FACES OF FREEDOM

Series: Americas 250th | Pastor Daniel Norris

Text: Psalm 78:1-7 (ESV)

Psalm 33:12 (ESV) “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.”

A nation is not preserved by one generation’s dedication, but by every generation’s decision.

Psalm 78:1–7 (ESV)

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3

4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done…7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

President Ronald Reagan warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

1. THE FACE OF FREEDOM

Sergeant Daniel Casara

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done (vs 4).

“Never let anyone tell you that your outcome will be determined by your situation. If someone is down, reach out and pull them up. You’ll heal faster in the process” (Sergeant Daniel Casara).

Every freedom we enjoy today was secured by someone else’s sacrifice.

That is the story of America but it’s also the story of the Gospel.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, ESV)

Jesus didn’t just preach a message of freedom he then laid down his life for our freedom.

2. THE FACE OF PATRIOTISM

Staff Sergeant Sean Bennett

that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children (vs 6)

“How am I stewarding the freedom I’ve been given?”

God established three institutions for the flourishing of humanity.

The family.

The church.

Government.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)

Patriotism means grateful stewardship, not national worship.

Grateful Stewardship…

Pray for our nation.

Vote with biblical conviction.

Serve your community.

Raise godly children.

Be salt and light.

3. THE FACE OF PROVIDENCE

Lieutenant Colonel Kent Solheim

so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments (vs7)

Providence is God’s hand at work, even when life doesn’t go according to our plans.

The greatest threat to a nation is not what attacks it from the outside. It’s what it forgets on the inside.

A nation is not preserved by one generation’s dedication. It is preserved by every generation’s decision.