Give Me Liberty-Patrick Henry

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace.

The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash

of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that

gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the

price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but

as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Intro

245 years ago our nation was born, not out of a hunger for selfish gain, but born out of a cry for freedom. It was born from a recognition that all men were created equal, and that all people had the right to work hard and build a life.

This freedom however was based not on the idea that we are free to do whatever we want, but rather on the idea that we ought to be free to restrain and govern ourselves.

When this declaration was made 245 years ago today the founders understood that they were taking a stand for freedom and that the stand would likely cost them their lives.

In fact of the 56 signers of the declaration of Independence:

Five were captured by the British and tortured as traitors.

Nine fought and died in the American Revolution.

Four lost their sons in the Continental Army or had sons who were captured.

At least a dozen had their homes looted and destroyed.

The price of Freedom is high. Whenever you and I are standing for freedom we cannot be weak. We must have courage.

We live in a well to do time. Most take freedom for granted. We take our freedom in Christ for granted and our freedom in America for granted.

Yet here we are at a crossroads in this country. Read with me:

Galatians 5:13–14 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

you and I were not rescued by Christ to walk in slavery. We were redeemed to be free from Sin.

Follow me here. Our nation, our neighbors, our family and friends, even we, I believe do not fully grasp the tension between Christianity and America.

America can only survive as a nation if we live out the great commandments.

A House Divided, Cannot Stand

William Penn once said: Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.

People today are furious. Everywhere you look, people are angry. they are shouting. they are hating. More and more they are shooting and beating each other. It is sad to me to see such hatred. People are divided. This country is divided.

People are angry today because they are looking for perfection in man, when it can only be found in Christ!

It is breaking. It is fracturing and will in time collapse, if there is no move of God.

What hope is there for a divided people?

Christ came to free people from the tyranny of Sin.

There is much hope indeed. Because you see Christ came to set men free.

Luke 4:18 ESV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

The problem of Sin is that sin leads you and I into slavery. Maybe not physical slavery, but it will lead you into spiritual and emotional slavery.

again I take you back to that quote by William Penn

William Penn once said: Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.

If we as a people reject the Gospel and the Liberty found in Christ we will be incapable of being free.

We as a nation will devolve into chaos.

You and I are called today to fight for the freedom of those around us:

Not political freedom, but freedom in Christ.

If you and I are truly free in Christ, the government doesn’t matter.

We serve a king, whose throne shall never be overturned. Christ reigns today church.

We naturally try and persuade our neighbors and family to vote the way we want. But that is not problem.

The problem is not who do we vote for, but rather who to we bow before.

Closing

So we as a church, are calling on you to stand and fight for the kingdom.

“Timid men...prefer the calm of despotism to the boisterous sea of liberty.” -Thomas Jefferson

The days of sidelined Christianity must end! Choose to fight! Choose to run with Jesus!

Answer the call to serve! Answer the call of Christ and fight for your loved ones.

WE are going to be outlining over the next few weeks some ministries and outreaches that we believe God is calling this church to.

Strengthening families

Through men’s and women’s ministries.

Parenting and marriage classes

Helping this next generation gain the skills needed to thrive.

Relaunching kids and youth ministries

Creating new outreach projects to share the love of Christ with this community.

This church is going to work to ensure every believer is serving in the church. Not because we want to stay busy but because You and I are called to serve one another. WE are called to walk forward and advance the kingdom

So as we continue this journey into the future as a church:

We are going to call on every believer who attends this church to:

Serve through giving financially

Serve through praying

Serve though leading a ministry or outreach

Or all the above.

Prayer of closing and over the food.