The Adult Choir: Independence Day, “God Bless America” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Rev. Jimmy opened with alter pray. Members of the congregation were invited to gather for the pray: Mrs. Sylvia Burney, Mr. Joe Locklear, Mrs. Maurice Smith, Mrs. Patricia Carter and others requested were given anointed on behalf of their friends and family. Many, many requests were given for the sick, shut-ins, and the lost. There were many unspoken request.
Mr. Russell Strickland prayed, “Oh, Dear God, it’s again that we thank You for this day its nothing good that we have done but it through Your love and mercy that allows us to meet here this day . . . . .
in this day and time, when its seems that everything that is proclaimed to the right many profess to be wrong . . . and the things Your Word declares wrong it taken to be right in this . . . . . . To the God that is always on the throne You are God in the beginning and You will be God in the end. We thank You God”
Rev. Jimmy Opening Comments:
“It’s good to be able to come and we know there are people who would love to be here today. We visited in the rest homes and in several homes this week and fellowship with some of the residents. Their desire was to get out recalled the days when they were able to worship on Sunday in God’s House.” Many shut-ins do not have the opportunity of these precious times we share today.
The Message: “But, I was Free Born.”
ACT 22:25-29 “And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?” 26 “When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.” 27 “Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.” 28 “And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.” 29 “Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.” Prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, we are thankful for this day that You have laid upon our hearts with these our brothers and sisters to worship here today. We are thankful for the opportunity to see another Independence Day . . . . . . Now Lord, “Bless us as only You can.” Amen
The scriptures and previous chapters, “you will find that Paul had been arrested by a group of “church people.” These people had arrested Paul and were trying to bring him down as they were false prophets who would follow him from city to city.” In Chapter 21 and 22, they possibly had already bound him to beat him. Paul told them he was a Roman citizen. Of course, Paul would try anything to keep from being beaten so severely. He did not lie. He was a Roman citizen, a Jew, a Pharisee, and a Christian. It was against the law to scourge a Roman citizen without a trial and conviction. Paul was wise to inform them that he was a Roman. In the scriptures,” we see the centurion took control of the situation and call for the chief captain knowing that Paul was a Roman citizen.” Paul admitted that he was all things to all people that some might be saved.
Reading from Chapter 21″These men, false teacher, they cried out men of Israel help for this man has brought great disappointment” to us with his degrading words. Paul has been given a great duty to share the gospel message. Paul has an opportunity to speak, listen and give Paul an ear that he might share his message. Paul begin to speak in Hebrew tongue; they listen to what Paul was saying. He shared his testimony to the people. “Every person has an opportunity to share their testimony. Do you share the message of God or do you feel that your is not strong enough?”
Paul stated, Let me share with you, “I went out as a worker, I did everything I could
do to shut down the word of God. When I was on the road there was a great light that
shine around me and I fell to the ground”. That voice said, “Saul, Saul, why persecutes
thou me?” Saul said, “who art thou, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom
thou persecute.” When Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened,
he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
“When the Lord called you what will you do? Let your testimony show that you are willing to step out for Christ? You answers should be, Lord what do you want me to do”. Your life should be a life working for God and the Kingdom of Heaven. We should do what right! As Paul goes on sharing the Gospel message – then when he comes down to the point the false teachers stated: Acts 22: 22:23, “And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live: And they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,”
Paul was sent out the share the Gospel message with the Gentiles. Again, that when everything fell apart, but the centurion came by and thing changed. Paul said, “Is it right for a man to scourge a Roman” and condemn him. That changed everything. Paul confirms it again, that he did not buy his freedom, “But, I am free born.” That what Christian are today, we are born in the body of Christ.
Three Important Factors about Freedom:
1. Freedom is not free unless you are willing to pay a prize for it: Our men and women sitting here
today were part of the (Wars) Vietnam War and return accomplished very little, but they were willing
to gives their lives.
2. We see young people burn the “American Flag – what in the world does this mean?” We have lost sight of what our values are and the Pledge of Allegiance must mean something to ever America – Freedom.
3. Freedom is only free if we are willing to sacrifice for this freedom.
In closing, there are a lots of suffering here on Earth, but we’re seeing a return to God. We have read for you today two articles from the magazine, “Voice of the Martyrs“. In the articles, their only concerns were would they be alive at the end of the day.” Freedom is only available when there are sacrifices to be made.
Rev. Jimmy Locklear
Pastor
