Freedom Series (Part 1)

Give Online: Tithes & Offerings

Catch up on our series HERE

Set Free

(Part 1)

Good morning and welcome to Jesus Church

This morning we are starting a new series on Freedom

• A desire for Freedom is something built into who we are
  • Because humanity was created to live in freedom
  • But because of sin we find ourselves in bondage
  • So deep within us we know this isn’t how its supposed to be
• Problem is people rebel from the path to freedom God gives us
  • And instead follow the road of bondage believing its freedom
  • Because from beginning we thought we knew better than God
  • And many of us still thing that… or at least act that out

So this series is based on what Jesus says in Jn 8

Jn 8:36

“Therefore if the son makes you free, you are free indeed.”

• Important that you are here for this series
  • Satan will try and keep you from hearing this series
  • Satan doesn’t want to get caught
  • Bible says when a thief is caught
    • Prov. 6:31 – Has to restore what he has stolen
• Many believers haven’t been set free
  • Don’t think they can be in bondage
  • You know Jesus said this talking to people who believed in Him

Mark 5:1-20

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadareens (City of Gadera). And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit (This means to demon), who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, (Actually demon talking (voice of a man))

“What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” (Wouldn’t be man, Jesus wouldn’t torment a man) For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”

Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” (6826 soldiers – Issues) Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country (Spirits like to stay where they have a stronghold). Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. (Think “they were happy”) And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Now here’s the thing about Decaoplis… This isn’t just one city

• It’s ten cities
  • Deca – 10
  • Oplis – Metropolitan
    • Gadara is one of these 10 cities
    • Damascus is one of these cities
    • Philadelphia is one of these cities
• And these are Greek cities
  • That’s why they were raising pigs
  • Jews didn’t raise pigs… so there is this Greek influence
• Awesome Story of guy possessed gets set free
  • The morning we are gonna talk about “Who has control”

[PRAY]

Story

Nothing more frustrating than when your computer runs slow

• Try and open a word document…
  • Computer need to think about it for 1 hour
  • And every second your rage grows exponentially
• Becomes progressively more frequent and longer
  • Companies know how annoying it is
    • Make a more happy looking processing symbol [PICS]
      • Wrist Watch – Mocking your wasted time
      • Hour Glass – Also wasted time
      • Polite Icon – Somehow that makes you even more angry
      • Pinwheel of death
  • Originally windows used own Icon… Who comes up with this marketing… lets take our logo
    • Turn it into a circle
    • Then have people stare at it while they are in a fit of rage
• But then we remember the Freedom of Control + Alt + Delete
  • Which is the ultimate trump card
  • Gave you control back
    • Nothing else you could do
    • Gave you control

TAG: Many people feel like they have lost control of their lives

• You may know them (You may be them)
  • And we know Jesus came so we could be set free
  • But we have to understand some things in order to be “Set Free”

1: There really are things that want to control your life

Story is a man set free from a Demon (lets talk about demons for a sec)

• The word Demon is used 82 times in Bible
  • 61 in Gospels (Jesus talking about demons)
  • Reason talked about more in Gospel
    • Someone finally had authority over them
    • Having authority He attacked their strongholds
• Demons are what we call fallen angels
  • 1/3 of angels fell with Lucifer when iniquity was found in him
    • SIDE NOTE – If 1/3 fell
    • For every 1 against me… There are 2 for me
  • Might say well that’s still tough… not in Jesus name it isn’t
    • When God throws Satan in the pit
    • Doesn’t even need to go himself
    • He sends 1 angel to do it
      • Doesn’t matter who as long as its “in Jesus name”
• Demons are disembodied spirits… means they want a body (inhabit)
  • Demons were in this mans body
    • Not soul – But his body
    • Reason they beg to go into swine
      • Wanted a body
  • And from this story we know Animals can be demon possessed
    • Know that is going to lead to a theory on cats
    • Maybe Cardinals

So there are demons… if you don’t believe that… don’t believe in Bible

Matt 8:16 – When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick

Matt 9:33 – And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”

Mark 3:14,15 – Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons

Mark 6:12,13 – So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Mark 16:17 – And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues

• Its important to get… these weren’t just people with mental issues
  • People believe if it makes you uncomfortable
    • Just don’t believe it…
    • Just don’t talk about it
    • Certainly don’t preach about it
  • Article if you want to have a successful church
    • Don’t talk about hell… sin
    • Don’t talk about Satan… demons
• I don’t care in you have a million people in your church
  • If you aren’t talking about these things… church is not equipping
  • Because if Jesus spent majority of his ministry casting out demons
  • We need to talk about it
• C.S. Lewis said there are 2 types of people Satan gets excited over
  • Superstitious: See demons in cloud formation… Its all demons
  • Skeptics – Demons didn’t or don’t exist
    • Both in deception
• And this morning you might be in one of two camps – either…
  • Skeptics – Lets not talk about that stuff
  • Superstitious – Finally getting to the good stuff
    • And both camps needs to move to middle
      • Not skeptics nor superstitious
      • Don’t deny but don’t obsess

The point is: Jesus came to set us free

• Can’t get free if you don’t know you can be in bondage
  • Jack Hayford – Can’t cast out flesh and can’t disciple the demonic
    • Some say I struggle because of demons
      • No, it’s you and unwillingness to submit to God’s word
      • That can’t be cast out
    • Others say I keep falling into sin that don’t how to beat it
• Question is… Do you need discipleship or deliverance (answer is yes)
  • So many Godly people don’t realize the bondage they are in
  • We’ve all known pastors… personally have looked up to
    • Saved
    • Pray for others in bondage
    • Flourishing ministry
  • One that was promoted to this amazing church
    • Had an ongoing affair
    • Tried to keep it going even after he moved away
• Lived a hopeless life thinking this was just him… way he was
  • The hope we have is that it isn’t you
  • It’s the control you have given to demonic influence in your life

