Sermon Cloud

Liberty – Life or Death?

Patrick Henry, in a speech ended it thus: “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! “

Galatians 5:1

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Liberty is often spoken of by many people, and therefore has many different ideas of what it means. Let us look at what liberty is:

1. What is liberty? (read Declaration and Constitution excerpts)

1. Liberty

   1. The condition of being free from restriction or control.

   2. The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing.

   3. The condition of being physically and legally free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor.

2. Freedom from unjust or undue governmental control.

3. A right or immunity to engage in certain actions without control or interference: the liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.

4. 1. A breach or overstepping of propriety or social convention. Often used in the plural.

   2. A statement, attitude, or action not warranted by conditions or actualities: a historical novel that takes liberties with chronology.

   3. An unwarranted risk; a chance: took foolish liberties on the ski slopes.

5. A period, usually short, during which a sailor is authorized to go ashore.

This liberty or freedom as it is used here in 1 is the same that is used in scripture.

2. What is our Liberty?

   1. Freedom from bondage of -

      1. Galatians 2:4 – from false teachers

Legalist, dictators that would squash our ability to think for ourselves and make decisions according to what the Bible says. They hold us by threats and sometimes lies. But it is sad to say, there are some people who feel very insecure with liberty. They would rather be under the tyranny of some leader than to make their own decisions freely. There are some believers who are frightened by the liberty they have in God’s grace; so they seek out a fellowship that is legalistic and dictatorial, where they can let others make their decisions for them. This is comparable to an adult climbing back into the crib. The way of Christian liberty is the way of fulfillment in Christ. No wonder Paul issues that ultimatum: “Do not be entangled again in the yoke of bondage. Take your stand for liberty.

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      1. Matthew 11:28-33 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The yoke of sin

   2. Freedom from bondage of The Law – Galatians 3:25

      1. Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

      2. Romans 6:18 - Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

      3. Romans 7:6 and 8:2 – What does it mean to be free from the law? It is free from the bondage of the Law. Christ freed us from the curse of the Law by dying for us on the tree ( Gal. 3:13 ). The believer is no longer under Law; he is under grace. This does not mean that we are outlaws and rebels. It simply means that we no longer need the external force of Law to keep us in God’s will, because we have the internal leading of the Holy Spirit of God. Christ died to set us free, not to make us slaves.

   3. Freedom From bondage of Sin -

      1. John 8:32-36 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ³³ They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? ³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. ³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (Really Free)

      2. Romans 8:2 – For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

      3. 2 Cor 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Drugs, alcohol and things of this world will not free you, but bring you further into bondage. You will not be in control of anything, much less your life. Being a servant of Christ is freedom because now we can serve and please God. We are free from the fear of death.

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   4. Freedom To Serve –

      1. One another in Love – Gal 5:13

         • Not to please ourselves (Caution in verse 15)

         • But to show true love (vs. 14, 16)

      2. Christ – 1 Corinthians 7:22 - For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

         • Romans 8:8 – we could not please God before

      3. Freedom to bring Freedom to others – Romans 10:13-15

3. What was the Cost of Our Liberty?

In the Independence War, it was the blood of many good men that obtained the liberty we enjoy today.

1. Galatians 4:3-5 – God sending His Son

2. Hebrews 9:12 – His blood – “neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood…”

3. We are purchased by him by his blood – 1 Cor 6:20

In our salvation experience, it was the blood of Jesus Christ that gave us that Liberty. While Patrick Henry cried out “Give me liberty, or give me death”, it was Christ Who cried out “give me death so that they will have liberty”.

Why do we fuss and fight so much about things that do not matter? Is this what Christ died for? I think not.

As we finish up this weekend that started with the Fourth of July, as we remember how that many men and women gave their lives to purchase our freedom: let us not forget the greatest freedom and liberty we have purchased by the blood of one – Jesus Christ.