Living in Freedom: Prioritizing Christ and Spiritual Growth
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the profound journey of standing firm in our deliverance and living in the freedom that God has granted us. This journey is not just about a momentary experience of liberation but about a sustained walk in the Spirit, where we continually align our lives with God's will and purpose. We began by acknowledging the importance of making Jesus the number one priority in our lives. This involves a daily commitment to submit to His lordship, allowing Him to guide our decisions and actions. It's a reminder that our faith is not static; it requires constant realignment and reaffirmation of our commitment to Christ.
We also discussed the significance of surrounding ourselves with positive influences and avoiding those who lead us astray. This is a practical step in maintaining our spiritual health and ensuring that we are not swayed by negative influences. Prayer emerged as a vital component of our spiritual journey. It's not just about speaking to God but also about listening and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers. Praying in the Spirit, whether in tongues or in our natural language, connects us to the deep things of God, aligning our desires with His will.
Furthermore, we emphasized the importance of being grounded in a Spirit-filled church. Such a community nurtures our spiritual growth, encourages the operation of spiritual gifts, and provides a supportive environment for us to flourish in our faith. Lastly, we explored the concept of crucifying the flesh, which involves understanding who God is, knowing what He wants, and choosing His will over our own desires. This is a daily practice of denying ourselves and embracing God's higher ways.
Key Takeaways:
- Prioritize Jesus in Your Life: Making Jesus the number one priority in your life is essential for standing firm in your deliverance. This involves daily submission to His lordship and allowing Him to guide your decisions. It's a reminder that our faith requires constant realignment and reaffirmation of our commitment to Christ. [05:59]
- Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Avoiding negative influences and surrounding yourself with positive, Christian friends is crucial for maintaining spiritual health. This practical step ensures that you are not swayed by those who lead you astray and helps you stay focused on your spiritual journey. [07:16]
- The Power of Prayer: Prayer is vital for maintaining your spiritual freedom. It's not just about speaking to God but also about listening and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers. Praying in the Spirit connects you to the deep things of God, aligning your desires with His will. [09:08]
- Be Grounded in a Spirit-Filled Church: Being part of a Spirit-filled church nurtures your spiritual growth and encourages the operation of spiritual gifts. It provides a supportive environment for you to flourish in your faith and helps you stay grounded in your spiritual journey. [15:37]
- Crucify the Flesh: Understanding who God is, knowing what He wants, and choosing His will over your own desires is key to crucifying the flesh. This daily practice involves denying yourself and embracing God's higher ways, leading to a deeper spiritual walk. [26:59]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - God's Turnaround
[01:43] - God's Care for Israel
[02:24] - Pastor Appreciation
[04:06] - Standing Firm in Deliverance
[05:59] - Making Jesus Number One
[07:16] - Avoiding Negative Influences
[08:04] - The Importance of Prayer
[09:08] - Praying in the Spirit
[12:00] - The Indwelling Spirit
[13:25] - Binding the Enemy
[14:53] - Spirit-Filled Church
[16:30] - Gifts of the Spirit
[18:09] - Apostolic Leadership
[21:13] - Grounded in the Spirit
[22:32] - Daily Praise and Worship
[24:46] - Crucifying the Flesh
[26:59] - Understanding God
[28:51] - Knowing God's Desires
[30:41] - The Power of "No"
[34:19] - Staying in the Word
[37:01] - Accessing God's Presence
[41:10] - The Tree of Life
[43:56] - Choosing God's Will
[47:06] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 5:16-17 - "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
2. Ephesians 4:11-13 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of making Jesus the number one priority in our lives? ([05:59])
2. How does the pastor describe the role of prayer in maintaining spiritual freedom? ([09:08])
3. What are some characteristics of a Spirit-filled church as mentioned in the sermon? ([15:37])
4. What does the pastor mean by "crucifying the flesh," and how is it related to understanding who God is? ([26:59])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of walking by the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-17 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on living in spiritual freedom?
2. In what ways does Ephesians 4:11-13 support the idea of being grounded in a Spirit-filled church as discussed in the sermon? ([15:37])
3. How can understanding Isaiah 55:8-9 help believers in choosing God's will over their own desires, as mentioned in the sermon? ([26:59])
4. What practical steps can believers take to avoid negative influences, as suggested in the sermon? ([07:16])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you prioritize Jesus more effectively in your life this week? ([05:59])
2. Identify a negative influence in your life. What steps can you take to minimize its impact on your spiritual journey? ([07:16])
3. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily life, ensuring you are both speaking to and listening to God? ([09:08])
4. Are you currently part of a Spirit-filled church community? If not, what steps can you take to find and engage with one? ([15:37])
5. Think of a recent situation where you struggled to choose God's will over your own. How can understanding God's higher ways help you in similar situations in the future? ([26:59])
6. What is one specific way you can practice crucifying the flesh this week, perhaps by saying "no" to a particular temptation? ([30:41])
7. How can you actively seek to understand what God wants for your life, using both His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? ([28:51])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Your Life with Christ's Lordship
Description: Making Jesus the number one priority in your life is essential for standing firm in your deliverance. This involves a daily commitment to submit to His lordship, allowing Him to guide your decisions and actions. It's a reminder that our faith is not static; it requires constant realignment and reaffirmation of our commitment to Christ. By prioritizing Jesus, you open yourself to His transformative power, which enables you to live a life that reflects His love and grace. This daily practice of submission is not about losing your identity but about finding your true self in Him. [05:59]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects your commitment to making Jesus the priority in your life?
