Title: The Cost of Freedom
Theme: To help us understand that with freedom there comes a cost.
Text:
Opening Quote
In remembrance of what we are celebrating today let me read you this quote from Jowett," Liberty was infinitely precious to our fathers, because it bore the marks of sacrifice. It was crimsoned with the red stain of their own blood. We are inclined to hold our liberties cheaply because they cost us nothing."
Introduction
Just a few days ago we celebrated the independence of our nation. Over 220 years ago men like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and many of the great men who are known through out our nation got together and signed what is known as the Declaration of Independence. This meant that America would be a nation with independent and free from all nations.
For many years now this document has been fought for by numerous of servicemen. All willing to risk their lives for independence and freedom. In the Revolutionary War there were between 184 to 250 thousand soldiers who fought in the war. Probably if not more over half died trying to defend our rights. Later we see many other wars protecting our freedom to exist. World War I and II and the Vietnam War protecting the rights of all citizens to be free around the world. But what did it cost. It cost the lives of men and women willing to stand up for what is right.
We see this in the history of Christianity. The freedom to worship has not always been for everyone. We read in Christian history many men and women who were killed because of their fighting for freedom in Christianity. From the early Christians like John the Baptist, Stephen, Paul and many of the 12 disciples. All who lost their lives declaring Christ. We read all through Christian history of people risking their lives. Men like Martin Luther, Wycliff, John Wesley and others all willing to die for the gospel. All for what for freedom.
As I began to ponder on these things I began to think about my on life. I began to look at my own freedom that I have. Freedom in America all because of brave men who fought for my independence. Also the pondered on the freedom that I have as a Christian. Why?
Jesus read from Is 61 to make his purpose clear,
Why do I have freedom as a Christian?
Luke 4:18-AV The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that
are bruised,
Healing, deliverance and liberty all brought by Christ Himself to a world of bondage. We were in the bondage of sin but now we have been set free by Christ. We were obligated and shackled to a life of sin and despair until Christ himself paid the price. Now as I mentioned at the beginning it seemed there was a cost with everything. A cost for freedom. So what was the cost?
The Cost of Christ to give us freedom
Romans 5:8-AV But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:2-AV For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
The first cost of freedom was the life of Christ. By the obedience of Christ to his father he came and lived among us. He walked this earth as a normal man. He preached and taught and did the will of his father. Then when the time came for him to die. When He was released to die for us he did. He died and was resurrected all for our freedom that we may be free from the bondage of sin. What a sacrifice? Just as the many men of our nation risked their lives for our freedom so did Christ risk his life for our freedom.
But there is more cost. The first cost was to Christ but we see a second cost that is ours. What was our cost to accept this freedom?
Cost for us to have Freedom in Christ
Luke 14:25. And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Jesus tells us that before we follow him we must count the cost. We must know what is involved in following him. Just as no one builds a house without knowing the cost so must we know the cost. We don’t make major financial decisions in this world without knowing the cost we can’t afford it. But many of people get into Christianity not realizing the cost. Many of people sit in our churches not disturbed by what the Pastor has to say because they do not realize the cost of freedom in their lives. They live under the bondage of sin because they do not know the cost.
But again I ask what is the cost. We are told it is to hate your family and to bear a cross. Does he mean this literally? Yes if they are a hindrance to your relationship with him. Because he must be first. But there must be more. Look at
Luke 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
What is the cost of freedom in Christianity? The same cost for freedom in America, the same cost of freedom to be a Christian in this world, the same price that Jesus paid so that we all must be saved, the cost of freedom is your life. Your life. All must be given over to him to be a Christian.
What a cost. God wants it all. We think that we could bargain with God. I remember the stories in the Old Testament of how God told the Israelites not to make treaties with other nations. Why? Because 1) God wanted the Israelites to be his people not people of the world 2) The other nations cannot be trusted they had ulterior motives and it was not for God. This is the reason we must be given totally to God because the flesh has ulterior motives and they are not for God.
Jesus many of times gave different ideas to people of what it means to be a Christian. I remember one man who was wealthy ask Jesus what it would take to inherit eternal life. What would it take? Jesus told him to sell all his possessions. All that he had. Mark 10:22 gives us his reaction" And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." What a sad expression of this world?
I close with this. The cost of your freedom to be a Christian is your life? Are you willing to risk it? Are you willing to risk it?
mmuion: Eating and drinking "unworthily"
