Walking in Freedom: Standing Firm in God's Power

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound journey of walking in freedom and standing firm in our deliverance through the power of God. We began by acknowledging the challenges of spiritual warfare and the depth of strongholds that can entangle us. However, the antidote remains constant: the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and the power of Jesus' name and blood. These are the tools we must wield to maintain our freedom and resist the enemy's attempts to reclaim ground in our lives.

We delved into Matthew 12:43-45, which illustrates the danger of leaving our spiritual house empty after deliverance. The enemy seeks opportune moments to return, often bringing more trouble than before. This highlights the importance of filling our lives with God's presence and truth, ensuring that we are not merely cleansed but also fortified against future attacks.

The sermon emphasized the necessity of going against the grain of the world, which requires courage, discipline, and perseverance. We must be vigilant, watching and praying, as our flesh is weak but our spirit is willing. The enemy is strategic, waiting for moments of weakness to strike, but awareness of his tactics can help us stand firm.

We also examined the temptations of Jesus in Luke 4, where He overcame the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life by speaking the Word of God. This serves as a model for us to resist temptation and affirm our identity in Christ. The enemy often challenges who we are, but we must remember that our identity is secure in Jesus.

Finally, we discussed the concept of moving from glory to glory, experiencing increasing manifestations of God's presence in our lives. This journey is not about escaping our mess but finding God's glory within it. As we grow in His presence, we become more resilient, less entangled by the world's snares, and more aligned with His will.

Key Takeaways:

- The Power of God's Word and Spirit: The antidote to spiritual strongholds is consistent—God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and the power of Jesus' name and blood. These are our weapons in spiritual warfare, enabling us to stand firm in our deliverance and resist the enemy's attempts to reclaim ground in our lives. [01:38]

- Filling Our Spiritual House: After deliverance, it's crucial to fill our lives with God's presence and truth. An empty spiritual house is vulnerable to the enemy's return, often with greater force. We must actively engage in prayer, worship, and the Word to fortify ourselves against future attacks. [03:34]

- Courage Against the World: Going against the world's current requires courage, discipline, and perseverance. We must be vigilant, watching and praying, as our flesh is weak but our spirit is willing. Awareness of the enemy's tactics helps us stand firm in our faith. [05:08]

- Resisting Temptation Like Jesus: Jesus' victory over temptation in Luke 4 serves as a model for us. By speaking God's Word, He overcame the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Our identity in Christ is secure, and we must resist the enemy's attempts to challenge it. [12:58]

