Real Freedom

This is a sermon that was preached on July 4, 2021. This message begins with references to principles of liberty and freedom that our nation was founded upon, then transitions to speak about spiritual freedom that God offers through the power of the Holy Spirit. A video recording of the worship service in which this message was given can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Today, as you know, is July 4^th, the anniversary of our nation’s Declaration of Independence from England. For the message this morning, I felt I should take a few minutes to share some thoughts and quotes regarding our national freedoms, then transition into a review of spiritual freedom taught in God’s Word.

I have often read and heard dozens of quotes by the founding fathers of our nation which undeniably connect our concepts of liberty and freedom to the principles in the Bible. One example is this familiar quote by John Adams: Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. – John Adams

Or this one by William Penn: (Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World) Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants. – William Penn

These are just two examples of the fact that the founding of this nation, its Declaration of Independence and its Constitution were all based on biblical concepts of faith and morality. 

The men responsible for the earliest principles etched into our national fabric understood the biblical concepts of inherited depravity as well as human free will. This means they whole-heartedly believed in individual freedom, but they also believed in law and order. Without biblically based boundaries, unfettered freedom of the individual would lead to unrestrained anarchy, and inevitably followed by a new era of slavery.

A few years ago, I read a book by Ann Coulter that I may have mentioned a few times before. The title of the book is, Demonic: How the Liberal Mob Is Endangering America. In her book she does a remarkable job of contrasting the French Revolution and the American Revolution. She also makes pertinent comparisons between the French Revolution and the recent examples of “mob rule” in American society.

The one thing that is so striking about the French Revolution is the fact that in spite of all the fanfare and hype about freedom for the common people of France, their fickle mob mentality led to some of the most extreme cases of brutality. Because of their general lack of godliness and righteousness in the culture, they repeatedly yielded to the most depraved desires of human nature, which ultimately led to the loss of countless lives.

So, what is real freedom? Let us think for a few moments about where freedom comes from and where it was meant to lead.

I.          Real freedom comes from our Creator.

Several years ago (2013), I gave a sermon with the title, “Liberty Is God’s Idea.” In that message and in other sermons as well, I have repeatedly emphasized the fact that freedom was designed by God at creation and is an essential part of what it means to be a human being formed in the image of God.

(Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World) Without free will, man would not be created "in the image of God." With it, he has the power to defy God's wishes and to bring misery on himself and others. – C. S. Lewis

A review of the creation account in Genesis will disclose that God laid down some basic laws or “ground rules” for the very first humans, but He did not coerce them to obey. Their actions reveal the fact that they obviously had the freedom to disobey. That freedom and ability to disobey was granted by the very same Creator who gave the rules.

(From my sermon in 2013) This image of God and this type of freedom [distinguish us] from the animal kingdom God created.

Some would argue that animals have liberty and freedom because they “can do anything they want to do.” Well, that is true to a certain extent. Animals may “do anything they want to do,” but their “wants” are dictated by instincts; stimulus and response; and what we might call “basic animal passions [or appetites].”

In fact, sometimes we describe human beings as “living like animals” when they fail to practice self-discipline or self-restraint, but continually seek to satisfy every passion and desire of their fleshly or carnal nature.

Animals are so driven and “enslaved” by their natural instincts and passions, that it many times gets them into traps or even killed. An animal does not have the basic ability to analyze life situations and then restrain its habits and instincts for a longer better outcome and more enjoyable freedom.

Only people, who are created in God’s image, have the ability to intentionally forfeit some immediate desire in order to enjoy a greater freedom in the long-term future.

II.        Real freedom includes real risks.

We understand from the story of creation and the fall of Adam that there was a real risk associated with the offer of freedom. The risks include some of the worst kinds of evils.

I remember reading long ago an answer someone offered regarding the problem of evil. The writer basically said this: God could have eliminated evil by taking away the free choices of those who perpetuate evil. But, in order to be completely fair/just, God must then take away the free choices of everyone else.

The point was this, real/genuine freedom for humanity involves freedom for all or freedom for none. If freedom to do evil is removed, then so is the freedom to do that which is good, wholesome, lovely, and praiseworthy.

(Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World) Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. A world… of creatures that worked like machines—would hardly be worth creating. The happiness which God designs for his higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that they must be free. – C. S. Lewis

The Bible explains the fact that Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to all kinds of evil. In the initial part of the story (Gen. 3), we read about the guilt, shame, separation, and death that came about as a direct result of their disobedience. In the New Testament (Romans 5), the Apostle Paul describes how that through one man’s disobedience, sin and death passed upon all men.

There was a time when I wondered why God didn’t/couldn’t at least “limit” the consequences of their disobedience? Why were the “floodgates” of corruption opened upon the human race?

I don’t know if there is a completely adequate answer to that question, but this is the answer that came to my mind: The severe consequences of their disobedience was necessary to demonstrate the dreadfulness of sin.

