Freedom Isn’t Free

John 8:32 & Isaiah 61:1

As the War in Iraq continues the eyes of the world are focused on Freedom. Some say that we are wrong to get involved in the freedom of others. War is not a pretty thing any way you look at it. The costs are great in both life and property. If it were you and I that were living in Iraq, would we want the Americans liberating us from a regime of terror and mass murder? I think we would. I think we would stand in the street and cheer as many have done. Those who haven’t were afraid of the repercussions.  When we look back at our fight for independence from England in July of 1776. There was mass shooting of our men, sons, and even daughters who would take a stand against the British Empire. When we think of July the 4th we think of fireworks and cookouts. But the real fireworks were not pretty for they were bombs bursting in air and the destruction they brought was real. If they landed near you, you were either put in a hospital or a grave. Not a pretty picture at all. But Liberty has a price tag. Freedom has a cost. Our freedom here in America was bought by the blood of many men who fought for the principals of that freedom and were willing to pay any price to acquire it. Our spiritual freedom and liberty today also was very costly and it still carries a price tag. Let’s find out what that price was and how we can acquire the true liberty which it purchased. Are we willing to pay the cost of keeping this freedom as many of our country’s men and women have done through the years since July 4th, 1776 only 222 Years ago?

John 8:32

Isaiah 61:1

I. Liberty is a purchased commodity

A. Natural Liberty

1. Mankind is often ruled over by power

hungry rulers who hold their citizens

in captivity within their own land

2. Governments can rule over people and

strip them of their individual freedoms

3. This nation we live in is free only because

others saw the tyranny of England in taking their money in taxes to                                         support the English system.

4. Our fore fathers came to this land to be free to worship God according to the

dictates of their own hearts as they saw

fit instead of a government which would tell them how and where they                                 could worship

5. The founders of our constitution believed in the true principals of liberty

and freedom which they believed were

God given rights to all men, not just to some.

6. Freedom was purchased from England by

taking a stand and fighting for it

7. The stand they took was taken by fighting for what they believed and                                                        that fighting cost people their lives.

What a cost !  Their blood was shed for the freedoms which we now enjoy

and often take for granted.

8. Many lost their homes and businesses

because the enemies would burn what

ever places they could to discourage the ones whom they were fighting                                                         against.  What a cost !

9. Many older folks lost their children to the Revolutionary War as it was called

for even the young men went and                                                                   fought and died that you and I might

have the freedom we enjoy. What a cost !

                        10. Truly freedom isn’t Free! Someone has

to pay the price of Liberty.

11. If our liberty were threatened again,

and sometimes I believe it already is,

would you be as willing as your                                                                         forefathers to take a stand against those who try to remove those                                                                   freedoms even to the point of fighting

B. Spiritual Liberty

1. In the spiritual realm the enemy who

denies people of their liberty is SIN.

                        PRO 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden                           with the cords of his sins.

                        2. When we commit sin, we become its servant

            JOH 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever                                                      committeth sin is the servant of sin.

3. Even when we are born again and set free from sin we often place ourselves

once again in its bondage…

            ROM 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his                                          servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of                                         obedience unto righteousness?

4. Since all have sinned and come short of God’s glory is there hope that any can                                        find liberty and freedom from sin?

YES !!!!

                        JOH 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

II. Obtaining the Liberty

A. Natural Liberty

1. The Revolutionary War brought our

nation the independence that it had

fought for and shed it’s blood for

2. From time to time other wars were fought to maintain that independence

and to bring independence to others

B. Spiritual Liberty

1. The ultimate and eternal sacrifice of

Jesus on the Cross was the catalyst which brought about the potential

for freedom

a. His blood shed on Calvary was the

price tag of freedom, a very

expensive price

b. Through giving His life other lives

could be redeemed or purchased

c. The sacrifice of Calvary should be

our remembrance every 4th of July as we celebrate independence                                          day

d. But the sacrifice of Jesus did not

automatically bring freedom to all

mankind even though the blood

was shed for all, we must apply it

2. The truth the Bible says will set you free

if you can come to KNOW IT!

3. What is that truth that brings freedom?

How can we find it? Where can we go to

look for it? What is the secret of liberty

from sin?

EPH 1:13-14  “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

                        4. The Gospel is the Truth which will set us

Free from the clutches of sin in our life

1CO 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:…

The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!

5. How do we receive this Gospel of Salvation? What can we do to acquire

the redemption price Jesus paid for our

Liberty? Peter preached the answer to

this question on Pentecost – Acts 2:38

6. What is the secret to this message?

Obedience to it!

REPENT – Change your thinking!

Be Baptized in Jesus Name!

Be filled with the Holy Ghost!

7. Does this really bring Liberty?

2CO 3:17  “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

            C. Spiritual Liberty costs us something as well

1. It cost us our old thinking and way of life

2. It cost us our old habits of sin, for if we

continue to sin, we will continue to be

in bondage to sin.

3. It cost us the control of our lives, when

we let Jesus be the Lord of our lives, we

cease to be in charge (If we really make

Him the LORD) We then say in all                                                                      things, “Not my will, but yours be done”

4. Do you really want to be free today?

CHANGE YOUR THINKING !