Embracing Freedom: Our Identity and Power in Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth of our identity in Christ and the freedom that comes from embracing it. We began by acknowledging the greatness of God, the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and the head of the church. This understanding sets the stage for a life of worship and surrender, where we bring offerings that cost us something, not out of obligation, but out of a deep love and reverence for God. We are reminded that God loves His church and desires for us to live in the fullness of who He has made us to be.
We delved into the concept of freedom, recognizing that many of us carry elements from our past that influence our present and future. These elements often manifest as fears and lies that hold us back from living in the freedom Christ offers. We discussed the importance of identifying these fears—such as rejection, failure, and insignificance—and the lies that accompany them. By bringing these to God in honest and powerful prayers, we can experience true freedom.
The sermon emphasized the power of "freedom prayers," which are honest, powerful, and rooted in the love of God. These prayers allow us to confront the lies and fears that have taken root in our lives, replacing them with the truth of God's Word. We were encouraged to pray with authority, recognizing that the weapons we fight with are not of this world but have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We also touched on the importance of community and discipleship, highlighting that the kingdom of God grows through one-on-one interactions and small groups. It's not about the number of followers or likes but about genuine relationships and accountability.
Finally, we were challenged to consider what we need to bring to God for healing and freedom. Whether it's a fear, a lie, or a past hurt, God is ready to set us free. As we prayed together, we declared freedom over our lives, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill every part of our being with His love and truth.
Key Takeaways:
- Identity in Christ: Understanding our identity as sons and daughters of God is crucial. We are called to live to glorify God, free from the past and empowered by His Spirit. This identity shapes how we live and interact with the world. [53:47]
- Freedom from Fears and Lies: Identifying and confronting the fears and lies that hold us back is essential for living in freedom. These fears often stem from past experiences, but through honest prayer, we can break free and embrace God's truth. [57:20]
- Power of Freedom Prayers: Freedom prayers are honest and powerful, allowing us to demolish strongholds in our lives. By praying with authority, we can replace lies with God's truth and experience true freedom. [01:06:01]
- Community and Discipleship: The kingdom of God grows through genuine relationships and discipleship. It's not about influence or numbers but about being present and accountable in each other's lives. [55:55]
- Embracing God's Love: Freedom prayers make real the love of God in our lives. As we pray, we are filled with the fullness of God's love, which surpasses all understanding and empowers us to live in freedom. [01:10:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:42] - Praise and Worship
[37:26] - Revelation of Jesus
[38:28] - Spiritual Hunger
[39:53] - God's Plan and Destiny
[40:36] - Prayer and Reverence
[41:19] - Church Growth and Invitation
[42:20] - Joy in the House of the Lord
[43:33] - Parenting in the Digital Age
[44:38] - Building Negotiations
[46:15] - Trusting God's Timing
[47:11] - Freedom Series Introduction
[48:26] - Praying Freedom Prayers
[49:22] - Power of the Holy Spirit
[50:08] - Personal Story and Illustration
[52:52] - Four Chair Illustration
[55:55] - Idol of Influence
[57:20] - Honest Freedom Prayers
[01:06:01] - Powerful Freedom Prayers
[01:10:54] - Love of God in Freedom Prayers
[01:12:30] - Story of Reconciliation
[01:14:08] - Call to Freedom
[01:22:09] - Invitation to Salvation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 1:15-18 - "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church."
2. Psalm 34:17-19 - "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
3. 2 Corinthians 10:4 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Colossians 1:15-18, what roles does Christ fulfill in creation and the church? How does this understanding influence our identity in Christ? [37:26]
2. In Psalm 34:17-19, what promises are given to the righteous when they cry out to God? How does this relate to the concept of "freedom prayers" discussed in the sermon? [48:26]
3. What does 2 Corinthians 10:4 say about the nature of the weapons we use in spiritual warfare? How does this relate to the power of prayer emphasized in the sermon? [01:06:01]
4. How did the pastor describe the impact of past experiences on our present and future, and what role do "freedom prayers" play in addressing these issues? [47:11]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our identity in Christ as described in Colossians 1:15-18 empower us to live differently in the world? [37:26]
2. What might be some reasons why the righteous experience many afflictions, as mentioned in Psalm 34:19, and how does this shape our understanding of God's deliverance? [48:26]
3. How can the divine power mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4 be practically applied in our daily lives to demolish strongholds? [01:06:01]
4. In what ways do genuine relationships and accountability within a community contribute to our spiritual growth and freedom, as highlighted in the sermon? [55:55]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own identity in Christ. How does this understanding influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [53:47]
2. Identify a fear or lie that has been holding you back. How can you use "freedom prayers" to confront and overcome it this week? [57:20]
3. Consider a past experience that has negatively impacted your present. What steps can you take to bring this to God in prayer for healing and freedom? [47:11]
4. How can you cultivate genuine relationships and accountability within your small group or church community to support your spiritual journey? [55:55]
5. Think of a specific area in your life where you need God's deliverance. How can you incorporate the promises of Psalm 34:17-19 into your prayer life? [48:26]
6. What practical steps can you take to replace lies with God's truth in your life, as encouraged in the sermon? [01:06:01]
7. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from hearing about the freedom found in Christ. How can you share this message with them this week? [01:12:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Identity
Understanding our identity as sons and daughters of God is crucial for living a life that glorifies Him. This identity is not just a label but a transformative truth that shapes how we interact with the world. When we embrace our identity in Christ, we are empowered to live free from the chains of our past, fully embracing the life God has designed for us. This understanding calls us to live in a way that reflects God's love and grace, impacting those around us. [53:47]
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)
Reflection: What aspects of your life do you need to align with your identity as a child of God today?
Day 2: Breaking Free from the Chains of Fear
Many of us carry fears and lies from our past that hinder us from experiencing the freedom Christ offers. These fears, such as rejection, failure, and insignificance, can be deeply rooted in our experiences. However, by identifying and confronting these fears through honest prayer, we can break free and embrace the truth of God's Word. This process requires vulnerability and a willingness to bring our deepest fears to God, trusting in His power to set us free. [57:20]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one fear that has been holding you back. How can you bring this fear to God in prayer today?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Freedom Prayers
Freedom prayers are a powerful tool for demolishing strongholds in our lives. These prayers are honest and rooted in the love of God, allowing us to confront the lies and fears that have taken root in our hearts. By praying with authority, we can replace these lies with the truth of God's Word, experiencing true freedom. This practice invites us to engage in spiritual warfare, recognizing that the weapons we fight with have divine power. [01:06:01]
"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 lies have you believed about yourself? How can you use freedom prayers to replace these lies with God's truth?
Day 4: Building Genuine Community and Discipleship
The kingdom of God grows through genuine relationships and discipleship, not through influence or numbers. It's about being present and accountable in each other's lives, fostering a community where individuals can grow in their faith. This requires intentionality and a commitment to invest in one-on-one interactions and small groups, where discipleship can flourish. In such a community, we find support, encouragement, and accountability, helping us to live out our faith authentically. [55:55]
"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: Who in your community can you reach out to this week to encourage and support in their faith journey?
Day 5: Experiencing the Fullness of God's Love
Freedom prayers make real the love of God in our lives, filling us with His love and truth. As we pray, we invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of our being, empowering us to live in freedom. This experience of God's love surpasses all understanding, transforming our hearts and minds. It challenges us to live in a way that reflects His love to others, becoming vessels of His grace and truth in the world. [01:10:54]
"That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you allow the fullness of God's love to transform your actions and interactions today?
