R U Wise?

Today we had a really cool service, being July 4th weekend, we had some good tie-in with "Freedom", even rolling in several songs in that theme, including "I Am Free", one of me personal favorite U2 type worship songs! To wrap up the worship segment, I spoke about the biblical foundation of our country's government, and then my daughter Chelsea sang the Star Spangled Banner. She totally rocked. People cried. It was awesome!

In the service we looked at Matthew 2 where the "wise men" seek out Jesus, and worship Him. There is a really interesting comparison with the three characters in the situation: Herod, the scribes, and the wise men.

In Herod, we find a man who came against Jesus in a pretty big way, even killing all the male children in the Bethlehem area in an effort to snuff out the Savior. The comparison is the person who is against anything that has to do with God or Jesus - the "antagonist."

Then there were the scribes and Pharisee's. These guys should have known who Jesus was, but they just didn't care. Like the person who "knows about God", or even "believes in God", but is not really interested in a relationship with Jesus - this person is ambivalent towards the Lord.

Then there were the wise men. These guys were not even Jewish. They could n't even worship at the temple, yet the read the scriptures, and they believed! They put their belief into action, making a 500 mile road trip to go and see the Lord Jesus! And when they found Him, they "fell down and worshiped Him!"

These guys understood something - that there is a God, and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to this world to die - for me and you - so that we might live with Him forever. Have you made Him your King?

If you missed the message, click here for the audio.

Freedom Day

This week finds us heading into July 4^th weekend. Independence Day, the day we celebrate our freedom. But what are we free from?? Our Founding Fathers would tell us plainly:

• Free from tyranny
• Free from taxation without representation
• Free from unreasonable search and seizure
• Free from cruel or unusual punshment

What freedoms do we enjoy?

• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom to keep and bear arms
• Freedom of due process, a trial by jury, to face our accuser, etc.

(taken from Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and The Bill of Rights)

Gallant men gave their lives for this cause, fought and died for this cause, all so that today we can enjoy the life that we live in the greatest country in the world. As we enjoy this weekend (maybe at home because we cant afford to drive!), lets remember the price that was paid for our freedoms.

But there is a greater freedom still that God has endowed upon man, the freedom that is found in Jesus Christ

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:32-35

As Christians, we have a two-fold reason to celebrate, first the freedoms we enjoy as US citizens, but greater still the eternal freedom we have in Christ.

In Christ, we are:

• Free from bondage (Luke 4:18)
• Free from sin and death (Rom 8:2)
• Free from condemnation (Rom 8:1)
• Free from accusation (Col 1:22)
• Free from the power of sin (Rom 6:7)

And we are truly free – Free to love, free to worship, free to commune with the Lord, free to approach the throne of grace boldy!

May you all have a blessed July 4^th!

...till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay