Sermon Tone Analysis

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,

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

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

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.

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!