This was delivered at our Mt Zion Chapel concert on June 7th 2026

Encouragement

1. Introduction
   1. In this lesson, I want to talk about the importance of encouragement and being encouraged.
   2. It’s so important to note the importance of one’s words to another. How important those words can be, to bring someone way up or very low.
   3. In the ups and downs, and challenges of life that we all go through, we need encouragement.
   4. We depend on it. When we don’t get it, we stay still, stuck in our own minds, trying to figure everything out that’s come upon us in everyday living that we all exist in.
   5. When encouragement doesn’t come from others around us, we must lean on our Lord and Savior. He’s the one that stays closer than any brother ever will.
   6. Proverbs 18:24: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
   7. God’s word never changes for you and me. It is strength when we are weak. It’s the foundation of what God has made us to be through His Word.
   8. I want to encourage you to stay in God’s Word. Follow God’s Word. Study God’s Word, and you too will realize the secret that will be manifested to the light, which will in turn become the foundational truth of knowing how you can always be encouraged.
   9. Now let us look into our lesson

Encouragement.

2. What is Encouragement
3. ENCOUR’AGEMENT is the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive.
4. Encouragement is the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive.
5. It is that which serves to incite, support, promote or advance, as favor, countenance, rewards, profit. Hebrews 10:24: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: When you are encouraged or given affirmation in regards to a job or anything that you do, it causes you to want to even be better at it.

3. Who did God encourage in the Bible
4. God encouraged Joshua after the death of Moses. God was raising him up to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua 1:5-6: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people, shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them. God was giving Joshua a pep talk.

Moses had just passed, and God was passing the leadership on to Joshua, and Joshua needed to be encouraged in order to have the courage and confidence he needed for the task at hand.

1. Isaac had just been through a season where his herdsmen and the herdsmen of Gerar were striving over water from wells that were dug. When that season of striving was over, God appeared to him, reassuring him that He was with Isaac and would bless him.  Genesis 26:24: and the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake. When you are going through a hard time, remember God is with you and will bless you as you live for Him and do His Will.
2. God encouraged the nation of Israel in Isaiah 41:8-10: But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. He went on to say that those who had come against Israel would be dealt with. God is bigger than our problems. He will always be with us and lead us to victory.

4. Why do we need encouragement?
5. We need to be encouraged so we are not hardened by sin’s deceitfulness – Hebrews 3:13 – But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Encouragement helps us to constantly improve and endeavor to sin less and less, and live for God.
6. Encouragement helps us overcome trials, and the attacks of the enemy. John 16:33: In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Because Jesus has overcome the world, we can, and we will as we follow Him.
7. Encouragement helps us continue to have victory over the traps, trials and snares of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. When trials come our way, many times they are from the enemy, who is always trying to trip us up, and derail us from God’s Plan, but encouragement helps us to keep on going and serve God, and overcome all of the devil’s attacks.

1. Jesus stressed the importance of loving one another. If we want the world to know we have something they need, we need to love and encourage one another. John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jesus stressed this point time and time again. If the world sees Christians attacking and tearing down other Christians, they won’t want what we have. If they see us encouraging and loving one another, that will draw them.

5. How did Jesus encourage the disciples?
6. He encouraged them and us to come to him, and to give our burdens, our cares, and our sins to Him, and receive the abundant, purpose-filled, and eternal life He offers. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. He wants you to come to Him, cast all of the baggage you carry at His Feet. He will give you rest. Then, take His Yoke upon you. His Yoke is easy and His Burden is light. Not heavy!
7. He encouraged and taught them to pray, using the pattern found in Matthe 6:9-13 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. It is important to note that at this time, the disciples were under the law. In the Age of Grace, we don’t need to recite this, but we can use it as a pattern. The pattern starts with worship, prayer for His Will to be done, prayer for our needs to be met, prayer for forgiveness, protection from evil, then worship again at the end.
8. He encouraged Peter to step out in faith: Matthew 14:29 Matthew 14:28-29: And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. We often remember that Peter took his eyes off Jesus and sank, but also remember that he is the only one that had enough faith to step out to begin with. Do you have faith to step out and be used mightily by God in your calling?

