What Makes Us Free?
May 24, 2007
WHAT MAKES US FREE?
Text: Ps 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Introduction:
A) God Has Blessed America.
1) It is right to celebrate His goodness to us.
2) Great bounty we share in this good land.
B) Freedom Is One Of Our Greatest Blessings.
1) Political freedom.
2) Personal freedom.
C) What Makes Us Free?
I) THE SCRIPTURES MAKE US FREE. Jn 8:32 “The truth shall make you free.”
A) WORD OF GOD FREES US FROM BONDAGE
1) I firmly belie that God has made America His chosen land.
(a) Never been a land like it in all the annals of the history of human civilization.
(b) We proudly sing “My country tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty”
2) The Lord has made America the Great Nation She is.
B) THE SECRET OF AMERICA’S SUCCESS?
1) Her founding fathers wrote this in the “Mayflower Compact” We have undertaken this little settlement of ours on wild and virgin shores of a strange land…“For The Glory Of God And the Advancement Of The Christian Faith”
2) No wonder the poet has said..
Aye, call it holy ground,
The spot where first they trod,
For there they left unstained
What there they found -
Freedom to worship God.
3) Yes The Scriptures Make Us Free.
(a) They came for freedom to follow the teaching of the Bible.
(b) They came to found a nation based on Biblical principles.
4) The Scriptures in print and the Reformation brought persecution.
5) America provided a place for people to flee for freedom.
II) THE SAVIOUR MAKES US FREE. Jn 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed..
A) CHRIST COME TO SET PEOPLE FREE. Lk 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
1) Nicodemus set free from Religious Bondage
2) Zacchaeus set free from Lust For Money
3) Woman at the well set free from Immorality
B) POLITICAL FREEDOM IS A GIFT FROM GOD
1) Patrick Henry shouted “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death.”
2) MacAuther in darkest hours of W W II in reporting his military victories always said.“By The Help Of God”
3) Spiritual Victory Can Be Ours Through Faith In Christ.
III) THE SPIRIT MAKES US FREE. 2 Cor 3:17. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”
A) AMERICA MUST RETURN TO WHAT MADE US THE GREAT NATION WE ONCE WERE.
1) Woodrow Wilson wrote in 1923
Our civilization cannot survive materially, unless it is redeemed spiritually. It can be saved only by becoming permeated with the Spirit of Christ and being made free and happy by the practices which spring out of that spirit. Only thus can discontent be driven out and all the shadows lifted from the road ahead
2) The Fruit Of The Spirit Demonstrates Our Freedom. 2 Cor 3:17 “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
B) AMERICA IS THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.
1) The Greatest Government
2) The greatest Freedom
They bled on the slopes of Bunker Hill that hot day in June, 1775. – They shivered around the campfires amid the sleet and snow at Valley Forge. – They held the broken line at Shilo and climbed the flame swept hill at Chattanooga – They planted the Stars and Stripes On Foreign Fields amid the crimson flare in 1917 – They died on the shores of Battan and opened the beachhead at Normandy.
GOD BLESS THE AMERICAN SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED SO WE COULD HAVE FREEDOM
The Lessons From The Ants
May 16, 2007
THE LESSONS FROM THE ANTS
Prov 6:6-9 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, & gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep
Prov 30:24-25 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people {Creature} not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
Introduction:
A) God’s creation gives us valuable instruction
1) Isa 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
2) Jer 8:7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
B) If man’s vision is too weak to look at the burning bush.
1) Let him look at the glow worm at his feet.
2) All of these things give us a Divine Sermon.
C) The Writer says “Go to the ant you sluggard”
1) A sluggard is one who loves his leisure.
2) His is one who lives in idleness.
D) The false cults are living around us.
1) They knock on doors day by day…
2) We are Lazy and Asleep.
I) THE ANTS HAVE UNITY AND COOPERATION
A) ANTS LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
1) They don’t fight among themselves.
2) Christians are Exhorted to “Love One Another”
B) ANTS HELP ONE ANOTHER.
1) If a grain is too large to move they pull together
2) If one is injured they help him out.
3) If one falls in a pit the all work to rescue him.
4) Christians need to “Bear one anther’s burden’s”
C) ANTS WORK HARMONIOUSLY.
