Summary: Independence Day & just when it all started.
Today we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.
Many people celebrate a variety of different ways.
Some with Bar-B-Q’s charcoaling Rib Eyes, Ribs, and Chickens.
While others like myself work at merchandising those items for sell.
We enjoy our freedom as Americans in part because of the Men of our Armed forces who paid a dear price.
We enjoy the right as Americans to:
* Own our on land
* Own our own home
* Pursue our dreams and make them becaome a reality
All of this in part due to the brave souls who fought & some that died for this Great country.
But men and women of our Armed Forces were not all who died for us.
There was another.
Independence Day started long before July 4th 1776.
The Greatest Independence Day did not begin in 1776 in America, but began from Galgotha on a cross.
I have several scriptures that I would like to read from on this our Day of Independence celebration.
And I hope to give us a new view of exactly where our Independence started.
And also to whom our gratefulness should be most directed.
Listen to these passages out of Luke; (23:33-46)
33. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37. And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41. And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Our Independence Day was when God gave his only begotten Son for our sins.
There is none any greater sacrifice than this.
That we might have “Life Eternal.”
I hope that on our future July 4th’s we will well remember to pay tribute to not only our forefathers, but also our Heavenly Father for the Greatest Independence Day of them all. "Salvation"
© Rev. James "Jimmy" W. Bryant
Wednesday, July 4th, 2001