Message Outline

Freedom for the Prisoners

Good Good News

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill
Sunday, Mar 28, 2021

Luke 4:18–19 (NIV) — 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Freedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Liberty: the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.

1. The CHAINS of the flesh

  1. Chains symbolize captivity, restriction, ownership.
  2. We have PSEUDO freedom.
  3. Slaves to SIN
    1. Romans 7:23–25 (NLT) — 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
    2. I MUST SIN
  4. Slaves to the FLESH
    1. Our desires
    2. Our addictions
      1. Alcohol, drug, nicotine, gambling, pornography - chains
      2. Biological bondage
      3. Dopamine triggers
      4. Dancing on the line
  5. What's the Good News?
    1. Romans 8:12–13 (NLT) — 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
    2. There is freedom in the Spirit! 
    3. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT) — 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2. The DARKNESS of the mind

  1. Darkness symbolizes ignorance and confusion.
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:4;6 (NLT) — 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
  3. Strongholds of belief: What you think is true.
    1. Wrong religion
    2. Wrong worldview
    3. Wrong filter
  4. Strongholds of identity: Who you think you are
    1. I am worthless
    2. I am a failure
    3. I will be rejected
  5. Strongholds of hopelessness: What you think will happen.
    1. It won't get better.
    2. There's no way out

3. The TORMENTOR of our souls

  1. The enslaver
    1. He wants to DRIVE you.
    2. He wants to TORMENT you.
    3. He wants to USE you.
  2. Who can set us free?
    1. Luke 11:20–22 (NLT) — 20 But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 21 For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe—22 until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.
  3. Jesus can SET YOU FREE!


Freedom:

  • The SPIRIT breaks the chains
  • The WORD turns on the light
  • The BLOOD conquers the enemy

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