Finding Freedom Through God's Promises and Community
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the second part of our "Four Cups" series, focusing on the promises of God as outlined in Exodus 6. We explored the concept of feeling stuck in life, whether it's in sin, shame, or condemnation, and how God's promises offer a way out. The four promises, or "I wills," are God's perpetual commitments to us: to bring us out of bondage, to free us from being slaves, to redeem us, and to take us as His own people. These promises are symbolized by the four cups in the Jewish Passover meal, each representing a step in our spiritual journey.
We specifically focused on the second cup, the cup of deliverance, which signifies God's promise to free us from the internal bondage that remains even after we are saved. This involves not just physical freedom but also emotional and spiritual liberation. We discussed the difference between salvation and deliverance, emphasizing that while salvation is a gift of grace, deliverance requires our active participation. This involves working through our issues, finding freedom from sin, and healing from wounds inflicted by others.
We also highlighted the importance of community in this journey. Access groups play a crucial role in helping us find freedom, as they provide a supportive environment where we can confess our struggles and receive healing. We encouraged everyone to take practical steps like joining a church, participating in access groups, and even leading a group to help others find freedom.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Perpetual Promises: The promises God made to the Israelites in Exodus 6 are still relevant today. These promises—bringing us out of bondage, freeing us from slavery, redeeming us, and taking us as His own—are steps in our spiritual journey that lead to true freedom and fulfillment. Understanding these promises helps us see God's long-term plan for our lives. [06:27]
2. The Cup of Deliverance: The second cup, the cup of deliverance, is about freeing us from the internal bondage that remains even after salvation. This involves breaking free from sin, shame, and condemnation. It's a reminder that while salvation is a gift, deliverance requires our active participation in working through our issues. [10:03]
3. The Role of Community: True freedom often comes through community. Access groups provide a supportive environment where we can confess our struggles and receive healing. The Bible teaches that while confessing to God brings forgiveness, confessing to others brings healing. This underscores the importance of being in the right relationships. [17:54]
4. Victory Over Sin and Healing from Wounds: We need to seek victory over our own sins and healing from the wounds inflicted by others. Sin is what we do to ourselves, while wounds are what others do to us. Both require intentional steps towards healing and freedom, often facilitated by community and accountability. [20:23]
5. Right Relationships as the Key to Freedom: The people we surround ourselves with can either help us find freedom or keep us trapped in bondage. Right relationships are crucial for spiritual growth and freedom. Being part of a church and an access group can provide the support and accountability needed to overcome our struggles. [25:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - Feeling Stuck
[02:24] - The Israel Trip Story
[05:07] - The Four Cups Explained
[06:27] - God's Perpetual Promises
[07:33] - The Four "I Wills"
[08:48] - The Spiritual Journey
[10:03] - The Cup of Deliverance
[11:18] - Salvation vs. Deliverance
[13:58] - Body, Soul, and Spirit
[17:54] - The Role of Community
[19:21] - Victory Over Sin
[20:23] - Healing from Wounds
[22:37] - Authority Over the Enemy
[24:12] - No Condemnation in Christ
[25:29] - Right Relationships
[28:18] - Practical Steps to Freedom
[29:34] - Water Baptism
[30:51] - Joining the Church
[31:53] - Access Groups
[33:08] - Evangelistic Opportunity
[34:23] - Leading a Group
[35:39] - Call to Action
[36:51] - Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 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.'"
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
> "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
3. James 5:16 (NIV)
> "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four promises God makes to the Israelites in Exodus 6:6-7?
