Finding Freedom: The Journey of Deliverance in Christ
Summary
In my sermon, I began by addressing the internal struggle that many of us face when trying to align our actions with our intentions, particularly when it comes to breaking free from the bondage of sin and the remnants of our past lives. I referenced Apostle Paul's own struggle, as he expressed in Romans 7, where he discussed the war within himself between the desire to do good and the propensity to do what he hated. This internal conflict is not unique to Paul; it's a universal human experience that can only be resolved through the deliverance that comes from Christ.
I emphasized the importance of deliverance, not just for our own sake but for those around us—our children, spouses, and community—who are affected by our bondage. Deliverance is necessary to experience the fullness of the freedom Christ offers, which is distinct from salvation. While salvation secures our eternal destiny, deliverance is about experiencing heaven on earth by breaking free from the chains that hold us back.
I also spoke about the upcoming service projects and the importance of being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. I encouraged the congregation to participate in our "super serve day" and to consider leading a project that aligns with their passion.
Drawing from Exodus 6, I reminded the congregation of the four promises God made to Israel, which are fulfilled in Christ: to bring us out of bondage, free us from slavery, redeem us, and take us as His people. These promises form the foundation of our church's vision to help people know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference.
I then delved into the concept of getting "Egypt" out of us, which means dealing with the residue of a slavery mindset that persists even after we've been saved. I used the analogy of pulling weeds from a lawn to illustrate how we must be careful in our treatment of new believers, ensuring we don't damage the good while trying to remove the bad.
I discussed the importance of community in the healing process, using the Johari window model to explain the different aspects of our identity: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. I stressed the value of small groups in our church as a safe space for confession, accountability, and growth.
I concluded by reiterating the need for discipline in the Word of God, as it is through knowing the truth that we are set free. I challenged the congregation to be true disciples, disciplined students of the Word, and to embrace the work that comes after salvation—working out our salvation with fear and trembling.
Key Takeaways:
1. The struggle between our sinful nature and our desire to do good is a battle that requires divine intervention. Like Paul, we must recognize our need for deliverance and lean into God's will, allowing His power to work within us to overcome our weaknesses. ([01:06:28])
2. Deliverance is not just for our benefit but also for those around us. When we are bound by sin or harmful habits, it affects our relationships and hinders the blessings that could flow from our freedom. Therefore, seeking deliverance is an act of love and responsibility toward others. ([01:05:35])
3. True freedom in Christ is not just about escaping the bondage of sin (salvation) but also about removing the remnants of that bondage from our lives (deliverance). This process allows us to experience the fullness of life that God intends for us here on earth. ([48:36])
4. Community is essential for healing and growth. By confessing our struggles and allowing trusted friends to speak into our lives, we open ourselves up to the healing that comes from being part of the body of Christ. Small groups provide a space for this kind of vulnerable sharing and support. ([01:16:40])
5. Discipleship requires discipline in the Word of God. As we commit to being students of the Word, we will know the truth, and that truth will set us free. This freedom is not just from the penalty of sin but from its power over our daily lives. ([55:07])
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)
> "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."
2. Exodus 6:6-7 (NIV)
> "Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians."
3. John 8:31-32 (NIV)
> "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What internal conflict does Paul describe in Romans 7:15-25?
2. According to Exodus 6:6-7, what are the four promises God made to Israel?
3. In John 8:31-32, what does Jesus say will set us free?
4. How does the pastor describe the difference between salvation and deliverance? ([48:36])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul feel like a "wretched man" in Romans 7:24, and how does he find hope? How does this relate to our own struggles with sin?
2. How do the promises in Exodus 6:6-7 reflect God's plan for deliverance and redemption in our lives today?
3. What does it mean to "hold to Jesus' teaching" as described in John 8:31-32, and how does this lead to true freedom?
4. The pastor mentioned that deliverance is necessary for experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. How does this process of deliverance impact our daily lives and relationships? ([01:05:35])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the internal struggle Paul describes in Romans 7. How did you seek God's help in overcoming it?
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of community in the healing process. How can you actively participate in a small group to support and be supported by others in their journey of deliverance? ([01:16:40])
3. What are some "residues of a slavery mindset" that you might still be holding onto? How can you begin to address these areas in your life? ([48:36])
4. How can you incorporate more discipline in studying the Word of God to experience the freedom Jesus promises in John 8:31-32? ([55:07])
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. What specific service project or act of kindness can you commit to this month to make a difference? ([43:03])
6. Think about a harmful habit or sin that affects your relationships. What steps can you take this week to seek deliverance and improve those relationships? ([01:05:35])
7. How can you create an environment in your home or workplace that encourages others to know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference? ([44:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Intervention in Our Struggle
The battle between our sinful nature and our desire to do good is a complex one, often leaving us feeling defeated and powerless. This internal conflict is a reminder of our human frailty and the need for a power greater than ourselves to achieve victory. The Apostle Paul's candid admission of his own struggle serves as a testament to this universal human experience. It is through divine intervention that we find the strength to align our actions with our intentions, allowing God's power to work within us to overcome our weaknesses. This process of deliverance is essential, not only for our spiritual well-being but also for enabling us to live out the fullness of life that God has planned for us. [01:06:28]
"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." - Romans 7:15 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel trapped by your own actions, despite your desire to do good? How can you invite God into this struggle today?
