Freedom from Darkness
April 9, 2024

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Freedom

A spirit of Fear

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

We’re living in a very different kind of world

Ephesians 6: 12 (ESV)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Learning to be both/and people

Why did Jesus come?

1 John 3:8 (ESV)

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Held in slavery

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV)

…he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Set free from the

of darkness

Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves…

Three keys we to unlocking a life of freedom from darkness

1. Learn to Discern

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Held captive by

Spiritual darkness

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Becoming aware of our thoughts

Some thoughts aren’t our own

Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

There is a tempter

Whose voice is that?

2. Get Ready to Resist

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Resistance

James 4:7 (NIV)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

There are those that are aware but still aren’t free

We need to

to be free

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors…” – C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Obsession: Time to take out the trash

Acceptance: Demons don’t make good pets

Attention: Just say no to snakes

3. Take the Offensive

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Not so gentle Jesus

Mark 3:25-27 (NIV)

If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.

Forcefully advancing

is not the goal

Freedom is the goal

Men who are meant to be free… should fear slavery more than death. - Plato

Power and authority

Luke 10:19

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

The power of

Luke 4:31-36 (NIV)

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!

Speak Truth

Speak Command

Speak Jesus

Acts 16

The power of testimony

Action Step: Deliverance