Introduction- MEN HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED OF A UTOPIA ON EARTH, AND HAVE REACHED FOR THIS DREAM

1. Roosevelt planned for 4 freedoms- of Speech, of Worship, from Want, & From Fear (Peace)
2. But instead today many are claiming freedom from God! and are sacrificing the other 4 -for this
3. Freedom is a word that is almost divine- Only God can endow us with the right- then free us from the chains of our past, and give us power to walk free in the future!

I.- THE KINGDOM OF FREEDOM Micha 4:1-5

In the last days, it will come to pass that a Kingdom will be established from Mt. Zion!

A. WHO IS INVITED TO BE IN THIS KINGDOM - Micah 4:2 This which has been sought by men is free!

1. Many nations shall say come- Evangelism to all nations, and from all nations! And so this AM
2. Rev. 7:9 tells us that all nations, kindreds, peoples, tongues- will be there! But will YOU?
3. For great adventure men are recruited with daring. But here is the greatest adventure of all

B.-WHO WILL RULE, AND WHAT WILL BE THE NATIONAL POLICY OF THIS KINGDOM? Micah 4:3

1. HE shall judge- This world has tried many things, dictators, etc.- But give me Jesus-Isa 9:6,7
2. Strong nations will be rebuked- For forced to behave, not by gentle Child-but by force-Rev. 19:11
3. Only then will men not learn war any more! -The Prince of Peace alone can bring this in.

C.- WHAT WILL BE THE BENIFITS OF THE KINGDOM RULED OVER BY THE KING OF KINGS? Micah 4:4,5

1. Freedom from fear, from want,-Each man will own his own property-& enjoy fruits of his labor
2. The ideal home- security, contentment, domestic tranquility,- Your own fig tree & vine! & Peace
3. v.5 Now people walk with many gods, -but THEN WE WILL WALK IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! Jesus

This is a beautiful picture the desire of our hearts- and promised to us by leaders

II.-WHERE IS THIS KINGDOM TODAY?? IT IS NOT HERE!

If there were such a kingdom in this world today-We would seek it now! -give all to get there!

A.- THE MORE MEN PLAN, STRIVE, STRUGGLE, PROMISE, & SACRIFICE FOR THIS, THE WORSE THEY BECOME!

1. Many have tried- Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, - and This was the promise of Hitler- 3rd Reich
2. We have not gained Roosevelt's 4 freedoms-Full of fear, more want, no prayer in school & Blaspheme for speech
3. Because men have sought a 5th- freedom from God! they plead the 5th, drink 5th, get 6 ft... but the grave is not free!

B.- MEN HAVE STUDIED THIS MATTER OF FREEDOM, AND WE ARE NOT LEFT WITHOUT MEN'S WISDOM HERE

1. Epictetus-Roman- "No man is free who is not master of himself". Your passions make you slave!
2. Goethe-"None more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free" -
3. Chas Kingsley-"2 Freedoms-The false-free to do as he likes; True-free to do as he ought".

C.- WHAT IS IT THAT KEEPS US ENSLAVED WHERE WE CANNOT HAVE FREEDOM? Bible says-World, Flesh, Devil!

1. Our wild youth shout freedom-& smoke Pot; Free love-sex; Free speech-dirt; & freedom from work
2.Even Christians-facing terrible pressures to sin- & if you yield once you are enslaved!
3. "Where there is no Christian Sabbath there is no Christian morality, & without these our warn about free institutions cannot long be sustained"- John MacLean - US Supreme Court -1829-61

III.- CAN WE ENJOY FREEDOM TODAY ???

To have the Millennium & World peace, we must await the Prince of Peace

A. CHRIST HAS NOT YET ESTABLISHED HIS KINGDOM, BUT GOD SCOLDS US FOR NOT LIVING RIGHT - Micah 6:1-3

1. After all God had done for Israel-she was facing bondage again-& look at us & our bondage
2.We were delivered from the Oppression of Europe-To America to be free to Worship God!
3. But we are not exercising that Freedom today! God has a controversy with us- Are you really doing as you ought?

B.- WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF MEN TODAY? Micah 6:8 -AND WE ARE NOT MEETING HIS REQUIREMENTS

1. To Do Justly-Micah as farm boy knew fair play-Our courts lack it, our Christians no better!  Try doing business with Christians!
2. To love mercy- Pharisees damned on this- Matt 23:23- & we are no better, even in church-
3. To Walk humbly- this is opposite of pride. Today we lack respect for God-his church-& his image

C. THIS WHICH THE LAW DEMANDS, ONLY THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST CAN SUPPLY

1. Jesus will not only save your soul-but will snap the fetters of your sin- set you free!
2. He will give you the new birth-and in it at least a chance to fight the World-flesh-devil?
3.The more you refuse to allow Satan to get you into bondage- the more you will be free!

You must claim the right 5th freedom- the Power to be free to Walk with the Lord!

Conclusion- BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE WHO CAN FREE YOU FROM THIS BODY OF DEATH, AND ITS BONDAGE & BLINDNESS

1. Jesus can make you free from the penalty of Sin-"Redemption through his blood" Col 1:14
2. Jesus can make you free from the power of sin-"Stand fast in the freedom-"Gal 5:1
3. You need all the help you can get-come and walk with others who are also free men- I John 1:7

You need the church- and Christian friends- but we will not force it upon you!
If anything we have failed to stress enough the "joining" -But now is the time

_{SWC SE462-71}