- From Glory to Glory: Our journey is about experiencing increasing manifestations of God's presence, not escaping our mess. As we grow in His presence, we become more resilient and aligned with His will. This transformation allows us to live in freedom and resist the world's snares. [24:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:36] - The Earth is the Lord's
- [01:38] - Standing Firm in Deliverance
- [02:29] - Walking in Freedom
- [03:34] - The Danger of an Empty House
- [04:22] - Going Against the Grain
- [05:08] - Courage and Perseverance
- [06:16] - Watch and Pray
- [07:10] - Keeping Our Freedom
- [08:15] - The World System
- [09:29] - Lust and Desires
- [10:19] - The Pride of Life
- [11:23] - Living in God's Will
- [12:58] - Temptations of Jesus
- [13:55] - Identity in Christ
- [14:33] - Overcoming Temptation
- [16:22] - The Devil's Offers
- [18:06] - Worship and Service
- [19:17] - Victory Over Temptation
- [20:20] - The Enemy's Strategy
- [22:58] - Stand Fast in Freedom
- [23:34] - From Glory to Glory
- [24:27] - Experiencing God's Presence
- [25:26] - Seeking More of God
- [26:51] - Overflowing with His Presence
- [27:54] - Resisting Religion's Limits
- [29:30] - Drenched in God's Presence
- [30:16] - Transformation in Freedom
- [31:10] - Increasing God's Presence
- [31:59] - Breaking Religious Limits
- [32:30] - Embracing God's Glory
- [33:17] - From Mess to Glory
- [35:12] - Owning Your Mess
- [36:39] - Living in Freedom
- [37:34] - Worship in the Mess
- [38:35] - Experiencing Glory in Mess
- [40:12] - Growing Up in Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 12:43-45 - Discusses the danger of leaving our spiritual house empty after deliverance.
2. Luke 4:1-13 - Describes the temptations of Jesus and how He overcame them.
3. Galatians 5:1 - Encourages believers to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Matthew 12:43-45 warn us about regarding spiritual deliverance and the state of our spiritual house? [03:34]
2. How did Jesus respond to the temptations presented by the devil in Luke 4, and what does this teach us about resisting temptation? [12:58]
3. According to Galatians 5:1, what are believers encouraged to do with the freedom they have in Christ? [22:58]
4. What are the three temptations Jesus faced, and how do they relate to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? [13:55]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of an "empty spiritual house" in Matthew 12:43-45 relate to the importance of filling our lives with God's presence and truth? [03:34]
2. In what ways does Jesus' response to temptation in Luke 4 serve as a model for affirming our identity in Christ? [12:58]
3. What does it mean to "stand firm in the freedom" as described in Galatians 5:1, and how can this be applied in daily life? [22:58]
4. How can understanding the enemy's tactics, as discussed in the sermon, help believers remain vigilant in their spiritual walk? [20:20]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "empty." What steps can you take to fill your life with God's presence and truth to prevent this in the future? [03:34]
2. Jesus used Scripture to resist temptation. What specific Bible verses can you memorize to help you in moments of temptation? [12:58]
3. Standing firm in freedom requires vigilance. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not entangled again with a yoke of bondage? [22:58]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of courage and perseverance in going against the grain of the world. What is one area in your life where you need to demonstrate more courage and perseverance? [05:08]
5. How can you actively engage in prayer, worship, and the Word to fortify yourself against future spiritual attacks? [03:34]
6. Identify a specific area where the enemy might be waiting for an opportune moment to strike. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to resist this? [20:20]
7. The sermon discussed moving from glory to glory. What is one way you can seek more of God's presence in your life this week? [24:27]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of God's Word and Spirit
The journey of spiritual freedom is fortified by the consistent application of God's Word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the power of Jesus' name and blood. These elements are not just abstract concepts but are active tools in the believer's life, enabling them to stand firm against spiritual strongholds. The enemy seeks to reclaim ground in our lives, but by wielding these spiritual weapons, we can maintain our deliverance and resist his advances. The Word of God serves as a sword, the Holy Spirit as our guide, and the name and blood of Jesus as our shield. [01:38]

Ephesians 6:17-18 (ESV): "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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: What specific scripture can you memorize and declare today to combat a current struggle or stronghold in your life?

Day 2: Filling Our Spiritual House
After experiencing deliverance, it is crucial to fill our lives with God's presence and truth. An empty spiritual house is vulnerable to the enemy's return, often with greater force. This means actively engaging in practices such as prayer, worship, and studying the Word to fortify ourselves against future attacks. The enemy is always looking for opportune moments to return, and a life filled with God's presence leaves no room for his schemes. By immersing ourselves in God's truth, we ensure that our spiritual house is not only cleansed but also fortified. [03:34]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to fill your life more with God's presence and truth?

Day 3: Courage Against the World
Living a life that goes against the grain of the world requires courage, discipline, and perseverance. The world often presents a current that is contrary to the values of the Kingdom of God, and standing firm in faith demands vigilance. The flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing, and by being aware of the enemy's tactics, we can remain steadfast. This involves watching and praying, understanding that the enemy is strategic and waits for moments of weakness to strike. By cultivating a life of prayer and awareness, we can resist the world's pull and stand firm in our faith. [05:08]

1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel the world's pressure most strongly, and how can you actively resist it today?

