Free Indeed

As you are aware, the holiday that we are celebrating this weekend is not technically ‘July 4th’. Cookouts & long weekends are great, but they are not the reason for the holiday. We celebrate Independence Day because 246 years ago, our forefathers by the Leading and Grace of God elected to secede from England to form the United States of America.

Today I want to preach this message concerning another form of independence. Whereas this holiday celebrates our national independence, Jesus has given us a different kind of independence. Many in fact.

I. The Benefactor of Our Freedom

The benefactor is the one who has caused us to go free.

Some of the benefactors of our freedom as a country would be: George Washington, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin. But the name of the one who secured our Spiritual Freedom is Jesus!

We’re Free because of the Love of Christ

Our freedom begins with the Love of Christ.

Do you know church that God loves you? We go through this life and:

Most don’t know us.

Some like us, other’s don’t

Few love us - but most love us conditionally

But God loves us enough to die for us! Jesus said: Joh. 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Eph. 2:4-7 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

Church, I think we all know what it feels like when we feel like the world is against us and no one loves us: Let me tell you - Jesus loves you!We’re free because of the Love of Christ

We’re free because of the Love of Christ

We’re Free because of the Longsuffering of Christ

In reading there in Ephesians, I stopped short of a couple very important verses. It continues: Eph. 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

We’re free because of the Longsuffering of Christ. His Great Grace!

Let me say this: I don’t deserve Salvation. I know who I am, I know what I’ve done - I know all about me. And let me say, I’m still amazed that God allows me to continue upon this earth without bringing down the hand of Judgment upon me and smiting me into obliteration. Some people think that Hell is a harsh punishment. Let me say: It is a harsh punishment - but it fits the crime. I deserve Hell - and you do to.

Isa. 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

(Ill.) I have often thought about who I was before Christ saved me. I considered the wickedness of my heart and hands… and I’ll never understand why God saw fit to allow me to continue. But I’m so glad that He did! And I’m so glad for the truth found in Rom. 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

We’re free because of the Longsuffering of Christ

We’re Free because of the Blood of Christ

(Ill.) The signing of the Declaration of Independence which happened 246 years ago tomorrow marked the beginning of much bloodshed. In order for America to gain it’s independence, approximately 25,000 continental soldiers had to die.

Blood was spilt from Massachusetts to South Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia - blood ran to purchase our freedom.

Of course, over the years, American soldiers have shed their blood throughout the world so secure that freedom. We thank God for that.

But 2,000 years ago blood was shed for our freedom as well.

2,000 years ago there was another war fought in Jerusalem. And was blood spilt there as well.

It was shed in the garden

It was offered in the house of the high priest

It was spilt at the whipping post

It flowed upon Mount Calvary

The blood of which I’m speaking of is of course the precious blood of Christ! The incorruptible, undefiled precious blood of Jesus whereby we were redeemed!

Lev. 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Heb. 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Jesus said: Mat. 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Paul said: Rom. 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Our Freedom was purchased with the blood of Christ!

We’re Free because of a Belief in Christ

Now church, we’ve examined several things that our benefactor of our freedom supplies.

He was motivated by His Love

His Judgment was stayed because He is Longsuffering to us-ward

His Blood was shed for the atonement of our sins

But - all of that is for naught if not for this last thing. You can never be free if not for this: You must Believe in Jesus - that is how it’s secured!

Rom. 3:21-22 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”

Rom. 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Rom. 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Rom. 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Joh. 11:25 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

Paul & Silas told the jailer: Act. 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Through Jesus Christ - His atoning death brings Freedom unto you and I - IF YOU WILL PUT YOUR FAITH IN HIS FINISHED WORK UPON THE CROSS.

Understand - it’s not your works plus faith in Jesus, you either have your faith in Jesus, or not!

