Liberty (2)

2 Corinthians 3:6-17

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Pray:

The NT helps us to understand the Old Testament. Most evangelicals today falsely interpret the New Testament with the Old Testament. This is backwards. That is one of the things this passage is telling us.

Verse 13 tells us that the portion of the law which required temples and sacrifices are abolished. And we are told here that many people read Moses with a Veil over their heart. Meaning that they read the books of Moses without understanding.

I’ll give you one such example. Today we hear prophecy teachers say that Jesus Christ must sit on the throne of Christ in order to fulfill Gods covenant with David. But listen to the words of Peter in Acts 2:29

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

This is an example of interpreting the Old Testament through the New Testament. So many evangelicals today will tell you that the millennial reign must include Christ sitting on the physical throne of David. They believe this because they have tried to interpret the New Testament using the Old Testament. And that is backwards.

The bride of Christ is the church NOT Israel. And all prophecy in the word of God should be understood in such a way. Just because a person lives in Israel doesn’t make them a Hebrew. Galatians 3:29 says:

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Keep in mind that those who reject Christ are NOT Abraham’s seed as Christ said very plainly in the book of Matthew.

Zionism or dispensationalism is prophecy and biblical interpretation through Israel rather than the church. The truth is that the church today is the only Israel there is in the eyes of God.

The new covenant helped us to understand the purpose of the law. Which is to demonstrate our need for salvation and ultimately for Christ.

When we understand that the letter of the law has been abolished in favor of grace. Then we discover Liberty. Let me explain. When you are trusting in the act of Baptism to save you. Then you are relying on your works to be saved. And if you are then you are not saved. But if you understand that baptism is symbolic of placing your faith in Christ and a public proclamation of your faith. Then you understand what this passage is teaching.

So many people are dying without Jesus because they are living under the letter of the law. Rather than trusting in Jesus. Trusting Jesus Christ brings about true Liberty.

The word Liberty here refers to the freedom to speak openly and freely. The power to speak the truth openly and freely. The word freedom could be used here if you will.

We are free from the bondage and slavery of sin. With Liberty we can express our views openly and boldly to the world.

As Christians we have the Liberty to openly and boldly speak the truth.

When we have the Spirit of God there is Liberty.

By this definition how much Liberty do we have left in America?

Social media is systematically shutting down free speech. College campuses across America today are shutting down free speech. Today you can be canceled for saying something they decide is wrong.

How many of you remember when political correctness got started in the 90’s? I do. They even made a television show called political correctness if I remember correctly. And it was hosted by Hugh Hefner’s son Bill Maher. Hugh Hefner is the guy who made the Nudy magazines.

But any way that show was representative of the 1990’s. We were constantly told. You cannot say this, or you cannot say that. It isn’t politically correct.

But growing up we had a completely different set of rules when it came to free speech. How many of you remember this slogan?

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?

You know if someone called me a four eyed freak on the school bus it would hurt my feelings. And I’d go home crying to my mom about having my feelings hurt. And mom would say, just tell them sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

Today there is no such rule. Today we must consider the feelings of every single person. With the exception of course being Christians. They can make fun of Christians and Jesus non-stop on television and social media and our feelings don’t matter. But everyone else? Well with anything else you must be politically correct.

Let me tell you something. Political correctness is cultural Marxism. It was and is a means of controlling people. When you take away freedom of speech you are taking away Liberty.

And not only are you taking away Liberty, but you are grieving the Holy Spirit of God. It says here very plainly that where the Spirit of God is there is Liberty. And Liberty means freedom. And the freedom to speak the truth is given to us when the Holy Spirit is among us.

This time of the year we think of freedom and Liberty.

When we think of the fourth of July we think of many things. Fireworks, camping, the lake, some of us may think of the beach. Or that amazing fireworks display they do at Disneyworld or Six Flags. We might think of summer vacations.

But what we really should be thinking about is our Liberty and those who died to give us our freedom. We should consider the sacrifices made by our founding fathers to give us this great nation. Men like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams to name a few. These men risked their lives and gave their lives for our freedom.

Patrick Henry famously said. Give me Liberty or give me death. You see the British had decided to come for the guns of the colonists. And the patriots said, no, you cannot have our guns.

Our founding fathers understood Gods natural laws very well. Our constitution is built on the natural laws of God. For example. Jesus told his disciples to sell their clothes and buy a sword. This means the right to bear arms doesn’t need the protection of the constitution. Because it is a God given natural law.

History has shown time and time again. That when Government comes for your guns that death and tyranny are just around the corner. Hundreds and thousands of people have died at the hands of socialism, communism and Marxism.

Listen to the words of George Washington:

· If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising, it must be known that we are at all times ready for War.” George Washington, December 13, 1793 Our Duty No man is entitled to the blessing of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”

There is an amazing correlation between the commandments of God to Christians and the writings of our founding fathers.

1 Peter 5:8

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Is not this the very same duty that George Washington spoke of about in regards to preserving our freedom? President Washington spoke of vigilance and duty. The word of God speaks of vigilance and duty. In Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 Solomon writes:

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

So, the bible also instructs Christians to be vigilant and to do our duty. What does it mean to do our duty as a Christian.

Let me explain. If a Sunday school teacher were to come to me and say. Pastor. I no longer have that zeal and desire to teach Sunday school. I have been doing it now for 10 years. And I’ve lost my excitement for teaching the word of God.

My response would be. That’s great. Because now you are about to understand what it means to be a real Christian. A real Christian understands that we serve God even when we don’t feel like it.

I would tell that man or woman. Keep teaching and God will eventually restore that feeling. But our duty is to continue in the calling that God has given to us.

You might say. Well, I just don’t feel like going to church today. So what? You have a duty to God to be in church every Sunday.

If you talk to any soldier. They will tell you that even though they may not agree with the war that is going on. They will still go because it is their duty to do so.

Dedication and vigilance are expected of soldiers. And we are soldiers in the Lords army.

But there are some differences. The government will let you down. God never will. And I’m going to give you an example:

The year was 1932. Washington DC was under siege. There were more than 10k unemployed veterans of WW1 surrounding the capital.

These veterans had been promised a cash bonus for serving in WW1. At the end of May 1932 these soldiers marched on the white house. Tens of thousands were coming to Washington to claim their bonus.

The soldiers were called names like tramps and deadbeat. But proclaimed we were not so when we fought for your freedom. The house and the senate rejected their request for payment. July 16th on the last day Congress was in session. Near midnight the 77th congress dismissed. As the congressmen snuck out through underground tunnels and back doors. General Macarthur brought his troops in to attack the veterans.

There were tanks, armored vehicles and calvary men. Major Patton at the time actually had his saber out. And they began hurling gas grenades jabbing at the veterans with bayonets.

During this conflict many veterans were killed. These veterans retreaed and crossed a bridge for safety and President Hoover ordered the troops not to pursue the fleeing veterans.

But Macarthur declared. We are at war, and I will not bother with pieces of paper during a military operation. And the troops crossed the bridge attacking the veterans. It was a nightmare.

You see there is nothing wrong with being a patriot. As long as you understand that the government can and will let you down. The government should never be your idol. The military should never be your idol.

Only God deserves your worship. God will never leave your or forsake you. The bankers of this country had turned their backs on the soldiers. And it has happened time and time again in our history.

I have no problem with celebrating the achievements of the founding fathers. But fireworks are no replacement for the eternal vigilance and duty of the Christian soldier. Misplaced patriotism is no replacement for the duty of serving God.

You might say well Pastor. I just don’t enjoy reading my bible like I used too. Good. Be a good soldier and do it because it is your duty to do so.

You might say well Pastor. I just don’t enjoy soul winning like I used too. Good. Be a good soldier and do it because it is your duty to do so.

You might say well Pastor. I don’t always agree with the things you say. So, I think I’ll just quit coming to church.

No. Be a good soldier and do your duty to God and be faithful to the house of God.

You might say well Pastor I got my feelings hurt. So, I’m just going to quit church. To that I would again say. Do your duty to God not man and stay faithful to church.

