The Great Awakening

Pray – (1/2 minutes)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve on another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Galatians 5:13-14)
   Passage: John 8:31-36

This past July 4th, the United States of America celebrated her 250th birthday with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Independence was declared that day and the Revolutionary War was fought to secure it. The Constitution was approved in September, 1787 and formally ratified in June 1788. That constitution established the USA as a democratic republic with three co-equal branches of government and protect the minority from the whims of a majority. Never in the history of the world has there been a success story of freedom and democracy like the United States, but it would not have come about without a movement of God that brought about a spiritual awakening, which created the desire to have freedom politically. That movement is known as The Great Awakening. It began in the 1730’s and lasted 20-30 years with the effects continuing longer.
God created man to enjoy freedom that is found ultimately in a relationship with Him. His freedom is not designed to be a freedom for people to do anything their selfish desires would want. It is designed to be a freedom to live a selfless life that loves God and loves people. The Great Awakening changed people’s hearts and changed people then changed America. In John 8, Jesus laid out the principles for awakening personally and those principles worked themselves out politically with birth of the United States. Thank God for your freedom in Christ and thank God for the blessing of freedom in the USA.

‍Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)