Free-Born

Start by talking about the privileges we enjoy being born in the United States.

Freedom of Speech

Religious Liberty

The right to bear arms

The right to a fair trial

The right to elect government officials

The security of life in the US

The comforts of a life of luxury

We take these for granted, but Paul surely would not have.

Acts 22:25–28 KJV 1900

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? 26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. 27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. 28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

But even better than this, we enjoy a heavenly citizenship and all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

Hebrews 11:13–16 KJV 1900

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

John 15:19 KJV 1900

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Hebrews 12:28–29 KJV 1900

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

The Privileges of Heavenly Citizenship

Salvation and Eternal Life

Hope, Joy, and Peace

Spiritual Protection

Freely Worship our God

Boldness to come before the Throne of Grace

Spiritual Victory over the enemy

The other side of the coin

Acts 22:28 KJV 1900

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

There are three possibilities:

a bribe

a payment

a service

None of these will allow us heavenly citizenship.

John 1:12 KJV 1900

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

THe ONLY way to become a citizen of HEaven is to be free-born.

John 3:5–8 KJV 1900

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

A Spiritual citizenship is available only through a spiritual transformation.