6. How can We Encourage Others?
7. We can encourage others in our conversation: always pointing the other person to Jesus, and having the conversation of Christ. Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. How are your conversations? Are they uplifting, or are they corrupt? Do you sound like the world, or is your conversation different? Is it the same on Sunday as it is throughout the rest of the week? Something to think about.
8. We can encourage others by spending time with them: This includes being in the House of the Lord, and also having regular fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. We were never meant to live the Christian life on our own. We need to spend time together for prayer, encouragement, and growth in our walk with God.
9. We can encourage others by reminding them of Jesus’ soon return: We are told to comfort or encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – 6 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. When someone is in the middle of a tough time, you can encourage them by reminding them that Jesus’ Return is fast approaching.

7. How Can You Encourage Yourself?
   1. Encourage yourself by singing songs of praise to the Lord:  Psalm 96:1: O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Put Christian music on or sing to the Lord yourself.

You’ll find as you do, that you will be encouraged and your faith and trust in Him will increase. What kind of music are you listening to? Is it mostly secular, or are you tuned into positive, encouraging worship music that lifts you up and gives you a good, godly prospective?

1. Remember your victories, times when God has helped you. There are many instances of God reminding His People of what He had done for them before as a way of encouragement. Exodus 6:3-5: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. At this time, Moses had just come on the scene and God was starting to deal with Pharaoh, who in turn was making life harder for God’s People. God encouraged Moses’s faith by reminding him of what he had done and what he was about to do for His People.
2. You will be encouraged as you see things from God’s viewpoint. Romans 12:2-3: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. The more time you spend in the Word of God and in prayer, the more you will see things as God sees them.
3. Rekindle your passion for a closer walk with God: Revelation 2:4-5: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Do you have the zeal for God that you had when you were first saved? Maybe you need to rededicate your life to Him. As you walk close to Him, you will find real, lasting encouragement. 

8. Story – The View from the Window.
   1. Two men were seriously ill. They occupied the same room in the hospital. One of them was lying in the bed near the only window in their room.
   2. Every day he was allowed to spend some time sitting up in his bed to help draining the fluid from his lungs. The other man was forced to spend all his days flat on his back.
   3. They talked a lot about their lives, families, jobs, and vacations.
   4. Every time, when the first man was sitting by the window, he described in details all that he saw outside the window.
   5. His roommate always looked for those moments, when his world was broadened and brightened up by the world outside.
   6. Amazing views of a park with a beautiful lake could be seen from the window of their room. Children delightfully played among ducks and swans.
   7. Couples walked arm in arm among colorful flowers. Also the stunning city skyline could be seen.
   8. While the man by the window thoroughly described all that was happening outside the window, his roommate would close his eyes and imagine all the beautiful scenes of life that were told to him.
   9. One night the man, whose bed was near the window, died peacefully during sleep and his roommate was very sad.
   10. After some time, when the nurse came to visit him, he asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse agreed and kindly made the switch.
   11. When she left, the man slowly and painfully propped himself up on one elbow and took the first look at the world outside. He was stunned. The window faced a blank wall.
   12. When the nurse came to visit him the next time, he told her about beautiful things outside the window that his roommate described him.
   13. The nurse replied that his roommate was a blind man. She said: „Probably he just wanted to encourage you.“
   14. If you are walking with God, spending time in the Word and in prayer, you will be encouraged, and see great blessings, even when faced with a blank wall.

9. Conclusion
   1. Are you encouraged today? I want to encourage you with these closing thoughts.
   2. He loves you. He is for you, not against you. When He is for you, no one else can be against you.
   3. You are God’s very own possession, bought and paid for with His shed Blood on the cross.

Keep it Simple

1. Introduction
   1. Growing up in life always seemed to be an educational aptitude where the world strives for education. Education is good but simplicity can be just as good.
   2. I know that when growing up everything was a learned effort, teaching me how to understand life, and understand complicated situations.
   3. Being taught about the world by and large. My education was enhanced by my upbringing.
   4. I wasn’t the greatest student in school during grade years, but I learned that if I didn’t have a good education I may not be where I am today.
   5. When I became a Christian in 1981 I learned that I needed to go and learn all that I could about who God is, and what he expected of me.
   6. My skill was defined in my early years through contracting, but God had given me many gifts. Not just contracting but a gift in His Word.
   7. To preach it and later on to teach it. I’m now the pastor of The Greatest Gift’s Little House of Hope & Prayer, The Greatest Gift gospel music group, and the teacher at the Little School of Hope.
   8. It’s been an awesome journey. The one thing I’ve learned through all of my education, is that simplicity is what works best. Now let us look into our message today//

Keep it Simple

2. Are you one that complicates life by feeling inadequate because you’re not educated enough?
   1. If you are one that feels inadequate and uneducated, remember that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. 2nd Peter 1:3: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: God has given you a calling to serve Him with, and everything you need to serve Him in that calling. Just educate yourself in His Word, and in the area of ministry you are in, and depend on Him for the rest.
   2. If you are feeling inadequate and uneducated compared to someone else, it is important to remember that you do not come behind in any gift or knowledge that He has for you. 1st Corinthians 1:4-7: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: If you have the testimony of Jesus in you through salvation, you are not lacking in anything that God wants you to have.

