Freedom and Truth

 

Intro: Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day. When you look at this nation compared to other nations, what makes America special is our trust in God. “In God we trust” is on our coins. If we ever get away from our trust in God, we will cease to be a free nation.

I. Freedom depends on God. Psalm 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. This nation was founded on Christian principles because The pathway of freedom and blessing lies in cooperating with God. Happy, fortunate and to be envied is the nation that acknowledges Jehovah, the God of Israel as its Lord. Such a nation is blessed because: He is the true God, and is in charge of all the universe. His laws are just and good, and observing them will always tend to promote the public welfare, prosperity and real freedom. The people God has chosen as His own inheritance are those who honor and trust in Him and have received Jesus as their Savior. The founders of our independence called upon God to bless and help them in their efforts to establish a free and independent nation. They knew without His help there could be no true freedom.

II. Truth is necessary for freedom. John 8:32 (NKJV)
³²  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Without the truth of God's word, we could not be free. If you don't have the truth of God's word, then you have the lies of Satan and his evil, deception and darkness. Jesus said through Him we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. Jesus said in John 14:6 (NKJV) "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Truth has to have a standard and that standard is Jesus. He is the living word. It doesn't matter what anybody else says about what is the truth. There are not many truths but only one and His name is Jesus. When a person or a society departs from the truth of God's word there will be problems and we see that in America today. There is an effort in this nation by some of the elite, our government and news media to suppress the truth and try to set up another standard based on what man wants. We must never turn from the truth of the bible. We must stand for the truth of the word of God no matter what.

III. Freedom is the duty of the church. John 8:36 (NKJV) Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.                                                                       1. Our duty is to keep spreading the good news about Jesus who is the truth who gives people and our nation freedom. The truth of Jesus binds the hand of Satan the destroyer.                                                                                                 2. We are to live the truth before others. We are to be examples for the world to see. We as Christians can and should influence our society as Jesus tells us to. Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV) ¹³  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. ¹⁴  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus said We are to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. Salt preserves from corruption and decay. Light drives away darkness and evil.                                                                                            3. We are to pray for the Father's help in keeping this nation free. Moses prayed for the forgiveness of Israel and God spared the nation from His judgment. God said in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³  When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, ¹⁴  if My people who are called by My name will (1) humble themselves, and (2) pray and (3) seek My face, and (4) turn from their wicked ways, (what God will do) then (1) I will hear from heaven, and (2) will forgive their sin and (3) heal their land. God makes the promise that if we do these things His eyes would be open and His ears attentive to our prayers and He would heal our land.

In conclusion there is much we Christians can do to help keep America free and blessed of God. We have God on our side. Let's make use of what God has given us!

Invitation: Personal freedom from the penalty of sin comes by confessing your sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive you and inviting Him into your life to save you and help you live for Him.

Never Forsaken

 

Scripture Text

Hebrews 13:5

Intro: God has given us His many great and precious promises. We can live our lives with the comfort and peace of His promises till we go to be with Him in heaven.

Promise one. God will never leave nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) ⁵  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Don't be known as a lover of money, as one who puts the almighty dollar above almighty God. He may not make you a millionaire, but He will never leave you or forsake you. Isn't it wonderful to have Him say that to you? This passage helps us understand God’s character and nature. He never changes. Believing this can affect and transform the way you and I live every day. It helps us gain a greater confidence in our position as God's children knowing that God will never never leave us or never forsake us. Never means “not at all, “absolutely not.” It doesn't matter who you are, if you have responded in faith to this promise of God, you can know that He will never leave you or forsake you, absolutely not.” You may have friends who would forsake you, and you may have relatives who would forsake you. But the Lord Jesus promised He will never forsake you.

Promise two. God is our very present help. Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV) ¹  God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. ²  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³  Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah! In times of trouble you can count on God. Christians fail to trust God in times of trouble because they know nothing about His sufficiency. They don't read His word and have not learned the promises God has made us. We all need a God who does not fail nor forsake us in trouble and who is sufficient in any circumstance. These verses tell us that God is our refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble. Because of this promise we will not fear even in the worst of circumstances or situations. What good would it do to fear and worry? These scriptures are like a hallelujah chorus in which we see the sufficiency of God, the security of God, and the supremacy of God.

Promise three. God will uphold us by His power. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)¹⁰  Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, [don't be struck with fear or dread] for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' This verse has been a real pillar of strength and a source of comfort to God's children of every age. This phrase indicates His sovereignty and strength over all who oppose His people. God has called us to be His people and His servants; we are assured of His presence, His relationship, His help, and His sustaining power. Here is God's gracious invitation to trust Him -- what comfort! God wants to take us into His confidence. He wants to enable us to walk with Him, have fellowship with Him, and know Him intimately. Most people are missing out on the promises of God today! Some people can even get so involved in church work that they miss this close relationship with God and the promise of His word that He will always provide for us whatever we need. God's fellowship, His strength and help, and His all sustaining hand of grace, His salvation, all of these are promised us forever.

Promise four. God will be with us through the worst of circumstances. Isaiah 43:1-2 ¹  But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, And He who formed you, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;[saved you from your sins] I have called you by your name; You are Mine. ²  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. This verse is not only for Israel but it has a tremendous spiritual application for all of God's children in all times. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." Sometimes in our experiences we get into what is called "deep water" when we can't touch bottom. But we have the assurance that God is going through the experience with us and will deliver us. Sometimes I think I'm going to drown, but God has promised, "the waters shall not overflow you," and He intervenes and delivers me. Because of God's past work in calling us, redeeming, and caring for us, He will continue to protect us and walk with us even through the fiery trials and temptations of life. Therefore in difficult times, pictured as floodwaters and fire, we should not give up and fear, for God has promised He will be with us, protect us and deliver us.

Conclusion: We can live our lives here on earth knowing from God's promises in His word that He will be with us and never forsake us no matter what we have to face. This should give us comfort and peace knowing God can not lie and will fulfill His every promise.

Invitation: God has made a promise that all who confess their sins to Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness will be saved from hell and given a home in heaven. If you have never taken advantage of the salvation Jesus can give you, now is the time and today is the day.