Gods Declaration
God’s Declaration of Freedom
ð Tea Party; Gov’t 3000 miles away; King sent troops to control rebellion; “Common Sense”; Virginia’s action – set in place events that developed into great plan by men to inform British gov’t that this country was to be free. An incredible plan – incredible effort. (PP) Yet, pales in comparison to God’s declaration of freedom.
ð Most thrilling plan, (PP) most incredible story ever told has to do with God’s plan for redeeming lost mankind. His plan for our freedom covers centuries of preparation and is the only source of true joy for men today.
ð God’s plan (PP) for freeing mankind from sin & certain eternal separation from Him still needs be remembered and clearly and proudly proclaimed today.
ð This morning we’ll notice way in which God met problem of ages – freeing man from sin; and how His Declaration provided a solution for all men for all time.
° T – As the 1st and 2nd Cont. Cong met in 1774-75 and laid foundation for independence, also notice…(PP)
I. God’s Declaration in its Foundation
A. When Adam & Eve made fateful decision to disobey God in G o E, sin entered world - need for plan of salvation became evident. (PP) Rom 6:23 informs us (RD). Later in same letter, in 7:24, Paul cries out (RD).
B. Well, no sooner had sin reared its ugly head in world, God made promise. Had a plan. (PP) In Gen 3:15 we read God’s promise of this plan (RD). To crush head of Deceiver would set into motion a “mystery.”
1. This mystery, this promise, as we’ll see, was renewed to the patriarchs and the prophets. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all promised a blessing through God’s great plan.
2. As we read in Isaiah, the prophets also gave a glimpse into the details of God’s promise to reveal His plan to free mankind from the bonds of sin and death.
C. God’s promise was set in motion when He chose faithful Abraham to be family nurtured and taught by God Himself. (PP) In this family, God chose an entire nation thru whom He could reveal His plan. We see promise of present and future blessings for all men renewed to Jacob in Gen 28:14 (RD).
° T – It is in this people, this nation and their “R” with God that we then see (PP)
II. God’s Declaration Foreshadowed
A. Sept. 1774, 1st Cont Cong met, drew up list of grievances against King Geo 3 of England. Unrest was high - this meeting ultimately passed resolution breaks all trade w/ GB. They should have seen coming – plenty warning. Even official documentation from 13 colonies.
B. Likewise, men should have seen God’s great plan for freeing mankind coming! Again in Isaiah, Is 42:6, we see this announced. (RD) In nation of Israel, (PP) God had a people who were set apart to be His own - a nation that was to show world something about God - be an example to nations around them.
1. We see same concept echoed and taught by Paul in 2nd letter to the Cor. in 2 Cor 6:14-16. Notice here how Paul uses this idea of separation – and who he refers to (RD).
2. Last part is quote from Scripture goes all way back to Lev 26:12. They were to be people who (PP) intentionally made themselves different and separate from the other nations.
C. Even BY the temple was God’s plan foreshadowed. (PP) Temple was to make men aware of their need for a sacrifice and a High Priest. It also made them aware that man does NOT approach God flippantly or disregard His will for life AND worship.
° T – Then, years pass, it was under reign of Rome and in life of Jesus Christ we find…(PP)
III. God’s Declaration of Freedom is Completed
A. God’s timing perfect! Gal 4:4 tells us that (RD) (PP) – the perfect time in history! It was a time of basic stability under Rome. World open to travel. Roads established, protected. There was nucleus for church in Jewish people scattered all over world – Acts 2:3-11. In koine Greek there was a common language spoken.
B. It was this time, son was born in miraculous fashion to Jewish couple, who incidentally, in line of David, Jacob, & Abraham. Remember Rom 7:24 (RD)? Answers question in next vs (7:25 RD).(PP) Jesus Christ is answer!
1. As Jesus grew and began to teach in His 30th year, His teaching was also perfect! Mt 7:28-29 says, (RD). Jesus taught in such a way that the crowds were mesmerized. His teaching was simple and to the point…and it supplied all the guidance needed for mankind. He says in John 12:48 (RD).
2. The result of His life and teaching, as all of God’s plan, (PP) also was perfect! Mt 5:17-18 says (RD). He fulfilled all of God’s plans. Jn 8:42 He says, (RD). On the cross HE proclaimed (Jn 19:30 – RD). Not His life – the PLAN…was complete – fulfilled.