3. Do you feel you have no education and all you have is what you know through life experience?
   1. If you have committed your life to Jesus Christ, and are seeking Him, He will give you the life experience as well as the education you need. pSALM 37:4-5: Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. What is it that you are seeking to do in life? Are you making it complicated and unattainable, or are you simply committing your way to the Lord, trusting Him to bring it about in His Way.

4. Are you one that likes to learn? Are you one that’s focused or out of focus?
   1. We should always be wanting to learn. It is especially important as we live the Christian life that we learn the ways of God more and more. Psalm 119:73: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. Studying and learning God’s Word is crucial, especially in this, the Laodicean Church Age.
   2. We also need to be focused. Both on God, and the things He has called us to do. Isaiah 30:21: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. There are a lot of things out in the world that can distract us, but all God wants for us is to simply focus on His Leading and walk where He directs.

5. Why do I say that simplicity makes life easier?
   42. Let’s take a look at 2 sisters in the bible. One followed the simplistic way, and the other made things complicated. Let’s turn to Luke 10, starting at verse 38 and ending at verse 42.
   43. Now we’re walking with Jesus and we come to the town of Bethany, & these 2 outgoing, cheerful sisters welcome us into their home. Verses38-39: Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: & a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, & heard his word. Now as we look at these 2 sisters, you can see that Martha has the ministry of hospitality. Mary, she’s just kneeling at Jesus’ Feet, soaking up every word.
   44. As we watch the scene unfold, Jesus is teaching in the living room. Martha is running around like a chicken with her head cut off making preparations. You can hear pots, pans, and dishes clanging around furiously. Suddenly Martha stomps into the living room. Verse 40: But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Next we’ll see what matters most to our Lord.
   45. Now Jesus loves the fact that the ladies are serving Him, but it’s the simplistic heart of love and teachability that He most appreciates. Verses 41-42; And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. The chapter ends, and we don’t know how Martha responded to this, but the takeaway from us, is this. Let’s soak up every Word of His, and THEN we can more adequately serve Him.

6. What is simplicity? What does it mean?
   1. As always, we get our definitions from the AV-1611 bible dictionary, and this is no exception.
   2. The first definition of simplicity is Singleness; the state of being unmixed or uncompounded; as the simplicity of metals or of earths.
   3. The state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts; as the simplicity of a machine.
   4. Plainness; freedom from artificial ornament; as the simplicity of a dress, of style, of language, &c. Simplicity in writing is the first or excellences.
   5. Plainness; freedom from subtilty or obscurity; as the simplicity of scriptural doctrines or truth. The gospel message is a simplistic message, not a complex one.

7. What kind of life did Jesus live? Was it highly educated or simplistic?
   1. Jesus, being God astonished the people with His Knowledge, even at an early age. Luke 2:46-47: And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. He was highly educated because he knew everything, being God in the flesh.
   2. However, He lived a very simplistic and humble life. So much so that when he came into his ministry, people questioned it. Matthew 13:55: Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? They were not expecting this humble carpenter to be their long awaited Messiah, but He absolutely was.

8. Who in the bible led a simplistic life? (OT&NT)
   1. Abraham simply obeyed and trusted God as he led him on his journey to the land of Israel. Genesis 12:1-3: 2 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Abraham stepped out in faith, and in so many of the places where God led him, you see him building an altar to the Lord. Simply trusting Him all the way to the promised land.
   2. David was a man after God’s Heart, and his simplistic faith is evident as you read this. Psalm 23:1-3: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. He too was a simple shepherd. Though he sinned, and had to deal with the consequences of sin, he had a simple life of faith.
   3. Joseph, Mary’s husband was a simple carpenter. Taking care of the King of kings and His Mother was not on his radar. Matthew 1:18-20: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Joseph simply obeyed as he was guided in dreams, and the Messiah was born, right on schedule, just as the scriptures foretold.
   4. Peter and John were simplistic people, and their audiences knew it. Acts 4:13: Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. When we are available to be used by God, whether educated or simple, God can cause people to take notice of us and listen to our message.

