250th Birthday of America

JOHN : 31-36... Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make

you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham

and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by

saying, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them,

“Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a

permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Yesterday, our nation celebrated 250 years since the

signing of the Declaration of Independence. Flags

decorated the highways and the front yards of many

homes and churches across America. People marched in

parades in large cities and in small towns. People from

coast to coast celebrated the freedom we all enjoy in the

land of the free and the home of the brave.

Fire works reverberated through the air and illuminated the

skies from sea to shining sea. Jackie and I and our

grandson, Sol, witnessed the fireworks at Cherrystone

Campground and Cape Charles from the Lusk’s home on

the Bay.

The Lusks had some fire works of their own. And for the

first time I imagined I was with Francis Scott Key near Ft.

McHenry when he wrote what is now our National Anthem.

Thanks to what I saw last night, I have a better

appreciation for his words,

“And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air

gave proof through the night that our flag was still

there”. It was awesome an experience with explosions

right over my head. I never will forget last night. We

celebrated freedom in a big way.

Today as we gather for worship, let us pause and let us

give thanks to God for the freedom we celebrated

yesterday.

Let us remember the courage of those who risked their

fortunes, their reputations, and even their lives for the

cause of liberty. Let us honor the sacrifices of many

generations who have defended those freedoms on

battlefields around the world. Some from my own family

and some from this very congregation.

Let us be grateful to live in a land where we may: worship

freely—speak openly— and gather without fear. These are

precious gifts, and we should never take them for granted.

Yet as Christians, we know there is a greater freedom

than what our American Patriots have given us. You heard

Sharon read moments ago from Galatians 5:1. There, Paul

declares and I quote...“Stand fast....in the liberty

wherewith CHRIST has made us free.”

And from John’s gospel, Jesus declares“If the SON shall

make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

America can protect us from foreign tyranny, but only

Christ can deliver us from the tyranny of sin.

The founders could sign a declaration that changed a

nation, but only Jesus could stretch out His hands upon the

cross and declare freedom for the human soul.

Many people are outwardly free—but inwardly they are

imprisoned. Some are bound by guilt from long long ago.

Others are bound by resentment—fear—addiction—greed

—or —even despair.

They carry invisible chains that no constitution—no

election—no government aid can break. But the Love of

Christ breaks every fetter. When Christ comes into our

lives the chains fall off—He frees us from slavery to sin—

He frees us from fear—and He frees us from death itself.

In the words from an old hymn we will sing shortly: “My

chains fell off,—my heart was free—I rose—went forth,

—and followed Thee.”

There is another lesson about freedom we can learn as we

pay tribute to 250 years of freedom in America. FREEDOM

IS NEVER FREE.

The liberties we enjoy as Americans were purchased

through sacrifice. Countless men and women served—

suffered—and in some cases, gave their lives so that we

might live in peace.

Likewise, our spiritual freedom came at an even greater

cost. It was purchased NOT with silver or gold— but with

the precious blood of Jesus Christ. At Calvary, the Son of

God bore our judgment so that we might receive His

pardon.

The cross is heaven’s Declaration of Independence

from the bondage of sin.

Some years ago, I visited the Statue of Liberty with my two

sons: Joel and Tim. My youngest, Joel, was determined

that we climb the long, narrow spiraling staircase all the

way to the crown of Lady Liberty. I wasn’t nearly as

enthusiastic as he was—because, I have always struggled

with acrophobia—a fear of heights—and I was perfectly

content to remain at the base of the statue.

But my son would not let it go. He kept saying, “Come on,

Dad. With every new experience, you’re never again

the same person.” Those were his exact words.

Finally, I gave in.....Slowly—and very nervously—I climbed

those winding stairs until at last—I stepped into the crown

of Lady Liberty.

Then, Looking out through those small windows, I saw

New York Harbor spread out before my very eyes. The

view was magnificent.

Later, as I reflected, I came to realize that sometimes you

have to climb to a higher vantage point if you want to

understand the true nature of things. Standing at the foot of

the statue, I saw only a monument. Standing inside the

crown, I saw more clearly what that monument

represented.

Freedom is much the same way. From ground level we

often think freedom means, “I can do whatever I please.”

But from God’s higher perspective, freedom means

something far richer......It means: “I am now free to

become all that God created me to be.”

That is precisely what the Apostle Paul teaches. He says

that Christian freedom is not merely freedom from

restraint; it is freedom for righteousness. It is the liberty to

love God wholeheartedly—to serve our neighbors

sacrificially—and to become the men and women God

intended us to be.

There is also a responsibility that is attached to freedom.

Paul warns believers not to use liberty as an excuse for

selfishness but to “serve one another in love.”

Christian freedom is not permission to do whatever we

desire; it is liberation to become what God intends. In other

words, God attaches wise limitations to our freedom

because He loves us and wants the best for us.

A fish is not free on the beach; it is only free in the water

where it was designed to live. A train is not free when it

leaves the tracks; it is free only when it runs upon the very

tracks designed especially for IT. In the same way,

humanity is most free (not when it rebels against God)

but when it walks in joyful obedience to God.

We must always remember earthly freedom is fragile.

Nations rise and fall. Empires crumble. And sometimes

different ideologies arise and begin to threaten our

freedom. But the freedom Christ gives never expires. No

earthly power can revoke the pardon He grants. Nothing

can separate us from His love.

As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, let us thank

God for the blessings of this country. Let us pray for its

leaders, its people, and its future. Let us be responsible

citizens who cherish liberty and pursue justice;

remembering always that these earthly freedoms point us

toward a greater and more enduring liberty.

But above all, let us remember that our highest citizenship

is in heaven, and that our ultimate allegiance belongs to

Christ alone.

My son challenged me to move from the base of Lady

Liberty, and experience the higher view from inside Lady

Liberty’s crown. Maybe God is giving us a similar

challenge. Maybe God is challenging us to a higher

viewpoint—a viewpoint where we discover that the

greatest freedom is not simply the liberty to choose our

OWN way but the grace to follow CHRIST’S way.

May we be quick to respond to this challenge; Because

when we obediently follow God’s way. In the words of my

son, JOEL... “we are never again the same person.”

The greatest flag under which we march is the banner of

Christ’s redeeming love. The truest independence is

freedom from sin. And the most glorious declaration ever

made is not merely that all people are created equal, but

that “when the Son, makes us free, we are free

indeed!” ” And to that end may God receive glory now

and forevermore.

Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Gracious God,

On this day we give You thanks for the blessings of

freedom, for our nation, and for all who have sacrificed

that others might live in liberty and peace.

But above all, we thank You for Jesus Christ, who sets us

free from sin, guilt, fear, and death. Lift our eyes to that

higher view of freedom—not merely doing what we

please, but becoming what You created us to be.

Bless our nation with wisdom, humility, justice, and

compassion. Heal what is broken among us. Guide our

leaders. Strengthen those who serve in uniform, and

comfort those who still carry the wounds of war in body,

mind, or spirit.

Today we also remember those among us who are

suffering. Draw near to those whose bodies are

weakened by illness or pain, whose minds are burdened

with anxiety, grief, or confusion, and whose spirits are

weary or discouraged. Surround them with Your healing

presence, strengthen those who care for them, and grant

them the peace that passes all understanding.

Make us faithful citizens of this land, and even more

faithful citizens of Your Kingdom. Teach us to use our

freedom not for selfishness, but for love, service, mercy,

and truth. Amen