1. 4 th of July = Freedom This lesson is not from a national or political viewpoint. I want to consider our freedom from a Christian perspective.

2. 4 th of July America’s birthday – July 4, 1776 234 years ago we became the United States of America. We must understand: – how we got our freedoms – what we are free from – why we should never forget what those freedoms mean to us

3. Freedom FROM slavery in sin As Christians, our greatest declaration of independence is the fact that we can break away from sin Christ died, and rose the 3 rd day to break the bondage of sin and death Revelation 1:5b-6 – To Him who lives us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen.

4. Freedom FROM slavery in sin 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Romans 6:8-10

5. Freedom FROM slavery in sin We can overcome sin – IF we want to It might be hard It will require some sacrifice Christ will give us the strength to overcome CHRIST HAS GIVEN US FREEDOM FROM THE BONDAGE AND SLAVERY OF SIN!

6. Freedom TO sin The same freedom that allows us to be free from sin – allows us to sin We are given the freedom to choose God could have made us robots, but He didn’t Each freedom we have has consequences – Freedom from sin – may bring about persecution, mockery, separation, a feeling of not fitting in with the world around us – Freedom to sin – may bring about pain, suffering, loss of joy, loss of eternal life, gates of Heaven shut

7. Freedom worth DYING for Since July 4, 1776 – many have died to give us our freedom and to protect us from losing it The men who signed the Declaration of Independence – knew they were pledging “to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

8. Freedom worth DYING for The same is true with our faith. Men and women have faced the choice of dying or deny Christ. They choose to die rather than deny Christ. Even today – people continue to die for Christ.

9. Freedom worth DYING for David facing Goliath And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?" 1 Samuel 17:29 Why would people die for the cause of freedom?

10. Freedom worth DYING for The early Americans knew what it was like to be under a dictator. They would rather die than go back to living under a vicious ruler. As Christians – we know what slavery in sin is like. We have also known the freedom from sin we have in Christ. We do not want to go back to sin.

11. Conclusions: 1.You have the freedom to choose. 2.Your freedom has been bought by the blood of Christ. 3.It has been preserved in the sacrifice of many. 4.It has been given to you to decide what you want to do with it.

12. Conclusions: 1.You have the freedom to accept or reject Christ 2.You have the freedom to decide to obey Christ or refuse to follow Him 3.You have the freedom to choose eternal life or eternal punishment 4.WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?