How are you? How is your week going? Happy 4th of July!

What are your plans for today? Are you doing a cookout? Will you spend the holiday with friends and family? Where will you watch the fireworks? Will you make sure you get there in time?

Independence Day has become a busy holiday. We can get so occupied with what to do instead of remembering what had been done.

This is the day when our nation declared independence 242 years ago. It triggered a war where lives were given for the sake of freedom, and thankfully, we won the victory.

Christianity can become a busy religion. We can get so occupied with what to do instead of remembering what had been done.

There was a war. It was against Sin and death. One life was given for the sake of our freedom, and that life given has won the victory. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, dying on the cross has won the victory over sin and death for us forever.

Because of this victory, we are declared as  free. We are declared as victors. We are declared as God’s church, sanctified in Jesus Christ, as we saw in the beginning of 1 Corinthians this past Sunday.

Enjoy the holiday today. Enjoy good food with good company. Enjoy the pretty fireworks.

But may this Independence Day remind you of the ultimate Independence from sin and death, which has been won for you through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

And may this victory be your main identity as the Church of God.

I am thankful for you all. Have a blessed week in the Lord through the Word and prayer. See you at Lord’s Day Worship this Sunday!

Pray for one another. Pray for our communities. Pray for this world.

In Christ,
Pastor Tim

Photo Credit: http://www.umcom.org/learn/how-your-church-can-celebrate-independence-day