Declaration of Dependence

A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick


Over 200 years ago, representatives of the 13 colonial parliaments officially accepted the document known as the "Declaration of Independence". This document has been revered as one of the most important, almost "sacred writings" of the American nation. It was a masterpiece of writing, making reference to timeless concepts - truly every American can be proud that this is a part of our heritage.

What led up to the creation of this now famous document was that on May 15, 1776, the Virginia Convention passed a resolution which read as follows: "the delegates appointed to represent this colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent states." It was in keeping with these instructions that on June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee of Virginia stood before the Continental Congress assembled at the Pennsylvania State House and read a resolution which began: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

Before the Congress recessed for 3 weeks, a Committee of Five was appointed to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies' case for independence. This committee consisted of two New England men, John Adams of Massachusetts and Roger Sherman of Connecticut; two men from the Middle Colonies, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York; and one southerner, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The other members of the committee unanimously commissioned Jefferson to create a rough draft, which he did and then passed it by Franklin and Adams for editing before reporting it to the committee.

On July 2, 1776, the Lee resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies, New York not voting. Immediately afterward, the Congress began to consider the Declaration. The process of revision continued through all of July 3 and into the late afternoon of July 4. Then, at last, church bells rang out over Philadelphia; the Declaration had been officially adopted.

Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people. The Declaration of Independence began with introductory remarks, and the now famous statement, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The statement went on to point out that governments have been instituted to secure these rights, and when they fail, the people have a basic right to "to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government".

Jefferson's document then listed some 27 grievances, followed by reminders of the petitions for relief and the patience of the colonists, and a final statement actually declaring independence from England, and ending with these words, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. "

There is no doubt that this document has been a powerful factor in shaping the consciousness of the American people - we have come to value freedom above all. However, it should not escape our attention that within this, our nation's founding document, four different references are made to God. According to the Declaration of Independence, God is the God of Nature, He is the Creator, He is the Supreme Judge, and He is the Divine Protector.

However, as important as this "Declaration of Independence" may be, we also remember what has been written on our coins, "In God We Trust". Today we call on every true American to make a statement of their own - not a "Declaration of Independence", but rather a "Declaration of Dependence", dependence on Almighty God, our Creator and our Savior.

In the Old Testament, Joshua and the people of Israel were also ready to form a new nation. It was at the end of his life, and Joshua wanted to make sure Israel was prepared for this new era. He also made a great speech, recorded in Joshua chapter 24, and ending with the words, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Instead of a "Declaration of Independence", Joshua's was a "Declaration of Dependence". If we today would follow his example, according to this scripture (verses 13 and 14), four actions would need to be taken:

I. Recognize that all of our blessings are gifts from God.

    Notice that it is God who is saying, "I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant." (verse 13)

    This is very similar to the words of James: "Every Good gift and every perfect gift comes from above." (James 1:17) Ask anyone who has been outside our beloved America, and they will tell you, truly America is a land of abundance. So let us give thanks to the One who has made it all possible - to refuse to do so starts, or rather continues us on a downward course.

II. Fear God.

    This theme is picked up by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived: "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

    The sticking point is "keep his commandments."

    We know that it is only through Christ that the law can be kept, but we may not say, "I am of grace, I do not need to keep the law."

    On the other hand, some might say, "Love is the fulfilling of the law; I love, so I don't need to keep the law." But whether or not we truly love will be determined by whether or not we keep the law. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

    Furthermore, people need to know the law in order to discover they cannot keep it. (This is adequate justification for "Christian Education" for children. We are not trying to shelter our children, only teach them what God demands.)

III. Serve Him in sincerity and truth.

The truth is, man cannot be free - we will always be servants, we will always be dependent due to the "fall". As human beings, we are bound in many ways:

    1. We are bound to the struggle for survival - when that is gone, we become less than human.

    2. We are bound to the need for community.

    3. We are bound to the need for fulfillment beyond ourselves.

    4. We are bound to a natural bent toward self-destruction.

No doubt Paul has this in mind when he writes, "All creation groans" for redemption - to be set free (Romans 8:22,23).

The only true freedom we have is to choose whom we will serve; we do not have the freedom to avoid that choice. Note the responses of the people in Joshua 24:18, 21, 24.

IV. Put away the gods.

    Our gods have names which are different from those of the children of Israel. If he were giving his speech today, Joshua might say:

    1) Throw away the gods of technology - the confidence in technology's ability to solve all societies' problems.

    2) Throw away the gods of sex - the belief that all man's inner needs can be met. (Example: a woman going the Psychiatrist, who says, "If your husband doesn't meet your needs, let me know, I'll take care of you.") There's no such thing as "free sex", if we do not abide by God's restriction of sex within marriage, it becomes idolatry.

    3) Throw away the gods of drugs - whether for alleged medical use or street abuse, ours is becoming a "pill popping" culture.

    4) Throw away the gods of self-sufficiency - consider these verses:

      "For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone." (Romans 14:7)

      "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task." (I Corinthians 3:5)

      "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" (II Corinthians 12:9)

    It's true, no man is an island - a proper relationship with God always includes proper dependence on one another.

5) Throw away the gods of government - this becomes a god when man gives to it the obligation to meet man's basic needs of food and shelter and medical attention, needs which God has promised to meet for those who trust in Him.

6) Throw away the gods of money - Jesus said, "You cannot serve God and mammon". The fact is, money is under Satan's control unless dedicated to God. It seems to me that the Christian community should engage in sharing goods and labor, and thus reduce the necessity of money. And we also should endeavor to become free from credit obligations.

7) Throw away the super god, "humanism", which is the idea that man is able to meet all of his own needs and solve all his own problems.

The authors of the Declaration of Independence understood man's need for government. While the "loyalists" feared anarchy, the "patriots" were asserting their own right to choose who should have the role - King George III was not acting in their interests.

Remember that when Jesus came to earth, He came preaching, "the kingdom of God is at hand". In so doing, Jesus is calling on us to come under His rule.

As did the people in Joshua's audience, let's make our own "Declaration of Dependence" and echo their refrain, "We will serve the Lord".

  • - - Return to Top of this Page
  • - Email a Link to this Page
  • - Go To Next Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick
  • - Back To Sermons Page or to the Sermons Alphabetical List
  • - - Download This Sermon 
    This Page's Title Is:

                       
    Your Name Is:

                       
    Your Email Address Is:

                        
    Your State and Country:

    Please identify your vocation:

         Senior Pastor.     Associate Pastor.
            Youth Pastor.    Lay Minister.
                  Church Member.

    Which section of this site would you most likely return to?

         Sermons     Articles     Stories   
             Poems     Hymns    Articles for Leaders
               Marriage Articles         A Bit of Humor

    Would you like to receive the free weekly E-mail Circular?

      YES

    If you have a web page, would you like to establish a reciprocal link?

      YES

    Feel free to add a comment or prayer request: