Breaking Strongholds: Embracing True Gospel and Obedience

Summary

In tonight's message, we explored the concept of "entrapments that open the doors to strongholds" and how these can affect our spiritual lives. We began by discussing the importance of adhering to the true gospel and the dangers of false teachings. It's crucial to be discerning about the teachings we accept and the churches we attend, as these can either lead us closer to God or open doors to spiritual strongholds. The corporate anointing of a church plays a significant role in breaking these strongholds, but false teachings can bind us under a curse.

We also delved into the difference between religion and relationship. Religion is often man-made, while God desires a personal relationship with us. This relationship is built on understanding and living by the entire teaching of the Bible, not just selective parts that suit our lifestyle. The apostate church, which preaches a watered-down gospel, is a significant threat, leading people astray and into spiritual bondage.

Conviction, as opposed to condemnation, is a vital operation of the Holy Spirit. It guides us to recognize our wrongs and provides the antidote, which is always found in God. We must be part of a church where conviction is alive, as it helps us grow and overcome strongholds.

Trusting in God rather than in human strength is another key point. Jeremiah 17 warns against relying on human strength, which leads to spiritual barrenness. Instead, trusting in God brings blessings and spiritual vitality. A pure heart, as described in Matthew 5:8, is essential for seeing God and overcoming the deceitfulness of the heart.

Finally, loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength is paramount. True love for God is demonstrated through obedience, which is deeply connected to trust and respect. Obedience is not just about following rules but about hearing and trusting God's voice, even when it doesn't make sense. This obedience shuts the door to the enemy and breaks strongholds in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Adherence to True Gospel: It's vital to ensure that the teachings we accept align with the true gospel. False teachings can lead us into spiritual bondage, making it crucial to be discerning about the churches we attend and the doctrines we embrace. The corporate anointing of a church can break strongholds, but false teachings can bind us under a curse. [00:53]

- Relationship Over Religion: God desires a personal relationship with us, not just adherence to man-made religious systems. This relationship is built on understanding and living by the entire teaching of the Bible. The apostate church, which preaches a watered-down gospel, leads people astray and into spiritual bondage. [07:29]

- Conviction vs. Condemnation: Conviction is a vital operation of the Holy Spirit, guiding us to recognize our wrongs and providing the antidote, which is always found in God. We must be part of a church where conviction is alive, as it helps us grow and overcome strongholds. [10:32]

- Trusting in God: Trusting in God rather than human strength brings blessings and spiritual vitality. A pure heart, as described in Matthew 5:8, is essential for seeing God and overcoming the deceitfulness of the heart. [20:48]

- Obedience as Love: True love for God is demonstrated through obedience, which is deeply connected to trust and respect. Obedience is not just about following rules but about hearing and trusting God's voice, even when it doesn't make sense. This obedience shuts the door to the enemy and breaks strongholds in our lives. [27:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:53] - The Danger of False Teachings
- [01:55] - Importance of Church Anointing
- [03:52] - Religion vs. Relationship
- [06:46] - Conviction and the Holy Spirit
- [09:23] - The Apostate Church
- [12:13] - Understanding Strongholds
- [13:34] - Breaking Strongholds Through Worship
- [15:16] - Obedience and Trust
- [16:08] - Diligence in Studying the Word
- [19:27] - Trusting in God vs. Human Strength
- [22:05] - The Pure in Heart
- [25:00] - Loving God and Obedience
- [30:33] - The Test of Obedience
- [36:58] - Delayed and Partial Obedience
- [39:46] - Closing Prayer and Victory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 1:9
2. John 14:6
3. Jeremiah 17:5-7

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Galatians 1:9 say about preaching a different gospel, and how does this relate to the concept of spiritual strongholds? [00:53]

2. According to John 14:6, what is the only way to the Father, and how does this verse emphasize the importance of a relationship over religion? [07:29]

3. In Jeremiah 17:5-7, what are the consequences of trusting in human strength versus trusting in God? [19:27]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between conviction and condemnation, and why is it important to be part of a church where conviction is alive? [10:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the role of the corporate anointing of a church in breaking strongholds, and why is it important to be discerning about the teachings we accept? [01:55]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the dangers of the apostate church, and how does this relate to the idea of spiritual bondage? [09:23]

3. How does the sermon interpret the concept of a pure heart in Matthew 5:8, and what does it mean to have a pure heart in the context of trusting God? [22:05]

4. In what ways does the sermon connect obedience to love for God, and how is this demonstrated through our actions and trust in God? [27:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current church community. How can you ensure that the teachings you receive align with the true gospel, and what steps can you take if you find discrepancies? [00:53]

2. Consider your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen this relationship beyond religious practices, and what changes might you need to make in your daily life to prioritize this relationship? [07:29]

3. Think about a time when you relied on your own strength rather than trusting in God. What were the outcomes, and how can you shift your trust to God in future situations? [19:27]

4. How do you currently respond to conviction from the Holy Spirit? What practical steps can you take to be more receptive to conviction and use it as a tool for spiritual growth? [10:32]

5. Reflect on your understanding of obedience as an expression of love for God. How can you practice obedience in a way that demonstrates trust and respect for God's guidance, even when it doesn't make sense? [27:49]

6. Identify a stronghold in your life that you feel is hindering your spiritual growth. What specific actions can you take to break free from this stronghold, and how can your church community support you in this process? [12:13]

7. How can you cultivate a pure heart in your daily interactions and decisions? What specific attitudes or behaviors might you need to change to align more closely with God's desires? [22:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Discernment in Doctrine
Adhering to the true gospel is crucial for spiritual health. False teachings can lead individuals into spiritual bondage, making it essential to be discerning about the churches we attend and the doctrines we embrace. The corporate anointing of a church can break strongholds, but false teachings can bind us under a curse. Being vigilant in our spiritual journey involves evaluating the teachings we receive and ensuring they align with the true gospel. This discernment protects us from spiritual entrapments and opens the door to a deeper relationship with God. [00:53]

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1, ESV)

Reflection: Consider the teachings you have accepted in your spiritual journey. Are there any that you need to reevaluate in light of the true gospel?

