UNTRAPPED from or UNTRAPPED in

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Today’s Passage

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Through this last year of crisis so many have felt stuck or trapped.

Since the coronavirus arrived, depression and anxiety in America have become rampant. Federal surveys show that 40 percent of Americans are now grappling with at least one mental health or drug-related problem. But young adults have been hit harder than any other age group, with 75 percent struggling.

1 in 4 young adults have thought about killing themselves.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/11/23/covid-pandemic-rise-suicides/

2013 - Eighty-four percent of those surveyed said they feel trapped in their current positions and want to find new jobs.

https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2013/07/study-reveals-majority-of-workers-feel-trapped-in-their-jobs

2017 - 80% of Americans Admit to Being Stuck in a Routine

https://www.swnsdigital.com/2017/02/80-of-americans-admit-to-being-stuck-in-a-routine/

SERIES INTRODUCTION

Series verse

John 8:31–32 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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On a 1 to 10 scale, how trapped or stuck do you feel?

EXPLORE

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE

Peter is freed from prison

Acts 12:5–6 ESV

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.

Acts 12:7–8 ESV

7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

Acts 12:9–10 ESV

9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.

Acts 12:11 ESV

11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

This is what we want when we are trapped right? We want God to send an angel to walk us right out of the prison.

Paul is freed in prison

Acts 16:25–26 ESV

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

Acts 16:27–28 ESV

27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

Acts 16:29–30 ESV

29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Acts 16:31–32 ESV

31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

Acts 16:33–34 ESV

33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT OF THE SCRIPTURE

Any relevant exegetical notes to better understand the scripture

MAIN IDEA

Transition from scripture to main idea

THE MAIN THING:

God can free you from your prison OR he can free you in your prison

Explore the Main Idea

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Choose one word that describes a situation that has you feeling trapped.

Explore Point 1

1. Where is your focus?

Text

Romans 8:18–19 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Romans 8:20–21 ESV

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Explore Point 2

2. What are your prayers?

Text

Matthew 26:39 ESV

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Explore Point 3

3. What are you feeding your mind?

Text

Galatians 4:8–9 ESV

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Galatians 4:10–11 ESV

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

Titus 3:9 ESV

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

SHARE:

What is one thing you spend too much time on that is feeding your trap?

Transform

Coming Back to the Main Thing

God can free you from your prison OR he can free you in your prison

Lead Application to Commitment

Commitment steps

Invitation

Announcements and Service Closing