Title: Let Freedom Ring
Bible Book: Mark 4 : 35-41
Author: Kenneth Hendricks
Subject: Freedom; Independence Day; America
Objective:
Introduction
President Bush spoke these words on September 11, 2001 "Today, fellow citizens, our way of life - our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes - in their offices, secretaries, businessmen and women - military and federal workers - moms and dads - friends and neighbors - thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror...this is a day when all Americans - from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world."
Ladies and gentlemen, there's a storm brewing such as the world has never seen. How does the news today affect you? We're the land of the free and the home of the brave but greater than that we're children of God and someday we'll be in Beulah land and the home of the saved! Notice with me how to let freedom ring!
I. The Causes For The Storm In Our Country, Vs. 37
A. How They're Deserved, Vs. 37
...there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship... vs. 37.
I'm going to be honest with you; a storm of this caliber doesn't take a seasoned seaman by surprise! There are signs in the way the water is reacting. There are signs in the sky. There are signs in the change of the wind. The plain truth is that a lot of time we find ourselves in the situation we're in simply because we're not good watchmen! I honestly believe that America is in the situation it's in today because we've not been good watchmen! Notice the phrase
...it was now full... vs. 37.
I don't think that happened with one wave. I think it happened because there was a poor watch! God has given us a wonderful country and it saddens my heart to say we've kept poor watch over it in the past 50 years. I not only want you to see how they're deserved, but also how they devised.
B. How They're Devised, Vs. 37
... it was now full., vs. 37.
I was watching FOX news on TV one night and these are the sentences I heard:
"School teacher has sex with 14 year old student."
"Gay marriages now legal."
"Supreme Court rules against ending web pornography."
"Child murderer released from prison after 15 years."
God, help us! Notice what the problem was with these disciples and see exactly what the problem with America is today! ...it was now full... vs. 37. They let what was supposed to be on the outside get on the inside! We've done it with our government, our churches, our homes, our work places and our minds! I think its time to wake up Jesus! Notice not only the cause for the storm in our country, but also the cure for the storm in our country.
II. The Cure For The Storm In Our Country, Vs. 35-40
A. Our Faith Can Solve Our Problem, Vs. 35
...Let us pass over unto the other side., vs. 35.
Let me ask you this trivia question. When Jesus said, "Let us pass over unto the other side," where were they going? To the bottom? No! To the other side! We Americans have quit believing God. We've made our government god and that won't work!
Castro taught little children about God. He asked the kids to pray to God for candy and of course no candy fell from the sky. He then asked them to pray to Castro for candy and as they prayed his men threw candy to the kids. Who do you think they trusted?
That's what has happened to us! We think the government is the candy man and can solve all of our problems. We don't trust God! We have two parties vying for the leadership of this country and we're trying to decide which one can end the wars and bring prosperity to our country. Let me tell you which one - neither! Only God can save America! And He will with His promised return! And we'll cry again, “Let freedom ring!”
Do you believe God or are you still looking to some king to come and deliver us from the Romans! Not only do we see our faith can solve our problem, but also our faithfulness can solve our problem.
B. Our Faithfulness Can Solve Our Problem, Vs. 40
...how is it that ye have no faith? vs. 40.
Why? No faith, no faithfulness. When was the last time our country has been called to prayer? When was the last time you heard someone in our government give God the credit for a victory?
Conclusion
Listen to me! When was the last time this country passed a law or a right of protection for a Christian? We live in a country where it's illegal to wear a cross to work, to display the 10 Commandments in a government building, to instigate prayer in school and to dare display a nativity at school. Yet gay marriages are legal and the average age of porno viewers is 8 to 12 years old!! I say, even so come, Lord Jesus, let freedom ring!!
