July 4, 2018
2 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
4th of July!
Independence Day!
On July 4th 1776, thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England and eventually became the United States. The first readings of the Declaration were in Philadelphia at Independence square. Bells were rung and music was played. The next year they celebrated with bonfires, bells and fireworks. And the fire works and music continue today. Bringing unity across all beliefs, races and political standings for a day.
God has indeed blessed us in so many ways as a nation. We have been able to send aid to those in need, missionaries to many nations and support/deliverance for those who are oppressed.
Do we really understand the freedom we have today? We are spoiled and in all honesty a little clueless. Men and women picked up weapons and fought for us to have the freedoms we have today. Slowly, freedoms are being taken away. There are those who seek to remove some of those freedoms and are working diligently to do so.
Setting that aside, the freedom that we have in Christ is much more important. Freedom is something we seek when we are oppressed. Freedom in Christ is not a political or economic freedom. There are millions of people that are oppressed that have freedom in Christ. The Apostle Paul talks about sin being oppressive and that we are actually slaves to it. But, we have Gods Grace! God has a plan for our ultimate freedom.
Romans 6:1-2
Believers Are Dead to Sin, Alive to God
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
If we want true freedom, we need Jesus. We really have to make a heart and mindset change. But with freedom comes responsibility. In the secular world we need order and direction, we need people who will defend that freedom even if it brings them to deaths door. As for our freedom in Christ, we must sacrifice and die to self. Surrender, obedience and submission of our will, such a hard thing, but doable. We cannot and must not continue living in sin once we have surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ.
If you want to experience true freedom. Surrender. Go ALL in. Stop sinning. Seriously. If you are a follower of Christ, then make the adjustments necessary for freedom to be unleashed in your life. Confess your sins and ask that the Holy Spirit will guide, direct and protect you. If you are not a believer or follower of Christ. I challenge you to take that step today.
Romans 3:23 says that we all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.
Romans 10:9-13
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Talk to God.. He will hear you.
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you have been, it doesn’t matter what the scar or what the sin, it doesnt matter if you fallen along the way, there is healing for your life today. (Carmen)
We live in a broken world and the only thing that can fix it is Jesus. It starts with you simply asking for forgiveness and believing in Him. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. His death, burial and resurrection gives us the ability to have a restored relationship with God.
God wants us to experience the greatest freedom available. Freedom that comes with Jesus being Prophet, Priest and King of our lives.
Prophet: Speaking into our lives through Gods word and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 21:11, Luke 7:16, John 4:19, Mark 6:4)
Preist: Our mediator between us and God. Jesus goes to God on our behalf. (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 4:14)
King: Jesus has all authority on heaven and Earth. He is the Lord of ALL, he walks, talks and directs with authority,
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (Freedom).
Prayed for ALL of you this morning!
Keep your eyes on God!
Pray for your fellow believers and for our nation….especially our President and leaders.
Love you all!
Pastor Scott
Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.