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John 8:31-40; Romans 4:1-25; Hebrews 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 4:16-21; [John 14:16]; John 3:16, 17

As we approach 4th of July and review the history of our forefathers, we are thankful for the freedoms they fought for us to receive. In much the same fashion as we offer prayers of thanksgiving and celebrate our nation’s freedoms and liberties, it is also a good time to be thankful for the freedoms we have in Christ Jesus and to examine the scriptures regarding our spiritual forefathers.

Abraham is called the father of all them that believe. In John, when Jesus Christ was teaching his disciples about the truth which will make them free, he was confronted by the Jews regarding Abraham. The Jews emphasized to Jesus Christ that they were of Abraham’s lineage. But Jesus Christ introduced a greater lineage than by blood. That was family or lineage by spirit to all those who believed.

Abraham believed God, as it says in Romans, and it was "counted unto him for righteousness." Abraham looked for the Messiah. Jesus Christ confronted the Jews by saying, "If Abraham was your father, you would do the deeds of Abraham. You would act as he did and be a man of faith." Yet the Jews sought to kill Jesus, the Messiah.
Abraham was persuaded that what God had promised He would perform. God told him the Messiah, the Christ, would come out of his loins. Abraham so believed in the promised resurrection that he was ready to offer up Isaac, his only son, because he thought Isaac could have been the Messiah.

Hebrews speaks of how Abraham looked for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He was a man of great hope. We take pride in the freedoms we have in this country, yet they are very small compared to the hope we have before us in the new heaven and new earth to come when all things will be new. In that newness, there will be no more sorrow, death, crying or pain. All that is evil will no longer exist. It will all be brand new.

The Statue of Liberty is the gateway into the United States. She symbolizes freedom nationally. The masses have flocked to our shores to enjoy the freedoms we have. Her message is, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these homeless, tempest tossed, to me." Yet in the scriptures we see an even greater invitation to extend to those who would accept. The invitation is to come to Jesus Christ and become eternally free. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to God except through him. We have good news to preach. As we celebrate our country’s freedom, let us remember to extend the invitation so that others can receive spiritual freedom.


#238 A Better Country -- July 1, 2001 ©2001 / Steven A. Michels 63:36 minutes
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""A Better Country"- Rev. Steve Michels John 8:31-40; Romans 4:1-25; Hebrews 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 4:16-21; [John 14:16]; John 3:16, 17 As we approach 4th of July and review the history of our forefathers, we are thankful for the freedoms they fought for us to receive. In much the same fashion as we offer prayers of thanksgiving and celebrate our nation’s freedoms and liberties, it is also a good time to be thankful for the freedoms we have in Christ Jesus and to examine the scriptures regarding our spiritual forefathers. Abraham is called the father of all them that believe. In John, when Jesus Christ was teaching his disciples about the truth which will make them free, he was confronted by the Jews regarding Abraham. The Jews emphasized to Jesus Christ that they were of Abraham’s lineage. But Jesus Christ introduced a greater lineage than by blood. That was family or lineage by spirit to all those who believed. Abraham believed God, as it says in Romans, and it was "counted unto him for righteousness." Abraham looked for the Messiah. Jesus Christ confronted the Jews by saying, "If Abraham was your father, you would do the deeds of Abraham. You would act as he did and be a man of faith." Yet the Jews sought to kill Jesus, the Messiah. Abraham was persuaded that what God had promised He would perform. God told him the Messiah, the Christ, would come out of his loins. Abraham so believed in the promised resurrection that he was ready to offer up Isaac, his only son, because he thought Isaac could have been the Messiah. Hebrews speaks of how Abraham looked for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He was a man of great hope. We take pride in the freedoms we have in this country, yet they are very small compared to the hope we have before us in the new heaven and new earth to come when all things will be new. In that newness, there will be no more sorrow, death, crying or pain. All that is evil will no longer exist. It will all be brand new. The Statue of Liberty is the gateway into the United States. She symbolizes freedom nationally. The masses have flocked to our shores to enjoy the freedoms we have. Her message is, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these homeless, tempest tossed, to me." Yet in the scriptures we see an even greater invitation to extend to those who would accept. The invitation is to come to Jesus Christ and become eternally free. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to God except through him. We have good news to preach. As we celebrate our country’s freedom, let us remember to extend the invitation so that others can receive spiritual freedom.