Living in Continued Freedom Part Three

If the Son has set you free...

It is truth… it is undeniable… and it is essential that we never forget it. When Jesus sets a person free, that person IS free indeed.

This is true no matter your outward circumstance or situation. We can be free while walking through the valley. We can be free while going through the trials. We can be free when it feels our world is upside down.

Our freedom in Christ means we are no longer slaves to sin… sin no longer has mastery over those Christ has delivered!

Our freedom is GAINED through Salvation and it is MAINTAINED through obedience.

Deliverance and Discipleship are key to being set free and continuing to live in freedom!

This morning we wrap up the mini-series within the series simply called Living in Continued Freedom.

The last two sermons talked about significant and dangerous signs in our lives that we have allowed the enemy access. These signs help us realize that somewhere and somehow, the enemy was given a foothold… the turned into a stronghold.

The first sign we talked about was continued iniquity - ongoing, repetitive sin in our lives. This is MORE than a bad habit, it is spiritual demise. It is knowingly rebelling against the instruction of the Lord. Such outward behavior points to an inward spiritual problem.

The second sign we talked about was continued illness. ALL illness is an indirect result of sin in general… but there can be illness in our lives that are a direct result of sin or spiritual oppression. The enemy can attack you through an illness you are experiencing, or he can attack you with an illness if he has access in your life. In either case, Jesus can and will set your free either through the healing of your body or the outpouring of His love and grace. His grace IS sufficient to carry you through!

This morning, we move away from the signs and we move toward the topic of standing against the enemy.

So far, the two signs we talked about deal with cleaning house… taking care of the spiritual clutter and open doors in our lives.

Next, I want to talk about steps we can take to make sure the enemy doesn’t gain access to our lives in the first place. And we are going to do this… by studying the enemy a bit and understanding his tactics.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:11

2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV

11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

The Word of God has given us insight as to who the enemy is, what he comes to do, and how he does what he does.

This sermon is not given to glorify the works of the devil or to make him appear to be bigger and more mighty than what he really is. HOWEVER… I hope this sermon helps us to develop a healthy respect toward the enemy and spiritual danger he is.

As we have stated before… we are going to war with the enemy. As the old song says, we are going to his camp to take back what he has stolen from us.

In this battle, we need to respect our enemy. What I mean by that is this: when a soldier goes to war, a good soldier respects the strength of the army he or she is fighting against.

They do not go to the front line carrying a water pistol… they arm themselves with the weapons necessary to get the job done… to win the day.

Some of us are losing the day because we are going to battle unprepared… we are going to the front line not ready to fight. Respecting the devil means we understand that the enemy is SERIOUS in his approach toward us. He is our true foe and we need to take him seriously.

The enemy is very real… and part of respecting the enemy is choosing not to pretend that he doesn’t have a strong ability to wreck people’s lives.

He comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. He is a very serious threat and… he is good at what he does.

But Christ has come… that we might have life to the full. Here’s the deal. We are going to look at a well-known passage of Scripture this morning that I believe will help to highlight the motive of our God… and the motive of our enemy. That passage comes from Psalm 23.

This is a well-known passage that begins by describing God as a Shepherd. It identifies our heavenly Father as One who is looking over, protecting, and providing for those under His care. It outlines some amazing things that God does for us.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me by still waters.

He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right path’s for His name sake.

These are all great things, amen? But then we come upon a verse that moves us from the green pastures, the still waters, the place of refreshment and so on… and into… a valley. Not just any valley, the DARKEST valley. The valley of the shadow of death.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 KJV 1900

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Now… take note of something very important. The Psalmist makes clear that God’s presence never departs from him even though he finds himself in the valley. And it’s this moment… this particular passage that I want to pay close attention to.

Watch this: God wants to lead you THROUGH the valley. And with every step you take, His rod and staff are there to protect you and to provide for you.

The enemy, however, wants to get you stuck in this valley. He doesn’t want you going through… he wants the valley to be the end of you. It’s in the valley where the enemy will strike the hardest and fiercest. It is in the valley when fear, worry, and other temptations may arise. It is in the valley where we will have to make an important decision: Will I stick with the Shepherd or get stuck in the valley?

The moment you begin to downplay the valley is the moment you begin to let your guard down. The valley itself… is not the enemy. But… it is a territory or a situation the enemy can use for his benefit. The enemy will do what he can to take full advantage of those moments to attack you and to bring you down.

This is not… in any way shape or form, a message that says God is not good enough to get us through. In fact, quite the opposite is true… GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GET US THROUGH.

The problem is, our DOWN PLAYED approach to the enemy has created a lack of DEPENDENCY on the Shepherd.

