“ONE NATION UNDER GOD”

Text:      1 Peter: 2:16-17

Thesis:   With Freedom comes great responsibility.  Freedom is not the right to do what you want but the liberty to do what is right.

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I.   God has called us to “live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover- up for evil….” (vs.16)

      A.  Freedom of the press is not God’s blessing to print pornography.

      B. Freedom of speech is not permission to use foil language and hateful rhetoric.

      C.  Freedom of Religion is not the right to blaspheme God.

D.    Freedom of Choice is not the right to abort the unborn baby or redefine the Biblical definition of

      marriage.

II.   God has called us to, “live as free men…and show respect to everyone;” (vs. 17) 

      A. Exercise your freedom by loving your families.

            1. “Everyone” begins with your family.

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family,

he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.  I Timothy 5:8

      B. Exercise your freedom by, “loving the brotherhood of believers.” (vs.17b)

            1.   The Church is the body of Christ that must be built, loved and nurtured because is Jesus is going to                return for her.

            2.   The Church is the “Ark” for a world drowning in sin.

      C.  Exercise your freedom by “fearing God.” (vs17c)

            1.   Insure that you are on God’s side by knowing His Son and following His Word.

            2.   God is a Holy God and will not be mocked.

            3.   Seek to be the “Apple of his eye”.

      D. Exercise your freedom by, “honoring the King”. (vs17d)

            1.   We are to Pray for our president and elected leaders.

            2.   We are to elect Godly men and women to be our leaders.

                  (There is no one in the United States to blame for its elected officials but its citizens.)

            3.   “Work while there is still light.” Jesus