Free at Last

Freedom for All

Today we celebrate the freedoms we have in this country

245 years ago some men came up with, I believe a God inspired, idea to form a new country based on the idea that all men are created equal and they have been endowed by their creator the right to pursue life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We have not always lived up to our own ideals or the standards we have set.

We have a history of warts an blemishes as well a achievement and advancement.

But the drive for freedom for us and others has always driven us.

Over 1.3 million men and women have given their lives for our freedom over history.

It begs the question, what is freedom and where does it come from?

Freedom defined - the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

Is freedom doing what ever we want?

I feel many know about freedom but few experience it today

“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” - William Faulkner

The Psalmist said

Psalm 119:45 CSB

I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts.

Today we look at freedom. What it looks like and its source

Turn to Psalm 119

Psalm 119:41–48 CSB

Let your faithful love come to me, Lord, your salvation, as you promised. Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever. I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. I delight in your commands, which I love. I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and will meditate on your statutes.

Lets Pray

A Promise Kept: Freedom for All

We have been created with desire for freedom - it is why we strive for it so much

God's terrible insistence on human freedom is so absolute that he granted us the power to live as though He did not exist, to spit in His face, to crucify Him. - Phillips Brooks

A Promise Kept: Freedom for All

I put to you first, freedom is not Governmental thing given, it is God given

Out side of God and His way there is no freedom

Psalm 119:45 CSB

I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts.

It is through knowing God I experience freedom

This is more than just a physical freedom

A Promise Kept: Freedom for All

1. The Psalmist looked forward to God’s promise fulfilled

Psalm 119:41 CSB

Let your faithful love come to me, Lord, your salvation, as you promised.

The Psalmist saw their need and new they need something more

Doing what we want does not work - doing it our way leads to bondage

Psalm 119:45 CSB

I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts.

Because I know and follow You I walk freely

We see this today

A Promise Kept: Freedom for All

2. We look backwards to God’s promise fulfilled

Luke 4:18–19 CSB

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

A Promise Kept: Freedom for All

2. We look backwards to God’s promise fulfilled

This is freedom - this is what has been fulfilled in Christ

The issue we face is that we define freedom in the physical sense.

Physical freedom is optional - not always guaranteed.

So many are not free to gather and worship today or complain about their country

We are blessed enough to live here

For all those who so disparage the US today can so because they live in the US.

Paul -

Philippians 1:19–20 CSB

because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Spiritual Freedom is guaranteed-

Flesh

1 Corinthians 6:12 CSB

“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

World

2 Peter 2:19 CSB

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.

Sin’s Grip

Romans 6:16 CSB

Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?

A Promise Kept: Freedom for All

3. Walk wisely in freedom

Galatians 5:13 CSB

For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

A Promise Kept: Freedom for All

3. Walk wisely in freedom

We are free when we live within the context and boundaries of God

Do it His way = Freedom

Do it our way = bondage and death

Free at Last

Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want. - Martin Luther

Free at Last

Today as we celebrate freedom let us do so by being truly free.

One way, One door

Let’s pray