Freedom In Christ

Yesterday, the United States of America celebrated its 250th milestone, marking 2.5 centuries of victories, struggles, prosperity, and hardship. We thank God for the freedoms we enjoy: the opportunity to freely worship, along with many other blessings bestowed upon our country.

250TH BIRTHDAY OF AMERICA: OUR HOPE IS STILL IN GOD

Although millions of Americans today place their hope in material possessions, which become their gods.

But, that is what our nation is built upon – freedom of expression to live according to lawful practices.

INTRODUCTION

For two and a half centuries, this nation has experienced victories and struggles, prosperity and hardship, peace, and war.

Two hundred fifty years is a wonderful milestone.

We thank God for the freedoms we enjoy, for the opportunity to worship Him, and for the many blessings He has given our country.

But while we celebrate, we also recognize that our nation is carrying many heavy burdens.

We hear news of shootings that take innocent lives. Every morning these are reported daily by the morning TV news reporters.

Families grieve because of violence. Communities are shaken by crime and hatred.

We also see destructive fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and other disasters that bring suffering and loss.

These events remind us that we live in a broken world where people experience pain, fear, and uncertainty.

The Bible tells us that this world has been affected – and I might say – infected by sin.

That does not mean every tragedy is a direct punishment from God.

But these difficult events remind us that life is fragile and that we all need God’s help, we need God’s wisdom, and we need God’s hope.

America’s greatest need today is not simply better laws or stronger buildings.

Our greatest need is for people to turn their hearts to the Lord.

Today we will learn three simple truths.

The first truth that we must learn is that we need to:

I. THANK GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS

Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.”

For 250 years, America has experienced victories and struggles.

America has experienced times of peace and times of war.

There have been seasons of prosperity and seasons of hardship.

Yet through every generation,

God has remained faithful. He has not changed.

Every good gift comes from Him.

Our freedom to worship, our churches, our families, and the opportunities we enjoy are blessings from God.

Imagine a child receiving many gifts on his birthday.

The child enjoys the presents but may forget to thank the parents who lovingly gave them to him.

That child enjoys the blessings but forgets the giver.

Sometimes our nation can do the same thing. We enjoy God’s blessings but forget to thank God Himself, who is the Giver of all good gifts.

As believers, we should always be thankful. Remember that a thankful heart honors God.

The second truth that we must learn is always to…

II. TURN TO GOD IN DIFFICULT TIMES

2 Chronicles 7:14 says,

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Today, many people are afraid, fearful, and discouraged.

News reports tell us about shootings, violence, and families who have lost loved ones.

We also see communities suffering after hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, and other disasters.

These painful events remind us that life can change very quickly.

When storms come, people look for a safe shelter.

No one stands outside and says, “No worries! I can stop the storm myself.”

Wise people run to a place of safety.

In the same way, when life’s storms come, our safest place is in God.

We cannot control everything that happens around us, but we can trust God who holds our future.

• Instead of living in fear, God calls us to pray.

• Instead of losing hope, God calls us to trust Him.

• Instead of giving up, God calls us to seek His face.

Prayer may not remove every storm immediately, but it brings us into the presence, and the peace of God who never leaves us.

The last truth that I want to share with you is that we must learn to know that…

III. OUR GREATEST HOPE IS JESUS CHRIST

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

The world is searching for peace.

Governments work for peace among nations.  Communities want peace among their neighbors. Families long for peace within the members of the family.

But true and lasting peace begins with Jesus Christ.

When we trust Christ, He forgives our sins, changes our hearts, and gives us a lasting and enduring hope that no tragedy can take away.

Imagine a lighthouse standing beside the ocean.

Storms crash against it. Strong winds blow.

Huge waves hit it again and again.

Yet the lighthouse continues to shine because it is built on a solid foundation.

Jesus is our solid foundation.

When our lives are built on Him, we can stand even when the world around us is shaking, weakening, and falling apart.

CONCLUSION

Our nation needs more than political solutions.

Our nation needs transformed hearts.

Changed hearts produce changed homes, changed churches, changed communities, and a stronger nation.

We have celebrated many birthdays in America – 250 of them in fact.

But have you never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

The greatest freedom is not only political freedom.

The greatest freedom is freedom from sin through Jesus Christ.

The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Yes, Jesus died on the cross for your sins.

Jesus rose again from the dead, and He never died again – He lives even today in the hearts of those who have been obedient to submit to Him.

He offers forgiveness and eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.

Today, if you have never trusted Christ, you can come to Him,

Admit that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus died and rose again to cover your sins.

Confess Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. And then be baptized – immersed in water to wash away your sin, being raised to begin a new life in Christ.