freedom in Christ

+ Sixth Sunday after Pentecost +
July 4, 2010
THE MESSAGE: So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Galatians 6:9-10
Despite the ever-present danger of becoming fatigued, or growing weary in doing good, as those who are receiving the power of the cross we will work together for the benefit of all.

1. Danger of growing weary in doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 But as for you, fellow believers, do not grow weary in doing good.

a. Why do we get tired? No change, few results, no end in sight.

b. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we)do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
His mercies are new EVERY morning!

2. Blessings of working for the benefit of all, especially the community of faith

a. “Redeeming the time (moment), because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:16
Hebrews 11:33-34. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

b. What benefits all? What did our founding fathers quote more than any other source? The Word of God!
Governor Samuel Johnston, July 30, 1788 at the North Carolina Ratifying Convention Those who are Mahometans, or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, [unless] first the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves. [Elliot’s Debates, Vol. IV, pp 198-199,]
Jedediah Morse: "To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."
Benjamin Rush: • “I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them…we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government; that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible; for this Divine Book, above all others, constitutes the soul of republicanism.” “By withholding the knowledge of [the Scriptures] from children, we deprive ourselves of the best means of awakening moral sensibility in their minds.” [Letter written (1790’s) in Defense of the Bible in all schools in America]
Noah Webster “All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.” [Noah Webster. History. p. 339]
“The Bible was America’s basic textbook in all fields.” [Noah Webster. Our Christian Heritage p.5] “Education is useless without the Bible” [Noah Webster. Our Christian Heritage p.5 ]


1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.