Breaking Free: Overcoming the Walls That Bind Us

Summary

In today's message, I explored the concept of being "stuck in the wall," a metaphor for the times in our lives when we find ourselves trapped by circumstances, emotions, or patterns that prevent us from moving forward. I shared a personal experience of being literally stuck in the mud during a trip to Costa Rica, which served as a vivid illustration of how we can feel immobilized in our spiritual journeys.

I drew parallels between this feeling of being stuck and the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda from John chapter 5. This man had been ill for 38 years and believed his healing depended on being the first to enter the stirring waters. Yet, when Jesus asked him if he wanted to be well, the man responded with excuses, blaming others for his inability to reach the water. Jesus, however, bypassed his excuses and simply told him to stand up, pick up his mat, and walk. The man was instantly healed.

This biblical account led me to emphasize that we often allow our systems, strategies, and stories to keep us in the wall. We tell ourselves that we are victims of our circumstances, that our past defines our present, and that we are powerless to change. But the truth is, we cannot change our future without disrupting our present. We must challenge the stories we tell ourselves, take ownership of our situations, and make the decision to move forward.

I shared a story from my book "Quit Church," which is not about abandoning the church but rather about not settling for a stagnant faith. I recounted an encounter with a woman who was stuck in the wall due to personal tragedy. After reading my book and deciding to disrupt her present, she sought counseling, pursued a ministerial degree, and eventually founded homes for recovering addicts and battered women. Her story is a testament to the power of deciding to move beyond the wall.

I also discussed the current state of the church in America, highlighting the alarming trend of declining attendance, church closures, and discouraged pastors. I introduced Church Boom, an initiative I founded to coach pastors and rescue churches. Through this program, we provide free coaching, resources, and support to struggling churches, helping them to become healthy and vibrant communities once again.

In closing, I encouraged the congregation to consider their own walls and to make the choice to get to the other side. I reminded them that there is no such thing as life before the wall; we can either stay stuck or move forward. It's a decision that requires us to surrender control and trust in Jesus to lead us into a life of freedom and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

- The story of the man at the pool of Bethesda teaches us that we often get trapped in a cycle of excuses and blame, which prevents us from receiving the healing and breakthrough that Jesus offers. We must recognize that while we cannot control every aspect of our lives, we always have the power to surrender to God's will and take the steps necessary to move forward. [26:24]

- True transformation requires us to challenge the narratives we've constructed about our lives. We must critically examine whether these stories serve us or keep us bound to the past. By confronting and rewriting these narratives, we can embrace the freedom Christ has for us. [21:14]

- Ownership is a crucial step in overcoming the obstacles that keep us "stuck in the wall." It's easy to blame external factors for our situation, but taking responsibility empowers us to make the changes needed to progress in our spiritual journey. [24:39]

- The decline of church attendance and the closing of churches in America is not just a statistic; it's a call to action for the body of Christ. Through initiatives like Church Boom, we can support and revitalize churches, ensuring they continue to be lighthouses in their communities. [32:06]

- Generosity is not just about giving; it's about participating in God's work on earth. As we give to causes like Church Boom, we become part of the solution, helping to rescue churches and, by extension, rescue people. Our giving is an investment in eternity. [45:02]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- John 5:1-9 (NIV)
> "Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, 'Do you want to get well?' 'Sir,' the invalid replied, 'I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.' At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the condition of the man at the pool of Bethesda, and how long had he been in that condition? (John 5:5)
2. How did the man respond when Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well? (John 5:7)
3. What command did Jesus give to the man, and what was the result? (John 5:8-9)
4. In the sermon, what personal experience did the pastor share to illustrate the feeling of being "stuck"? [06:28]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the man at the pool of Bethesda responded with excuses rather than a simple "yes" to Jesus' question? (John 5:7)
2. How does the pastor's story of being stuck in the mud relate to the concept of being "stuck in the wall" in our spiritual lives? [06:28]
3. What does the pastor mean by saying, "you can't change your future until you disrupt your present"? How does this apply to the man at the pool of Bethesda? [11:50]
4. How does the initiative "Church Boom" aim to address the issue of churches being "stuck in the wall"? [32:06]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "stuck in the wall" in your own life. What were the circumstances, and how did you respond? [06:59]
2. The man at the pool of Bethesda had been in his condition for 38 years. Are there any long-standing issues in your life that you have been making excuses for? What steps can you take to address them? [19:20]
3. The pastor mentioned that true transformation requires challenging the narratives we've constructed about our lives. What is one narrative you need to challenge, and how can you begin to rewrite it? [21:14]
4. Taking ownership is crucial in overcoming obstacles. Identify one area in your life where you have been blaming external factors. How can you take responsibility and make a change? [24:39]
5. The pastor shared a story about a woman who disrupted her present and made significant changes in her life. What is one practical step you can take this week to disrupt your present and move forward? [17:25]
6. The decline of church attendance and the closing of churches is a call to action. How can you personally contribute to the health and vibrancy of your local church community? [32:06]
7. Generosity is about participating in God's work on earth. What is one way you can be more generous with your time, resources, or talents to support initiatives like Church Boom? [45:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering to Divine Progression
When one feels trapped in a cycle of excuses and blame, it's akin to being ensnared in a spiritual quagmire, unable to move forward and receive the healing and breakthrough that is readily available. This state of stagnation is often due to a reluctance to surrender to God's will, a necessary step for progress. It's crucial to acknowledge that while not every aspect of life is within one's control, the power to surrender and take the necessary steps to move forward is always present. This act of surrender is not a sign of weakness but rather a declaration of trust in the divine orchestration of life's journey. It's about letting go of the false sense of control and embracing the freedom that comes with divine guidance [26:24].

