The Greatest Indipendence Day

THE GREATEST INDEPENDENCE DAY

Introduction: As we come together today we are looking forward to a national holiday, the Fourth of July. Picnics, BBQ’s, watermelons and Kids but it’s not really what it is and that’s the sad part. I want to look at that and also I want to look at the greatest indipendence day of them all.

Luke 23:33-46

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

I. Freedom has its cost

A. This country has paid dearly in the past for it’s freedom

1. It has cost money

a. During the revolutionary war men provided their own weapons and ammunition

b. Today you and I contribute to the protection of thins great nation with a contribution called taxes

2. It has taken a lot of time

a. Wars and battles didn’t get fought over night.

b. Countless hours have been spent defending this great nation

3. It has claimed many lives/ The biggest sacrifice of all

a. No war ever fought has ever been without casualty

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty. At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Cornwallis had taken over Thomas Nelson’s home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly ordered General George Washington to open fire on the Nelson home. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forest and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion.

This holds true for the war for souls. Yes many have died to keep you free but there is a price that was paid to get your soul and keep it free.

B. It cost God his only begotten Son

1. God not only gave His only begotten Son He allowed Him to suffer

a. He was scourged

b. He was beaten beyond recognition

c. He was mocked

2. God knew what it would take to bring us back to a right relationship with him.

a. It would take the perfect blood of Jesus to save us

b. It would take the sacrificial blood of Jesus to atone for our sins

C. It Cost Jesus His life.

1. Dying on the cross was the hardest thing for Jesus to do.

*He spent long hours in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane

*He agonized so much that He sweated drops of blood.