Good morning, and a most blessed Thursday to you.

As we are just a couple of days away from our nation's 250th birthday, I'd like to talk about freedom.

It is such a blessing to live in a nation that values freedom and liberty—a nation founded upon those principles. We are truly grateful for the freedoms we enjoy. But regardless of the freedoms we have in this world, they ultimately depend on what earthly governments choose to grant, because every government is made by man.

There is, however, a freedom that stands above every law, every government, and every nation. It is the freedom we have in Christ and Christ alone. It is the freedom given to us by our Father through His Son and assured to us by the Holy Spirit.

In John 8:36, Jesus is speaking with the Israelites. They insist that they are free, yet Jesus explains that they are enslaved. Then He makes this incredible promise:

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

What joy we have as Christians to know that we have been set free—not simply because of where we live or the time in history in which we live, but because we have been set free eternally.

In Christ, we have been set free from sin. We have been set free from the devil. We have been set free from death itself.

We see that freedom most clearly in the empty tomb.

Jesus bore the full weight of the Law as He went to the cross, carrying all of our sin and enduring the punishment that we deserved. Through His death, He broke the chains of sin that held us captive. Then, by His resurrection, He revealed what true freedom really is.

Not only did He show us true freedom—He gives it to us.

He says to us, "It is yours. You are free in Me. I have paid the price. I have borne the consequences of your sin, and I declare you righteous, forgiven, and free."

So, my brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the freedom we enjoy in this country, let us also pause to contemplate, meditate upon, and praise the Lord for the eternal freedom that is ours in Christ.

It is a freedom that knows no boundaries. It is ours not because we have achieved it or earned it, but simply because God is so good. In His grace, He declares us free.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Lord, we thank You for the freedom You have given us through the cross and the empty tomb. We thank You that You have secured for us a freedom we could never secure for ourselves.

Help us to treasure this freedom. Help us to proclaim this message of freedom. And help us to love and serve You with grateful hearts, knowing that true freedom is found in You and You alone.

Bless us as we celebrate our nation's birthday. Watch over all who are traveling, keep them safe, and bring us back together again to worship and praise Your holy name—the name of Jesus Christ, who has truly set us free.

In His holy name we pray. Amen.

Have an amazing rest of your week. Enjoy the celebration, and as you do, thank the Lord for the freedom that is yours through Him and Him alone.

Until we worship together again, God bless.

Pastor Malinak