Breaking Old Patterns

Mark 5:25–36 NIV84

25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Introduction

Today we'll explore how to break free from destructive patterns in our lives and embrace God's transformative power for lasting change

1. Recognize Our Patterns

A. Identify Destructive Behaviors

Romans 7:15–20 “15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

Paul's struggle with doing what he doesn't want to do

B. Understand Root Causes

Proverbs 4:23 “23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Guard your heart, for everything flows from it

C. Acknowledge Our Need for Change

Psalm 139:23–24 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Search me, God, and know my heart

2. God has the Power to Transform Lives

A. New Creation in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Old has gone, new has come

B. Power of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:16–18 “16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”

Walk by the Spirit

C. Grace for Change

2 Corinthians 12:9 “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.”

His grace is sufficient

3. Practical Steps for Change

A. Renew Your Mind

Romans 12:2 “2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Be transformed by renewing your mind

B. Build New Habits

Philippians 4:8–9 “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Think about these things

C. Accountability and Support

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 “9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Two are better than one

4. Maintain Your Freedom

A. Stand Firm

Galatians 5:1 “1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Stand firm in freedom

B. Continuous Growth

Philippians 1:6 “6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

He who began a good work will complete it

C. Living in Victory

1 Corinthians 15:57 “57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God gives us victory through Christ

Conclusion (5 minutes)

Breaking old patterns isn't a one-time event but a journey of transformation with God. Through His power, practical steps, and perseverance, lasting change is possible.

Altar Call/Response

Invitation for prayer and commitment to break specific patterns through God's power.