2. Independence Day
John 8:36

3. The Slavery Of Sin
Do you remember the children’s story about Hansel and Gretel?
The witch knew how to make a dangerous thing look good
So the devil works with sin
“…seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

4. Sin is usually candy coated
(Lk. 15:11-18) The Prodigal looked to the far-off country with dazzled eyes thinking that life would be so much better there
The devil tempts with pride and lust (1 Jn. 2:15-16)
The offer of “liberty” is a false one (cf. 2 Peter 2:19)
In actuality it only produces slavery (Jn. 8:34) and death (Rom. 6:23)

5. Hopelessness of sin
Sin is a situation that alienates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2)
We cannot solve this problem ourselves (Rom. 5:6)
The only way to God is through His Son Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6)
This is redemption (Rom. 3:23-24)

6. The Freedom From Sin We can have independence or freedom from sin
Through Jesus Christ-we could say that we are freed or saved
John 3:16-“He that believes in Him should not perish…”
Mark 16:16-“He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”

7. How did Jesus accomplish this?
God demands a sacrifice for sin
Under the Old Covenant, He accepted the blood of animals (Heb. 9:22; 10:1-3)
Under the New, He only accepts the perfect sacrifice (Heb. 10:4-12)
Blood shed, died, buried; then raised to live again (1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Peter 1:3-4)
We who were dead to sin are made alive (Eph. 2:1)

8. The Celebration Of Our Independence
In the US, by an act of Congress, we have a declared remembrance of this country’s independence that is celebrated once a year on July 4th
To celebrate our freedom from sin we celebrate more often (Acts 20:7 – weekly)

9. In the way that Christ has assigned
Instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29)
Declared its observance (1 Cor. 11:23-29)
In remembrance of Christ—His life, His death, His resurrection