Freedom from the ties that bind Week 3

SERIES: Freedom From the Ties That Bind

WEEK 3 — “Called Out to Be Loosed”

Responding to the Call of Freedom

Primary Texts:

Luke 13:12

John 5:5–9

Romans 10:11

INTRODUCTION (8–10 minutes)

Freedom Has a Voice — Will You Answer?

So far in this series:

Week 1: We recognized the chains

Week 2: We identified the source

Now comes the turning point.

Because here is a truth many people miss:

Jesus does not force freedom — He invites response.

Bondage often survives not because Jesus is unwilling,

but because people are hesitant.

Luke 13:12 says:

“When Jesus saw her, He called her to Him…”

She didn’t ask.

She didn’t shout.

She didn’t demand.

Jesus called.

Freedom has a voice.

The question is:

Will you answer it?

Tell your neighbor:

“This is my moment.”

I. JESUS CALLS BEFORE HE LOSES (Luke 13:12) — 10 minutes

Jesus didn’t heal her from a distance.

He called her forward.

Key Insight

Before the hands of Jesus touch you,

the voice of Jesus must move you.

Calling precedes loosing.

Illustration: Teacher Calling a Student

When a teacher calls your name:

You stop what you’re doing

You stand up

You step forward

You don’t argue with the call.

You respond.

Pentecostal altar truth:

👉 The call to come forward is not pressure — it’s invitation.

Jesus calls people out of:

Hiding

Shame

Crowds

Excuses

II. SHAME PREFERS THE CROWD; FAITH STEPS OUT (Luke 13:12) — 10 minutes

This woman had been bent for 18 years.

Everyone knew her condition.

Yet Jesus called her publicly.

Illustration: Blending In

It’s easier to stay in the crowd:

No attention

No exposure

No risk

But crowds protect bondage.

Exposure breaks it.

Biblical Pattern

Every major miracle involves response:

Blind Bartimaeus cried out

The lepers showed themselves

The man with the withered hand stretched it out

Faith moves before freedom manifests.

III. DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WHOLE? (John 5:6) — 10 minutes

Jesus asked the man at the pool:

“Do you want to be made whole?”

Seems obvious.

But the man responded with excuses.

Illustration: Familiar Bondage

Some bondage becomes familiar:

Attention

Excuses

Identity

Freedom requires leaving behind:

The label

The story

The comfort of the familiar

Pentecostal moment:

👉 Healing disrupts identity before it restores it.

Jesus’ question still stands:

“Do you want to be whole — or just relieved?”

IV. RESPONDING REQUIRES RISK (Luke 13:12) — 8 minutes

When she stood up:

People stared

Religion watched

Critics judged

Illustration: Stepping Onto the Water

Peter didn’t sink until he stopped focusing on Jesus.

Responding doesn’t mean fear disappears.

It means obedience overcomes fear.

If you wait until you feel comfortable,

you’ll stay bound.

Faith moves while knees shake.

V. OBEDIENCE POSITIONS YOU FOR POWER — 8 minutes

The woman had to:

Straighten as much as she could

Walk forward while bent

Illustration: Stretching Before Healing

Jesus told the man with the withered hand:

“Stretch it out.”

He had to attempt what he couldn’t do.

Obedience is not performance —

it’s positioning.

Pentecostal principle:

👉 God often heals in motion, not in hiding.

VI. SOME FREEDOM DOESN’T HAPPEN UNTIL YOU MOVE — 7 minutes

Jesus could have healed her silently.

But He didn’t.

Why?

Because movement breaks agreement with passivity.

Illustration: Breaking the Seatbelt

You can’t exit a car until you unbuckle.

Some people want freedom

but refuse to release:

Pride

Fear

Control

Jesus calls you to move first —

not because He needs it,

but because you do.

VII. YOUR RESPONSE SILENCES ACCUSATION (Romans 10:11) — 5 minutes

Romans says:

“Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Shame says:

“They’ll judge you.”

Faith says:

“Jesus will heal you.”

The enemy loses power

when you respond publicly.

CONCLUSION & ALTAR CALL (10 minutes)

Answer the Call

This altar is not about hype.

It’s about response.

Jesus is still calling:

Out of the crowd

Out of hiding

Out of silence

Altar Call Language

“If Jesus is calling you forward today…

If you’re tired of hiding behind the crowd…

If you’re ready to respond, even if you’re still bent…”

Come.

Declaration

“I will not stay seated

when Jesus calls me forward.

My response is my faith.”

Amen.