From Bondage to Breakthrough: Encountering God's Presence

Today, we gathered in the presence of God with open hearts, inviting Him to move in our lives in a powerful way. From the very beginning, there was a sense of expectation—an anticipation that God would do something miraculous among us. We were reminded that when our faith and expectation meet God’s ability, the impossible becomes possible. No matter what impossibility we brought into the room—whether it was bondage, addiction, fear, or hopelessness—God is able to bring deliverance and breakthrough.

We explored the reality that every one of us is born into a spiritual hostage situation. Sin, like a captor, seeks to bind us, not just for a moment, but to destroy us and the generations that follow. The enemy’s tactics are not just to steal our joy and peace, but to keep us locked in “sure places”—places that seem inescapable, places of isolation, shame, and defeat. Yet, the story does not end there. We looked at the man from the Gadarenes, bound in chains and isolated in a graveyard, and saw that even the most hopeless situations are no match for the presence of Jesus. When Jesus steps into the room, chains break, and destinies are rewritten.

We also considered the difference between being around the presence of God and truly stepping into it. It is possible to go through the motions, to look the part, and yet remain bound. But God’s desire is not for us to simply attend church or check religious boxes—He wants us to encounter Him, to experience true freedom and transformation. The invitation is to move from the periphery into the fullness of His presence, where deliverance, healing, and restoration are found.

As we responded in faith, we were called to repentance and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The promise of new birth—being born again of water and Spirit—is available to all. God’s grace is greater than any chain, any addiction, any “sure place” that has held us captive. Today is a day of victory, a day to step out of bondage and into the freedom and authority that Jesus offers. The Spirit of God is here, pouring out deliverance, healing, and breakthrough for all who will reach out in faith.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Expectation and Faith Unlock the Miraculous When we come before God with genuine expectation and faith, we create an atmosphere where miracles can happen. God responds to hearts that believe He is able, and even the smallest measure of faith is enough for Him to work wonders in our lives, families, and communities. Our impossibilities become opportunities for God’s glory when we dare to believe. [38:30]
• 2. Sin Seeks to Enslave, but Jesus Brings Deliverance Every person is born into a spiritual hostage situation—sin is not just a personal struggle, but a generational threat. The enemy’s goal is not merely to inconvenience us, but to destroy us and those who come after us. Yet, Jesus steps into our “sure places,” the locked and hopeless spaces, and offers true deliverance that breaks every chain and sets us free for generations to come. [53:43]
• 3. There’s a Difference Between Being Around God’s Presence and Entering In It is possible to be near the things of God, to participate in religious activity, and yet never truly encounter Him. God calls us beyond routine and surface-level engagement into a deep, transformative relationship. Only by stepping fully into His presence do we experience the fullness of joy, deliverance, and purpose He intends for us. [56:52]
• 4. Excuses Fade in the Presence of Jesus When confronted by Jesus, our long-held excuses and limitations lose their power. The man at the pool had been bound for 38 years, but Jesus was not interested in his reasons for remaining stuck—He simply offered healing and freedom. In God’s presence, our history and failures are overshadowed by His authority and compassion; all that remains is our response to His invitation. [65:36]
• 5. Repentance and New Birth Open the Door to Lasting Freedom True and lasting freedom comes through repentance and being born again of water and Spirit. The process is not about our worthiness, but about God’s promise and grace. When we empty ourselves in repentance, God fills us with His Spirit, breaking every yoke and empowering us to walk in victory, dominion, and newness of life. [81:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [37:24] - Inviting God’s Presence
• [38:30] - The Power of Expectation and Faith
• [39:37] - Revival and Breakthrough Are Available
• [42:50] - “Make It Sure”: The Sealed Tomb
• [44:16] - Resurrection Sunday: Victory Over Sure Places
• [47:12] - Signs of Breakthrough
• [53:43] - Hostage Situations and the Nature of Sin
• [56:52] - Being Around vs. Entering God’s Presence
• [58:36] - The Danger of Going Through the Motions
• [65:36] - Excuses in the Presence of Jesus
• [68:31] - Chains Breaking and Deliverance
• [74:40] - The Power of Grace Over Sin
• [78:36] - Receiving the Holy Ghost
• [81:50] - Repentance and New Birth
• [88:24] - Baptism and the Promise of the Spirit
• [90:27] - Outpouring and Celebration of Victory
• [100:07] - Closing Praise and Testimonies

Bible Reading

1. Matthew 27:62-66 (ESV) — > The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

2. Mark 5:1-20 (ESV) — > (Read the story of the man with the unclean spirit in the country of the Gerasenes, who lived among the tombs, was bound with chains, and was delivered by Jesus.)

3. John 3:3-8 (ESV) — > Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 27:62-66, what steps did the religious leaders and Pilate take to make Jesus’ tomb “sure” or secure? What were they trying to prevent?
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be in a “spiritual hostage situation,” and how does Psalm 51:5 relate to this idea? [[47:54]]
3. In Mark 5, what was the condition of the man from the Gadarenes before and after his encounter with Jesus?
4. What does Jesus say is necessary to enter the kingdom of God in John 3:3-8? How does this connect to the idea of new birth mentioned in the sermon? [[01:19:41]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The religious leaders tried to make the tomb “sure,” but Jesus still rose from the dead. What does this say about God’s power over “sure places” or situations that seem impossible? [[44:16]]
2. The sermon describes sin as a captor that wants to enslave not just us, but future generations. How does this perspective change the way we view our personal struggles with sin? [[53:43]]
3. The man from the Gadarenes was around the presence of God but only found freedom when he ran to Jesus. What is the difference between being around God’s presence and truly stepping into it? [[56:52]]
4. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again of water and Spirit. Why do you think Jesus emphasized this, and how does it relate to lasting freedom and transformation? [[01:19:41]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about coming to God with expectation and faith, creating an atmosphere for miracles. When was the last time you came to church or prayer with real expectation? What would it look like for you to raise your level of expectation this week? [[38:30]]
2. The idea of “sure places” was described as places of bondage, addiction, fear, or hopelessness. Is there a “sure place” in your life right now that feels inescapable? What would it look like to invite Jesus into that place? [[44:16]]
3. The man from the Gadarenes was isolated and bound, but Jesus met him right where he was. Are there areas of your life where you feel isolated or ashamed? How can you take a step toward Jesus in those areas this week? [[53:43]]
4. The sermon warned about just going through the motions—being around God’s presence but not really entering in. Are there any routines or habits in your spiritual life that have become “just motions” for you? What is one way you could move from routine to real encounter with God? [[58:36]]
5. When Jesus confronted the man at the pool, the man gave excuses for why he couldn’t be healed. Are there any excuses or reasons you’ve been holding onto that keep you from stepping into freedom? What would it look like to lay those down in God’s presence? [[01:05:36]]
6. The sermon emphasized repentance and being born again as the doorway to lasting freedom. If you have already experienced this, how can you help someone else take that step? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about it? [[01:21:50]]
7. The message said, “God’s grace is greater than any chain, any addiction, any ‘sure place’ that has held us captive.” Is there a specific area where you need to trust God’s grace more than your own ability to change? How can the group pray for you in that area this week? [[01:14:40]]