Day 2: Cultivating a Positive Spiritual Environment
Description: Surrounding yourself with positive influences is crucial for maintaining spiritual health. This involves intentionally choosing relationships and environments that encourage your faith and help you grow closer to God. By avoiding negative influences, you protect your heart and mind from being swayed by those who might lead you astray. This practical step ensures that you remain focused on your spiritual journey and are supported by a community that shares your values and beliefs. Remember, the company you keep can either uplift you or pull you down, so choose wisely. [07:16]
Proverbs 13:20 (ESV): "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
Reflection: Identify one relationship or influence in your life that may be hindering your spiritual growth. How can you begin to distance yourself from it today?
Day 3: Engaging in Spirit-Led Prayer
Description: Prayer is a vital component of your spiritual journey. It's not just about speaking to God but also about listening and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers. Praying in the Spirit, whether in tongues or in your natural language, connects you to the deep things of God, aligning your desires with His will. This form of prayer is transformative, as it opens your heart to God's guidance and helps you discern His purpose for your life. By engaging in Spirit-led prayer, you cultivate a deeper relationship with God and experience His presence in a profound way. [09:08]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: Set aside a specific time today to pray and listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance. What do you sense God is saying to you?
Day 4: Being Rooted in a Spirit-Filled Community
Description: Being part of a Spirit-filled church nurtures your spiritual growth and encourages the operation of spiritual gifts. It provides a supportive environment for you to flourish in your faith and helps you stay grounded in your spiritual journey. A Spirit-filled community is one where believers are encouraged to use their gifts for the edification of the body and where the presence of God is actively sought and experienced. By being rooted in such a community, you are strengthened in your walk with Christ and equipped to face the challenges of life with faith and courage. [15:37]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community this week to help foster a Spirit-filled environment?
Day 5: Embracing God's Will Over Personal Desires
Description: Crucifying the flesh involves understanding who God is, knowing what He wants, and choosing His will over your own desires. This is a daily practice of denying yourself and embracing God's higher ways, leading to a deeper spiritual walk. By choosing God's will, you align your life with His purpose and experience the freedom that comes from living in obedience to Him. This process requires humility and a willingness to let go of personal ambitions in favor of God's perfect plan for your life. [26:59]
Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to choose God's will over your own desires? What step can you take today to surrender this area to Him?
Quotes
1. "If you want God to turn something around, just get ready for it. I think that's where we are. Just a turnaround stage. Just turning around. I believe that's what's happening. Everything's for a purpose. Everything's for a time." [00:01:08] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Y 'all are the first crowd I got to be in front of, so I thank you guys, just the gifts and the letters. Man, you guys took the time and just wrote, and we just read and read and read and read and read, and just means so much. So it means a lot. The honor is on this side. I mean, for me to be in front of you guys, that's the biggest honor. And, you know, credibility is everything." [00:02:27] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Last week I talked about, you know, just, I mean, you've got to learn to pray, praise, and use the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, know how to operate in the Holy Spirit, trust Him, use the name of Jesus. That's just believing in who Jesus is and what He's done, the blood of Jesus. We talked about walking out your deliverance. I want to, there are just some practical things here that I want to talk about today and keeping it firm. And the things that I gave you as far as, you know, we're walking this thing out in the Spirit." [00:04:50] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But if you make Jesus number one in your life, submit to Him and allow Him to lead and guide you to make the right decision. Submit yourself to the Lord. I know we submit ourselves to the Lord because we're Christians. But make Him. Make Him number one in your life. He's your Lord. He is your Savior, but He's also your Lord." [00:05:34] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And one of the best ways to walk in deliverance and walk in that freedom is to remember and to make sure you know that you make Jesus known. You say, well, that's simple. It's Wednesday night. That's what I do. Well, but sometimes it begins to change. And so we have to make sure we put things back in its proper place. We have to make sure we put things back in its proper position." [00:05:59] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Prayer. Prayer is vital. Do not elect it. It does not have to be done a certain way at a certain time or a certain place, but it should be, I believe sometimes you should pray and make sure you find the time to pray aloud. Not always. Not always, but sometimes you've just got to pray so you can hear it." [00:08:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And sometimes you want to make sure you just allow the Spirit of the Lord to just begin to... Amen. Amen. You're just praying it, man. You're just calling it. Calling those things as not as though they were. Just speaking it. Anyway, that'll keep you free." [00:14:17] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We believe that God can manifest his presence to the point to where you prophesy. You have tongues and interpretations of tongues. That's the nine gifts of the spirit. We believe in them. We believe that the spirit of God gives them as he wills." [00:16:02] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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