We humans are often guilty of thinking, “This sin is such a small offense!” “It really isn’t all that bad if I do/say this.” But we must realize that every sin, no matter how small is just as abhorrent as Adam’s decision to eat the fruit in the garden. Every sin requires the death and shed blood of Jesus to cover it and pardon the sinner.

The good news of the gospel is this: Because God knows everything actual and everything possible, He was not taken by surprise when Adam used his freedom to disobey God’s command. The Bible tells us the whole plan of redemption was established before the foundation of the world.

III.       Real freedom is spiritual in nature.

In the beginning of the message today, I shared a couple of quotes from founding fathers to illustrate the connection between political freedom and righteousness. The implication was this: when individuals in society are not interested in pursuing a righteous life in agreement with God’s standards of morality, then freedom will be short-lived. Tyranny is “just around the corner” when lusts and passions are in control rather than righteousness and godliness.

There are numerous references in Scripture that support the truth that the most common form of slavery and servitude is the slavery to sin and the desires of the sin nature.

In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul laments the fact that the presence of sin in his heart causes him to do things he knows are not good, even when he desires to do what is good.

(Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World) No man is free who is a slave to the flesh. – Lucius Annaeus Seneca [Stoic]

Galatians 5:13 (NLT2) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

John 8:34 (NKJV) Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

Romans 6:17-18 explains that there are only two possible conditions in the life of a human being: a servant (slave) to sin or a servant to righteousness.

(Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World) Freedom does not mean I am able to do whatever I want to do. That's the worst kind of bondage. Freedom means I have been set free to become all that God wants me to be, to achieve all that God wants me to achieve, to enjoy all that God wants me to enjoy. – Warren W. Wiersbe

Many people today loudly proclaim their freedom from religious or spiritual laws and blatantly engage in wickedness and immorality. However, they are blind to the fact that they are actually slaves to the sinful nature that was inherited from their parents all the way back to Adam and Eve. It is not only important for us to realize the condition we inherited, but it is essential to learn and understand that the only remedy is salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.

John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Romans 8 gives us the good news of what is possible through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit living in every believer.

Conclusion:

We must conclude that in ourselves, we are powerless against sin and inevitably become the servants of sin; living every day to simply fulfill the passions and desires of the flesh. But, when we submit to the grace and power of God, we can be born again, made new creatures and filled with His Spirit.

We are truly free when we submit to the will of God and are filled with the Spirit of God.

Closing Song:             In Times Like These

Conviction or Convenience

This is a sermon that was preached on June 27, 2021 and was based on three stories in the book of Daniel - Chapters 1, 3, and 6. It discusses the need for believers to live their faith according to true convictions based on God's Word rather than simply living according to whatever is convenient. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was given can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

I found this story on the website “sermonillustrations.com.” It was quoted by B. Clayton Bell, in the periodical, Preaching, May-June, 1986 issue.

A number of years ago Norman Cousins wrote an editorial in Saturday Review in which he reported a conversation he had on a trip in India. He was talking with a Hindu priest named Satis Prasad. The man said he wanted to come to our country to work as a missionary among the Americans. Cousins assumed that he meant that he wanted to convert Americans to the Hindu religion, but when asked, Satis Prasad said, "Oh no, I would like to convert them to the Christian religion. Christianity cannot survive in the abstract. It needs not membership, but believers. The people of your country may claim they believe in Christianity, but from what I read at this distance, Christianity is more a custom than anything else. I would ask that either you accept the teachings of Jesus in your everyday life and in your affairs as a nation or stop invoking His name as sanction for everything you do. I want to help save Christianity for the Christian." 

This account emphasizes for us the need for Christians to live out their faith with conviction rather than by convenience.

The passage of Scripture that was read today is one of two miracle stories in the book of Daniel that most, if not all, of us learned as children. – The “Three Hebrew Children” (Men) in the fiery furnace, and “Daniel in the Lion’s Den.” We could also include another miracle recorded in chapter one – the Hebrews choice to refuse the king’s menu plan.

All of these stories have several things in common. One common part of each story is the miraculous deliverance that God gave to them in response to their bold faith. Another common characteristic the fact that the individuals demonstrated their willingness to follow their convictions about their duties to God regardless of the consequences.

As we take the time this morning to reexamine these miracle accounts in Daniel, I want us to notice some of the characteristics that are similar for all of them.

I.          The Socio-Political Conditions

A. Conditions were antagonistic.

They were political prisoners or war captives. They were immersed in a strange culture with pagan religious beliefs and practices.

(A.R. Fausset, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) Ancient idolaters thought that each nation had its own gods, and that, in addition to these, foreign gods might be worshipped. The Jewish religion was the only exclusive one that claimed all homage for Jehovah as the only true God. Men will in times of trouble confess God, if they are allowed to retain their favorite heart-idols.

That is why the king can declare, “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this."  (Dan. 3:39) And yet, he could still believe in pagan deities even after making such a decree.

They were given different names to further distance them from their Hebrew identity and heritage.

