2020.07.05 Declaring dependence on Christ
William Akehurst, HSWC
SONG: The Cross is My Statue of Liberty
STAND FAST. HOLD YOUR GROUND WITH FAITH.
Galatians 5:1 (KJV)
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
A CALL TO STAND STRONG in FAITH, in the LIBERTY and FREEDOM of CHRIST JESUS
WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS FREEDOM
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
IT IS THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST MAKES US FREE
Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
CONTINUE IN HIS WORD,
HIS WORD IS TRUTH.
THE WORD (JESUS John 1:1) WILL SET YOU FREE
John 1:1 (KJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 8:31-36 (KJV)
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
CHRIST DIED TO SET MAN FREE FROM SIN AND DEATH. IT IS FINISHED. WE ARE FREE BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE CROSS.
FREEDOM FROM SIN PRODUCES FRUIT-OF HOLINESS AND ETERNAL LIFE
Romans 6:22 (KJV)
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
ITS YOUR CHOICE-DAILY.
MAKE YOUR DECLARATION
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
15 ...choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
It’s your choice. Your independence. Who will you align with? Who will you serve?
The declaration of my independence is that I am no longer dependent on the old ways of sin and death, but rather dependent on the one who gives us the Way, the Truth and the Life.
THE DECLARATION
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Whatever you go through today, tomorrow and the future. Hold on to these truths that no matter what this life throws your way: your FREEDOM, your life, your hope in CHRIST JESUS holds the greatest future and your future, has been made right through JESUS.
In every situation, declare CHRIST and be free of the fears of this world as we know our true freedom is in HIM.
Continue to choose to serve the LORD and put your trust in HIM and HE will see you through!
We have been called to make this declaration, not only over ourselves but over others too. Not just me, but also my house.
Not just me, but also my world
Isaiah 61:1
Since the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon us,
He has anointed us to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent us to comfort the brokenhearted
And proclaim that captives will be released
And prisoners will be freed.
We have a message to declare over ourselves, our house or families, and our world. This is the message of CHRIST, and it is our message of FREEDOM.
Amen.
Let’s Pray
Independence Day Prayer
Dear Lord,
There is no greater feeling of liberty than to experience freedom from sin and death that you provided for me through Jesus Christ. Today my heart and my soul are free to praise you. For this, I am very thankful.
On this Independence Day Weekend, I am reminded of all those who have sacrificed for my freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me not take my freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May I always remember that a very high price was paid for my freedom. My freedom cost others their very lives.
Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for my freedom. With favor and bounty, meet their needs and watch over their families.
Dear Father, I am so thankful for this nation. For all the sacrifices others have made to build and defend this country, I am grateful. Thank you for the opportunities and freedoms we have in the United States of America. Help me never to take these blessings for granted.
Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give me the strength to be a blessing in someone's life today, and grant me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Jesus Christ.
In your name, I pray.
Amen.
COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 11:23-27
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
BENEDICTION
