Let Freedom Ring!
SERMON STARTER
Freedom comes with a price. While freedom itself is a priceless commodity, it does have a blood red price. The generations of this country have submitted their best and their finest young people to defend our right to freedom. It is right then to say that freedom isn’t free.
Even we who enjoy freedom’s privileges pay the price of obedience and submission. We who love and follow Jesus do so acknowledging that God, who is the supreme authority over the affairs of mankind, is ultimately in control. The irony is that though we are free, we have declared openly our love and dependence on Almighty God.
I am weary of those denigrators of freedom who feel they have the freedom to hate and despise God sent and God placed leaders. Does God make a mistake when He allows a good man to take a high office? Do I have the freedom under God to openly curse and despise those He has ordained to rule?
In the final analysis Jesus has told us to pray for our enemies. Can we who follow Him do any less than obey Him? I’ve heard the hatred and derision of our President who asserts openly His love for Christ. I heard the same hatred for the former impeached President Clinton. I’ve heard the hatred for Reagan. I’ve listened to the mockery of those who hated Nixon.
Personally, I decided long ago to pray for them and no matter how grudgingly, and submit to their authority. Each one of them has brought to the forefront good things and bad. Accepting them, submitting to their God-ordained authority and praying for them is a matter of darkness or light. I personally choose the light. Let freedom ring!
July 1, 2007, Sheepfold Ministries
Pastor Phil Roland
Let Freedom Ring!
1 Peter 2:13-17
“Freedom is a priceless commodity and one we take for granted. The Word of God describes the limits and privileges of our freedom in Christ.” Pastor Phil
FOUR STATEMENTS OF DEPENDENCE ON ALMIGHTY GOD:
I. HONOR ALL MEN
Six Reasons we are to honor all men:
A. Men are created in God's Image - Gen. 1:26
“Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them
rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all
the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
B. Men are given dominion over the earth - Gen. 1:26-30
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male
and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and
increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and
the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole
earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures
that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every
green plant for food." And it was so.”
C. God's Word Declares mankind's value - Psalm 8:4-8
“. . .what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for
him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with
glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put
everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.”
D. Jesus’ Death Declares us valuable - Peter 1:18-19
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that
you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your
forefathers,” but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or
defect.”
E. Angels Watch over mankind - Psalm 91:11,12
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a
stone.”
F. Eternity is Prepared for us - John 14:3
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with
me that you also may be where I am.”
II. LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD - 1 John 3:14
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.
Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a
murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how we
know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay
down our lives for our brothers.”
A. We lay down our lives for each other
B. We meet material needs in each other’s lives – 1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity
on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
III. FEAR GOD - Psalms 111:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts
have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
A. He is merciful to those who fear Him – Luke 1:50
“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.”
B. We fear Him and we put our trust in Him – Psalm 115:11
”You who fear him, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.”
IV. HONOR THE KING – 1 Peter 2:16,17
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as
servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of
believers, fear God, honor the king.”
A. Monarchy - One Reigns
B. Aristocracy - Elite Few Reign
C. Anarchy - All Reign
D. Democracy - Majority Reign
E. Theocracy - GOD REIGNS
1. Leaders in a theocracy SERVE, not RULE – Matt. 20:28
“the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many."
2. Leaders pay the price thru SACRIFICE – Jn. 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, you will be free indeed." Jn.8:36
Let Freedom Ring! Text:
1 Peter 2:13-16
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,
14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.