Fourth of July
The Cost to Attain & Maintain Freedom
Jesus has Attained Freedom & Maintains Freedom for us.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
-1 Corinthians 15:54
Luke 4:18-21
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners… recovery of sight… to set the oppressed free …“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
The “Declaration of Independence” was supposed to be all about freedom from religious persecution in England.
We must “Maintain” freedom.
Freedom starts at the SPIRITUAL level
Leave your backpack of guilt behind.
Leave it at the cross.
Maintain the Freedom.
Don’t undo what Jesus has done.
Don’t undo what is at the heart of the Declaration of Independence.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
FREEDOM
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:17
Psalm 119:169
“Lord, give me understanding…. Your Word.”
Galatians 5:1
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.”
DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
Psalm 33:12-22
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”