Quotes
1) "He's made it his body. And we're not going to bring an offering today that costs us nothing. That's not who we are, church. We're not going to come into the presence of God with nonchalance and apathy. That's not who we are. Maybe you came and you feel distant from God. That's a different thing. God can reach you. I'm talking to people that know Jesus today. Come on, let a spiritual hunger rise up within you and say, God, I am nothing. Going to sit back. I'm not going to be on the back of my heels today. God, I'm running to you with all that I am and all that I have. Jesus, you are worthy." [37:26] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Amen. You know, not because we need a full room, because people need Jesus. The second thing is that we are doing on Monday, tomorrow night, a parenting in the digital age. Call it a course, call it whatever you want. It's just a night hangout at 07:00 p.m. at our headquarters. And here's why this matters. Can I tell you why this is a really big deal? In the past 14. In young 14 years, in young people, people anxiety has risen 139%. Major depression in teenage girls has risen by 145% in just over a decade. Among boys, it's up 161%. Daily porn use among 12th grade boys has gone from 10% to 25% in just over a decade. Self harm among teenage girls, up by 188%. So here we have the very first generation that's been raised with this level of digital exposure." [43:33] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Chair number one is where God called you to be, who he made you to be. If you remember, in week one, we had Pastor Rachel. I just asked her impromptu, who is it that God made you to be? Ultimately, this chair, who God made you to be is a son or a daughter of God living to glorify God. Can I challenge you, church? Chair number one is not just the chair that I believe in God. I love it if you're there. Let me challenge the fire out of you. You exist to glorify God. He made you a son or a daughter. He canceled the written code against you. He took away your sin, your past, your pain, and your shame so that you could get back to who he made you to be. A son or a daughter that says, I live to glorify the father with all that I have and all that I am. This is my reason for living." [52:52] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "The problem with the idol of influence is it's taken away our passion for discipleship because we think that if we're not talking to the masses, if we're not on a platform, if there's not hundreds of people listening, then it doesn't matter. And God says, that is not how the kingdom of God grows. Kingdom of God grows in the lobby after the service today, in a one to one conversation, I am so grateful for the opportunity God gives me to hold a microphone. But can I tell you, if God took this away, then I would still cry out for the opportunity to use my life to influence. Listen, I want you to have a passion to reach a lot of people but not lose the significance of seeing someone and looking them in the eye and understanding that God builds his kingdom one to one." [55:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "When you cry to goddess for help, he will help. That's why you got to figure this out. But this is what today is all about. Today is about the power of righteous freedom prayers that get you back to there. Because if it is not for the power of the Holy Spirit, I can know about what's in my past, but still not be free. I can know how I'm showing up. I can have a description. I can even have a language for it because the self help section in chapters is bigger than any section. And it will tell you a language for who you are today, but it does not have the power of God to set you free and put you back in who God made you to be. That is only the power of the Holy Spirit." [58:09] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Freedom prayers are powerful prayers. Second Corinthians, chapter ten, says, the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. So I love praying prayers that are God. I'm thankful that you love me and you're here, and I'm your son, and I get to be in your presence, and I adore you. I'm thankful for those prayers, and that should be the majority of your prayer time. But I would be remiss if I did not teach us about the power of spiritual authority and pulling down strongholds. And so a stronghold. And I've asked Brenda to come back early because I really believe God, the Holy Spirit, wants to actually turn this into a moment for you with God. And so the stronghold, a stronghold is a lie in your life plus a destructive behavior." [01:03:00] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Freedom prayers are powerful and they make real to you the love of God. Pastor Andy has a message next week that is going to bounce off this and is so powerful about forgiveness. Save that for next week. But I have to tell the end of this story because you're wondering what happened with Mark. So the power of some freedom prayer has got mark up over here in the seat. It says, I'm a son and I'm a daughter of God and I live to glorify God. And God began to speak to his heart and say that he needed to go to his dad and let him know what God had been doing in his life. You see, his dad didn't know. Jesus didn't want to know. Jesus was sick. Now, we need some wisdom in this. I'm not saying that you need to go to everyone who's hurt you and wronged you and sit down and have a meeting. That might not be wisdom. They might not be able to receive that. So exercise wisdom in the leading of the Holy Spirit and counsel in your life. Ask your small group, do you think that I should go and talk to this person? Is this the leading of the Lord? Pray about it." [01:12:30] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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