Living in Continued Freedom Part Two

Our spiritual freedom is GAINED through SALVATION. Our Spiritual Freedom is MAINTAINED through OBEDIENCE.

Today we continue our sermon from last week, “Living in Continued Freedom” with the goal in mind to help each and every one of us to do exactly that: LIVE IN THE FREEDOM CHRIST JESUS HAS GIVEN US.

This freedom is not something that the enemy can steal from us… but if we are not careful, we can surrender it to him by choice.

So… it is imperative that we identify areas in which we have allowed the enemy access to our lives. We need to watch for signs that will begin to emerge… symptoms in our daily life that point to enemy influence and oppression.

Last week, we talked about continued iniquity - choosing to be active in sin. This is definitely a sign that the enemy has gained a foothold - that has turned into a stronghold - in our lives.

Thankfully, we know who we can turn to for deliverance regarding this particular symptom. Jesus has the power to break us free from ALL sin!

With that deliverance… must come the CHOICE to turn away from that old wickedness. For those that were set free last week, I hope that you made the choice to stay free by saying no to that old way of life.

As Ephesians 4:27 says clearly,

Ephesians 4:27 NIV

27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

This morning, we are going to look at another sign… and I am going to be very careful with this one because it can cause some confusion if we do not approach it correctly. Sign number two might surprise you. Sign number two is something we might not think of as a sign of spiritual oppression… and that is exactly where the enemy wants us regarding this particular sign. Sign number two is… Continued Illness.

Now… before we get any deeper I want to make something VERY clear.

ALL illness is a result of sin in general. Illness itself is a symptom of death - it is a sign of the breakdown of this world and our bodies. We know today that the consequence of sin IS death. God did not create us for this reality… that is why He has provided deliverance for us from this reality.

Now… with that being said… some sickness that we face can absolutely be a direct result of spiritual oppression in our lives. If you think the enemy will not attack us through our physical bodies… think again.

When I was in the hospital suffering from the effects of Covid-19, I do not believe that my immediate circumstance was the result of any direct sin in my life… however… the enemy tried to use that opportunity to bring oppression in my life. “See what I did… I took away your strength.” The enemy began attacking my faith through that illness.

The enemy can attack through illness… but can attack with illness as well. Those attacks very well could be a result of an open door in your life that he has gained access from.

I get it… this can be a touchy subject. But to avoid it is to potentially leave an open door in our life. AND… to avoid it might cause someone to remain in a place of physical or mental bondage.

We are going to war with the enemy. Last week, we took back ground regarding deliverance from habitual sin. Today… I believe… people are going to be set free from physical illness whether or not that illness is a direct or indirect consequence of sin.

In a moment, we are going to get back in these altars to pray for healing. Your physical freedom comes not from a doctor or a bottle of pills, Jesus Christ is the source of our true freedom and healing today!

I’m glad for the medical sciences… don’t get me wrong. But I am even more glad for the truth that “by His Stripes, we are healed.”

Someone is going to get set free by healing today. Someone is going to experience a physical change in their body that they have been waiting for. By the love and grace of God… your physical situation will no longer be what it has been.

This morning, I want us to see two different ways Christ brings deliverance to our bodies. IF your continued sickness has spiritual root… Jesus is more than able to pluck that root from your life. IF your continued sickness is a result of an open door to the enemy… it’s time to call on the name of Jesus for healing and help to close that door.

Jesus Heals through Deliverance.

Our bodies… are susceptible to the to the bad stuff found in this world - and what I mean by bad stuff is germs, viruses, disease, etc. Unfortunately, we risk running into this stuff on a daily basis.

Sickness and injury is a part of living life in this broken world and I am sure all of us have experienced both in our lives.

We do things like wash our hands to help stop the spread of germs. We cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze, we stay home when we are running a fever, we do what we can to limit our exposure or our exposure of others because we don’t like being sick.

