Cornerstone Baptist Church - True Freedom

TRUE FREEDOM

             It was a bold move that the framers of the Declaration chose to make.  But they were convinced that it was the sole choice that remained for them.  Thomas Jefferson was appointed to draft the document, and it was his task to express the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people after many years of frustration and oppression.

            Because they believed that the British Crown had no right to tax them so brutally, the “self-evident truths” of which Jefferson spoke were born out of the religious views of the Founding Fathers - that God is the giver of our human rights, not a king, and that it is His intent that His people enjoy those rights, including the right to self-government and taxation as well as religious freedom.  In signing the Declaration of Independence, they were genuinely putting their lives at stake, for any of them could have been captured and tried for treason.  But this did not hold them back from declaring their allegiance to this just cause.  John Hancock is said to have signed his name in such large letters that the King could read it without his spectacles.  Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island is said to have guided his right hand with his left, due to a nerve disorder.  His words as he signed: “My hand trembles, but my heart does not.”

The Price They Paid

            Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.  Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.  Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

            They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.  What kind of men were they?

            Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.  Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated.

            But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

            Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.  He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.

            Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.  He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hinding.  His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

            Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer Walton, Gwinnet, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

            At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.  He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.  The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

            Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.  The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

            John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying.  Their thirteen children fled for their lives.  His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste.  For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.  A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.  Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

            Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.  These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians.  They were soft-spoken men of means and education.  They had security, but they valued liberty more.  Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledge: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

            They gave you and me a free and independent America.  The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War.  We did not just fight the British.  We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!  Some of us take these liberties so much for granted… We shouldn’t.  So, take a couple of minutes while enjoying your 4^th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots.  It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.

            We are the recipients of  some wonderful freedoms because of the price paid for by others.  Because of the sacrifice and commitment of men and women from the beginning of our nation up to today, we enjoy a way of life unsurpassed anywhere in the world.  Sadly, we too often take these freedoms for granted and do little or nothing to preserve them for future generations.

            While Jesus did not come to this earth to necessarily grant us political freedom,  God has placed within the human heart a desire to be free.  When Jesus began His earthly ministry, he quoted the prophet Isaiah.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.  Isaiah 61:1

            The “captives” refer to the Jews who were scattered through the ancient world following the Babylonian captivity.  Jesus used this passage to announce the fact that He was the Messiah and has come to set man free from sin.  As we look at some of the freedoms given to us, examine your heart.  Are you committed to and are you experiencing these freedoms?

 

1.  FREEDOM FROM TYRANNY

            A tyrant is one who rules oppressively or cruelly; a despot.  The first century Christians lived during the reign of Nero who definitely fits this definition.  Actually, most believers have lived under cruel despots through the years.  Even today, multitudes of God’s people live with severe persecution.  In Vietnam, for example, believers are being hunted down, tortured, and murdered while most people turn a blind eye and act as if it isn’t happening.  Communist China’s public security bureau has launched a new crackdown on “unregistered” churches just recently.  Their leaders are systematically being arrested, tortured, and imprisoned.  Most Islamic countries allow no or very little religious freedom, especially for Christians.  In many of these countries, to identify yourself as a Christian would bring the death penalty.

            In what way can we say that the gospel brings freedom from tyranny.  First of all, God has instructed us to pray for those who have authority over us that we may experience a peaceable life.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1,2

            Whether believers live under a communist dictatorship or a democracy, they are to pray for those who have authority over them.  To not do so is to disobey God.  However, God has blessed us with a governmental system  in our nation which allows us freedoms that many others never can enjoy.  With these freedoms also come great responsibilities.  We are able to freely proclaim the gospel and must never slack off from this responsibility.  We also have the freedom to send missionaries all over the globe, and can help our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ in many cases.  We must never take our freedoms for granted.  We must be good stewards of our freedom.  We do this, first of all, by consistent prayer for our leaders.  Secondly, because God has blessed us with a representative government, we should participate by voting and then informing our elected officials of our convictions. God made ancient Israel a promise and I believe He will still honor it today.

If My people who are called by My name will 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.  2 Chronicles 7:14

 

            Even believers who live under oppressive governments can experience freedom from tyranny in the sense that the spirit of man cannot be enslaved by physical chains. 

In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  Psalm 56:11

 

2.  FREEDOM FROM SIN

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:32, 36

            The Jews were offended when Jesus told them that the truth would set them free.  “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone.  How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”  The Jewish people actually had been in bondage on several occasions starting with Egypt and progressing to the very time this statement was made.  Perhaps there were referring to their inward sense of freedom, but regardless, they were in denial.  They were not only slaves politically, but were slaves spiritually.

            That statement applies to us all…

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

            The gospel message includes the promise of deliverance from sin. 

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?  But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  Romans 6:16-18

            As believers, we still have the capability to sin, but we are no longer under the power of sin.  We can be victorious over the sins that destroy our lives and the lives of others. 

 

3.  FREEDOM FROM FEAR

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.   Psalm 34:4

            Those outside of God’s forgiveness have a reason to fear.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.   Hebrews 10:31

            But the child of God has been delivered from those fears which would enslave us body, soul, and spirit.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day o judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  1 John 4:17-18

The fear of death

 

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  Hebrews 2:14-15

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The fear of Satan

 

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  1 John 4:4

 

The fear of abandonment

 

… for He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say:  “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?”

 

The fear of need

 

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?  And not one of them is forgotten before God.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Luke 12:67

 

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19  

 

            Do believers ever suffer from fear?  Yes, but we need not.  One of the purposes of God’s Word is to remind us why we need not fear.

            Freedom from tyranny is a wonderful thing, yet even those who suffer under such authority are free if they are in Christ.  Freedom from sin - what a blessed experience!  Freedom from fear - only can be truly experienced by the child of God.  Are you truly free?