July 4th...is this really Independence Day?

 

Props Needed:
Noise maker horns, a handful of confetti (optional).

Preparation:
Read the Scripture references and become familiar with them. They are the backbone of the sermon.

 

Sermon

Hello kids! Why do we celebrate July 4th? (Listen for answers.)  

Yes, Independence Day! 

Does Mexico have a July 4th? (This is a joke. Of course they have July 4th. They just don't celebrate their independence
on that day.)

What does it mean to have independence? (Listen to answers.)  

When the USA gained independence from England, we received freedom from their control.*  They no longer could tell Americans how to live. We were free to establish our own rules and government.

Today, I want to talk to you about true freedom. The Bible tells us that we are born prisoners to sin. (Galatians 3:22-23) We need to be set free!  The Bible says we are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. This means we either follow Jesus or we don't! The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. (Romans 6: 23) In other words, when we sin, our paycheck is death. We need a personal Independence Day! The good news is Jesus died in our place to take care of the debt we owe. He paid our bill! God says it like this, (Read out loud:) "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." (Romans 6:22)

Being set free from the control of sin and death is true independence! If you haven't already, ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life for a real Independence Day celebration! The Bible says, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) And, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

(Distribute the noise makers.)
Now, let's blow our horns and celebrate our independence from sin and death, and our freedom in Christ! (Optional: toss confetti on children.)

Afterwards, have children decorate their noise makers using red, white, and blue, stars, ribbons, flags, etc.

Famous Quotes

It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. George Washington (1st USA President)

So great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens to their country, and respectable members of society. John Quincy Adams (6th USA President)

Scripture References are taken from the New International Version.

Copyright 2000 S.A. Keith---All rights reserved. 
For use within your church or youth group. 
Not to be sold or distributed without written consent.

* The colonists wanted freedom from the tyranny of England, and wanted to be subject only to King Jesus!

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