The image that was erected is believed by some authors to be an attempt “To consolidate his empire through a common religion.” (See Willmington's Guide to the Bible)

B. Conditions were dangerous.

Because they were “slaves” and war captives, their lives were dispensable.

The conditions were not only dangerous because they were slaves, but also because of the disregard the king had for human life in general. (e.g., See ch. 2 where he was willing to execute ALL of the wise men/ magicians for not being able to tell him his dream.)

King had authority and power to execute anyone he pleased.

II.        Their Faithful Commitments

A. Commitments were based on convictions.

In spite of the fact that these Hebrew men were living and working in antagonistic and dangerous conditions, they were committed to live according to their convictions. Their convictions were not mere personal preferences, but they were practices that were based on God’s law.

In chapter 1, regarding the menu ordered by the king, they considered the diet to be defiling.

Daniel 1:8 (NKJV) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank...

It is not clear how the king’s food would defile the men. Various commentators offer several possibilities, none of which provide a conclusive answer.

·         Levitical dietary restrictions (clean/unclean)? Maybe, but those restrictions didn’t apply to wine.

·         Foods offered/consecrated to idols and considered to be connected to the idol, as Paul described to Corinthian Christians in the NT. Maybe, but no OT prohibitions against it. Plus, we’re told that virtually all food in these pagan nations were so dedicated.

·         Accepting the king’s food implied allegiance and loyalty to the king. They wanted to demonstrate their “independence” from the king and exclusive loyalty/allegiance to God.

·         The meal “test” proposed by Daniel was a way to demonstrate that their health and appearance was solely dependent upon God, not the king.

·         Summary: Each one of these suggestions could have been a factor, but the point is, these men made their choice in order to remain true to their God-given convictions, even at great risk.

In chapter 3, the command to bow and worship the image was a direct violation of the second commandment. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them..." (Ex. 20:4, 5).

In chapter 6, the command / decree outlawing any prayers to any god or man except the king clearly disregards the very first commandment. Exodus 20:3 (NKJV) You shall have no other gods before Me.

In all of these examples, the men were acting on convictions that were grounded in the explicit words of God.

B. Commitments were uncompromising.

Look at all of these stories in chapters 1, 3, & 6. In every example, the Hebrew men did not give any indication that they were willing to compromise or change their stand.

(Willmington’s Guide to the Bible) - The three youths were no doubt aware of the many excuses available to them for bowing down at this private meeting. For example:

1.      Why not join the system. You can’t fight city hall!

2.      We’ll cooperate with old Neb and win him to Christ!

3.      A living dog is better than a dead lion—better red than dead! "He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day!"

4.      Daniel our leader is not here to make the right decision for us.

We all know that whenever we are faced with a decision such as these men were, there always seems to be plenty of “reasons” why we may not have to be as strict, rigid, or uncompromising as originally thought.

III.       The Unusual Consequences

A. Consequences included unusual suffering.

In two of these stories that we have been considering, the men had to go through tremendous suffering. I can’t prove from Scripture that they actually suffered physical pain. However, they still suffered – bound, cast into fire, fell down, etc. Daniel – bound, cast into den…

Point? God ultimately delivered them, but He didn’t exempt them from all the unpleasant or harsh circumstances.

B. Consequences included unusual deliverance.

In all cases, God provided a miraculous and unusual deliverance. God delivered the three men from the fire without even the smell of smoke, or a hair singed. God delivered Daniel from the lions without a single nibble!

Yet, in all of these examples, the men made their position clear either verbally or by their actions: Even if God chooses not to deliver us, we still refuse to give in to the decrees of godless pagans and defy the commands of our God.

Conclusion:

The Bohemian [Czech] reformer John Hus was a man who believed the Scriptures to be the infallible and supreme authority in all matters. He [was burned] at the stake for that belief in Constance, Germany, on his forty-second birthday. As he refused a final plea to renounce his faith, Hus's last words were, "What I taught with my lips, I seal with my blood." (www.sermonillustrations.com)

In other words, Hus declared, “My death in these flames is a testimony to my commitment to my faith and my loyalty to my God.”

I believe God allows every believer to be tested at some point. Think of Abraham. God said, “Now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son…” God already knew what Abraham would do, but the test was given to demonstrate the kind of faithful loyalty Abraham had.

God will allow us to be tested to reveal how loyal we are willing to be to the things we say we believe. I am a firm believer that Christians here in America will be tested just like believers in many other countries around the world. I don’t profess to know how severe that testing will be, but I can tell you that many professing Christians have already demonstrated their willingness to change their beliefs and practices even without severe threats, because they have already done it for convenience.

For example, some countries have experienced the prohibition of church attendance by tyrannical, totalitarian governments (at least for those churches not registered by the government), but many Christians in America have demonstrated their willingness to give up church attendance for far less reasons than government edict.

So, on the basis of the Bible passage we have considered today, I ask you, “What aspects of your faith and religious practice are you willing to go to prison for?” “What are you willing to die for?”

I pray that God will help me and everyone of us to stand like Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel!

Closing Song: Dare to Be a Daniel