Sermons

Live as Free People! I. Enjoy the freedom you have, II. But live as servants of God INTRODUCTION “I enjoy my first amendment right of free speech to be able to say what I want.” “I plead the 5th so that I will not incriminate myself.” “I am glad that I live in a country where I can practice my religion without fear of persecution or punishment.” Perhaps you recognize those as statements made by people on the basis of the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to our country’s constitution. On this Independence Day weekend that is the essence of what we celebrate as citizens of our free and blessed country. But it also does us well as Christians and Christian citizens of our country to listen to what God’s Word has to say. On this Independence Day weekend, as Christian citizens of our free country we turn our attention to the words of our first lesson, 1 Peter 2:13-17, and listen as Peter instructs us to Live As Free People!. In helping us to understand that as Christians, Peter first of all encourages us 1) enjoy the freedom you have, 2) But live as servants of God. Listen for those thoughts as we again read vv. 13-17 of 1 Peter chapter 2. I. Enjoy the freedom you have, Because of many recent world events, we have been made to realize that the freedoms, liberties, standard of living and in general the way of life in our country are the exception in the world and not the standard. Many have spoken in recent years of the tremendous blessings which we have and the temptation that they can easily be taken for granted. I say that because it is very interesting to note the context in which Peter writes the words of our text. Peter was living during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Nero – one of the most violent persecutors of Christians. Yet, Peter states in v. 16 “live as free men”. Whether we live in the US in 2003 or in Rome in the first century, Peter tells us to enjoy our freedom. If we have the blessings of a government which gives us freedom, Peter says that is great and we should enjoy it. Even if we don’t, Peter still reminds us we are free. In the verses just before our text, (2:9) Peter reminds his readers that they are “a chosen people….belong to God….who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The ultimate freedom that we have is that God has freed us from the darkness of sin, Peter says “enjoy that” and if you get the blessings of other freedoms, enjoy them. This Independence Day weekend enjoy and thank God for the double freedom you have. Peter shows us how to do that (v. 15) “It is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men”. Stop and ask yourself “How have I used the blessings of freedom and liberty which I have to do good for others?”. Peter’s words remind us that this is not just something we do because that is the American way of life, this is an opportunity for us to thank God for the many and rich blessings which he has given us. Peter also gives us a warning “do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil”. While we are to enjoy our freedom, we are not to abuse it. Just because we live in a country where we could probably do a few things and get away with them and not get caught, Peter reminds us that if that is the attitude we are going to take, we are not showing true thanks four our freedom and liberty. II. But live as servants of God This leads very nicely into the second thing Peter has to say about living as free people. “Live as servants of God”, with an attitude of servanthood to everyone. Notice what Peter says “live as servants of God”. He reminds us that whether it is obeying the government or even children obeying your parents, it is ultimately God whom we are obeying and serving! Commenting on this and other similar verses in Scripture, Martin Luther said “A Christian is a perfectly free lord, subject to no one; a Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all”. In our Gospel lesson (Mathew 22:15-22) Jesus reminded us how we are to be subject to the government as God’s representatives. Respecting, honoring and obeying the government as representatives of God is one way of living as servants of God. I would imagine that what Jesus says about that will get put to the test in our community in the coming week. If you read the local paper this past week, perhaps you saw that this coming Tuesday, July 8, new property tax assessments and very likely higher taxes will be mailed out. When you open that mail on Wednesday or whenever it is, what is going to be your reaction? Is it going to be “the government has enough of my money already, why should I give them more!” Or will this be an opportunity for you to say “Is this the least I can do to support the wonderful freedoms and liberties I have?”. Peter goes on to say “Respect everyone”. This past week one of our members shared with me a saying that ties into this. The essence of it was this “When the country is doing fine and the military is visible and active, then everyone respects both and honors them. When the country is not doing well or the military is not active and visible, then they are slighted and forgotten. Peter reminds us that we live as servants of God when we respect and honor the government all the time. But not just the government, our fellow citizens, even if we do not agree with them or like them, and most of all, our fellow Christians! CONCLUSION On this Independence Day weekend and every day which God continues to give us as free citizens of our country, may we do the same. Enjoy the blessings which you have, but use them with the attitudes and actions of servants of God who gave us all. Amen.