Celebrating Freedom
Sunday’s Verse:
From John 17:3 ESV
(Jesus said) “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
During the past couple of days, we’ve seen amazing sights as our nation celebrated its 250th Birthday. Whether it was the fireworks at Mount Rushmore on Friday, the ship parade in the Hudson River on Independence Day, or just the hot dog you chowed down this weekend (not getting close to Joey Chestnut’s 66 dogs in 10 minutes at Nathan’s annual contest on Coney Island - and I refuse to call a hot dog a “glizzy”), at the core of it all was our love for this nation we call home.
As we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation this weekend, we rightly give thanks for the blessings of liberty, self-government, and peace that God has graciously provided through our country. Political freedom is a precious gift and one worth celebrating and protecting.
Yet in John 17:3, Jesus reminds us of an even greater freedom and a far greater citizenship. Eternal life is not found in constitutions, declarations, armies, or governments. Eternal life is found in knowing "the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent."
Our nation's independence was won through sacrifice on battlefields long ago. Our eternal freedom was won through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. There Jesus defeated our greatest enemies—sin, death, and the devil—and through His resurrection He opened the gates of everlasting life to all who believe.
As Christians, we give thanks for our earthly homeland while remembering that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. We pray for our country, serve our neighbors, and cherish our freedoms, all while fixing our eyes on the kingdom that will never fade away.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, we thank You for the blessings You have given our nation over these past 250 years. Preserve our land in peace and justice, guide our leaders with wisdom, and help us to use our freedoms in service to our neighbors. Above all, keep us steadfast in the saving knowledge of You and of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whom we have eternal life. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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