Finding Deliverance: From Pits to Solid Ground
Summary
The sermon draws from the book of Lamentations, focusing on the prophet Jeremiah's experience of being thrown into a pit for delivering an unpopular message of God's judgment. Despite his dire circumstances, Jeremiah's plea to God is heard, and he is delivered not because of his own merit but because of God's grace and mercy. The pastor uses this story to illustrate the various pits people find themselves in today, such as addictions to substances or behaviors, and emphasizes that deliverance is possible through crying out to God and having a change of heart.
The pastor shares a personal story of their own struggle with alcoholism at a young age, highlighting the power of addiction and the importance of making the decision to seek help and change. They also recount a testimony of a young man who faced temptation but chose to make the right decision. These stories underscore the sermon's message that deliverance begins with a cry for help and a sincere desire to change.
The sermon also touches on the importance of community in the process of deliverance. The pastor acknowledges that while the church may be full of hypocrites, it is also a place where believers can find support and grow together. They encourage the congregation to be aware of the pits of compulsive behaviors and to seek help within the community of faith.
In addition to personal stories, the pastor discusses the broader theme of deliverance, referencing 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to encourage the congregation to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful in all circumstances. They remind the listeners that through Jesus, believers have victory over sin and death, and that their work for the Lord is never in vain.
The sermon concludes with a call to recognize and admit when one is in a pit, to avoid comparing one's situation to others, and to cry out to the Lord for deliverance. The pastor prays for those who feel stuck and for God to lead them to a place of decision. They emphasize that God desires to set people on solid ground, not just for personal satisfaction, but to help others who are struggling.
Key Takeaways:
- Genuine repentance and surrender to God are essential for deliverance from the pits of addiction and compulsive behavior. It is not enough to ask for help; one must also have a sincere desire to change and leave behind the behaviors that trap them. The church community plays a vital role in providing a safe and supportive environment for this transformation. [48:45]
- Deliverance is not just about personal freedom; it is also about being equipped to help others who are trapped in their own pits. When God sets us on solid ground, it is with the purpose of using our experiences to support and guide others towards their own deliverance. [01:04:40]
- Acknowledging the existence of the pit is the first step towards deliverance. Comparing one's situation to others can lead to justification and complacency. Recognizing and admitting the severity of one's own pit is crucial to seeking and receiving help. [57:41]
- The power of sin and death has been overcome through Jesus Christ, and believers have the victory. However, this does not make them immune to life's troubles. Keeping their eyes on the Lord is essential to avoid falling back into sin and to maintain the strength to work enthusiastically for the Lord. [38:19]
- The sermon series on deliverance, including topics such as God's love, mercy, grace, and the gift of salvation, highlights the multifaceted nature of deliverance. It is not only about being saved from the penalty of sin but also about experiencing ongoing freedom from the power of sin in daily life. [35:42]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Lamentations 3:53-58: "They threw me into a pit and dropped stones on me. The water rose over my head, and I cried out, 'This is the end!' But I called on your name, Lord, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried, 'Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help!' Yes, you came when I called; you told me, 'Do not fear.' Lord, you have come to my defense; you have redeemed my life."
2. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58: "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Jeremiah's reaction when he was thrown into the pit, and how did God respond to his plea? (Lamentations 3:53-58)
2. According to 1 Corinthians 15:55-58, what has Jesus given believers victory over, and how should this affect their work for the Lord?