9. Who in the bible led a highly educated life?
   1. Moses: Raised in the Egyptian court, he was “educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” according to Acts 7:22: And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
   2. Solomon: Known for his wisdom and ability to rule justly, he was believed to have been gifted with exceptional knowledge by God, according to 1st Kings 3:5-15. We’ll look at verses 9-10: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
   3. Paul was a Phariseee. One who was highly educated in the traditions of his people. Acts 22:3: I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. Paul was highly educated, and it took a road trip to Damascus to get him to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
   4. Luke: A physician (doctor) and the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, he would have been highly educated in medicine and the Greek language.

10. What did those who were teachers in the New Testament tell us about simplicity vs education?
    1. Paul had the following to say about simplicity and education. 1st Corinthians 1:25-26: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: Not many of the “highly educated” are able to grasp the gospel message. They trust more in their own knowledge and wisdom, than the Word of God. Though I have learned much, I preach the simplistic message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ only.
    2. Are you simplistic, highly educated, but know how to relate to someone both ways?

1. Story: Enjoy the Season
   1. Here is a story about someone who truly knew how to Keep it Simple. I bring you…Enjoy the Season.
   2. “Come on, James, let’s go play in the snow!” James looked up lethargically. His brother already had his snow bibs on and was energetically pulling boots over his feet.
   3. “All right, I guess I’ll go. But I do wish it wasn’t so cold! I can’t wait for summer,” James grumbled.
   4. For a brief moment, Eric felt tempted to complain about the cold too. But then the boys’ father walked into the room and offered to go sledding with them.
   5. One look at his father’s face wiped all thought of complaint from Eric’s mind. How could he complain when his father was with them?
   6. Besides, he also remembered how much he and his brother had longed for the cool weather last summer. He wasn’t going to complain about the cold! He was going to enjoy the season!
   7. “It will be summer again soon enough,” he told James as they headed out the door. “Let’s enjoy winter while it’s here!”
   8. We move forward in our story to the spring season.
   9. Eric and James were keeping quite busy. Between finishing their schoolwork and all their other spring activities, they could hardly find any time for play or relaxation.
   10. “Oh, man, I just wish things would slow down!” James moaned. “I do wish planting season would hurry up and end. I can’t wait to rest and relax in the summer.” James was just trying to survive the busy planting season.
   11. Eric paused for a moment on his shovel to think about his brother’s words. “I’m sure father wouldn’t give us more work to do than we could handle,” he reflected.
   12. “He loves us so perfectly. This hard work must be just what we need. I’m going to choose to enjoy it!”
   13. “But we can’t possibly get it all done!” James countered. Eric knew James was right.
   14. They had more things to do than they could ever hope to finish. James’ words brought the weight of all that needed done pressing down on Eric’s shoulders.
   15. Then Eric remembered—it was his father’s problem to figure out how everything would get done! Eric was only responsible for doing each task with a full heart.
   16. The smile returned to Eric’s face. He didn’t have to carry the burden; he just needed to be diligent with the tasks his father had given him.
   17. Now, we move into the summer season. Spring eventually ended and summertime came.
   18. Now, instead of having too much to do, the boys seemed to have the opposite problem. Besides keeping the crops watered and the grass mowed, there wasn’t much to do.
   19. The inactivity, coupled with the summer heat, was taxing on the boys. Yet both chose drastically different responses.
   20. As he had in the past, James chose to complain. He longed for something—anything—exciting to happen. And he longed for a relief from the heat!
   21. Eric, however, again chose to rejoice in the season. Although he, like James, felt the heat, he knew autumn would come soon enough, bringing cooler temperatures. And while he liked excitement just as much as his brother, Eric chose to use the quiet summer season to spend extra special time with his father.
   22. He spent hours sitting at his father’s workbench listening—and learning.
   23. The more he sat there, the more confident he became that his father would give him just what he needed in each season of life. He had only to trust and delight.
   24. That’s what you and I need in these times, simply to trust our Father God and know that He will lead us from one joy-filled season to the next. That’s keeping it simple! 

11. Conclusion
    1. What has your life been? Has it been a life of learning and education? Or living life moment by moment, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year?
    2. Jesus talked about keeping things simple. Not complicated. Have you learned that or are you still working on it?

