Gtcotr/ss062914
Key
Scriptures:
John 8 NKJV
31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then
are ye my disciples indeed;
32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This
week we will celebrate the 238th
birthday of United States of America. People from Sea to shining Sea
will remember those 56 brave men who together pledged their lives,
their fortunes and their sacred honors as they each signed the
Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Every
man who fixed their names to that document realized that they were
signing their death warrants and placing a bounty on their heads as
traitors to the King and Crown of England. These valiant men rightly
stood against the tyranny and injustice of their day and determined
their course for one common reason – they wanted to be free!
The
desire to be free is the first step towards freedom.
The first step of many might I say. You see, there must first be a
want to before there is a will to do.
It is a
bit ironic that “Freedom” costs more than anything else in the
world. Although freedom is not necessarily for sale but it can be
purchased.
The
passion to be free so that one might enjoy life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness is what still drives people from nations around
the world to sell everything they have, brave the unknown hardships,
cross hostile borders and risk losing it all in attempts to gain
entry into the United States of America. America is still the land of
opportunity for every race, language, color, creed, religious
conviction, cultural experience, age and/or economic status of either
gender. America has been blessed by God is still the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
Let’s
watch this video: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WGZZY7NX
What
makes America one nation under God? Her people … you and me.
- We are a nation of people with a government with a government, not a government with a people.
- We the people of the United States of America choose our government like we choose our God.
- By and large the people of the United States of America choose Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and God’s Word as our final authority.
God is
not finished blessing America … how can we help Him? We must
continue to be a people whom the Lord will bless. First we must:
- Stand free
Galatians
5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us
free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
- Free from sin; sickness; worry; poverty; defeat; fear of death; & hell
- Don’t get entangled again
Galatians
2:
8
"For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make
myself a transgressor.
- Backslide; stray; walk away; or return to old habit patterns or worldly lifestyles
- Use your freedom to serve others
Galatians
5
13
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and
sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.
Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
14
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your
neighbor as yourself.”
- We have been freed first so that we can set others free as well ..
- How can a person accomplish such a lofty life goal as this? Remember our key scriptures for this morning?
John
8 NKJV
31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then
are ye my disciples indeed;
32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
- Do you know the truth today? Are you free? You can be this morning!
