CULTIVATE: FREEDOM

HOW TO CULTIVATE FREEDOM

Galatian 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

(MSG) Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (NIV):
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.


Ephesians 6:10–18 (NIV):
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

SCRIPTURE BREAKDOWN:
WHAT:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

WHO:
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

HOW
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

APPLICATION:
WHERE DO YOU NEED TO BE TAKING A STAND RIGHT NOW IN YOUR LIFE?

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.



WHY
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.


17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

WHEN
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.


CONCLUSION:
OUR FREEDOM ISSUE IS NOT AGAINST PEOPLE


CLOSING ONE LINE CHALLENGE:
STAND FIRM

APPLICATION
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING TO YOU?
WHERE DO YOU NEED TO STAND FIRM [DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND] WITH YOUR FREEDOM JOURNEY
COMMIT TODAY TO SIGN UP FOR A FREEDOM GROUP IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN THROUGH ONE THIS SEMESTER