3. What are the three commands given in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and why are they significant for believers? [33:39]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jeremiah's experience in the pit reflect the struggles people face today with addictions and compulsive behaviors? [43:46]
2. In what ways does the victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ empower believers to face their daily challenges? [38:19]
3. How can the church community play a role in helping individuals find deliverance from their "pits"? [50:44]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a "pit." How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How might Jeremiah's story encourage you in similar situations? [40:59]
2. Identify an area in your life where you need deliverance. What steps can you take to cry out to God and seek help from your church community? [49:23]
3. How can you be more joyful, prayerful, and thankful in your current circumstances, as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18? [33:39]
4. Think of someone you know who might be struggling with an addiction or compulsive behavior. How can you support them in seeking deliverance and finding solid ground? [45:15]
5. What are some practical ways you can keep your eyes on the Lord to avoid falling back into sin, as mentioned in the sermon? [38:19]
6. How can you use your experiences of deliverance to help others who are struggling? Share a specific example of how you might do this. [01:04:03]
7. What steps can you take this week to avoid comparing your "pit" to others and instead focus on your own journey towards deliverance? [57:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Repentance Paves the Path to Freedom
Genuine repentance is the first step toward liberation from the entrapments of sin. It requires more than a mere request for assistance; it demands a heartfelt commitment to transformation and the abandonment of destructive habits. In this journey, the community of faith offers a haven for healing and growth. [48:45]
James 4:8-10 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to practice genuine repentance, and how can you take a step towards that today?
Day 2: Deliverance to Serve Others
Deliverance is not solely for personal gain; it equips us to aid others in their struggles. When lifted from our own pits, we are called to use our experiences to support and guide others toward freedom. This purposeful deliverance fosters a community of mutual support and shared victories. [01:04:40]
Galatians 6:1-2 - "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life might be struggling with a pit you've once faced, and how can you offer them support today?
Day 3: Acknowledging Our Pits
Admitting the existence of our personal pits is crucial for seeking and receiving help. Comparisons with others can lead to justification and complacency, but recognizing the severity of our own situation is the first step toward deliverance. [57:41]
Psalm 40:1-2 - "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Reflection: Can you identify a 'pit' in your life that you've been reluctant to acknowledge, and what steps can you take to confront it today?
Day 4: Victory Through Jesus
Believers have victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ, yet they are not immune to life's challenges. Maintaining focus on the Lord is essential to avoid falling back into sin and to persevere in enthusiastic service to God. [38:19]
1 Peter 5:8-10 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Reflection: What are some ways you can keep your focus on the Lord to maintain victory over the challenges you face?
Day 5: The Multifaceted Nature of Deliverance
Deliverance encompasses more than escape from sin's penalty; it involves an ongoing experience of freedom from sin's power in daily life. This comprehensive deliverance is rooted in God's love, mercy, grace, and the gift of salvation. [35:42]
Romans 6:22 - "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."
Reflection: In what ways can you experience the ongoing freedom from sin's power in your daily activities and choices?
Quotes
"I believe with all of my heart that God can deliver us, but I believe he won't deliver us from something that we still want to do." [48:45]
"If you're choosing any addiction, any behavior over God, then it's a pit, and you need to be delivered from it." [57:03]
"The very first step of getting out of the pit is we got to admit we're in a pit." [57:41]
"God knows our hearts and the intentions of our heart, and when we cry out, we've got to mean it." [49:23]
"The greatest thing about being in a community, a family of believers, is understanding that we're all sinners saved by grace." [50:44]
"Most of us have been in our pits for as long as we have, they become comfortable, and we like it right where we're at." [59:06]
"If you're in a pit, God doesn't want you to be there; he wants to deliver you. He wants to put your feet, instead of in the mud and the muck and the mire, he wants to set your feet on solid ground." [01:01:40]
"God wants to save us and set us free and put our feet on solid ground so we can help somebody else get out of their pit." [01:02:21]
"God delivered Jeremiah not because he deserved it. God delivered Jeremiah not because he was good enough. God delivered Jeremiah, God listened to Jeremiah, to his cry, and he showered him with mercy, he showed him his grace, and he saved him from the pit because that's who God is. We can't earn it; we don't deserve it; we don't have a coupon that says, 'Hey, you got to rescue me,' but that's who God in his goodness is." #!!42:25!!#
"Believers aren't immune from trouble in life. Amen. Trouble in life, you know, the Bible says that it rains on the just and the unjust, and sometimes when we've experienced firsthand this trouble in life, if we're not diligent on keeping our eyes on Christ, even believers can fall back into sin." #!!37:41!!#
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