Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

High atop the United States Capitol dome in Washington stands the statue of the stately “Freedom Lady,” almost 20 feet high.

Her face is framed by a crest of stars.

A shield of stars and stripes is in her left hand.

The sculptured Freedom Lady was brought from Rome during a fierce storm, and the captain ordered some cargo thrown overboard.

The sailors wanted to include the heavy statue, but the captain refused, shouting above the wind, “No! Never!

We’ll flounder before we throw “Freedom” away.”

—James C. H

This memorial day we are to remember two things… Who and Why.

Who were these men and women who gave their lives for us?

Why did they do it?

What was so precious that they would be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the benefit of those who would outlive them?

The answer to who is the American Soldier and the why is for the sake of freedom.

Freedom is so precious, so essential to humanity, so vulnerable to attack from the forces of darkness that honorable men and women have placed its value above all else.

The Apostle Paul tells us of the value of freedom:

This verse tells us to stand fast in liberty.

The last part of the verse presents both exhortation and warning.

Stand, then, as free people is intensive and is better translated “stand firm” or, in a figurative sense, “dig your heels in firmly.”

While the Greek does not have as free people, yet it is clear that what Paul wants the Galatians to be firm about is their freedom in Christ.

Stand, then, as free people may be rendered as “Determine to remain free,” or “Be sure that you remain as people who have been released.”

As we meditate upon the sacrifices made in our behalf, we must not forget that it was the veneration of freedom that drove that sacrifice.

We as Americans, and as Christians, enjoy blood bought freedom.

We must do as Paul tells us and dig our heels in firmly to stand for the freedom that was purchased with blood.

The warning in this verse shows us that once freedom has been purchased, it is possible to me snared again with bondage.

The word entangled is from enecho (ἐνεχο), which means “to be held within, to be ensnared.”

It is used of those who are held in a physical (net or the like) or ethical (law, dogma, emotion) restriction upon their liberty, so that they are unable to free themselves.

The Galatian Christians, having escaped from the slavery of heathenism, were in danger of becoming entangled in the meshes of legalistic Judaism.

Paul in 4:1–7 had already told them of the fact that grace had placed them as adult sons in the family of God, and in 4:8–10 had asked them how it was that they were turning back to such an elementary method of living their lives.

Now, in 5:1 he enforces his exhortation and launches out into a discussion of the Spirit-filled life.

With that in mind, let us do what is required of us this memorial day weekend.

Let us remember on purpose.

Let us remember what it was to lack freedom.

Let us remember what it cost to obtain freedom, and let us remember to defend freedom for those who will come after us.

Let us Stand Firm and Stand Free!

Remember What it was Like to Lack Freedom.

As a believer

Remember the slavery of sin

john

deut 24

deut 22

Remember your helplessness

As an American

ps 40 2-3

No freedom of religion

No freedom of speech, thought or expression

No freedom to defend yourself

No freedom from search, seizure surveillance

No due process

No right to choose your leader

The innocent were victimized, not protected

If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money that it values more, it will lose that, too.

—Doubleday

Remember the Cost of Freedom

As a Believer

john

As an American

Those who were willing to stand loud and proud to defend freedom.

Those who lost personal freedom to defend national freedom

Those who were willing to take up arms to defend freedom

Those who were willing to leave home and loved ones to defend freedom

Those who were willing to never come home again

Those who were willing to die....

REMEMBER THE COST OF FREEDOM

Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

—Benjamin Franklin

Remember to Defend Freedom for Those Who Will Follow After Us.

As Believers

Avoid the bondage of legalism

Avoid the bondage of sin

Use freedom to do right

As Americans

Know what freedoms have been purchased with the blood of soldiers

Never ever stand by silently while these freedoms erode.

Stand against tyranny of all forms.

Liberty is always unfinished business.

—The Ethical Outlook

So as believers, and as Americans, let us dig in our heals.

Let us stand fast … let us stand free!