But sometimes… we do things to invite the sickness in. Sometimes… our physical illness… is a direct result of spiritual illness that has been caused by an open door in our lives.

And this involves more than we might imagine. For instance, if there is one thing that we are really good at doing as a culture today it is running ourselves ragged. WE DON’T KNOW WHEN OR HOW TO STOP.

Busy has become a new disease… and it can absolutely bring physical harm to our bodies. And someone might say, “I don’t see anywhere in Scripture where busy is a sin. How can this be rooted in a spiritual problem?”

Busy is not itself a sin… but it can certainly lead us to sin when we don’t stop to take care of ourselves. God set forth a pattern for all of creation to follow in Genesis 1. God created all that we know in 6 days and on the seventh… what did He do? HE RESTED.

When we ignore the need for rest… the need for practicing Sabbath, we are knowingly running our bodies too hard against the instruction of the Lord… and we know that sooner or later… something will give out.

What about in the area of stress and worry?

With all the business and craziness of the world, stress levels and anxiety levels are skyrocketing. These things will absolutely take a tole on our bodies. Worry does nothing to resolve the situation at hand and it can distract us from the One who can help us overcome the situation at hand.

Jesus Himself told us in Matthew 6 not to worry. He asked in verse 27

Matthew 6:27 NIV

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Instead of worrying, Jesus tells us to go a different direction.

Matthew 6:33–34 NIV

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Yet so often seeking God does not come first and… our worry and stress grow out of control and it causes physical and mental breakdown in our lives.

I can certainly expand on this further but I think you get the point. Church, there is no doubting that what we do will often impact how we feel. And I’m not talking about physical labor causing our muscles to hurt… I’m talking about spiritual disobedience that opens the door for physical demonic oppression.

Those are strong words that we don not like to hear… but the enemy is looking for any way possible to invade your life. Give him an inch… and he will take it. Allow him the opportunity to attack you physically, and he won’t hesitate to do so.

Thankfully, our Savior has come do deliver us from such behaviors and attacks. Thankfully, Jesus has the POWER to deliver, heal, and set free all who call on His name!

Look at Luke 13:10-17. It is a story of how Jesus delivered and healed a woman who was going through a very rough time.

Luke 13:10–13 NIV

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Look at the details here. The woman had been crippled by a what? BY A SPIRIT for 18 years! The oppression of the enemy had direct physical consequences in this woman’s life. She had let the enemy in… and for 18 years that spirit literally crippled her.

But… notice what takes place. Jesus calls to her and she responds. Jesus has her come out from the crowd to receive something new.

Why did He call her out? I believe it was a testing of faith. WATCH THIS: We know that Scripture says “By His stripes, we are healed,” That is the call to healing… if you will… but how many choose not to move on that calling we know so well?

Jesus calls her and she responds. He is calling you as well… will you respond? Jesus flat out tells the crowd in verse 16 that Satan had bound this woman for 18 long years. Maybe… you can relate. Maybe… 3, 5, 8, 12, 20, 40 years ago, you let the enemy in… and you’ve not taken the steps toward Jesus to kick the enemy out!

Jesus want to deliver you today! I don’t know how you have been feeling. I can’t discern whether or not your continued sickness is a direct or indirect result of sin… but what I do know is that Jesus is the source of the healing and deliverance you have been looking for! Jesus Christ want’s to heal you and set you free!

The Word flat out tells us how to receive this healing and deliverance and… I think you might have heard this passage before.

James 5:14–16 NIV

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 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.

Whoa did you catch that… if they have sinned… they will be forgiven. IF SIN is the cause and it is left unchecked… that continued illness will remain… because the spiritual rebellion and open door remains. HOWEVER - when we confess and are forgiven of our sins… the root cause is then removed by the loving hand of Jesus and healing becomes our new reality!

Jesus has the power set you free through healing today!

