LIBERTY.. RUINED BY LICENSE    
Pastor Bob Chroninger        Trinity C.U.  7-4-99  A.M.     		1Corinthians 8:9-12 
  
	Today is "Independence" Day... a reminder of the historical event in 1776 when fifty-six 
 men put their signatures to a document that would set off the revolutionary war... setting the 
 American colonies FREE from Great Britain.  There was a strong desire for Liberty.. and the
 control of their own destiny. Liberty comes with great responsibility and a need for great 
 diligence... or it soon becomes bondage again! 
I.  LIBERTY... Lifts...
  A. The "Watchword" of the birthing of our nation.. 
    1. Patrick Henry.. speech of 3-23-1775.. "... Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is
       no peace. The war is actually begun!  The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring
       to our ears the clash of resounding arms!  Our brethren are already in the field!  Why 
       stand we here idle?  What is it that gentlemen wish?  What would they have?  Is life so 
       dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid
       it, Almighty God!  I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty
       or give me death!" 
    2. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.. 
	- And.. in the preamble... "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created 
        equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among 
        these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ..." 
	- And.. at the close..  "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the 
        protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and 
        our sacred Honor." 
  B. The Desire of Today.. to be FREE to do as we please !! 
    1. Free from "rules" 
    2. Free from "responsibility" 
    3. Free from "accountability" 
II.  LICENSE.. to do wrong.. Destroys..
  A. It Is Not A "Given"... 
    1. James Madison.. "We stake the whole future of American civilzation not on the power
       of government, but upon the capacity of each and everyone of us to govern ourselves 
       according to the Ten Commandments of God." 
    2. John Q. Adams.. "No government in the world is big enough to make you do what is right. 
       If you don't do right out of your heart... government can't make you... or stop the crime."
       "Our constitution was made only for a moral & religious people and it is wholly inadequate 
       for the government of any other." 
  B. It Is An Abuse!! 
    1. And.. every perversion of the sinful heart is coming in as a Flood! 
	- Listen to the prayer of Pastor Joe Wright, Kansas State Legislature. 
    2. "Take Heed"... 1Cor.8:9-12  (it is sin); Gal.5:13; 1Pet.2:16 
III. LOVE  and diligence is the "better" way... And Makes It Work...
  A. Love the "Word" and be Free... Jn.8:32 
    1. You Must Look into it.. James 1:25 
    2. You Must Live By it.. 
    3. You Will Be Judged By It...  Jas.2:12 
  B. Love God.. and be Free... 
    1. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.. 2Cor.3:17 
  C. Love and Serve Others.. and be Free... 1Cor.9:19; Gal.5:13,14 
  D. Love The Son.. and be Free.. John 8:36.. Free Indeed!!! 
    1. Free from sin and death... Ro.6:18; 8:2 
    2. Free from guilt..  Psalm 32 
   3. Free from wrath..  Ro.1:18; 2:5-8; 5:9; Eph.5:6; 1Thes.1:10; 5:9 
THANK GOD.. NO MATTER WHAT THE GOVERNMENT... 
	JESUS SETS THE REPENTANT BELIEVER FREE... TRULY FREE !!!