Sunday October 11, 2020
Luke 11:24-26- “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”
Do I believe a believer in Jesus Christ can be demon possessed. NO. Although a believers mind, will and emotions can be harassed in many ways and with varying degrees of torment by a demon.
Galatians 5:1- “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.”
(TPT)- “Let me be clear, the Anointed One has set us free—not partially, but completely and wonderfully free! We must always cherish this truth and stubbornly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.”
SO HOW CAN I STAY FREE?
- Humility
Psalms 51:1-2, 17- “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”
1 Peter 5:5- “In the same way, the younger ones should willingly support the leadership of the elders. In every relationship, each of you must wrap around yourself the apron of a humble servant. Because: God resists you when you are proud but multiplies grace and favor when you are humble.”
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ATTITUDE OF OUR HEARTS
2. Honesty
1 John 1:9-10- “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”
Confession is not about trying to convince God to forgive you! Confession is about being honest!
How can I receive forgiveness for something I’m not honest about?
James 5:16- “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed…”
Confession opens my heart to receive healing!
3. Holy Spirit
Romans 8:9- “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)”
RECOGNIZE WHO YOU HAVE LIVING IN YOU!
2 Corinthians 3:17- “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Encounter Church is a healing center! We want people all over the world to Encounter God, Experience Family and Enlarge the Kingdom of God!
ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD WILL KEEP YOU FREE!
Genesis 32:24-30- “This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.”
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”
“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ENCOUNTER GOD- FACE TO FACE WITH GOD?
- I Encounter New Strength
1 Corinthians 2:3-5- “I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.”
God has a strength for you and me that’s outside of our own power and strength. It’s a deposit form heaven! A power from heaven. A strength greater than any other strength in this world!
2. I Encounter a New Identity
2 Corinthians 5:17- “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
GOD IS THE GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS! THE OLD LIFE IS GONE!!!!
3. I Encounter a New Joy
Psalm 16:11- “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
CONCLUSION: Staying Free!
Exodus 8:1- “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.”
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?
Are you free to Worship God with your life?
John 1:12- “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”