2. According to Ephesians 2:8-9, what is the basis of our salvation, and why is it important that it is not by works?
3. What does James 5:16 say about the role of confession in the process of healing?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How do the four promises in Exodus 6:6-7 relate to the concept of spiritual freedom and deliverance discussed in the sermon? [06:27]
2. Why is it significant that salvation is described as a gift of grace in Ephesians 2:8-9, and how does this understanding impact our approach to deliverance? [12:35]
3. How does the act of confessing our sins to one another, as mentioned in James 5:16, contribute to our healing and freedom from internal bondage? [28:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "stuck" in life, whether in sin, shame, or condemnation. How did you seek deliverance, and what steps can you take now to experience true freedom? [01:09]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of community in finding freedom. How can you actively participate in or lead an access group to support others in their journey towards deliverance? [17:54]
3. Consider the difference between salvation and deliverance. What are some practical ways you can work through your issues and find freedom from sin and emotional wounds? [11:18]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of right relationships in achieving spiritual growth and freedom. Identify one relationship in your life that either helps or hinders your spiritual journey. How can you nurture or address this relationship? [25:29]
5. Confession to others is a key step towards healing. Is there something you need to confess to a trusted friend or group member to find freedom? How can you create a safe environment for others to do the same? [28:18]
6. The sermon highlighted the need for victory over sin and healing from wounds. What specific steps can you take this week to address a sin or wound in your life? [20:23]
7. How can you ensure that you are surrounding yourself with the right relationships that will help you grow spiritually and find freedom? What changes might you need to make in your social circle? [25:29]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Perpetual Promises
God's promises to the Israelites in Exodus 6 are still relevant today. These promises—bringing us out of bondage, freeing us from slavery, redeeming us, and taking us as His own—are steps in our spiritual journey that lead to true freedom and fulfillment. Understanding these promises helps us see God's long-term plan for our lives. These promises are not just historical facts but are living commitments that God continues to fulfill in our lives today. They offer a roadmap for our spiritual journey, guiding us from a place of bondage to a place of freedom and belonging.
God's promises are symbolized by the four cups in the Jewish Passover meal, each representing a step in our spiritual journey. The first promise is to bring us out of bondage, which signifies God's desire to rescue us from the things that hold us captive. The second promise is to free us from being slaves, indicating that God wants to break the chains that still bind us even after we are saved. The third promise is to redeem us, which means God wants to restore us to our original purpose. The fourth promise is to take us as His own people, signifying a deep, personal relationship with Him. [06:27]
Exodus 6:6-7 (ESV): "Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel stuck or in bondage? How can you invite God to bring you out of that situation today?
Day 2: The Cup of Deliverance
The second cup, the cup of deliverance, is about freeing us from the internal bondage that remains even after salvation. This involves breaking free from sin, shame, and condemnation. It's a reminder that while salvation is a gift, deliverance requires our active participation in working through our issues. Deliverance is not just about being saved from our sins but also about being set free from the things that continue to hold us back even after we have accepted Christ.
Deliverance involves a process of healing and restoration. It requires us to confront the issues that have kept us in bondage and to actively seek freedom from them. This might involve confessing our sins, seeking forgiveness, and making changes in our lives to align more closely with God's will. It's a journey that requires effort and commitment, but it's also a journey that leads to true freedom and fulfillment. [10:03]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one internal struggle or sin that you need to confront and seek deliverance from? What steps can you take today to begin this process?
Day 3: The Role of Community
True freedom often comes through community. Access groups provide a supportive environment where we can confess our struggles and receive healing. The Bible teaches that while confessing to God brings forgiveness, confessing to others brings healing. This underscores the importance of being in the right relationships. Community is essential for our spiritual growth and freedom because it provides the support and accountability we need to overcome our struggles.
Being part of a community allows us to share our burdens and receive encouragement from others who are on the same journey. It helps us to see that we are not alone in our struggles and that there are others who can offer wisdom, support, and prayer. Access groups, in particular, are designed to create a safe space where we can be vulnerable and honest about our struggles, knowing that we will be met with love and support. [17:54]
James 5:16 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Are you part of a supportive community where you can share your struggles and receive healing? If not, what steps can you take to join or create such a community?
Day 4: Victory Over Sin and Healing from Wounds
We need to seek victory over our own sins and healing from the wounds inflicted by others. Sin is what we do to ourselves, while wounds are what others do to us. Both require intentional steps towards healing and freedom, often facilitated by community and accountability. It's important to recognize that both our own actions and the actions of others can keep us in bondage, and we need to address both in order to find true freedom.