Day 2: Relationship Over Ritual
God desires a personal relationship with us, not just adherence to man-made religious systems. This relationship is built on understanding and living by the entire teaching of the Bible, not just selective parts that suit our lifestyle. The apostate church, which preaches a watered-down gospel, leads people astray and into spiritual bondage. Embracing a genuine relationship with God involves seeking His truth in its entirety and allowing it to transform our lives. This relationship is not about following rituals but about knowing and loving God deeply. [07:29]

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with God. Are there areas where you have prioritized religious rituals over a genuine connection with Him?

Day 3: The Power of Conviction
Conviction is a vital operation of the Holy Spirit, guiding us to recognize our wrongs and providing the antidote, which is always found in God. We must be part of a church where conviction is alive, as it helps us grow and overcome strongholds. Unlike condemnation, which brings guilt and shame, conviction leads to repentance and transformation. It is through conviction that we are drawn closer to God and empowered to break free from spiritual strongholds. Embracing conviction allows us to experience God's grace and grow in our faith. [10:32]

"And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." (John 16:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a recent moment of conviction in your life. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to align more closely with God's will?

Day 4: Trusting in Divine Strength
Trusting in God rather than human strength brings blessings and spiritual vitality. Jeremiah 17 warns against relying on human strength, which leads to spiritual barrenness. Instead, trusting in God brings blessings and spiritual vitality. A pure heart, as described in Matthew 5:8, is essential for seeing God and overcoming the deceitfulness of the heart. By placing our trust in God, we open ourselves to His guidance and provision, allowing His strength to sustain us in all circumstances. [20:48]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 17:5, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you begin to trust God more fully in this area today?

Day 5: Obedience as an Expression of Love
True love for God is demonstrated through obedience, which is deeply connected to trust and respect. Obedience is not just about following rules but about hearing and trusting God's voice, even when it doesn't make sense. This obedience shuts the door to the enemy and breaks strongholds in our lives. Loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength is paramount, and this love is expressed through our willingness to obey His commands. By choosing obedience, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His transformative power. [27:49]

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision where you chose your own way over God's. What would it look like to choose obedience in a similar situation today?

Quotes

1) "And a curse is living under a curse. And so it's very important to make sure that we're not falling under that. So with that said, one of the things that open the door to strongholds, number one, would be preaching another gospel or your acceptance of it. It does matter where you go to church. It does matter who you're sitting under or what you're sitting under. And I've been talking a lot about... I say a lot. I've been mentioning lately about the corporate anointing that's on this house." [00:53] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "You must be sure that the church you belong to believes the practices of the entire teaching of the Bible, not just certain portions. Okay? It's got to be. And do we, do we understand everything that is there? No, but you don't, you can't just cut out what you don't like. Or, or the Bible says you in the last days that hearers will. will find themselves preachers that preach their lifestyle. And so basically what will happen, which is happening now, it's the apostate church, is people find a church that is conclusive to their lifestyle." [07:29] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Conviction is a real thing. Conviction is... I don't want to say a real thing. Conviction is an operation of the Holy Spirit. We know the Holy Spirit regenerates us. We know He dwells us. We know that He sanctifies us. We know He fills us with His Spirit. But we've also got to understand that He convicts us. And you should go to a church that conviction is alive and well. If Dr. Feelgood shows up every Sunday, you're in the wrong church. Amen. Amen. So you've got to have conviction." [10:32] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Remember, a stronghold is any area in your life where you allow Satan to seize control over in which you have not gained. Victory. You have not gained victory, and you cannot gain victory. That, to you, is a stronghold. So you want to go to a church where you feel that strongholds are being broken. You take, she brought up the duck a while ago, so if you're here Sunday, the whole thing, you know, it's... The anointing is amazing. The Holy Spirit of God is so amazing." [12:13] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Don't ever put God. Don't ever put God in a box. Just as soon as you think that you got figured out what it takes to get God to move, you be waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. You just, we just, you just, talking to me, just be obedient. If God tells you to do it, do it. Mary waited, Mary waited for 33 years. The angel of the Lord came to her and told her, she says, the Savior of the world is inside of you right now." [13:34] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "There's a difference between having a deceitful heart and having a pure heart it says blessed is the pure in heart for they shall see God who are we to have a pure heart not that we're we're perfect but but we are but we are by grace we've been saved we have been saved by grace and it is the pure in heart we've been delivered from the you know not not delivered from sin, we've been delivered from the power of sin. Amen. That's powerful." [22:05] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "If you love him, you will honor him. If you honor him, you will honor him. If you honor him, you will obey him. If you obey him, you will serve him. So you can't just say I love God and I'm free from the curse. Well, you're free from strongholds. Well, if you love God, you got to honor him. How do I honor him? By obeying him. How do I obey him? By serving him." [27:08] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "Delayed obedience is disobedience and partial obedience is complete disobedience. I'm going to end on that. Let me say it one more time. Delayed obedience is disobedience. And partial obedience is complete disobedience. So now when you say, do you love me? Yes, Lord, I love you. I honor you. I obey you. Therefore, I serve you." [36:58] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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