This weekend, we celebrate the freedom we have in this great nation. President Reagan reminded us that we must not take it for granted. "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." As we continue in our series, the apostle Peter reminds us of a freedom we have been given through Jesus, a freedom that once received will not be taken away. It is this freedom that continues to serve as an encouragement to the new believers in Asia Minor. In our Scripture this week, Peter tells us that baptism serves to proclaim and remind us of this very freedom that we have received through Christ.