You might say. Pastor. I just don’t feel like doing all this work for VBS. Good. Don’t do it because you feel like it. Do it because it is your duty to God to do it.

We need to understand that the only way we are going to save America is by coming back to God. The only way we are going to save America is by building our churches back to what they used to be. Revival is the only path to saving our children.

We must end this politically correct garbage by filling up our churches with people who are Patriotic about serving God over the government.

We must put an end to all this censorship of free speech by restoring our churches to their former glory and thereby releasing the spirit of God into our once great nation and returning to us to having the Liberty to say what needs to be said.

Now is not the time to shrink from the battle that lies before us. The devil is going after our children. There are states where the government can confuse your children with gender dysphoria then when your child is confused the government can take your child and pump him or her with hormone therapy drugs and cut off their private parts. That’s right. The government has become the enemy of God. There are only two genders folks. Male and female made He them. That’s it.

Let me share with you something that happened a little over a year ago in the United States of America. A preacher standing on a public sidewalk reading the bible openly was arrested by police and jailed for disruption of the peace and endangering public safety. This happened in Seattle, Washington. Ladies and Gentlemen when we are arrested for reading the bible while sodomites are reading books to our children in public schools then it is long past time we take a stand.

In the freedom to keep and bare arms. There is Liberty. Another true story that happened not too long ago. Again in the United States of America. The US senate voted for national red flag gun confiscation laws. This law authorizes police force to raid your home and take your guns without you having commited a crime. Without any evidence that you were going to commit a crime. But merely on the accusation of someone who doesn’t like you or your guns. Cops can come to your house and if you resist, shut you and take your guns. Biden signed this into law. What good is the second amendment if our rights can be taken from us by force. Gary Willis a 60 year old man in Maryland had a relative who didn’t like him. And accused him of being unstable. Based on that accusation cops came at night to seize his guns. 60 years old no criminal record, no record of mental illness. He told them no I have the right to bare arms. He didn’t shoot back. He simply resisted. He was shot 5 times.

If Mr Willis didn’t have the right to keep and bare arms then neither did the founding fathers or the revolutionary army at Lexington Green.

I will not die as a slave to this corrupt government.

Vigilance, dedication, discipline, and duty.

These are not just words. These are the actions of those who serve in the Lords army.

So, I say to you on this upcoming fourth of July. Will you also celebrate your service to God? Will you also consider that it is your duty to do so. We are all familiar with the verse in Romans 12 which says.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

I ask you in the name of Jesus this fourth of July to consider the fact that your service to God should rise above your service to country. Knowing that by serving God you are serving your country in the best way possible.

And finally. As awesome as it is to celebrate the fact that our founding fathers gave their lives for our freedom. It is far more important to know that Jesus Christ gave His life for us. Nothing gives us more freedom than knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior.

John 8:36

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

True freedom is knowing that no matter what happens in this world. Eternity with our Savior is guaranteed.

A few months ago, I preached my first message as the Pastor of Westside Baptist Church. And at the closing of that message I quoted to you from a sermon preached by DL Moody and I believe that on this fourth of July weekend that quote applies now as much as ever. It goes like this:

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army. I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the second coming, or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be bought out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If he needs me in the Sunday School to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults or just learn, He can use me because I am there, I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up because I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me, because I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His Name, and building His kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, card, candy, or give me hand outs. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to, I am committed, I am a soldier. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead, I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot dis-illusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander-in-Chief calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then allow me to rule with him. I am a soldier in the Army of God. I am marching, I am claiming victory, I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier marching heaven-bound. Here I stand. WHO WILL STAND WITH ME?

If you want to ask me how I feel about our upcoming VBS. I will tell you honestly. The front line of the battle is raging among our children. There is nothing more important to the life of this church and the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ than our precious children.

If you are listening on facebook this morning and you say well Pastor my children are saved already. Good. Send them to VBS to be an example to the other children.

And I”m very grateful for the ladies who have worked so tirelessly to make their vision a reality. And I salute you for doing your duty as a child of God knowing that God will reward you in due time.

Let us pray