"Then Jesus said to him, 'Get up, take up your bed, and walk.' And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath." - John 5:8-9 ESV

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Challenging Our Life Narratives
The narratives one constructs about their life can either be a source of liberation or a chain that binds to the past. It's essential to critically examine these stories and determine whether they are serving one's growth or perpetuating a state of confinement. True transformation requires confronting these narratives and being willing to rewrite them. This process is not about denying the past but about reframing it in a way that aligns with the freedom and purpose that Christ offers. By doing so, one can step out of the shadows of bygone days and into the light of a renewed life [21:14].

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV

Reflection: What is a story you've been telling yourself about your life that may be keeping you from experiencing God's freedom? How can you begin to rewrite this narrative today?

Day 3: Embracing Ownership of Our Journey
Ownership is the antidote to the paralysis that comes from blaming external factors for one's situation. It is a powerful step that enables individuals to take control of their spiritual journey and make the necessary changes to progress. This act of taking responsibility is not about self-blame but about empowerment. It's a recognition that one has the agency to influence their path and the outcomes they experience. By owning one's circumstances, one can initiate the transformation that leads to growth and a deeper connection with the divine [24:39].

"Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to." - 1 Corinthians 7:24 ESV

Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you've placed blame externally rather than taking ownership? How can you take one step towards owning your circumstances today?

Day 4: Revitalizing the Church's Mission
The decline in church attendance and the closing of churches in America is a clarion call for the body of Christ to take action. It's not merely a statistic but a reflection of the need for revitalization within the church community. Initiatives like Church Boom demonstrate that with the right support and resources, churches can once again become vibrant beacons of hope and guidance in their communities. This call to action is about more than maintaining institutions; it's about nurturing the spiritual health and mission of the church to ensure it continues to serve as a lighthouse to those in need [32:06].

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Reflection: What role can you play in supporting your local church community to become more vibrant and impactful?

Day 5: Generosity as Participation in God's Work
Generosity is a profound expression of faith and participation in God's work on earth. It's not just about giving; it's about being an active participant in the divine plan. When one gives to causes that align with God's mission, such as supporting initiatives to rescue churches, they become part of a larger movement that has eternal significance. This form of generosity is an investment in the kingdom of God, helping to bring about transformation in the lives of individuals and communities. It's a tangible way to extend the love and grace that has been received to others [45:02].

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV

Reflection: How can your generosity become a more intentional part of participating in God's transformative work in your community?

Quotes

"now here's where it is some of us come in today and we're stuck in the mud what does that mean it means we're stuck stuck in debt and we haven't gotten out yet we're stuck in Anger over someone that heard US 20 years ago and we haven't gotten out yet we're stuck in resentment and we haven't got out of we're stuck in this place in life we thought we would be farther along by the age we are now but we're not farther along and we feel stuck." [06:59](Download clip | | )

"then be on this little TV show thing about the book I get off of my uh flight I get onto the hotel shuttle right the book's kind of hot right there it only last for like a month and then it just goes goes away literally it does like and um and so I'm sitting there on the shuttle and I'm doing my you know going like this and and returning some emails about 10 o'clock at night okay I'm on the shuttle okay and I'm it's like a little miniature bus and there's a seat in front of me and I'm going like this and the people in front of me the two ladies they were talking and I could tell they were Christian okay but you know I'm just back there returning emails sitting right behind him all of a sudden one of them says to the other one hey have you heard of this book she said what book she goes this one she holds up her phone she goes this one it's called quit church I'm sitting right behind them you can't write this stuff." [14:09]( | | )

"and we're in the lobby area yaking you know the back of the line talking and they're like oh we really like the book can we get a picture with you I'm like no and um the one lady goes on to tell me how bad her life has been she tells me how many uh that she went through a divorce that her husband had betrayed her and I could just tell she was stuck in the middle of what the wall she was stuck in the wall I gave my email I said hey man I go ma'am I go you're stuck in the wall I go if you read the book you'll find out that you can get out to the other side of the wall." [16:52]( | | )

"you an opportunity to respond they'll be here at the end of the service but church we love you we praise you we're here we praise the Lord but we're here to pray with you all right all right you guys good let me pray father I just thank you for this word and I thank you for challenging us Lord that we would not have an excuse to stay in the wall but Lord God we would take that step on the other side of the wall and God we would never look back let us be a church God that never looks back in Jesus name and everybody said amen and amen hey just want to tell you a couple of more things uh for those of you that are in the uh The Secret Sisters there is a gift area out there and we are overflowing so if you were a part of that check that out a great networking going on there pick up your gift or drop off your gift you could do that that's in this area where all the t-shirts are uh also we have the love Nomas Outreach Community we're looking for some people for our next event coming up here in uh a few weeks we'd love for you to be a part of that and then the marriage Retreat uh signups are actually out there as well church I love you if you need prayer please come um amen let me pray father father I thank you in Jesus name God that you are speaking to us about getting unstuck help us Lord give us the strength in Jesus name and everybody said amen and amen." [47:25]( | | )

"away but for some reason he never was able to get there Here's a thought process his system isn't working whatever his system is whatever his strategy is it's not working man he'd been out there hundreds if not thousands of time and his his system his idea his strategy wasn't working I wonder sometimes if we get stuck inside of the wall for a week a month a year a decade has it occurred to us that the system isn't working whatever we're doing is still create more debt whatever we're doing we're not getting past the Forgiveness whatever we're doing we thought we'd be farther in life and we're not whatever it is it isn't working and here's the bottom line you can't change your future until you disrupt your present you can't change your future until you disrupt something in the pr something's got to change here in the wall or otherwise you're never going to get to the other side of the wall you have to if you want to change your future you have to disrupt your present." [11:11]( | | )

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?