This is true on the mountain top or in the valley. No matter where we find ourselves today, I pray we are FULLY dependent on God and we understand the real danger that the enemy is to our lives and spiritual freedom.

There are three things I want to look at today that will help us to be dependent on God. Three things that will keep us following the Shepherd so we don’t become stuck in the valley. Two of the three highlight ways in which the enemy tries to attack us - ways in which the enemy tries to get us stuck in the valley.

The central truth to ALL three points is this: God’s presence or the presence of the Shepherd is essential in making any of this happen. WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT HIS HELP.

Recognize the Danger Zones

What kind of danger zones am I talking about? The kind that are traps… the kind that are designed to lure you in and to get you stuck in the valley.

How many have ever found yourself in time or a place when… you didn’t feel safe?

Maybe you found yourself in a bad part of town. Maybe you found yourself driving in a heavy rainstorm or a heavy snow storm.

Not long ago, my kids and I were coming home from Woodston in the middle of a bad thunderstorm. We were heading north right by the Kirwin Reservoir… the dam and the lake were on our left. The lightning became… intense. Strike after strike it was hitting so close we could see the fireball on the ground. The thunder sounded like canon shots going off in the truck. We watched the radio tower get hit, trees get hit. All the while, my kids became more and more nervous.

They asked dad if we were going to be okay. I reassured them that we would be… as I white-knuckle gripped the steering wheel. It was crazy!

You know what I am talking about… moments when your heart is pounding and you were wishing you were not there.

These are not the danger zones I am speaking of. Yes… these are dangerous situations… but I’m talking about the danger zones that have the potential to destroy you… spiritually.

Maybe it’s the moment you have alone in the house… before anyone else is there… it’s just you, your computer… and the internet.

Maybe it’s the conversation in the coffee shop with a “friend” who hears you out and is emotionally supportive.

Maybe it’s the credit card that enables your impulsive buying that gives you a thrill or sense of comfort.

Maybe it’s the things you consume to take the edge off, the music you listen to that distracts for a moment, or the books you read that help you escape.

For one pastor and author, he tells of his danger zone being the hotel room when he is all alone.

No one will know what he is watching on TV.... so go ahead and watch it.

Danger zones are those areas in life the enemy will use to try to get us stuck in the valley. We may not all share the same temptations but… we all know what temptation is and what it feels like.

So the idea here is this: IF you know it’s going to be a potential problem… have nothing to do with that particular danger.

IF that computer is a gateway for material you shouldn’t be viewing, then get rid of the computer.

IF that conversation is moving you in ways you know are compromising, then get rid of that relationship.

IF that credit card feeds the impulse to spend more than you have, then cut that thing up.

If what you consume, listen to or watch or read is altering your mind and thinking, then get that stuff out of your house.

In the case of the pastor… he set up an accountability system with his wife to make sure he didn’t fall for the trap.

Danger zones are those BAITED traps the enemy throws out in front of us. Recognize the trap for what it is and steer as clear as you can of that thing.

James 1:13-15 gives us this instruction.

James 1:13–15 NIV

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

The enemy will play on your fleshly desires. He did this to Jesus in the wilderness and… he will do this to you as well. AND… if that enticement is not recognized for what it is, a person is dragged down, the temptation leads to sin and gives birth to death.

BAM! The trap slams shut and the damage is done. Therefore, we must see the danger zones for what they are and deal with them accordingly.

Jesus makes clear of what we should when this sort of danger comes our way.

Matthew 18:8–9 NIV

8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

Is Jesus really calling for believers to engage in self-mutilation? The answer might surprise you… YES HE IS! He is calling for the crucifixion of the old spiritual self that would lead you to sin. AND… if avenues exist in your life that give you access to sin… get rid of such things or relationships! Paul says it this way in Galatians 2:20

Galatians 2:20 NIV

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Paul didn’t stop at the foot or the eye… he gave up his entire self to gain new life in Christ. He did so… that by faith… sin would no longer have mastery over him.

Danger zones are very real and the enemy is very strategic in his placement of such traps. Be set free of such things through the saving power of our Lord and Savior.

Realize the Presence of Wolves

This point is similar to the last one but I want you to see something very important. The Lord IS our shepherd and He protects us from the wolf who is the enemy.

God is and will always watch over His flock. But the enemy lurks… waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The enemy often does so… through wolves who look to bring harm to the people of God.

Now… to be clear, we know our ENEMY is not flesh and blood. However, the enemy can use people through his influence to bring devastation to hearts and lives. Jesus warned of such people in His Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15 NIV

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Also consider passages such as Ezekiel 22:27

Ezekiel 22:27 NIV

27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.

At this time in Biblical history, the writers were describing leaders of Israel who were under the influence of demons. And the description of these leaders reveal destructive, blood-thirsty predators.