So… what are we to do with situations when we pray… and we remain in a physically compromised situation? Does that mean my sins have not been forgiven? Does that mean I was too far gone? Does that mean that God does not care about the physical situation I am walking through.

God very much cares about what you are going through and while I cannot say why some are healed and others are not… I can say that God, through His Son Jesus… STILL DELIVERS.

Jesus Gives Power Through Grace.

Has anyone heard of a guy named Paul in the Bible? I’m sure most of us have! He was a devoted follower of Jesus that Christ used in amazing ways!

Paul was a teacher, a missionary, a mentor, a disciple maker. Paul was persecuted, imprisoned, stoned, and chased out of towns. He gave all in his walk with the Lord.

But did you know that Paul suffered from something physically that God… choose not to deliver him from? Did you know that Paul asked for healing… and he never got it? How could Jesus not heal this guy who was doing such a great work for the kingdom of God?

I want you to see what Paul had to say on the matter in 2 Corinthians 12:7-8

2 Corinthians 12:7–8 NIV

7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

Oof… that kind of smarts. This “thorn” is described by Paul as a “messenger of Satan.” This is not something simple like a paper cut or a broken toenail. This is something that is a major physical situation… something Paul cannot overcome on his own.

Paul said he pleaded with God three times for it to be taken away from him… but it wasn’t. Why wouldn’t God heal Paul so that he wouldn’t have to deal with this anymore? Why would Paul have to struggle with this physical situation? Did God want to see Paul sick and hurting?

God wasn’t keeping Paul in a position of sickness… He was leading Him to a place of grace.

Paul receives an answer from Jesus himself in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NIV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul may have not receive healing from the thorn… but he would be carried on through the power of Jesus’ grace.

HIS BODY MAY HAVE BEEN FAILING, BUT JESUS’ GRACE WOULD NEVER FAIL.

I have a minister friend in Eldon, MO who became a huge inspiration in my life. Her name is Buena Huffman… and she was the lead pastor of an Assembly of God Church for over 50 years.

What many people did not know was… Sister Huffman suffered from a sever spinal problem that caused her to have to wear a brace just to function.

She led Sunday School. She taught a Children’s Church class. She preached Sunday morning and evening service. She preached Wednesday night.

To this day she has suffered with this condition… but to this day… she operates not in her power… but in the power found only in the grace of God.

I cannot say why God has not healed my friend. And maybe you can relate to her situation. I cannot say why God hasn’t healed you of a long-term condition. But maybe… just maybe… God is wanting you to be dependent on His power and strength. Maybe God wants you to live in and experience the sufficiency of His grace. HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH!

Closing

Whether deliverance comes by healing or by grace… it all comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You’ve heard me say this before… and it is worth repeating today. Jesus was broken on the cross so that we could be made whole again. This is what Isaiah 53:5 is all about

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

He took on our brokenness so that we can be healed. HE DID NOT take on our brokenness so that we would remain… broken.

Sin is the source of our brokenness. The blood of Christ has broken the power of sin in our lives. It is through the blood… that we are made whole.

Deliverance comes through knowing Him… do you have a relationship with Him? If not… is there anyone who would say with an uplifted hand that you want to be forgiven of your sins as you come into relationship with Jesus today?

PRAYER - Salvation

The first thing we are going to do this morning is remember the price Jesus paid for our spiritual and physical healing.

Jesus paid it all so that we can be set free. Today, we receive communion in remembrance of what Christ did for us on the cross.

SERVE THE ELEMENTS

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

These elements represent the totality of what Christ went through on the cross for us. He body was beaten, His blood was shed.

Your spiritual and physical victory comes through His work on the cross.

Before we receive the elements, we are going to do something different. If you are battling sickness that you want set free from today, come to these altars and bring the elements with you.

I believe God is going to heal you. I believe God is going to pour His grace out on you. God is calling to you today through His Son Jesus Christ… will you rise and be healed?

RECEIVE ELEMENTS

PRAY OVER THE SICK.