1) Though small they unite to get greater results
2) Each individual ant has his own job.
3) None is greater than the other.
D) THERE IS POWER IN UNITY.
1) Illustration of the African Ant… They march in the millions in close order – terror spreads before them – Nothing before them is safe – Lion – Snake – Elephant – People – Houses – Being united is powerful
2) Imagine what the Church could do of it were united like this……
3) The Powers of Darkness would flee..
4) The Early Church moved forward with Unity.
II) THE ANTS ARE INDUSTRIOUS
A) THEY WORK VOLUNTARILY.
1) They have no guide – overseer or ruler…
2) Thousands live in one colony and they all work
B) THEY WORK ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY
1) Storekeeper – Nurses – Engineers..
2) Can’t build a Cathedral – Can build an ant hill
3) God expects us to use our ability He has given us Eccl 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;
C) THE ANTS WORK CONTINUALLY.
1) They work from daylight to dark…
2) Their motto is “Work for the night is coming”
3) If an ant-hill is destroyed – They Rebuild.
4) If an ant had a text “Be not weary in well doing”
D) CHRISTIANS SHOULD STUDY THE ANT..
1) Many think the church is a “Don’t work club” Just leave it – It will get done someway.
2) Its like the farmer I read about… A Tourist saw him sitting on a stump in the field He ask him “How are things going?” – “Pretty tolerable” – “I had to cut down some trees but the wind blew them down and saved me the trouble” … “That’s fine” said the tourist .. “Lighting set fire to the brush pile – saved me the trouble” – “That’s remarkable” said the tourist…”What are you doing now” – “Nothing much” said the farmer “Just waiting for and earthquake to shake the taters out of the ground”
3) Cause of Christ suffers because of lazy Christians
(a) Many Christians are indifferent…
(b) Many put ease and comfort ahead of God…
4) Most are not Workers but Shirkers… Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
5) 90% of God’s work is done by 10% of the people
III) CONSIDER THE ANTS – THEY ARE WISE
A) GOD SINGLED OUT THE ANT FOR HIS WISDOM
1) Some ant hills are like a modern city – Streets are laid out – Some one-way.
2) It has ample rooms – Hatcheries and barracks..
B) CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE WISE IN THE WISDOM OF GOD Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
C) WE SHOULD BE WISE IN SOUL WINNING… “He that winneth souls is wise”
1) Many Church’s are well fed highly organized, But souls are going to hell because of NO Soul Winning
2) Conversion of sinners was Christ whole objective
(a) “He came to seek and save the lost”
(b) Died that He “Might draw all men unto me”
(c) He sent the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin.
3) Notice how wise the N.T. Church was…. 3000 Saved – 5000 Saved -Multitudes Saved..
4) Today many church members are more interested in Bingo Parties….
IV) THE ANTS HAVE DETERMINATION
A) THEIR MOTTO COULD BE “This One Thing I Do”
1) Nothing stops the ant from finding food.
2) He will work – live – die to obtain food.
B) THE AVERAGE CHRISTIAN SAYS “WE CAN’T”
1) Can’t Teach - Can’t Preach
2) Can’t Win Souls – Can’t Tithe
V) THE ANT IS PURPOSEFUL
A) THAT HAVE A PURPOSE IN EVERYTHING THEY DO
1) They don’t waste a move…
2) They will take the straightest path home…
B) CHRISTIAN SHOULD HAVE A PURPOSE IN LIFE
1) Need Purpose in our Praying…
2) Need Purpose in our Giving…
3) Need Purpose in our Separation…
VI) THE ANT HAS FORESIGHT
A) HE PREPARES FOR THE FUTURE.
1) He lays up in the summer for bad times.
2) Times when he cannot come out..
B) MEN BELIEVE IN LIFE BEYOND THE GRAVE YET THEY DO NOT PREPARE FOR HEAVEN.
1) Prepare for good education, Good job, Retirement
C) GOD TOLD US TO PREPARE IN THIS LIFE
A Mothers Day Promise
May 9, 2007
A MOTHERS DAY PROMISE
Ex 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Eph 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;)
A) The only commandment that contains a promise.
1) Commandment is Divine recognition of that which is due our Parents
2) Commandment given 3,000 years ago issued to God’s people
B) It is no mere human proposition.
