Freedom

Freedom

Intro: As of July 4, 2016, the United States of America is 240 years old. The Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was approved by the thirteen colonies on July 4, 1776, at which point the United States became a country. As of April 30, 2016, the United States has a total resident population of 323,730,000, making it the third most populous country in the world. The total number of Americans killed in all U.S. wars to defend America’s freedom is over 1.1 million. Today, out of a nation of over 323 million people, 1.3 million Americans are in active duty military, and another 1 million serve in the reserves, according to the Department of Defense. We are free as a nation today because someone was willing to put their lives on the line for us.

I. Jesus said the truth sets us free and keeps us free. (John 8:32-36) The pilgrims, as you will recall, were Christians fleeing Europe in order to escape religious persecution, and they literally began their stay in their new land with the words, “In the name of God, Amen.” America was indeed founded by bible-believing Christians and based on Christian principles. When they founded this country, the Founding Fathers envisioned a government that would promote and encourage Christianity. Freedom cannot survive without it!

   All but two of the first 108 universities founded in America were Christian. This includes the first, Harvard, where the student handbook listed this as Rule #1: “Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, John 17:3; and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation for our children to follow the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."

    In 1777, Continental Congress voted to spend $300,000 to purchase bibles which were to be distributed throughout the 13 colonies! And in 1782, the United States Congress declared, “The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools." Yes the truth of God’s word has been instrumental in the freedom we enjoy in this country.      No other religion except Christianity is compatible with our constitution.

         In No other country with a religion other than Christianity are you            allowed freedom of religious expression. You will be terminated! 

    II. We are a free and blessed nation as long as we give God His rightful place.           (Psalm 33:12-22)

 a. This verse expresses joy over being part of God’s elect people, recipients of His loyal faithful love. God has had His hand on this nation from its very beginning and for 240 years He has kept this nation free through His Son Jesus Christ.  The psalmist then stated that God sees all people from His exalted position in heaven (His dwelling place). (v:13) He created each one of us with His hands and sees even our inner thoughts. (v:15) God does not save the self-confident. Those who look to a king (government), or human strength, (man’s wisdom) or a horse (military might) cannot find deliverance. (v:16-17) This nation will not be saved by any work of mankind. Rather the Lord saves and preserves those who trust and hope in Him (vs:18-19) “God saves those who “fear” Him and hope in His mercy. Those who wait for Him, rejoice in Him and trust in His unfailing love. (vv. 20, 22) What the Christian flag rep. keeps what the American flag rep. free.

Conclusion: There are other religions coming into our nation on a daily basis. They have the freedom to practice their religion but we are never to support them or put their religion on the same level as Christianity. All other religions will send you to hell. We are to actively try to help them come to know the truth about Jesus or else they are eternally doomed. We are to tell everyone that Jesus is the One and Only Son of God come to earth to live a perfect life, be crucified on a cross and then be resurrected as payment for our sins.  (John  3:16)

Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can give us the things we need for this nation! All else will fail!

Invitation: Do you know for sure you are going to heaven when you die? If not today is the day to make sure before it’s eternally too late. Jesus said He is the only way, truth and life. No one comes to the Father but by Me. (John 14:6) Ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life and save you from the penalty of your sins and give you a home in Heaven right now.