C. As Christ gave His life on the cross, (PP) God’s plan was accomplished. Through His sacrifice, the throne of God was made available to all men.
1. Late afternoon 7-4-1776, 9 of 13 colonies voted to approve document - Dec. of Ind. John Hancock, pres of Cont Cong, signed his name with such a flourish that “King Geo could read w/out spectacles.” And thus the plan of independence was complete.
2. As Christ hung on cross, cried out that it was finished, God’s plan was now ready to be revealed – ready to shown to the world in the next 50 days after His death.
v T – And on that Day of Pentecost that we find in Acts 2, (PP)
IV. God’s Declaration – Declared!
A. When Peter, other apostles under guidance of HS declare (PP) the terms of entrance into God’s kingdom in Acts 2:38 – repent, immersed in name of (authority), why? For the forgiveness of sin! It is that very act of obedience that identifies you as a member of church of Christ.
1. And it is that church that is the culmination of God’s plan. Eph 3:10 says (READ). (PP) The church reveals the wisdom of God – the wisdom of His plan.
2. The church also is as Paul tells Tim in 1 Tim 3:15 (READ). We are to defend and uphold the truth of God’s word. (PP) We are to be pillars – to hold up truth and make it known the world over. AND – we are to be the support – to teach the truth within these 4 walls!
B. 227 years after it was penned in what is now known as Independence Hall in Phila., the D of I is faded but still legible. It is enshrined for public display in the Nat. Archives Bldg in DC. It is constantly monitored for signs of wear or degradation. At night, the priceless document is stored in an underground vault. People understand its value – the price that was paid for it.
C. God’s great plan to free men from sin and death that was foretold by OT prophets, after 2000 years is still standing! Church has taken its hits – she has been wounded, on occasion, because her members are sinful, imperfect men. Yet, even after all these years, she survives and she too, (PP) is still identifiable!
1. It is church – fulfillment of God’s eternal plan – that it to also be on public display to all of mankind. To shine like stars in the universe (Phil 2:15); to be the city set on a hill (Mt 5:14).
2. And our duty to also check for wear and degradation. We are to uphold church and do all we can to make sure foundation we are built upon, which is gospel of Christ, never erodes.
ð However, this was by no means “independence” in “freedom from GB” sense. What history teaches us is…
V. War Has Only(PP) Just Begun (PP)
A. It wasn’t until October 19th, 1781, when General George Washington’s army and French forces led by Lafayette surrounded British General Cornwallis at Yorktown that British actually surrendered. Then, it took another 2 years before Treaty of Paris was signed officially ending Revolutionary War. So you see, (PP) once freedom was declared, the fight was underway…for years.
B. In Rom 6, Paul describes beautiful picture of baptism into Christ, beg. vs 2, (RD 2-6). Then, in vs 7, Paul announces our freedom (RD). Upon our baptism into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we are free! Free from sin and death and guilt and everything that comes with “old man” of our previous life in sin.
C. But now the battle begins. James and Peter remind us now that we’re in Christ, (PP) we’re part of Xian Resistance Movement, if you will. We must resist Satan (James 4:7 RD, 1 Peter 5:9 RD).
1. In Eph 6, 2 Tim 2:3-4, Paul refers to you and me (PP) as soldiers. What do soldiers do? We have a war to fight. Therefore, we must be prepared to enter into battle. AND - God provides, through pen of Paul, equipment we need to engage our enemy.
2. Read through Eph 6:14-18. There is our battle armor – truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. Our duty, in 6:13, is to put the armor on “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”. (PP)
ð So celebrate your freedom. Celebrate GOD’S declaration of freedom (PP) from sin and from spiritual death. But remember, declaring (PP) your freedom doesn’t end the battle – it puts (PP) you in a war.
ð God’s great plan for freedom is the only hope of salvation for a lost and dying world. It’s a popular teaching today that the church is not important, but we can see in Scripture that God intended the church to be the greatest body of people on earth – because of the price paid for it. Ax 20:28 – He purchased it with His blood!
ð On the Liberty Bell, hanging in Independence Hall, are inscribed the words, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” God has asked us to proclaim the freedom that is found only in God’s great plan – in His church - to all the world. (PP)
ð He also invites you to be a part of His family. Just like Peter told the crowds when they cried out, “What shall WE do?”, you can repent, be immersed into Christ for forgiveness of sins, and become a member of His church – His great plan for freedom.