Celebrating Freedom in Christ

absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Genesis 8: 21 ... the Lord said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; ... “All power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

I. This attitude has carried over into other aspects of people’s lives.

Three examples of our God given unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, pursuit of Happiness

Only governments have to right to kill the guilty. Genesis 9: 6 Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.

Romans 13: 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

II. America was founded as a Christian nation, but has strayed far from her roots.

President George Washington “You do well to wish to learn our arts, our way of life and above all the religion of Jesus Christ.”

John Quince Adams Vice Pres. and was Secretary of State 1817 He wrote, “The highest glory of the American revolution was this: it connected in one insoluble bond the principles of limited government and the principles of Christianity.”

Pres. John Adams Scholar / conservative Christian “It is the duty of the clergy to accommodate their discourses to time to preach against such sins as are most prevalent and to recommend such virtues are most wanted.”

( one of the authors of the constitution ) Pres. Adams further wrote : We have no government armed with power capable of dealing with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made only for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the governing of any other.” ( one of the authors of the constitution )

John Jay … First supreme court justice He wrote in a “Letter to John Murray” (1816) It certainly is very desirable that a pacific disposition should prevail among all nations. The most effectual way of producing it, is by extending the prevalence and influence of the gospel. Real Christians will abstain from violating the rights of others, and therefore will not provoke war.

Justice Jay’s letter continued … Almost all nations have peace or war at the will and pleasure of rulers whom they do not elect, and who are not always wise or virtuous. Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

Luke 9: 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ( Rev. 12: 10 … accuser ) Romans 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

III. This “Christian” nation is involved in the greatest atrocity in all history,

Babies killed in the womb babies after they are born 45, 789, 558 Babies killed in the womb NOW they are murdering babies after they are born

Abortion is a tool of racial bigots Black babies are 3 times as likely to be aborted. One year more black babies were aborted than born.

IV. America’s rebellious nature is reflected in her attitude toward the law of God.

Faith is diminishing Culture seeks to destroy Christianity The world demands churches change Unbelievers seek to change our doctrine Perversion is now protected by law

The point is : Even as we celebrate our national birthday and our many freedoms, Satan is slowly enslaving the hearts of our fellow citizens.

Romans 6: 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Romans 6: 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

Romans 6: 18 having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

John 8: 36 – So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. I Corinthians 11: 26

Thank God we’re free