“Your Declaration of Independence”
Introduction:
“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
“the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).
John 8:36, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
“longing for a better country, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).
“through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set [us] free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
I. A Christian’s conversion is a declaration of war.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. … 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matthew 10:34, 36).
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
“What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph” (Thomas Paine, The Crisis—December, 1776).
II. A Christian’s conversion is a declaration of separation.
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved...”
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
“"Therefore come out from them and be separate," says the Lord. "Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. 18 I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE
Introduction:
“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
“the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).
John 8:36, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
“longing for a better country, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).
“through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set [us] free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
I. A Christian’s conversion is a declaration of war.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. … 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matthew 10:34, 36).
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
“What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph” (Thomas Paine, The Crisis—December, 1776).
II. A Christian’s conversion is a declaration of separation.
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved...”
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
“"Therefore come out from them and be separate," says the Lord. "Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. 18 I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
LISTEN TO AUDIO MESSAGE HERE
