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.