Celebrating Independence Day: Freedom in Christ

By: Pastor Jason Kinnick

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Independence Day

Greetings to all of God’s saints at CCF!!! You are dearly loved by God and His Son, our beloved Savior Jesus Christ!!!!

     In 1996, 29 years ago, Independence Day was released in the theatres. It was a star-packed cast: Will Smith, Jeff Goldbloom, Bill  Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, Judd Hirsch, Randy Quaid and many other notable stars. If it matters, I was 19 years old. Life was going on as it does every other day, until a SETA lab in Mexico received a signal from outer space. Sightings are reported all over the globe, causing mayhem and panic, and for good reason. Eventually, it is clear that this isn’t E.T. and he doesn’t want to be our friend or share our Reese’s Pieces. This threat targeted all of humanity. There was no distinction of race, gender, or nationality. The enemy was here to destroy all humans, and it was clear that we had one enemy and one enemy alone, and that threat unified the entire world. Everything that separated us before was now insignificant, and all that mattered was that we were now in this together. 

     The movie touches on a subject that all Christians are aware of: We do have an enemy, and we are in danger. The problem for those who believe is that we are the only ones who recognize this danger. According to the world, it is unseen and imaginary.  

     Our present danger is not from the suffering under a perceived tyrannical rule like our forefathers who rebelled in 1776 or the imminent annihilation at the hands of aliens in 1996, like the movie. The danger we are faced with is our struggle not to succumb to the temptations that are ever present in our lives, to lose faith in our Lord as life continues to be difficult and evil men appear to thrive. To fight against complacency, as the Day of the Lord isn’t appearing as quickly as we expected, and we grow weary of doing good. Our enemy is invisible and is prowling like a lion, searching for someone to devour. This Independence Day, we should celebrate independence from the tyranny of death and the power it had over us. We are liberated citizens of Heaven and the Kingdom of God. Our freedom from sin and death has been won by our savior and handed over to us as a gift. We are overcomers in Christ our Lord!!!! 

Hear the words of Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NASB2020‬

     Christ is our Peace, He is our Hope, He is our King!!! He is our champion!!!!   Wait….pastor, you left out the part that tells us what things he spoke to them. What did He say? I think it may be important! You would be right, I would agree it is of the utmost importance… so, go pick up the book and read it for yourself. Make it your daily read for the next month and allow it to impress you and change you. 
 

God bless you all, His mercy is everlasting

Shalom. – Pastor Jason