Sermon Tone Analysis

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… /