Day 4: Resisting Temptation Like Jesus
Jesus' victory over temptation in the wilderness serves as a model for us. By speaking God's Word, He overcame the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The enemy often challenges our identity, but we must remember that our identity is secure in Christ. By following Jesus' example, we can resist temptation and affirm our identity in Him. This involves knowing and declaring God's Word, understanding our position in Christ, and rejecting the enemy's lies. Our identity is not based on the world's standards but on who we are in Jesus. [12:58]

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: What temptation are you currently facing, and how can you use God's Word to overcome it today?

Day 5: From Glory to Glory
The journey of faith is about experiencing increasing manifestations of God's presence, not escaping our mess. As we grow in His presence, we become more resilient and aligned with His will. This transformation allows us to live in freedom and resist the world's snares. Moving from glory to glory means finding God's glory within our circumstances and allowing His presence to transform us. It is about embracing the process of growth and recognizing that God's glory is revealed in our lives as we align with His purposes. [24:27]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you seek to experience more of God's presence in your current situation, and what might that transformation look like in your life?

Quotes

1. "We have to understand that our flesh has been trained to flow with the world system downstream. That's how our flesh is trained. Whatever the current of the world is, that's how we get caught up in it. That's the natural flow of things. That's the easy way. The path of least resistance is generally what we're looking for. Going against the grain of the world is difficult. If you're going to go against the grain of the world, I mean, it's my guess. My goodness, you're just at the very peak of a political, a very toxic political season." ([00:04:42] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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2. "Prayer strengthens our resolve. We have to pray. The Bible says in Matthew 26 and 41, watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. For indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. That's what the Bible says. So we watch and pray. What do we mean watch and pray? I'm not going to teach on that, but, but we're watching what we're praying. Are we knowing what we're praying? because our flesh is weak, our spirit man is willing. Remember, you're a Christian. That means your spirit man is alive." ([00:05:43] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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3. "Any times when you're walking in freedom from the deliverance, from whatever it is that you, the cloud, the, the heaviness, the generational curse, if, if the stronghold, however deep it is, you, you, you, you feel that freedom. You have, you have it. Well, well, now we got the, now we got to keep it. I just read you the scripture out of the message where it says that just because he's been, he's, he's been expelled, he's, he's been removed. He's not just going to, he doesn't take defeat well." ([00:07:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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4. "And the Bible says, do not love the system, the world, or the things in the world or in the system. If anyone loves the world, then the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and remember, the word lust there means desire, craving, longing, a desire for what is forbidding. You've got to watch lust. How do you know if I've got to, how do I know if I'm lusting for, I've got to, which is attached to a spirit because you're starting, you're starting to sell out to get it." ([00:09:29] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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5. "There's three things that keeps us in contact with the world. There's three things that keeps the enemy just keep us on a cycle of problems. Well, we were free, but here we are again. We were delivered, but here we are again. We were walking in victory, but here we are again. It's because of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. That's what the Bible teaches us. If we can learn to get rid of these things, we got it." ([00:12:35] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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6. "And we're going to learn to live in freedom. If he don't change your situation, you're going to live to learn in freedom. If he don't change you. Man, what if he don't change your mess? You got to live in it for another 10 years. Are you going to worship him anyway? You mean to tell me he's got to do all of that before you give him glory? How about giving him some glory right in the middle of the hope? My God! Woo! Now you're going from glory to glory." ([00:38:06] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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7. "Hope, hope. Remind you where you are at 738 on Wednesday night. You're on the corner of 17 and Red Buck. You at highest praise. Church, people are already saying what happened to her? What's going on with him? What in the world is going on? I'll tell you what's happened to them. They realize that we can keep, even in the middle of our mess, we can still experience the glory of God. And once we experience glory in our mess, then he takes over." ([00:39:25] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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8. "because what the Galatians 5 .01 says stand fast in the liberty which Christ has made you free do not be entangled again I just taught you and God has fired up over something that will mean it will nearly be impossible for us to be entangled again with a yoke of bondage amen can we do it yes our goal is going from glory to glory to glory to glory to glory to the point that finally we get so far in him that the mess that the enemy you entangle us with is below our feet give the Lord some praise we gotta get out of here thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you" ([00:40:18] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?