The Ultimate Price for Freedom

1. Introduction
   1. I remember when I was young and my cousins were both serving in the armed forces in the Marine Corps.
   2. I remember them saying “What a price to pay for freedom. We never really knew what it meant until we got to Vietnam.”
   3. If I remember correctly, only one of my cousins went there, and it was very brief. It was enough to make him realize how fortunate he was to live in America and how other parts of the world or countries and you and I live so differently.
   4. I remember him saying how life was like an animal. They could be here today, and if someone didn’t like them, they could end their life in a moment.
   5. They would eat things that you and I would never eat.
   6. When faced with challenges of not having food, they didn’t have a lot of choices like you and I, federal and local subsidies, food pantries, and Good Will stores etc.
   7. He knew what it meant when he got there, how important our freedom was in this country and why he was there to maintain it as one in many thousands.
   8. You and I tend to take for granted everything that we have. We complain when we don’t have enough, yet we have too much.
   9. We’re the richest country in the world and the freest country in the world. Freedom comes with a price. Let us never forget that.
   10. Now let us look into the study of the Ultimate Price for Freedom.

2. What is the definition of freedom as you and I know it?
   1. This is from the av1611 bible dictionary.
   2. A state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty; exemption from slavery, servitude or confinement. Freedom is personal, civil, political, & religious.
   3. Another definition given is Exemption from fate, necessity, or any constraint in consequence of predetermination or otherwise; as the freedom of the will.

3. What is freedom, and what does it mean to you?
   1. Freedom, as a Christian, means to be set free from sin and bondage. Isaiah 58:6: Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? When you called on the Lord Jesus, you were set free from wickedness.
   2. Having been made free from sin, we are also free to serve God with our whole heart and life. Romans 6:18: Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Before coming to the Lord, you are not able to serve Him. Righteousness is not within your grasp, but as a Christian, you are able to freely worship and serve Him.
   3. Before coming to salvation, you are not free, but only tuned in to the things of this earth that are fading away.. 1st Corinthians 2:12: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. As a Christian, you have access to peace, joy, love, knowledge, and wisdom that is not available to the world, but is freely given to you and me.

4. Do you take it for granted? Do you truly understand what freedom is?
   1. There is a verse that encourages us NOT to take our freedom for granted. Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Paul encourages us to take a stand for the freedom that we have in Christ, not take it for granted.
   2. Do you understand the freedom that you have in Christ? Romans 5:8: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. While we were at our worst, Jesus chose to set us free from sin and make us His Own.
   3. Have you stopped to ask yourself what is freedom? Most of us only know it from the standpoint of living in this country, but those who have traveled outside of the country know it is very different.

5. Memorial Day is a day we celebrate every single year, and give honor to those who’ve served, given their lives, and paid the ultimate price for us to have freedom. Do you truly understand how important it is to recognize these great men in uniform?
   1. Jesus was the prime example of one who paid the ultimate price, and laid down His Life for us. John 10:15: As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. He made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, and we honor Him for what He did for us, just as we should honor those who died for our freedom as a nation.
   2. These men who laid down their lives for our country, have shown the kind of love that Jesus talks about.

John 15:13: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Do you have this kind of love for people?

1. Because Jesus laid down His Life for us, and these men in uniform laid down their lives for us, we should show the same love for one another, and be true servants of God, living sold out for Him. 1st John 3:16: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. You might not be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, but your life should be a sacrifice of praise and thanks to God for those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom.

6. Do you pray for our leadership, for our country, or is this something you never prayed for at all? If not, today is a good day to start.
   1. The bible is very clear that as Christians, we are called to pray for those who are in authority over us. 1st Timothy 2:1-2: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. We may or may not like the choices our leaders are making, but are you praying for them as this verse instructs?
   2. We, God’s people need to pray, seek His Face, and turn from OUR wicked ways. 2nd Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. It’s not the president, the people in congress, our state and local leaders that need to change, it is we the people of God that need to humbly pray for our nation.
   3. Soon the freedom we’ve had in this country will begin to diminish, and all of our Christian rights and civil rights and constitutional rights will soon be challenged as years progress on.

7. Who in the bible was once free, and then was stripped of his freedom (3)?
   1. Adam and Eve were free. They were living in the Garden of Eden. The Tree of life was within their reach, but sin caused them to lose their freedom. Genesis 3:11-12, and 22-23: And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. This was when sin entered into the world. Before they disobeyed, they had it all. Then with one bad decision, sin entered the world.

