OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY
INTRODUCTION
A. (Gal.5:1) Today, our nation celebrates 234 years of independence. On July 4th, 1776 our nation’s founding fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring independence from the kingdom of Great Britain.
a. on July 2, 1776, the 2nd Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia
b. after voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of 5 (Thomas Jefferson - principal author)
c.
Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4
B. On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote the following to his wife – “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
C. Independence came at a great cost, but it was worth it. Patrick Henry, while addressing the Virginia Assembly foretold its cost, but declared it is worth it – “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
D. The American Revolutionary war was a good war, for it about freedom. There is another good war in which all Christians should participate. It is a fight for spiritual freedom
I. THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL FREEDOM
A. There are 2 things that enslave us spiritually. One of these things is good & the other is bad. The bad thing uses the good thing against us. What are these 2 things?
a. sin (Joh.8:34)
b. law (1Jn.3:4; Rom.7;7-12; 1Cor.15:56)
B. Jesus came & won the victory for our independence (Joh.8:35,36; Gal.5:1).
II. LET US KEEP THE FREEDOM JESUS GAVE US
A. At the close of the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention in 1787, Ben Franklin was asked what kind of government had been created. He answered, "A republic, if you can keep it." We may have kept the republic, but our freedom is slipping some. Jesus has won us freedom from sin by freeing us from law (works salvation), & we must keep it.
B. The devil wants to rob you of your freedom by putting some legalistic yoke on you & he uses anyone he can to do this (2Cor.11:19-21).
C. The NT letters were written, not to tell people how to be spiritually free, but to tell them they were free & they must not let anyone put them back into spiritual bondage.
a. certain people are always wanting to put some legalistic yoke on those whom Christ has freed (Ac.15:10,11; Gal.2:4)
b. examples – clothing, hairstyles, foods, etc.
c. make the gospel into a legal arrangement (works arrangement), putting on people the yoke of guilt & uncertainty
a. illustration of preacher from another church who was baptized, but then left because of
the burden put upon him by the works gospel
b. the Corinthians were being brought back into bondage (2Cor.11:19-21)
D. (Gal.5:1-15) Please understand what Paul is saying in these verses.
a. making legal demands for salvation results in spiritual bondage (v1)
b. those who fall prey to the works gospel get the following consequences – 1) no profit from Christ, 2) must keep every legal demand of law, 3) separated from Christ, & 4) fallen from grace (v2-4)
c. the hope of righteousness is “by faith” (v5)
d. faith works by love (v6)
e. one can become enslaved again (v7)
f. some trouble God’s people by putting them into bondage ( 9,10)
g. Paul refuses to be one, even though he could escape persecution (v11,12)
h. must use liberty properly (v13,14)
i. legalism creates strife, contention, divisions, etc. (v15)
CONCLUSION
As the citizens of our nation reflect upon their independence, let us reflect upon the spiritual independence Jesus gave us (Joh.8:36; Gal.5:1). It is worth fighting for to keep it. In the words of Patrick Henry, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” This is really the only 2 choices.