One Word – Week 1
Freedom
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,Luke 4:18
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.2 Corinthians 3:17
4 Common areas people are held captive and how Jesus helps people be free:
1. We are held captive by: Discouragement
We are released by: Gratitude
2. We are held captive by: Fear
We are released by: Truth
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. John 8:31
When you go through deep waters,I will be with you.When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2
3. We are held captive by: Doubt
We are released by: Faith
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”John 20:27
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31
6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6
4. We are held captive by: Sin
We are released by: Jesus
The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”John 8:5
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” John 8:7
11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
John 8:11
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.Romans 8:1-2