"Liberty," along with freedom, is frequently used more at July 4th just as the words "hope, peace and joy" are similarly used at Christmas and the New Year.
When we hear the word “liberty” our thoughts are usually of political freedom. However, in New England in the 1600’s “liberty” principally meant religious freedom. Our early settlers took the Bible quite seriously. “Liberty” in the Scriptures involves freedom from sin. In numerous passages, statements like this are made: “…because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” “But now that you have been set free from sin and you have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” (Romans 6:7,18,22).
The pilgrims, and those who followed them, came here desiring freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their own hearts. They wanted freedom to follow God’s will as they understood it. In order to gain this liberty, they went through a lot. First, they had to leave their homeland of England. Second, they endured great hardship in crossing the ocean in small vessels and thirdly, they faced the arduous task of carving out a settlement(s) in the North American wilderness. They did all this because they earnestly desired religious liberty. Our political liberty today is the result of their sacrifices. The Bible states “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Ironically, groups today are attempting to use our political freedom to restrict religious liberty of others.
Religious and political freedom was not perfect in the colonies or early America. For that matter it is not perfect today either. However, we must note that liberty does not necessarily ever mean total freedom to do any and everything. Even today there is a limit to liberty. This is a Biblical concept. The Word of God teaches that we are not to misuse our liberty at the expense of someone else. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13). “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16). “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9).
Liberty does not mean license. Appreciate it and use it correctly. The abuse of liberty can be harmful to yourself and others. Liberty should not be taken lightly - it costs a great deal. We should dedicate ourselves to protect it and provide it for others.
Rev. Kenneth Fellenbaum
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Prelude to Pentecost
Luke begins his second book, Acts, by describing the words and actions of Jesus before his ascension back to heaven (see Acts 1:1-11). In these eleven verses there are many things that a teacher or preacher could expound upon. For the purpose of this message, I would like to point out three or four things.
First of all, there is the important matter of Christ's resurrection. Luke states that "after his suffering," he convinced them that he was alive. Jesus did this by the following: a) "He showed himself to them" (v.3). Jesus appeared before them personally. He was literally present and visible. b) "He gave many convincing proofs" (v.3). Among the things he did was to show them his hands and his feet. The nail marks from the crucifixion were clearly evident to them. He invited them to "touch me and see" (Luke 24:39). He went on to say, "A ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." c) Jesus "appeared to them over a period of forty days" (Acts 1:3). These numerous meetings further underscore that this was not one or two appearances that they might have just imagined his presence. d) On one occasion, he ate with them (Acts 1:4); "Do you have anything here to eat?" he asked. "They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate it in their presence" (Luke 24:41-43). This is something that a ghost does not do! The fact that the disciples needed to be convinced is further proof of the resurrection. To a man they all came to believe it, even "doubting Thomas," and testified publicly that Jesus rose from the grave. All but John were eventually martyred for their beliefs and faith.
Secondly, Jesus instructed them again about the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 5, & 8). Before his crucifixion, Jesus had given them a lengthy lesson about the Holy Spirit (see John 14-16). No doubt they did not comprehend everything about the Spirit's new role the first time they heard it. What he emphasized here before he ascended was that they should "wait in Jerusalem for the gift my Father promised." In ten days this occurred with the filling of the believers by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The point is that before the disciples began to carry out Christ's great commission to take the gospel into all the world they would need to be empowered by the Spirit. This is still necessary for Christians today.
Thirdly, Jesus told them, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). According to prophecy, the Gospel was to go forth first from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3, Luke 24:47). Then after being proclaimed, in the surrounding area, the message was to go to "all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This command remains in effect for Christ's disciples today. Our Jerusalem is wherever we live. Judea and Samaria represents our state and country and the "ends of the earth" simply means the whole world. We can and should personally witness wherever we are. We can carry out the missionary mandate by supporting others who are willing to leave their homes and carry the message abroad. Support involves our prayers and financial contributions.
In conclusion we notice that shortly before he left, Jesus disciples still were not clear about "the Kingdom." This is evident from their question, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel" (Acts 1:6). Note that Jesus did not delay his return to further instruct them about this. Christ's disciples need not have a complete and perfect knowledge of the Bible before they can be used by him for service.
First of all, there is the important matter of Christ's resurrection. Luke states that "after his suffering," he convinced them that he was alive. Jesus did this by the following: a) "He showed himself to them" (v.3). Jesus appeared before them personally. He was literally present and visible. b) "He gave many convincing proofs" (v.3). Among the things he did was to show them his hands and his feet. The nail marks from the crucifixion were clearly evident to them. He invited them to "touch me and see" (Luke 24:39). He went on to say, "A ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." c) Jesus "appeared to them over a period of forty days" (Acts 1:3). These numerous meetings further underscore that this was not one or two appearances that they might have just imagined his presence. d) On one occasion, he ate with them (Acts 1:4); "Do you have anything here to eat?" he asked. "They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate it in their presence" (Luke 24:41-43). This is something that a ghost does not do! The fact that the disciples needed to be convinced is further proof of the resurrection. To a man they all came to believe it, even "doubting Thomas," and testified publicly that Jesus rose from the grave. All but John were eventually martyred for their beliefs and faith.
Secondly, Jesus instructed them again about the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 5, & 8). Before his crucifixion, Jesus had given them a lengthy lesson about the Holy Spirit (see John 14-16). No doubt they did not comprehend everything about the Spirit's new role the first time they heard it. What he emphasized here before he ascended was that they should "wait in Jerusalem for the gift my Father promised." In ten days this occurred with the filling of the believers by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The point is that before the disciples began to carry out Christ's great commission to take the gospel into all the world they would need to be empowered by the Spirit. This is still necessary for Christians today.
Thirdly, Jesus told them, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). According to prophecy, the Gospel was to go forth first from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3, Luke 24:47). Then after being proclaimed, in the surrounding area, the message was to go to "all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This command remains in effect for Christ's disciples today. Our Jerusalem is wherever we live. Judea and Samaria represents our state and country and the "ends of the earth" simply means the whole world. We can and should personally witness wherever we are. We can carry out the missionary mandate by supporting others who are willing to leave their homes and carry the message abroad. Support involves our prayers and financial contributions.
In conclusion we notice that shortly before he left, Jesus disciples still were not clear about "the Kingdom." This is evident from their question, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel" (Acts 1:6). Note that Jesus did not delay his return to further instruct them about this. Christ's disciples need not have a complete and perfect knowledge of the Bible before they can be used by him for service.
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