Go Deeper - FREEDOM
Go Deeper – Freedom
Happy Independence Day – I hope you all celebrated with friends, family and high explosives!
We’ve spoken the last several weeks about how our political freedom has it’s foundation in our spiritual freedom. We’ve been reminded that true freedom is independence from sin and dependence on God. We sang the song, ‘How Great the Father’s Love for Us’ whose words illuminate the truth behind the price that was paid for our freedom. I wonder, as we bask in freedom’s holy light, if we recognize that freedom itself is not the goal. Freedom is like money. We all work for it, we all need it, but money alone will not buy happiness. While the color of money is green eating it will provide no significant form of sustenance. While we could string rows and columns of dollar bills together living in a house literally made of money wouldn’t be comfortable very long.
The work we do to earn a paycheck is not so much about the money we receive, but the things that money can buy. Money is the means, it is not the end. Every dollar represents food on the table, clothes on our back, roof over our head, and fun to be had.
Freedom is like that. We work and sacrifice for freedom’s sake, but freedom is the means, it is not the end. So what will you do with your freedom? Are you trying to live up to the American Dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Are you simply trying to get by or get ahead? There’s so much more to our freedom than we really understand.
In Galatians 5 God gives us a list. It’s unique because God himself says that against the things in this list there are no laws! It’s the ultimate freedom, to have no rules and no boundaries, to live your life where everything is just right. You’re familiar with this list. We call it the Fruit of the Spirit. Below I’ve listed the fruit and with it some prayers I pray regularly about how I invest my freedom. How will you invest yours?
For the next several hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of
I choose love…
No occasion justifies hatred; No injustice warrants bitterness.
I will remember that love covers a multitude of sins. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose love.
I choose joy…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker.
I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God.
I will refuse to see any problems anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose joy.
I choose peace…
As much as is up to me I will live peaceably with all men.
I will live forgiven. And I will forgive so that I may live.
I choose peace.
I choose patience…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so.
Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray.
Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose patience.
I choose kindness…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.
And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I choose kindness.
I choose goodness…
I will go without before I take dishonest gain.
I will be overlooked before I will boast.
I will confess before I will accuse.
I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness…
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust.
My associates will not question my word.
My spouse will not question my love.
And my children will never fear that I will not come home.
I choose faithfulness.
I choose gentleness…
I choose to be gentle. I will remember that a soft answer turns away wrath.
If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be of myself.
I choose gentleness.
I choose self-control…
I am a spiritual being.
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot, rule that that will not.
I will make my decisions based on eternity rather than the moment.
I choose self-control.
So today, how will you invest your freedom? Live by rules, die by the rules or live by the Spirit and discover what true freedom is all about.
Love y’all,
Notes to Notice
REHEARSAL MANIA!
6:00 Instrumental Ensemble in the Worship Center
6:30 Celebration Choir in RM800
7:30 All Together in
Praise Team Auditions
Every one who auditioned for Praise Teams did a great job! Thanks for trying out! Be watching here in the weeks to come for details what Praise Teams this fall will look like!
Opening Day – Character Auditions
It’s coming faster than we think; the beginning of a new school year, a new semester and a new season for everyone involved in
FarPoint Weekend
It’s coming…September 15th & 16th – and we’re leading. Plan now to attend. More details to follow!
Order of Service
Pre-service – COUNTDOWN
PRE-SERVICE CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC
Grace Greater than Our Sin – G, BH – 329
SERVICE START
CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior – A, CHART
Famous One – G, CHART
WELCOME & WELCOME SONG (I-jam)
CHOIR SPECIAL
You Are Redemption
CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC
In the Secret – G, CHART
The Heart of Worship – E, CHART (be sure to check key for all)
I Surrender All – D, BH – 275
SPECIAL MUSIC
You Were There – Wendi Stacy
MESSAGE
The Right Reverend, Page Cole
DRAMA IN MESSAGE
MESSAGE
The Right Reverend, Page Cole
INVITATION
I Surrender All – D, BH – 275
OFFERING | ANNOUNCEMENTS
Presentation of New Members
Close
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior – A, CHART
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