Chapel Service
Toyota Speedway
July 3, 2010
“Independence Day”
Bob Butcher
Hopefully, following the last Chapel at Infineon you have had time to ponder the simple word …or short phrase spoken by Jesus that included so much power, wisdom, teaching & understanding which, when pondered, …you found yourself seeing & comprehending things far more deeply than meets the eye at the casual glance.
Today, let’s look at Independence Day. Our nation adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 which set our nation free from so many types of tyranny and fears complicating life.
In our lives today there is another kind of tyranny that 2000 some years ago Christ Jesus dealt with on a cross and proclaimed a declaration of independence on each of our behalf.
He satisfied a righteous, just, but fair, God’s demands upon mankind which allowed those who trust in Him to be sure of eternal life with Himself.
He set us free and gave us our independence from the tyranny of sin and death when He proclaimed …”It is Finished!” (John 19:30)
Consider the following:
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus …For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
“Stand fast …in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.” (Galatians 5:1)
BUT … Freedom is dangerous in the hands of those who do not know how to use it. Just look around our nation today. From our own government to criminals confined behind bars, barbed wire & concrete walls …the examples can run wild.
It is the same spiritually for us.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the Christian life. Believers are free from the law’s curse, it’s penalty, and its guilt-producing power.
Fear, anxiety, and guilt are replaced by peace, forgiveness, and liberty. Who could be more free than one who is free in the depths of his soul?
But here is where we often fail. We use freedom’s luxury to live selfishly, or we claim ownership of what God has merely entrusted to us.
We are becoming a nation of individuals who selfishly insist on our own rights, making unfair demands on others and not thinking of their welfare. History clearly reveals that whenever a nation ignores God and rejects His Word, it reaps a bitter harvest.
NOR …do we hear or think of the rights of God …who paid for this freedom of ours. We should be producing fruits of love & obedience instead of the wild fruit of ingratitude and wickedness. (Isaiah 5:2 & Galatians 6:13)
Those of us who have been Christians for a long time often forget what it’s like to be hostage to sin. We can become complacent and even ungrateful.
If freedom has become boring to you, or if you tend to focus on what you can’t do, consider this again:
…”Not only are you no longer a slave to sin, but you are freed to be holy and to enjoy life with Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:22)
Lets celebrate our freedom today by taking time to thank God for the things we are able and free to do as His servant!
…Living for Christ brings true freedom.
…Freedom doesn’t give us the right to do what we please, but to do what pleases God …His way.
…Our greatest freedom is freedom from sin.
Celebrate! Make YOUR Declaration of Independence!
Hahaha …lets set off the fireworks show in heaven to celebrate God’s work in our lives …we can do that EVERY day!
Have a safe and prosperous race today!
Enjoy the fireworks!
Bob ♥ Kathy Butcher
Chaplains / Pastors to:
NASCAR K & N Pro Series West
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