I was sitting here thinking about the 4th of July and what it means to us. I’m not going to write some long history lesson here, schools out right? But, bear with me a second, okay? I wonder what is was like when the first guy stood up in the meeting place and said, “Gentlemen it is time we call for independence!” Think about what that must have felt like to be the man to first say that. He was probably putting his life on the line and everything he had gained in this new country of ours. All could be lost if nobody was willing to stand with him. What a feeling, to stand in face of possible death and declare freedom. I think of this fledgling country of ours at that time called America, going up against one of the most powerful countries of that time. They had more money, they had an actual army which was much more organized, they had ships to carry them, they had leaders in place to oversee a battle, and they of course had battle experience. And we had none of that. We were a group of people who started this country under missionary purposes which grew to provide great wealth for the motherland, England, and we were declaring our freedom from them. This wasn’t the first time this had ever happened. 2000 yrs ago, one man raised up for you. Only He was raised up by soldiers, on a cross, bleeding to death, with nails stuck in Him. And at that moment HE declared independence, for you and for me! The battle didn’t last years but only three days later. And our freedom was won. Freedom from sin, guilt, judgment, disgrace, humiliation, pain, sorrow. He was all of that on the cross, for you and for me. He has freed us! A one man wrecking crew to set us free. Aren’t you glad of that? Is our God amazing or what? Is there any other god that can stand in front of our God? Not even close. So today I am declaring today as de-pendence day, that’s right dependence, on JESUS!!!!!

Galatians 5:1 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.
Job 33:9 I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt.
Psalm 116:16 O LORD, truly I am your servant; you have freed me from my chains.
Psalm 118:5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
Psalm 146:7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free.