We are free - because we believe in Jesus

We see the Benefactor of our Freedom. Secondly, let’s examine the Benefits of our Freedom

II. The Benefits of Our Freedom

Free from the Power of Sin

When we’re speaking of the benefits that we gain by being born again, we must first start with being free from the Power of Sin

1Cor. 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

God has given us the victory over the power of sin!

Oftentimes, we look at heathen - those that don’t know the LORD - and we get angry. We begin to fuss and look at them with distain, when we should look upon them with pity… THEY DON’T KNOW BETTER. THEY DON’T HAVE WHAT WE HAVE! A pig grunts, that’s what it does! But church, we have no excuse! Those of us who’ve been born again, our eyes have been anointed with eyesalve. We can see, we have the Holy Ghost within us to empower us to resist sin - if we choose.

The Bible says: Jam. 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Oftentimes, the reason we Christians allow besetting sins, is that we don’t submit ourselves to God. We need to submit ourselves to His Word and Will for our lives, that we might live Holy unto Him!

We’ve been freed from the Power of Sin

Free from the Penalty of Sin

The Bible tells us: Isa. 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

This Scripture is indicative of the effects that sin has upon the natural man.

Sin acts as a barrier between man and God. It’s an entity that - while it exists, separates sinful mankind from a Holy and Righteous God.

The Bible tells us: Eph. 2:13-15 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”

Church we have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother! Our Saviour has rent the veil between God and man!

We’ve been made free from the Penalty of Sin

Free from the Punishment of Sin

Hell is a very real place - but it’s a place that I’ll never experience for myself.

Joh. 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Church, aren’t you glad that we’re not going to suffer the torments of Hell?

The place where the ‘fire is not quenched and the worm dieth not’?

The place where memory & regret dominate your existence for all eternity?

The place where a drop of water would bring relief, but will never come?

We’ve been made free from the Punishment for Sin

Free from the Pain of Sin

There’s something that we need to understand… While our Great Benefactor of Freedom, Jesus Christ has given us this great gift of Freedom, He has freed us from the pain of sin - eventually.

What I mean is that as long as we’re in this body upon this earth, sin affects us. The sins of others will affect us.

The sins of fathers affects the children

The sins of children effects the parents

The sins of leaders / politicians effects the citizens

So while we’re here, we’ll be affects by the Pain of sin - but church there’s coming a day!

‘There is coming a day when no heartache shall come’

‘No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye’

‘All is peace forever more, on that happy golden shore’

‘What a day, glorious day that will be’!

One day, church we’ll be freed from the Pain of Sin - by the blood of the Lamb!

Free from a Life of Despair

This world has a way of tearing you down. Of bringing you to a place of hopelessness. But for those of us who’ve been freed by the Son, we have hope!

We have hope of a help in times of trouble

We have hope of a brighter tomorrow

We have hope of a future home in Glory

We don’t have to live in despair, because our God has given us hope!

Rom. 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

2The. 2:16 “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,”

God has freed us from a life of despair!

Free from Life Devoid of Meaning

I began to ponder the other day what men consider to be the purpose of life. I mean, think about it… Each day, men wake up, they go about their daily routine - and seldom if ever consider why they do what they do. What their purpose truly is. Many live 70-80-90 years never considering the fact that God has a purpose for them.

Church, there’s a meaning to this life, and a purpose for your life! But you’ll not find it through the world - but you can find it through Christ!

Jesus can free you from a life Devoid of Meaning - and lastly, He can free you from a life free from Defeat

Free from Defeat

More than conquerors: Rom. 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

Paul said: 1Cor. 15:54-57 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

‘Oh Victory in Jesus - my Saviour forever’

‘He sought me, and He bought me - with His redeeming blood’

‘He loved me ‘er I knew Him, and all my love is due Him’

‘He plunged me to victory, beneath His cleansing flood’

Thank God that we have Victory! - as our Benefactor has granted it unto us!

Conclusion

Maybe you want to thank God for the victory He’s given you

Maybe you have never been born again and want that victory - you can have it today!

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