New Hope Notes
Free!!!
Pastor Elwin Ahu
July 3, 2011 - W1127
Among those grounds included were our foundational values. Where are they found? They are found in the Declaration of Independence. In the Declaration of Independence there are so many values that our freedom is based on. Aside from the Declaration of Independence there is another passionate proclamation of our freedom which we can find in the Gettysburg Address. Our 16th president Abraham Lincoln declared this prophetic message. He was not the main speaker at this event but he delivered it so eloquently. Here it goes...
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation. Conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war. Testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure we are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate , we can not consecrate- we can
not hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggle here have consecrated it. Far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor no longer remember what we say here, but we can not forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
We could try to address our various kinds of freedom. But do we really know the true meaning of freedom. We take things fore granted that we are a nation under God. We forget. We have taken prayers out of school. We have taken the ten commandments out of our public places. I heard recently on the radio that at a federal cemetery cannot use God’s name in funeral services. Yes, indeed… we are forgetting about our founding fathers and what they have done. What is happening to America? Lately, another surprising event that was in the news that reflected that we are forgetting. It concerns our pledge of allegiance. The City Council in Eugene, Oregon wanted to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance. They said it divides not unites the people of their community. It is very sad. We have detracted ourselves from the true meaning of freedom. We think that freedom means to do what ever we want to do. That is why a million of babies are being killed today and that is called free choice. That is why our magazines, internet, and movie theaters are filled with pornography and we call that free speech. That is why we have satanic worships and all kinds cults and we call that freedom of religion. We forget what our forefathers have done but it is our responsibility to carry on what they have started …
Let us read the first Scripture reading on the top of your notes….
"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-32, 36)
Real freedom doesn’t come from being an American. Real freedom doesn’t mean being a Republican or Democrat or Conservative. Based on the Scripture we just read…real freedom comes from being tied to the word of God. Staying connected with the pure word of God daily is true freedom. We have to look at the big picture and lean closer to God. We cannot be enslave by the issues of the world. We are going to talk about the following…
FORGOTTEN FREEDOMS:
1. Freedom from WORRY.
Worry is like a jealous mistress. In the Greek and Hebrew translation , worry means an undivided mind. When you worry, you have a preoccupation with things that causes your mind to get stress out and have anxiety. Like the wind, you are tossed to and fro and you can’t make up your mind. Worrying is a waist of time. Some people get sick with worry. With worry, we doubt also. We doubt God. Will He provide? Will he take care of me? But…we have to remember that…
Let us read the next Scripture…
"For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Cor. 3:17 NLT)
In our freedom in Christ we need to trust Him. If we believe that He is our provider, our healer and He takes care of us, we have to believe. We cannot keep on worrying but we have trust Him. Are you free from worry? You must not lean on your understanding. We have to trust him. We have to remind ourselves of where God has brought us from. We have to trust God no matter what our situation might be. W can’t go back to our sins.
Let us read the next Scripture…
"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name." (Ps. 86:11 NIV)
2. Freedom from GUILT.
Guilt by definition means when we don’ feel that we are good enough. Each one of us is valuable to God. Sometimes we have a wrong perception of things. An example of that there was this man that perceive that the box car on the train he was riding was freezing cold but in reality it was the same temperature as the outside. The refrigeration in the box car was broken. In the end, they found his body froze to death. He really thought he was frozen. That is perception. But the reality is…
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
And the other reality…
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Rom. 8:1-2)
3. Freedom from CONSEQUENCES of SIN.
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery... For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh." (Gal. 5:1, 13)
Don’t go back to your sins. Christ has paid the price on the cross. I am reminded of a story about birds that were sold in a bazaar that were tied on a pole. The birds are kept going in circles for a long time. One man saw this and feel bad for the birds. He ask the vendor to buy them all. Then he ask the vendor to release the birds. To the surprise of the man, the birds once release still walked in circles. We are sometimes like those birds. We go back to our sins and forget what Christ did on the cross.
Let us read the next Scripture…
"As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end... But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master." (Rom. 6:20-23 MSG)
Finally, we just have to remind ourselves the true meaning of freedom comes from the word of God. He is our source of freedom. Our reality is Jesus Christ died for sins. We are free. We need to live our lives free from worry, guilt and consequences of sins since we are free in Christ. Stop walking in circles and start soaring in Christ.
Discussion Suggestions:
1. What is the true meaning of freedom?
2. What does the Bible say about freedom?
3. What are your concerns and worries lately?
4. What is the difference between the worldview of freedom and in the Bible?
5. Share any experiences of how you have allowed God to set you free this week.