Freedom

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Freedom

Gal. 4:26 – Gal 5.1

Have you ever a thought yourself to be in bondage? We have people today that we call terrorist that wants us to live in bondage.

**read the list**

In 1767 they threw a party! The Boston Tea party it was called – they dressed up as Indians & partied!

War quickly followed with God raising up a man called George Washington to lead the continental army.

Our founding fathers, 56 courageous men gathered in Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence

These men paid a high cost for themselves and their families... a heavy toll breaking out to freedom!

The Declaration of Independence was read aloud in the town squares... in villages everywhere – good news!

Patrick Henry said, “give me liberty or give me death”

July 4, 1776 bells rang out, firecrackers sounded, Americans rejoiced in their new found freedom.

War continued till 1783 when the colonist finally celebrated their first TRUE Independence Day!

John Adams, our second U.S. president and one of signers of the Declaration of Independence, in a letter to his wife, wrote: "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other ..."

As our forefathers broke out from tyranny from England – we too spiritually can enjoy Freedom in Christ!

I’ve stood where they signed the Declaration of Independence.

I’ve stood on the banks of the river where the British pushed back the Continental Army.

I’ve stood on the grounds of Gettysburg where more than 40,000 soldiers were killed.

These soldiers where fighting for what they called Freedom, or they felt they were in bondage to another.

I asked the question have you ever thought you were in bondage? Where we thought it or not the Bible states that we all were in bondage to sin. Jesus is the only way to be set free from sin.

Our text today deals with Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael. Sarah being the mother of the free and Hagar being the mother of bondage.

Ga 5:1 ¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

NIVGa 5:1 ¶ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

America celebrated when they won its Freedom, it is a common reaction when freedom is won. Celebration.

People that do not like celebration do not like reading the Bible.

Every time in the bible- when God was moving- Accompanied by praise

Ezra- temple people crying and shouting-----

Jesus entering- disciples started praising—

They say tell em all to shut up

The rocks would cry out

David danced before the Lord

So when God is moving- It’s alright to praise before the Lord

Freedom to Worship, Freedom to Praise the Lord, Freedom to sing Praise, Freedom to run through the streets shouting Jesus is coming; Jesus is coming, let it be proclaimed around the world.

Has Jesus set you free, or is there bondage?

We have the tenancies to believe God has to do what He does by your thinking.

Lk 13: (10-17) Jesus sets a woman free on the Sabbath day and the people got upset.

We have people in churches today that get upset if church is not done a certain way with certain people.

But let me shout it today, God can do what He wants, when He wants and does not need our approval, all He needs is someone that desires to be set free.

You see you do not have to wait til a preacher gives you an invitation to come and pray, you do not have to wait for Billy Graham to come for you to be set free,

All that is needed today is acknowledge we have not been set free by Jesus Christ.

Church membership is not freedom, baptized in water is not freedom, quoting some scripture is not freedom

We must notice the bondage of sin, Jesus said you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Truth is Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God.

He is the way, the truth and the life.

Have you ever been set free? Have you ever seen someone set free?

We watch on our televisions today people being captured, abducted with great concern for their life and rightfully so.

When they are released people are elated.

I’ve seen hundreds set free by the hand of God, I’ve seen drunkards instantly set free.

I’ve seen drug addicts set free by the power of the HG.