Day 2: Deliverance as an Act of Love
Seeking deliverance from the chains of sin and harmful habits is not a solitary endeavor; it has profound implications for those around us. When we are bound, our relationships suffer, and the potential for blessings in our lives and the lives of others is hindered. Deliverance, therefore, is an act of love and responsibility that extends beyond ourselves. It is about allowing the transformative power of Christ to work within us, not only to secure our eternal destiny but also to bring healing and freedom to our earthly relationships. [01:05:35]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Reflection: How might your personal struggles with sin or harmful habits be impacting your loved ones? What steps can you take to seek deliverance for the sake of those around you?
Day 3: Experiencing Heaven on Earth
True freedom in Christ encompasses more than just the assurance of salvation; it involves the active removal of the remnants of our past bondage. Deliverance is the process through which we can experience heaven on earth, living out the fullness of life that God intends for us. This journey requires us to confront and overcome the 'Egypt' within us—the slavery mindset that lingers even after we have been saved. It is a call to embrace the promises of God, which are fulfilled in Christ, and to live in the reality of being brought out of bondage, freed from slavery, redeemed, and taken as His people. [48:36]
"And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people." - Leviticus 26:12 (ESV)
Reflection: What remnants of your 'Egypt' are you still holding onto? Identify one step you can take today to begin the process of deliverance in that area of your life.
Day 4: The Healing Power of Community
The journey of healing and growth is not meant to be walked alone. Community plays a vital role in our spiritual development, providing a space for confession, accountability, and support. The Johari window model illustrates the importance of allowing others to speak into the hidden and blind areas of our lives. Small groups within the church serve as a safe environment for this kind of vulnerable sharing, where we can be honest about our struggles and receive the encouragement and prayer we need to grow. [01:16:40]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:16 (ESV)
Reflection: Is there a struggle or sin you've been keeping hidden that needs to be brought into the light within a trusted community? Consider sharing this with a small group or a spiritual mentor this week.
Day 5: Discipleship Through Discipline
Discipleship is an active pursuit that requires discipline, particularly in the study and application of God's Word. It is through this disciplined approach that we come to know the truth, and the truth sets us free—not only from the penalty of sin but also from its power over our daily lives. As disciplined students of the Word, we are called to embrace the work that comes after salvation, working out our salvation with fear and trembling, and allowing the transformative power of Scripture to shape our hearts and minds. [55:07]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22 (ESV)
Reflection: What does being a disciplined student of the Word look like for you in practical terms? Identify one habit you can implement this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture.
Quotes
"But what is here? You were slaved to social media when you want to cut it off, you keep going back to it because there's something in you that want to know what they're talking about today. And this is where, again, that deliverance [01:05:35]
is necessary because if we don't get delivered in various things in our life, our children are the benefactors of our problem and pain. Our spouses are those that we work with, our church family, our parents, whoever that person is in your life, they they miss out on the blessing of your freedom."
"I wanted to do right. But I couldn't do right. Not because the power to do right is not there. It's because I haven't leaned into God's will more than I'm leaning into my will, because the more I lean into God's law and become a disciple of his word, I'm more empowered to do what is right. Are you with me now? Don't get it twisted. Paul did not stay down. [01:07:15]
"
"Anybody ever struggle with being free? Look, it says that in Romans 7, 15, Paul says, I don't understand myself. He said, at all. He said, for I really want to do right or I really want to do what is right. But I don't do it. Anybody ever been there before? You want to do right, but you can't do right. You want to do what you know you're supposed to do, but you can't even pause it. I don't even understand myself at all for I really want. [01:01:45]
"
"And I remember one of the days I reached out there to pull up some of the weed. But as I was pulling up some of the weed, I pulled up some of the good, the grass. This is the reason why as believers, as Christians, we got to be careful how we treat people who come into the kingdom of God. Because as you try to pluck out something bad, you also pull up some good stuff as well. [01:29:40]
"
"And too many believers are not disciplined in the word. It says, and you can't make, or I'm sorry, it says here, and I'm lost without a ship, without a sail. He said, then you would know the truth. And the truth will set you free. [55:07]
So if I'm not a disciple of the word or a student of the word, I can't know the truth. And if I don't know the truth, then guess what? I can't be set free."
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