Freedom & Faith 250
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement - Welcome to Calvary Chapel Bluffton’s 2nd Annual Freedom & Faith event!
We desire to use this event as an opportunity to celebrate and promote our freedom that we have in our nation and in our faith.
Happy 250th birthday to our great nation!! Uncle Sam doesn’t look a day over 225.
Opening Background - Tonight, most Americans will gather at their favorite fireworks show...be it in a large community gathering, or a small backyard show.
Your local shows:
Bluffton - last night at 9
Hilton Head -
Shelter Cove Harbour - festivities start around 6 pm
Harbour Town - fireworks starting around 9 pm.
Beaufort - Sands Beach at Port Royal w/ fireworks kicking off around 9:15
Opening Illustration - Why fireworks?
It turns out that John Adams (our second president) is largely responsible. Having written a famous letter to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776 as the Declaration of Independence would be adopted by the Continental Congress the next day, Adams wrote,
that the holiday should be solemnized “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations (AKA FIREWORKS)!
Relevance to CCB - Enjoy your fireworks tonight and give thanks to John Adams for getting us started with a bang!
But what are celebrating FREEDOM from?
From the majority of the world who live under Oppressive Governments
The World Justice Project — estimates that 5 billion people have unmet justice needs globally, including people who cannot obtain justice for everyday problems, people who are excluded from the opportunity, and people who live in extreme conditions of injustice.
5 billion is 63% of the world. Other research suggests that there is another 20% who live only partially free — which means only about 20% of the total worlds population is generally considered “free”
Consider yourself extremely blessed to have the opportunity to live here, where you can pursue God and your life’s goals without being told what to believe or what to do.
Although, that notion is being challenged. Charlie Kirk paid the price this past year for simply exercising his first amendment rights. Make no mistake, it is under attack and freedom must be defended at all costs…even from those within this great country. We should fight for our freedom, lest those like Charlie Kirk die in vain.
The Constitutionally Protected Freedom that we experience in the U.S.A goes much deeper than our right to make money in a free market economy, to own private property, or even to bear arms (to defend ourselves from any threats)…free speech, the right to gather, and freedom of religion are all part of the first amendment.
No one can tell you - What your allowed to say. Who you can hang out with. And how to practice your faith in God.
Seems like for some reason, the first amendment was very important to our forefathers!
The first amendment (the way I see it) is essentially the “right to be able to share ideas and to communicate them” without retribution…religious or otherwise.
To allow mankind to communicate, debate and challenge the most important ideas from sea to shining sea, ABOUT GOD!!
Our Nation, for the last 250 years has allowed us to practice our highest calling; which is to have the right to Pursue God and help others to do the same…
Therefore I see our Freedom (here in the U.S.A) and Faith as two things that are inextricably linked.
The physical freedom we are blessed to experience is GREAT.
To simply enjoy freedom and eventually die, even if we made a positive impact on society, doesn’t really “scratch the itch” of what life is really about.
But the spiritual freedom we can experience through Jesus Christ helps us to achieve the GREATEST impact we can possibly imagine.
But again, to have freedom, you have to have freedom FROM something? What do we need spiritual freedom from?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Freedom from spiritual bondage.
Whoa Zac, you’re taking this a little too far…
I’ll up the ante. Did you know that we are ALL slaves according to God’s Word?
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
According to God’s Word you are a slave to somebody
Either a slave to sin - leading to death (hell).
Or a slave to obedience - leading to righteousness (heaven).
Just like the old Bob Dylan song said,
“You’re gonna have to serve somebody”
“Well, it may be the Devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
May you celebrate our nations 250th Independence Day by following your HIGHEST PURPOSE. TO pursue God and help others to do the same.
God Bless you and God Bless the United States of America!
Enjoy your celebrations tonight and be safe around those fireworks — I want to see you all in church tomorrow…with ALL 10 fingers!
Let’s Pray
