Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ! Today, we'll take a few minutes to explore the intersection of our freedom in Christ, the freedom we enjoy as Americans, and the responsibilities that come with that freedom. What a fitting sermon topic as we prepare for the 4th of July this week.

Max Lucado said it well: "We have the freedom to pray and the freedom to love the God of our heart. And we have been forgiven by the only one who could condemn us. We are truly free." Such a beautiful reminder of the freedom we have in Jesus and the impact we can have on others when we truly embrace it.

So, let's dive into God's Word and see what He has to say about our freedom and the responsibilities that come with it. Please open your Bibles to 1 Peter 2:13-16:

The Freedom of Believers in Christ

The freedom of believers in Christ is a central theme in the New Testament and a cornerstone of the Christian faith. This freedom is multifaceted, encompassing not only our liberation from sin and its consequences but also our ability to live in the fullness of God's grace and love. As we delve into the various aspects of this freedom, let us remember that it is a gift from God, one that we should cherish and never take for granted.

Our freedom in Christ is a freedom from sin and its eternal consequences. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:22-23, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Through Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and its ultimate penalty, which is eternal separation from God. This is the foundation of our freedom in Christ, and it is a truth that we should cling to and celebrate daily.

In addition to our liberation from sin, our freedom in Christ also gives us the ability to live in the fullness of God's grace and love. As Paul writes in Galatians 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." Here, Paul is encouraging believers to stand firm in their newfound freedom and not to return to the bondage of the law or the empty rituals of their former lives. Instead, we are called to live in the freedom of God's grace, knowing that we are loved and accepted by Him because of the finished work of Christ on the cross.

This freedom in Christ changes our relationships with one another. As believers, we are no longer bound by the divisions and hierarchies that the world imposes upon us. Instead, we are united in Christ, with each of us having equal access to God's grace and love. As Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This unity in Christ breaks down the barriers that once separated us and allows us to live in harmony with one another, regardless of our backgrounds or social status.

Another aspect of our freedom in Christ is the ability to approach God with confidence and boldness. In the Old Testament, access to God was limited to the high priest, who could enter the Holy of Holies only once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. However, through Christ's death and resurrection, the veil that separated us from God's presence has been torn, and we can now approach Him with confidence. As the author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This freedom to approach God without fear or hesitation is a precious gift, one that we should never take for granted.

Our freedom in Christ also empowers us to live lives of purpose and meaning. As believers, we are no longer bound by the empty pursuits and fleeting pleasures of this world. Instead, we are called to a higher purpose, one that is rooted in God's eternal plan and purpose for our lives. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This freedom to live out our God-given purpose is a tremendous blessing, one that brings joy and fulfillment to our lives as we seek to serve God and others.

Finally, our freedom in Christ gives us the ability to face trials and suffering with hope and perseverance. In this fallen world, we will inevitably face hardships, but as believers, we can face these challenges with the knowledge that God is with us and that He is working all things together for our good. As Paul writes in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This freedom to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even in the midst of suffering, is a source of great comfort and strength for believers.

The Freedom of Americans

The value of freedom is deeply ingrained in the fabric of our nation ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO