Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Today in recognition of Independence Day, we’re going to preach this message ‘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