WHAT MAKES US FREE?

John 8:32: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John8:36: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

II Corinthians 3:17: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”

Today we commemorate the 241^St birthday of our country. As the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, it is a major holiday in our country and an important time for celebration. We celebrate our freedom. However, as we celebrate this holiday we must not forget to thank God who is the one who has given us this freedom in the Great Nation of ours.

Taxation without representation! That was the battle cry of the 13 colonies in America who were forced to pay taxes to England's King George III with no representation in Parliament. As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were sent to put down any signs of rebellion, and repeated attempts by the colonists to resolve the crisis without war proved fruitless.

On June 11, 1776, the colonies' Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia formed a committee with the express purpose of drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. The document was written by Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer. The final version was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence has since become our nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

On July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia's Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music. One year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bells and fireworks.

The custom eventually spread to other towns both large and small, where the day was marked with parades, oratory, picnics, contests, games, military displays and fireworks. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812 with Great Britain.

Congress established Independence Day as a holiday in 1870 and in 1938 Congress reaffirmed it as a holiday. Today, communities across the nation mark this major holiday with parades, fireworks and picnics. Many Fourth of July customs have not changed since it was first celebrated. One very important custom that has been almost forgotten by many people today is that of Thanking God for our freedom.

GOD HAS TRULY BLESSED AMERICA:

A. It is fitting to celebrate His goodness to us in this country.

     1. It is fitting to celebrate His goodness to us.

2. We have many blessings and privileges en this country then any other in the world. We have good health, a good home, the liberty to express our opinions and the right to vote, etc.

B. Freedom is one of Our Greatest Blessings.

     1. Political freedom

     2. Religious freedom

     2. Personal freedom

BUT WHAT REALLY MAKES US FREE?

A. The Word of God is what makes us free: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

     1. The truth shall make you free.

     2. The teaching and the implementation of God’s Word in our lives is what can make us free.

B. This has always been true politically

C. Everywhere the Bible has gone it has brought freedom.

D. America has always provided a place for people to flee for freedom.

E. Our ancestors came to this country for freedom to follow the teachings of the Bible.

F. They came to this country to establish a nation based on biblical principles.

JESUS MAKES US FREE

A. John 8:36 says: “If the Son therefore shall make you free.”

B. True freedom flows from the written and living Word of God.

C. Jesus came to set people free:

     1. Nicodemus was set free from religious bondage (John 3)

     2. Zacchaeus was set free from his lust for money (Luke 19).

     3. The woman at the well was set free from immorality (John 4).

D. Our political freedom is a gift from God.

E. Spiritual freedom can be yours through faith in Christ and His Word.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD MAKES US FREE (II Cor. 3:17)

A. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”

B. Man has long search for God through religious ceremony.

C. Jesus came to free us from dead and dry religion. He came so that we might have life and be set free.

D. We must guard against reverting back to religious legalism.

E. The Spirit of God in us demonstrates our true freedom.

CONCLUSION:

A. Political Freedom makes us Free Citizens.

B. Spiritual Freedom Makes Us Citizens of heaven.

C. How Free Are You?