Let Freedom Ring, Acts 22:28

The Greek word used in Acts 22:28 is politeian, and is translated “freedom” only once in the New Testament.   However, the root word, polewV, is translated “citizen” in several places in the New Testament, along with poliV, or city. 

Freedom is serious business!  The Roman captain who arrested the Apostle Paul said,

With a great sum obtained I this freedom (Acts 22:28).

People around the world love freedom.  Countries have been formed for the want of freedom.  Millions have died, not only in America, but also around the world for the sake of freedom.  

What price would we be willing to pay to maintain our freedom in America?
What price are we willing to pay for our individual freedom?
What sacrifice would suffice in order to maintain our spiritual freedom?

I dare say that most would be willing to die, not only to maintain the freedom that we now possess, but maintain that freedom for generations to come.

When the shots were fired at Concord and Lexington in 1776, Samuel Adams said, “What a glorious morning for America!"

Patrick Henry’s famous words spoken in the Virginia Convention of 1775 challenged men to courage and fortitude.  “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!”

Freedom is a precious commodity.  Although freedom came to America in 1776, with the Declaration of Independence, and later by the closing of the Revolutionary War, it was never cheaply bought.  The countless lives of men who desired freedom, whose bodies lay in the dust of the earth, and drenched the ground with their blood, made it possible that men and women would live in freedom.

Patrick Henry was quoted as saying, "The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!”

George Washington spoke these words about liberty and freedom; "The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of Liberty -- that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men.”

Thomas Jefferson wrote, "The cement of this union is in the heart blood of every American."

During the months leading up the Revolutionary War Patrick Henry further challenged men to act immediately, when he said, "They tell us Sir, that we are weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means, which, the God of nature has placed in our power.

Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of Nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us."

Human liberty is one of the greatest blessings derived from our earthly existence, because is it from the hand of God.  Washington, speaking at the Constitution Convention, said, "Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the event which is in the hands of God."

And, in 1759 Benjamin Franklin said, “They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." 

It is understood that every person in this church would be willing to sacrifice his/her life to maintain the freedom that we still possess in our land of the brave and home of the free.

*What price and sacrifice are we also willing to make in order to obtain spiritual freedom? 

*What momentous decision would be required by God’s people to bring spiritual freedom to those who have never experienced real freedom in Christ?

Remember when the Roman soldier said, With a great sum obtained I this freedom.  The Apostle Paul, speaking about his Roman citizenship, responded by answering, But I was free born.

Everyone here is an American.  Everyone here appreciates the sacrifice that was made to obtain our freedom and establish our country.

The Christian has an entirely different citizenship, when dealing with spiritual issues.  Our freedom was also purchased with blood, the blood of our Savior.   Our freedom was the direct result of His sacrifice. 

I know that each believer is eternally thankful for the freedom that we have in Christ, and for those who have gone before us, testifying to the greatness of that freedom.

Our nation is fiercely independent, but we must be ever vigilant to remain completely dependent upon the power and resources of our God.

We must remain diligent to maintain our national freedom, but we do not have to do anything to maintain our spiritual freedom.  It is the eternal gift of the Captain of our Salvation, who fully purchased that freedom.

Be thankful.  Be diligent.  Be persuasive.  The freedom that we possess must be exercised on the altar of commitment.  Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

No gift, such as freedom, should ever be taken lightly.  The testimony of our lives is the spokesperson of spiritual freedom.  The credibility of our freedom is pronounced each day we live in the power and will of God.  The greatness of our freedom in Christ is manifest as we testify to those around us who need freedom.

Let freedom ring!  Let Freedom Ring!  We should be quoted as saying, But I was free when I was born again.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

We sing this anthem with reverence.  We are angered when others do not show consideration and respect during its presentation.  What gall?  How can anyone live in this great country and not be a patriot?  Have we forgotten the sacrifice of so many?

On the bleak and cold battlefields of the world; at the Normandy cemetery and at Arlington, we would be aghast if disrespect was shown to those who paid the price for what we possess.

The blood of the patriots of the revolutionary war cries again, Let freedom ring!  Let freedom ring!

The cross of Christ is a constant reminder of freedom!  Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.”  Every Christian should also be appalled at disrespect shown to the One who purchased our freedom with His blood.   Unlike the soldier buried at Arlington, our Savior’s grave is empty.

As we examine our lives, why not be challenged to “Let freedom ring” in our spiritual lives?  Freedom to live for Christ; Freedom to live as a testimony to the greatness of our redemption and liberty; and freedom to preach and teach the truth of the Gospel so others will experience that freedom in Christ.

Let us shout it from the rooftops; let us proclaim the truth to every person and nation; let us be empowered by the Spirit of God to live as free men.   Real soldiers are willing to die for their friends and country.   As soldiers of the cross, willing to die for the cause of Christ, we ought to be willing to die to self.

The giving of our lives is an act of spiritual patriotism.  Let freedom ring!  Let Freedom Ring!