Independence Day

See full series: 2025-calendar
See full series: 2025-sermons

Independence Day

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


Downloads

AudioVideoPowerpointOutline/Text
MP3 Youtube PPT Outline

Lessons From The Calendar (12)

This coming Thursday, July 4th is Independence Day.  This is an American holiday celebrating the day the Declaration of Independence was signed and formalized on July 4, 1776.  At that time, in America there were 13 colonies subject to England.  Because of taxation and other controls, the colonies formally declared their independence from England and the United States was born.  Most countries commemorate the day of their founding.  The day is celebrated as a national holiday, with fireworks, family & community gatherings, parades and other festivities.  It is also worthy of note, that while far from perfect, this nation was founded on Biblical principles.  There is much history associated with this holiday but that is not our point.

As we have noted throughout these studies, our goal is not to observe this, or any other holiday, as the church.  We do not find such in scripture.  However, as we view our calendars we are reminded of the meaning of certain days.  Typically, there are Biblical principles associated with their meanings.  In the case of Independence Day we think of our freedoms in Christ.  That will be the focus of this lesson.

  1. Freedom in Christ
    1. Freedom/liberty defined – it means that one is not bound, freedom to go where one wants. To be no longer bound or freed.
    2. We need freedom FROM the bondage of Satan and sin. One of the ways sin is described is as bondage.
      1. 2 Timothy 2:26 speaks of being taken captive by the snare of the devil, to do his will. Satan wants to take us into bondage -whether you want it or not.
      2. When we sin, he has enslaved us – John 8:34, … whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
      3. Romans 6:16-18 describes this, as well as alluding to the solution.
      4. And as long as we remain in that enslaved condition, we are without hope.
      5. The only solution to our bondage is found in Christ.
    3. Throughout scripture Jesus is described as our Savior. This means He saves us – but from what? The answer is the bondage and condemnation of our sins.
      1. Acts 4:12 reminds us that salvation is only found in Jesus.
      2. 1 John 4:14 notes that the Father sent the Son as Savior of the world.
      3. Ephesians 5:23 describes Him as the Savior of the body (which is the church – Eph. 1:22-23).
    4. He has delivered us from bondage –
      1. Colossians 1:13, He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
      2. 1 John 3:8 notes, He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
      3. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 speaks of the victory we receive through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    5. It was accomplished through the cross –
      1. Galatians 1:3-4 – Jesus gave Himself for our sins.
      2. Hebrews 2:14-15 – He became flesh and blood that through His death He might destroy the power of the devil and free us from a lifetime of bondage.
    6. We enjoy freedom in Him –
      1. John 8:36 (see context 8:31-36 – describing slavery to sin, Jesus noted that He would give real and lasting freedom)
      2. Romans 6:3-7 – this occurs when we obey the gospel (being baptized). This is where we come in contact with His death (and shed blood – Revelation 1:5).
  2. What does this freedom mean to you and me?
    1. We must cherish our freedom in Christ – am I truly grateful for what Jesus did to give us freedom? Romans 6:17, But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 1 Corinthians 15:57 – thanks be to God who gives us the victory.
    2. We must understand that freedom is not free.
      1. When the United Stated declared independence in 1776 it resulted in the revolutionary war. Many lives lost FOR freedom.  Often, freedom comes with a great price.  That is why we pause (on Memorial day) to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  And while not the focus of Independence day, know that a great cost was paid.
      2. Similarly, the cost of spiritual freedom is NOT free.
        1. Jesus paid the ultimate price – John 15:13. He laid down His life for us.
        2. 1 Timothy 2:6 tells us that He gave Himself a ransom for all. Titus 2:14 – He gave Himself to redeem us from every lawless deed.
    3. When Christ frees us from the bondage of sin we become slaves of righteousness.
      1. Romans 6:18, 22-23 – we have been set free from the bondage of sin and become slaves of God.
      2. NOTE: When we think of slavery, we think of dark times. A dark part of America’s history (and much of the world) involved slavery – where men were taken against their will and sold/treated as property.
        1. In a way that describes the bondage of Satan – he CAPTURES us and wants to keep us for harm and against our will.
        2. Jesus FREEs us from that captivity, but we become slaves to Him.
        3. Consider the difference though –
          1. Jesus cares about our well being and wants what is best; Matthew 11:28-30 – His yoke is easy and His burden is light (compared to the devil).
          2. He protects us and treats us as family. We serve Him now, we receive an eternal reward in heaven.
          3. Our enslavement to Him is VOLUNTARY. We choose to serve Him because of who He is and what He has done for us.
          4. It IS about the salvation He paid the price to offer it for us – 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18 – Christ suffered for us, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God; 1 Peter 2:24 – He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that wee, having died to sins, might live for righteousness…
    4. We must be followers of truth – John 8:31-32 – it is the truth that will make us free. Freedom/liberty in Him does NOT mean we can do whatever we want! Colossians 3:17 – all must be with His authority.
    5. We must stand firm in our freedom – Galatians 5:1, Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. This comes as Paul begins to summarize his admonition to these brethren to NOT abandon Christ for “a different gospel”.    We cannot abandon Him.  Luke 9:62, Hebrews 10:35-39.  Our commitment to Him is for life.  UNDERSATAND that if you walk away from Him, you ARE walking back into bondage with Satan (cf. 2 Peter 2:20 – the latter end is worse than the beginning.
    6. Serve others – Our freedom in Christ is not just about ourselves.
      1. Galatians 5:13-14 – use your liberty to serve one another. That is fundamental to the Christian faith.
      2. 1 Peter 2:15-16 -we do not use it as a cloak for vice.
      3. 1 Corinthians 9:19 – Paul, though free, made himself a servant to all so that he could win some to Christ. He did it for the gospel’s sake (9:19-23).
    7. Do not forget where your true citizenship is –
      1. Philippians 3:20-21 – when we were freed, we declared our spiritual citizenship in heaven. That is where our Master now resides.  We look forward to that day when we will be with Him.
      2. Colossians 3:1-2 – set your mind on things above. Since we are free, our focus is on going to heaven when this life is over.

 

And thus we can see the spiritual significance of independence.  The United States, even with its many flaws and failures, is still the envy of the world.  Why? Because we still have freedoms that those enslaved to their governments would sacrifice anything to be a part of us.

But our freedoms in this country are NOTHING compared to the freedoms we enjoy in Christ.  And while on this earth we have to sacrifice and perhaps even endure sufferings for Him, in the end, when we cross our Jordan, we will finally and fully appreciate what freedom in Him means.   But until then, let us continue to faithfully serve Him who gave us that freedom at a high cost.  Galatians 3:6-7 notes, And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

But understand, that you can only enjoy that freedom if you are in Christ.  Have you obeyed the gospel? It is only the one who is “in Him” that enjoys the freedom we have talked about (Galatians 3:226-27).  Are you living faithfully for Him? If not, what can we do to help?

Uncategorized , , , , ,