Principles of Freedom

Sermon notes

Steven R. Cook

 

If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains set lightly upon you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.  Samuel Adams

 

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.  Benjamin Franklin (1755)

 

We must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left to us! ...Why stand we here idle? What is it that the 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!  Patrick Henry

 

Definition:  Freedom is the capacity to exercise choice or to engage in certain actions without interference. 

 

Principles Related to National Freedom:

 

1.      National freedom is purchased through military victory by the blood of individuals who have fought to obtain liberty.

2.      National freedom is maintained by a strong moral government which establishes, protects, and upholds just laws for everyone.

3.      National freedom is protected externally by a powerful military, and internally by a strong police force. 

4.      The proper balance of law and national freedom is a delicate one; for law without freedom leads to tyranny, and freedom without law leads to anarchy. 

 

Law without freedom = TYRANNY!

Freedom without law = ANARCHY!

A balance between law and freedom = OPPORTUNITY

 

                                                           Opportunity

   

 (Law) Tyranny                                                                                    (Freedom) Anarchy

 

5.      National freedom guarantees inequality.  When a group or nation seeks to create equality rather than equal opportunity, it destroys the principle of freedom.  Freedom does not make everyone equal (intellectually, monetarily, etc…), for that is impossible; rather, it creates equal opportunity. 

6.      National freedom does not guarantee security (Psalm 118:9).  God alone provides security for the one who trusts in Him (Deuteronomy 12:10). 

 

 

CHRISTIAN FREEDOM

 

Romans 6:18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

 

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

 

1 Peter 2:16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

 

Definition:  Christian freedom is the ability to serve God while advancing to spiritual maturity (Romans 6:19, 22; Galatians 5:1; 1 Peter 1:17-19; 2:16).

 

Principles Related to Christian Freedom:

 

1.      Christian freedom is purchased by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:17-19).

2.      Jesus Christ is the one who sets us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:1).

3.      Christian freedom is obtained by the one who comes to Christ by grace through faith (John 3:16; 20:31; Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

4.      The believer is responsible to God first, then the government.  When a believer receives antithetical commands from God and government, the believer must always obey God first (Matt. 6:33; Acts 5:29; Rom. 13:1, 5).

5.      Christian freedom has divinely-imposed limitations so that the believer is not free to do whatever he pleases, but free to serve God as He pleases (Jeremiah 15:11; Rom. 6:18, 22; Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16).

6.      Biblical truth is the sphere in which the believer is to operate (John 8:31-32, 36).

7.      A Christian-slave is one who surrenders his will to accomplish the will of God (1 Peter 2:16; 1 Corinthians 9:19).

8.      Christian freedom is given so the believer will advance to spiritual maturity through the daily intake and application of God’s Word (Matt. 4:11; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17). 

9.      The Bible teaches that there is always an enemy to spiritual freedom (Acts 13:4-12; Galatians 2:1-5).

10.  When the believer rejects the will of God, and uses freedom for personal gain, or the promotion of evil, God will restrict him through discipline (Deuteronomy 8:19-20).