That’s what the enemy is… a destructive, vicious, blood-thirsty predator looking to bring destruction to your life.

But I find the illustration of the wolf as most intriguing. Why was this particular illustration used?

In recent US history, ranchers in the northwest part of the nation have been wrapped up in a controversy - what to do with the wolves.

In decades past, wolves were seen only as predators. They were systematically dealt with until their population had become extremely limited. But in modern days, there has been an effort to repopulate the species through relocation of the animals. In other words, the wolves are being brought back.

Sounds innocent enough, right? One rancher describes this situation in a different way. He says wolves are predators and will always be predators. With the animals now reintroduced, the ranchers can’t let their kids play in their own backyards, their herds are constantly attacked. The people cannot take walks without having a weapon for protection. The wolves are a real danger.

Now, watch this. A scientific study was done on wolves and one of the researches shared this insight.

The Lord did not teach us about predators to teach animal control of children’s fables. Wolves and sheep cannot coexist. When wolves appear most casual and innocent, even interesting to watch, they’re actually studying you and sizing up their next prey for the attack. THE MORE INDIFFERENT THEY SEEM, THE MORE SERIOUS THE DANGER. They are preparing for the pack attack. The more comfortable they appear, the more deadly they are.

Now I’m not here to debate on the topic of animal protections or species eliminations… but I think you get the point. When wolves are present… they are planning to attack!

When we see a spiritual wolf beginning to lurk or to prowl, don’t get comfortable with its presence, don’t become indifferent to its existence, recognize the danger for what it is! If that wolf is not dealt with… it will eventually deal with you!

And that attack will come when it feels you are most vulnerable.

The wolf wants you to get comfortable. The wolf wants you to shrug it off. And the more comfortable you become with the presence of the wolf… the closer it gets to you. The closer it gets to you… the more deceived our thinking might be believing it to be friendly or cute.

WOLVES are predators. Our enemy, the devil, is a predator. “looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The point in this is simple… Not only does the enemy want to get you stuck in the valley, he wants to destroy you in the valley.

If he can get you comfortable with his presence… he might get you to take your eyes off the shepherd. If he can make you believe he is cute, curious, indifferent, and harmless, then we might begin to let our guard down. We might begin to trail further behind the shepherd.... even lose sight of the shepherd.

Church listen to me: do not down play the danger of the presence of wolves. Again, our enemy is not flesh and blood, but he will use his demons and influence this fallen world to come against the people of God.

So what do we do? How can we walk in continued freedom when there are danger zones ahead and when the wolves appear to be preparing for attack?

There is only one thing we can do… and it’s not a hail marry kind of strategy… it it the one thing a person can do that ensures their safe deliverance through the valley.

Run to the Shepherd

The Shepherd is the ONLY source of freedom from the valley. The Shepherd is the ONLY one who can deliver us from a situation that would otherwise destroy us.

Even though we might find ourselves in the valley, GOD HAS THE POWER TO CARRY US THROUGH. With God as your shepherd, that valley WILL NOT overtake you. It WILL NOT.

For as long as you remain in the shepherd, those danger zones will have no power over you.

As long as you remain in the shepherd, the wolves cannot overtake you.

You want proof of this reality this morning? Look at what the Psalmist goes on to say.

Psalm 23:5–6 NIV

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The shepherd prepares a table for us IN THE PRESENCE of our enemies… in other words… the enemy is there, but he cannot touch us so long as we remain in the presence of the shepherd.

Here’s the problem… many people are looking for the goodness and love mentioned in verse 6… but they don’t find themselves at the table with the Lord. They don’t find themselves under the protection and guidance of His rod and staff. Instead, they find themselves stuck in the valley ensnared in the enemy’s trap.

Do not down play the enemy and his attacks. AND… never underestimate the delivering power found only in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Living in continued freedom means we follow the shepherd. We do as the shepherd would make us do, what He would lead us to do, and where He would guide us to go.

Do you desire to break free from temptation? Then follow the Shepherd.

Do you desire to be protected from the wolves? Then follow the Shepherd!

Do you want the goodness and love of God to be with you all the days of your life? THEN FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD!

Jesus IS our good Shepherd!

John 10:11 NIV

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

God doesn’t want you getting stuck in the valley… God is here to get you through the valley… and it’s time for some to finally break free of the enemy’s trap and move on through!

I don’t know what it is that may have you trapped today. Maybe your are bombarded with temptation. Maybe you have entertained the danger zone instead of walking away from it. maybe you have become comfortable in the presence of wolves. They are stealing from you daily and getting closer to attack and devour.

Will you come back into the care and protective love of the Shepherd?

Get unstuck by running back to the shepherd today!

Altar Call.