So we need to start looking at the scriptures

• Because there are to many Christians that live in bondage
  • And they 100% don’t have to
  • But the refuse to admit it or believe it
• Good news: Learning the hold demonic powers might have on you
  • Means you can get free
  • Don’t get upset if you hear what I’m saying right now
  • Get excited because “In Jesus Name” you can be set free
• The only time I have ever seen people set free
  • Is when they admit there is a problem
  • If you admit it you can be free of it

So yes Demons exist – And they attack Christians

Don’t be fooled into thinking because you go to church… said a prayer

• Demons can’t get into your life

Jn 10:1, 10 –  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold (believers) by the door (Jesus), but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber… The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

• This means that the thief can get in
  • And its not through the way you would think in a door,
    • He gets in… but some other way
    • He will do everything he can to get to the sheep
    • “Enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy”
  • Gk. – Doesn’t not come accept to…
    • Only reason/thought/objective Satan has is to
      • Kill you
      • Steal from you
      • Destroy you
    • He doesn’t want to talk… doesn’t want to just be there
      • He has a specific gameplan
      • And his purpose never changes

So then can a Christian be demon possessed

• Gk. Demon possessed – Demoni Zolmi
  • Damoni – Demon
  • Zolmi – To Possess
• Problem is in teaching on word Possessed
  • Ownership – Not the right meaning
    • It means to gain control over
    • Or to have power over
  • Also used in Lk 21:19 – By your patience possess your souls.
    • Doesn’t mean to own souls – Supposed to give souls to him
      • You were bought with a price
      • Give our lives to Jesus, not keep them

So First: To gain control over

• Can a Christian be owned by a demon
  • Absolutely not but can a Christian be controlled by a demon
    • In an area of your life
    • Lust/Unforgiveness/Anger/Abuse
• Have you ever had an area you can’t find victory in
  • Where you feel helpless to overcome
  • You keep failing over and over and over
    • Keep saying I’ll never do that again
  • Listen that isn’t just a weakness… WAKE UP
    • You are in bondage
    • And you need to realize what it actually is!!!
• And that’s not BAD news… its GOOD news
  • It’s good news
  • If you are in bondage
    • I know the one who can set you free
    • Can’t set you free if you don’t know you are in bondage.

Illustration

• Lets say I came to church… left a door open at my house
  • When I went home there was a thief in yomyur house
• Does that thief own your house
  • No, but he is in your house
  • Has control over your house
    • Until you arrest him
    • Until you take him out in handcuffs
      • While there he will steal, kill and destroy
• Satan is a thief
  • He will steal your future
  • He will kill your dreams
  • He will destroy your life

And its not just Jesus that talks about this: Look at the Old Testament

Lam. 1:10 – The adversary (Devil) has spread his hand, Over all her (Israel – Rep of Church) pleasant things; For she has seen the nations (Enemy) enter her sanctuary, Those whom You (God) commanded not to enter Your assembly.

Lam. 4:12 – The kings of the earth, and all inhabitants of the world would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem… but they did.

Joel 2:9 – They (Locus) run to and fro in the city, they run on the wall; they climb into the houses, they enter at the windows like a thief.

• Next week – how to close doors and windows so they can enter in

Illustration

• Christian man – Loves Jesus, Filled with the spirit
  • Drinks a lot of alcohol
  • Takes a substance into body
    • Do the drugs or alcohol own that man – NO
      • Are they in him
      • Is he under the influence of them
• Ends up doing something totally out of character… ashamed of
  • That could very well could kill, steal and destroy his life
    • Because he opened the door to the enemy
    • And the enemy will come in
      • Doesn’t own you
      • But you’re under his power
  • You could be a good father, husband or grandfather
    • Do something totally out of character
    • Shocks him and everyone that knows him
      • Because your under the influence of a spirit let in

TAG: Starting to get depressed – Are Demons, Do enter

Jesus really does cast them out

Luke 10:17-21

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Really?!)

And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Satan doesn’t impress me). Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions (figurative), and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

Even smart people have no clue of our authority over demons

• Because so many people refuse to talk or speak about demons
  • Missionary
    • Saved in Biblical church – preached on demons
    • In Bible College – taught on demons
    • On mission field – Spiritual warfare w/ demons
  • Meets some pastors on mission field
    • They don’t believe in casting out demons
    • Missionary couldn’t believe it
      • Well then what do you do
      • Just leave them in
• Only two choices
  • Leave them with authority in your life
  • Cast them out of authority in your life

If you’re feeling this may be a problem

• Don’t feel bad about it… just do something about it
  • Because this series is for you
  • And this series is for someone you know
  • And if you can’t get them here… bring it there (preach it to them)
• It’s easy to think God has the power – Why doesn’t he just free me
  • Enemy wants to focus on our
    • Weakness
    • History
  • And that voice telling you: Others can get free but you can’t
    • Remember Mark 5 (Guy has 6000 demons)
    • Lived naked in a cemetery
      • None of us as in bondage as this guy
      • All have our clothes on
• Here is the hope
  • V.6 – When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worship Him.
    • Satan has no power to stop you from coming to Jesus
    • If he could stop anyone… would be a guy with 6000 demons
• If you are in bondage
  • If you have an area of your life that you can win
  • You are under the influence… and Jesus can set you free

Pray

• Many will be convicted of some area we need freedom
  • Say I need to be set free
  • Ran and Worshiped
  • Just need to humble yourself… ask God
• Much more to this series
  • This is where it starts… starts right here with your heart