1) God Himself speaks in this edict.
2) His voice is to be heeded.
3) It has confirmation in the N.T. Mk 7:10 Jesus said For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother,let him die the death:
4) Our Savior knew that this was a commandment of God…
C) There is something personal about this special commandment. Ex 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
1) Five 2nd person Pronouns in this Vss
i) Thy Father…
ii) Thy Mother…
iii) Thy Days…
iv) Thy God…
v) Giveth Thee…
2) The Heavenly Parent knows the problems of the earthly ones.
3) Father & Mother stand as one in this verse
D) The Text Of This Commandment Divides Itself Into Four Parts
I) DIVINE RESPONSIBILITY “HONOR"
A) HONOR IS AN EXPERIENCE.
1) It is to be rendered Daily…
2) Must be Continuous, not Irregular..
3) NOT left up to the individual to carry out this Commandment at his pleasure
4) God says the Child has a very Decided responsibility toward the parent.
B) WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "HONOR"?
1) All Patriotic citizens HONOR the Flag.
(a) Stand at attention as the flag passes.
(b) We stand up with pride as we see it unfurled in the wind and we admire it
2) We are giving HONOR to our flag of the U. S. & Rightly So…
3) We Are To Give "HONOR" To Our Parents
C) "HONOR" IMPLIES OBEDIENCE. Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
1) The Lord has given us the answer….
(a) To Give Obedience to the Lord first
(b) Then To Our Parents.
2) I owe my Mother the profoundest respect.
3) Jesus gave respect HONOR To his mother Because She Respected the Commandments. Lk 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
4) Even dying on the cross He thought of Her Jn 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
D) A TRAGIC SIGN OF THE TIMES 2 Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS, unthankful, unholy,
1) Hear discussion today about Children
(a) Some say they are Hell-bent..
(b) Others say it is not so…
2) "When Has The Flesh Been Other Than Hell-bent"
3) ALL Need equally to be regenerated by the Power Of God's Holy Spirit.
4) Every child is sinner in the eyes of God.
(a) Not one gets into Heaven by virtue of his its sweetness or innocence…
(b) It is the Blood Of Christ that avails, even for infants…
II) DIVINE REPRESENTATION. "THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER"
A) HOME LIFE REPRESENTATIVE OF GOD
1) The First FOUR commandments deal with the Duties Men Owe To God…
2) The Last FIVE Commandments Deal With Duties Men Owe To Each Other…
3) FIFTH Commandment Deals With The Question Of Authority.
B) THERE CAN BE NO AUTHORITY UNLESS IT BEGINS AT HOME.
1) God cannot have authority in you home unless you have authority in your home. Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2) There can be no Authority in the Nation unless there is Authority In The Home..
3) When Home Authority Decays – ALL Authority Decays.
C) THINK OF THE AUTHORITATIVE ASPECT.
1) If parents want HONOR From our Children – We Must stand before them Honorable
2) We want their Love -we must be Loveable
3) We MUST Teach Our Children Respect…
(a) Respect God First. – Includes God's House
(b) Respect Parents
(c) Respect Our Elders
(d) Respect Our Nation…
III) DEFINITE REWARD. That thy days may be long upon the land
A) THE REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE. Deut 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH THEE, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
1) This is an expansion of the Promise…
2) Here is the blessedness of Obedience.
3) Disobedience can only bring sorrow and ultimately death.
B) FOR OUR CHILDREN TO LIVE LONG.
1) They must be taught to "OBEY"
2) They must be taught to Live Right..
(a) To Obey God b. Obey their parents…
(b) To Obey Those In Authority Over Them..
(c) To Obey Your Parents Pleases God.. Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
IV) DESIRED REALIZATION. The land which the Lord ..Giveth Thee
A) THIS IS A RICH HERITAGE OF GRACE.
1) To enjoy this heritage it is necessary to walk in obedience..
(a) Obedience toward God…
(b) Obedience toward God's representative The Parents
(c) We must never get away from the fountainhead of true blessing.
B) LOVE OF GOD IS NEEDED IN THE HEART
1) Love is the fulfilling of the Law.
2) Lack Of Obedience Shows Need Of Love..
3) The Love Of God In Your Heart Can Make Us What We Ought To Be In Relation To Our Fathers And Mothers…