1. King Saul also had it all. The people loved him, and wanted him as their king, so God made him their king, but again, he lost everything due to disobedience. 1st Samuel 15:23: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. How many of us here have missed out on all God had for us because we didn’t obey His Word?
2. Ananias and Sapphira had the freedom to do what they wanted with the parcel of land they sold, but they chose to lie to God, and lost not only their freedom but their lives. Acts 5:4-5: Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
3. Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. Remember our study on Thursday night about LSD. Lust leads to Sin which leads to death, as was the case with this couple.

8. Who in the bible was shackled and chained, and was then set free by the Word of God, but later on was martyred and gave his life so others could be free?
   1. Apostle Paul was shackled and chained. He was persecuting Christians, until one day he came face to face with Jesus. Acts 9:2-4: And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
   2. Paul gave his life to Jesus and became one of the leading voices for the early church. Acts 9:19-20: and when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

1. Paul was often imprisoned, shackled and chained for his faith, and later gave his life for his savior.

9. Story – Freedom’s Price
   1. t was early morning and Mama had a box filled with flowers she had just gathered from our back yard.
   2. She had placed them in coffee cans and tall juice cans that she had covered with aluminum foil.
   3. I was too young to know very much about flowers but I did recognize the irises and peonies or “pineys” as Grandma called them.
   4. Daddy had already mounted the American Flag on the pole that extended from the side of the house and he was loading the huge box full of flowers into the trunk of the car.
   5. I noticed the flag unfurling in the soft breeze as we all got into the car and drove down the lane to get Grandma.
   6. If she was well enough, she always went with us every year on this important outing.
   7. I sat in the front seat of the car, in the middle, between Daddy and my brother. Mama sat in the back beside Grandma and down the road we went because it was Decoration Day and the day our whole family went to the cemeteries.
   8. The first stop was Linville Cemetery, a beautiful place with huge old oak trees with branches that seemed to protect the inhabitants of the cemetery with their wide boughs.
   9. We had relatives buried at Linville and we all got out of the car and walked the short distance to grave sites.
   10. Everyone was quieter and Mama reminded us to be respectful because we were to honor the final resting places of those buried in the cemetery.
   11. Mama placed some of the flowers on the graves and she and Daddy spoke about some of the relatives and told us children a little about each one.
   12. There were many small American flags at grave sites across the cemetery.
   13. Daddy and Mama talked about how those flags were placed there by veteran organizations to honor the soldiers who had served our country, many of them giving their lives to keep our country free.
   14. Next, we drove what seemed to me to be a very long way. It was where Daddy’s relatives, including his parents and grandparents, had been buried.
   15. As we got out of the car, I looked up to see the familiar little white church with the name, Eucebia, written high up near the gabled roof.
   16. Church services were no longer held at Eucebia but I was allowed to go inside and look around.
   17. Churches were never locked back then because people had respect for the things of God whether they attended church or not.
   18. Again, Mama placed flowers on all the graves of our relatives while Daddy showed me his brother Arthur’s grave.
   19. He had died when he was just one year old in an accident. Daddy didn’t remember him because he was one of the oldest of 10 children and Daddy was the youngest child.
   20. Yet, he always paused a moment in front of Arthur’s grave to pay his respects and place a flower there for the brother he never got to know in this life.
   21. We also attended the Memorial Day service that was held every year at the county courthouse.
   22. The American Flag seemed to be everywhere on that day. Many homes displayed the flag and the courthouse yard was encircled with them.
   23. There was usually a special speaker, readings, salutes, and then with heads bowed a bugler would play Taps that was echoed in the distance by another bugler.
   24. Daddy never missed a Memorial Day service because he was a veteran of WWII and it was important to him to give honor to those who had given their lives for our country.
   25. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW and, later in life, he became a veterans service officer, a job that he held dear until the day the bugle sounded at his own grave site.
   26. It is important for us to teach our children and grandchildren the meaning for the observance of the Memorial Day so they will know the price that has been paid for their freedom.
   27. Never forget the price that was paid for your eternal freedom. Jesus laid down his life for you, so you could spend eternity with Him. We should live our lives giving honor and service to Him.

10. Conclusion
    1. Today we live in a world filled with technology and change, change so fast and rapid that we never have a chance to really comprehend.

1. We’re so lost in phones and computers that many escape through the technology and believe this is their freedom, but this is all personal, not corporate,
2. not others involved. The technology today has made most illiterate, unable to read or write or add and subtract.
3. We must protect our freedom and realize that freedom comes with a price. What about you today? Are you free?
4. Do you know what freedom is? Have you learned something today that may change your thinking? I hope so, for all of our sakes.