Seeking victory over sin involves confessing our sins, seeking forgiveness, and making changes in our lives to avoid falling back into old patterns. Healing from wounds involves acknowledging the pain that others have caused us, forgiving those who have hurt us, and seeking God's healing for our emotional and spiritual wounds. Both processes require effort and commitment, but they are essential for our spiritual growth and freedom. [20:23]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: What is one sin you need to confess and seek victory over? What is one wound you need to seek healing for? How can you take intentional steps towards healing and freedom today?
Day 5: Right Relationships as the Key to Freedom
The people we surround ourselves with can either help us find freedom or keep us trapped in bondage. Right relationships are crucial for spiritual growth and freedom. Being part of a church and an access group can provide the support and accountability needed to overcome our struggles. It's important to be intentional about the relationships we cultivate and to seek out those that will help us grow in our faith and find freedom.
Right relationships are those that encourage us, hold us accountable, and help us to grow in our relationship with God. They are relationships that are built on mutual trust, respect, and love. Being part of a church community and an access group can provide the support and accountability we need to overcome our struggles and find true freedom. It's important to be intentional about seeking out these relationships and to be willing to invest in them. [25:29]
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Reflection: Who are the people in your life that help you grow in your faith and find freedom? How can you be more intentional about cultivating these relationships and seeking out new ones that will help you on your spiritual journey?
Quotes
1. "If you are here today and you feel stuck in something in your life today is for you. And here's the truth. All of us at one point or another, if not now, we get ourselves stuck. And one of the things I love about the four cups that represent the four promises of God is cup number two is for every person who might feel stuck." [05:07] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's like, I'm going to get you out and then I'm gonna get you out again. What does that mean? Well, these are two incredibly distinct promises of God. I'm going to spend all of our time today talking about how God doesn't just want to get us out of the captivity of our hearts, but he wants to get what is in our hearts out of us." [06:27] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God's like, I want to heal your heart to the place that it was before sin or guilt or shame or condemnation convoluted and messed everything up on the inside. Next week, we're going to talk about this, how God wants to set your heart back to the way it was intended to be." [07:33] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The first three promises of God are for you, the individual. But the fourth one, and really this is God's goal, for all of us is that he's not talking to you, the individual. He's talking to you, plural, all of us, all the followers of Jesus. He says, I will take you, all of you followers of Jesus as my own people." [08:48] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God saves us by his grace, but then he wants us to do something with that. God saves us, but then he wants us to begin to actually work out our salvation. God saves us, not because we've got everything perfect and together. He saves us because of his grace, but once he saved us, then he wants us to start doing the work of becoming more like Jesus." [12:35] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When you make the decision to follow Jesus, when you declare, Jesus, you're the Lord of my life. I believe in you. I receive you. I believe in you. I believe in you. I believe in your gift of grace and salvation. Instantly, your spirit is made clean. It's made new. It can be received by God. God is so holy that none of us can be in his presence with sin, and so God makes our spirit new." [15:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We want you to find freedom from your issues, freedom from your past, freedom from your yesterdays, that this is the reason that we do access groups, and I want you to see this. Access groups are a huge, huge deal here. Why? Because the way we get free is in community. The way that we experience freedom once and for all is to allow God to save us and to change us, but we've now got to do something, and I want to tell you this. You really can't do the stuff that you need to do to finally get free once and for all on your own." [17:54] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I want you to experience authority over the enemy. And nobody likes this, but I want you to get this. According to scripture, the devil is a very real and active force in the world. His whole intention, his whole intention is to steal worship from God and to destroy your purpose. That's all he wants to do. If he can get the attention off of God and onto you, and then secondly, if he can get you focused not on others, but on yourself, it'll wreck your life." [23:06] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Okay, you don't have to walk under the weight, under the oppression, under the enslavement of condemnation anymore, because there's no condemnation in Jesus. He says, and because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." [24:48] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future. Like, your friends have the ability to help you experience freedom or to keep you trapped in the bondage of your own sin. In the book of Proverbs, I love this, Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, said, he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." [25:29] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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