This lesson is not from a national or political viewpoint.

I want to consider our freedom from a Christian perspective.

4th of July

• America’s birthday – July 4, 1776• 234 years ago we became the United States of

America.• We must understand:– how we got our freedoms– what we are free from– why we should never forget what those freedoms

mean to us

Freedom FROM slavery in sin• As Christians, our greatest declaration of

independence is the fact that we can break away from sin

• Christ died, and rose the 3rd day to break the bondage of sin and death

• Revelation 1:5b-6 – To Him who lives us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen.

Freedom FROM slavery in sin8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe

that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Romans 6:8-10

Freedom FROM slavery in sin• We can overcome sin – IF we want to• It might be hard• It will require some sacrifice• Christ will give us the strength to overcome

• CHRIST HAS GIVEN US FREEDOM FROM THE BONDAGE AND SLAVERY OF SIN!

Freedom TO sin• The same freedom that allows us to be free

from sin – allows us to sin• We are given the freedom to choose• God could have made us robots, but He didn’t• Each freedom we have has consequences– Freedom from sin – may bring about persecution,

mockery, separation, a feeling of not fitting in with the world around us

– Freedom to sin – may bring about pain, suffering, loss of joy, loss of eternal life, gates of Heaven shut

Freedom worth DYING for• Since July 4, 1776 – many have died

to give us our freedom and to protect us from losing it• The men who signed the Declaration

of Independence – knew they were pledging “to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Freedom worth DYING for• The same is true with our faith.• Men and women have faced the

choice of dying or deny Christ.• They choose to die rather than deny

Christ.• Even today – people continue to die

for Christ.

Freedom worth DYING for• David facing Goliath• And David said, "What have I done

now? Is there not a cause?" 1 Samuel 17:29

• Why would people die for the cause of freedom?

Freedom worth DYING for• The early Americans knew what it

was like to be under a dictator.• They would rather die than go back

to living under a vicious ruler.• As Christians – we know what slavery

in sin is like. We have also known the freedom from sin we have in Christ.• We do not want to go back to sin.

Conclusions:

1. You have the freedom to choose.2. Your freedom has 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.

Conclusions:

1. You have the freedom to accept or reject Christ

2. You have the freedom to decide to obey Christ or refuse to follow Him

3. You have the freedom to choose eternal life or eternal punishment

4. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?