1 Corinthians 11:24-25 NKJV; John 8:36 NKJV
Introduction:
As we take time tomorrow to remember the sacrifices of others, we need to be very thankful for our freedom and liberty.
The word liberty means: The condition of those who are free and independent; not confined, having rights.
I'm glad God allowed me to be born, grow up, live, and serve Him in America. But there are some things about freedom we need to remember:
1. FREEDOM'S PRICE
*Someone has said that there is nothing free in life but salvation. Freedom had and continues to have a great price tag.
A. A Country's Freedom.
1. Revolutionary War
2. Civil War
a. 618,222 were killed
b. 400,175 were wounded
3. WWI
a. 50,585 US soldiers were killed
b. 205,690 were wounded
4. WWII
a. 292,000 soldiers were killed
5. Korean
a. 125,000 were killed or wounded.
6. Vietnam
a. 58,000 were killed.
1,749,672 lives were impacted.
*America’s freedom and liberty has a great price tag.
B. A Christian’s Freedom.
*On a hill far away a Man hung on a old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.
Matthew 26:67 NKJV
1. Abused Him
2. Scourged Him
3. Mocked Him
4. Stripped Him
5. Made Him carry His cross
6. Crowned Him with thorns
7. Nailed His Feet and Hands to the cross
8. Dropped the cross in the ground, causing his joints to come out of socket.
9. Gave Him vinegar to drink.
10. Pierced His side with a spear.
*The Christian’s freedom and liberty has a great price tag. Notice in paying the price many men died for our nation, while One Man died for all nations.
2. FREEDOM PURPOSE FOR THE BELIEVER.
1. Saved to serve.
Romans 6:18 NKJV; Romans 6:22 NKJV; Galatians 5:13 NKJV
2. Sitting after salvation leads to neglect.
Hebrews 2:1-4 NKJV
In Conclusion:
How can we sit when men gave their lives for our freedom of religion? How can we sit and not speak of the freedom that Christ offers all men after the price that He paid? How can we use our rights wrongfully when it takes away the rights of others after men gave their lives for these rights? How can we try to satisfy our flesh with the liberty given to the Christian by Christ.
The problem is that most have not paid the price tag for these freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America, and the freedom and liberty that is given to every Christian cost them nothing. But never forget that freedom has a great price and that Salvation is free but it never came cheap.