The Key to Liberty

INTRO:

As we look at the depraved world around us, we should realize that Jesus is our only hope.

If we (the church) have set our sites on "saving the nation", if we believe that politics can fix or restore things, then we are deceived and sadly mistaken.

If this is our focus, then we have lost our way.

It's not about our political system, but the people who live here.

The blood of Christ doesn't cleanse nations, it cleanses people.

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This narration could easily be describing America. It seems that not much has changed in the last 2000 years.

With America being so similar, how should Christians respond in respond in regard to this nation we love?

v.16:

In our text, the city was given over to false religion, the church was silent, but Paul was stirred. (are you?)

We too live in a vile and wicked society, steeped in idolatry.

Do you think that God’s opinion of idolatry has changed in the last 3000 years?

Do you think that the Lord is relieved that the people of our nation no longer elevate him and his son Jesus Christ above other gods?

No! What He wants is for us to know Him.

The Lord wants us to know Him

Isaiah 45:6

Isaiah 45:6 NKJV

That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other;

v.17:

What do we do? Like Paul, we need to Go Public

Paul took it to the streets, and got the attention of the locals

FACT: Americans are very religious, but many don’t actually know who God is.

Just like the Athenians, America no longer has any absolute standard (I.e. the Bible).

If we proclaim the morality of the Bible, we are called “intolerant” and “self-righteous”

However, we are not to be tolerant of false religions, and our righteousness is not our own, it is God’s.

Work, pleasure, money, and self-indulgence have become America’s god.

For many, Christ is considered far too radical and judgmental to have any place in their lives.

We see the consequences in our society today...Idolatry, evolution, abortion, homosexuality, drunkenness, drug addiction, calling evil good and good evil.

Lack of morality only invites trouble and bondage.

Isaiah 5:20

Isaiah 5:20 NKJV

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

John 8:34

John 8:34 NKJV

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

We can see the problem, but how do we fix it?

vv.23-26 (creator)

Proclaim the true God!

The need is urgent! We need a revival in America, not for the sake of America, but for the sake of the people.

We have people walking away from the church in droves.

From our government education system, the media, our entertainment, to the government itself, the message is increasingly anti-Christian.

The attitude permeates our society on all levels, and is fed to our children from the earliest ages.

With all of the souls that are being lost, what has the church done?

We’ve adopted a save the nation attitude.

We have focused on political activism.

However, “save the nation” the wrong emphasis.

Ultimately, nations cannot be saved, only people!

All nations are temporary. God uses them, blesses them and judges them as He deems necessary.

He sets up kingdoms and tears them down according to His will.

Democracy, capitalism, socialism, communism, conservatism, liberalism...None of these systems of government will be incorporated into God’s kingdom. America included.

Does that mean we give up on political involvement? No, we just need to have the right perspective.

We should still strive to protect freedom and righteousness through our legal system.

Our laws should represent our morality, but we need to understand that laws are not the end.

The problem is, we've come to the point in which we'd rather use laws to modify behavior than change hearts.

Is really there any doubt that the modern church, and our denominations have become a political machine?

We try to pass laws to solve our problems, but laws can't change hearts, or redeem a man.

The real problem is not a lack of laws and government programs, the real problem is the sinful nature of mankind.

We need to make soul winning our primary mission. Jesus died for people, not for nations.

One issue that we are increasingly confronted with. LGBT rights.

Abortion is legal, but it is a horrendous sin.

The question becomes not whether it's right or wrong, we already know the answer to that.

The question is how do we approach the issues?

How do we approach the people involved?

They need to hear the truth.

Do we love these people enough to even attempt to share the Gospel with them?

What do we do when sin leaves them devastated, because their whole world has fallen apart?

What do we do when their unholy relationships have left them empty and broken hearted?

When this happens, Here is what they need to know:

To truly know love, completeness and contentment, you must first know Christ.

1 John 4:8-10

1 John 4:8–10 NKJV

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Colossians 2:10

Colossians 2:10 NKJV

and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Our sins may be great, but the blood of Jesus is greater.

Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 NKJV

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 9:13-14

Hebrews 9:13–14 NKJV

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

God’s grace is sufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

When a heart is breaking, no matter the reason, let's introduce them to the one who mends broken hearts.

God heals the broken hearted.

Psalm 147:3

Psalm 147:3 NKJV

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

They need to be reached with the message of Hope in Christ.

They need to know the source of true love and contentment.

They need to know that Christ is ready and willing to forgive and renew.

If people start getting saved, the rest will work itself out.

Our primary focus should be to save people, not America.

We should want to see hearts changed and transformed through Jesus Christ.

vv.28:

But Instead, we turn to government for our solutions.

They’ve promised us a chicken in every pot, but people are still starving.

They want to give us cradle to grave care, but it can hardly care for itself, and the grave is still the ultimate victor.

No government can save you. It doesn’t matter how many taxes you pay, how many laws you pass, how good a citizen you are, or how well you serve your country.

There are no government programs to get you into Heaven.

While we are commanded by scripture to obey our civil governments. Government is not to take the place of Christ.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father but by Him.

No government can grant you freedom. At best they can protect your natural, God-given rights. But they typically restrict your freedoms to various degrees (usually in the name of safety and security)

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True freedom comes only from Christ.

Romans 6:6-7

Romans 6:6–7 NKJV

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.

John 8:36

John 8:36 NKJV

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Instead of falling for a chicken in every pot, feast on the Bread of Life, and drink the Living Water.

Instead of cradle to the grave care, choose eternal care.

If you want to fix what’s wrong, turn to Christ.

Do an end run around the government, they’ll just get in the way.

This can once again be a blessed nation, but if it is, it will be because of a revival among the people.

Change comes by Christ, through individuals, not by government.

Although our nation is rapidly becoming anti-Christian in belief and practice, we Christians can still best serve our nation and our Savior by practicing and proclaiming Christ's wonderful saving gospel of free salvation from sin and regeneration to righteousness.

We should be people/church building, not nation building.

Remember, as Christians, our true citizenship is in Heaven, and, unlike nations, the church has no borders or boundaries.

A Christian’s true citizenship is in heaven.

Philippians 3:20

Philippians 3:20 NKJV

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 2:9-10

1 Peter 2:9–10 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

So as we celebrate Independence Day, let’s not be independent from Christ, but more dependent on Him!