What is it like to have Freedom in Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has

passed away; behold, the new has come.

In Christ

• I am accepted• I am secure• I am significant

Steps to Freedom in Christ

Counterfeit versus the Real

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (ESV) • 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not

waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Colossians 2:8 • See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty

deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. ESV

What is from God?What is the counterfeit from satan and his forces• spirit guides• nagging thoughts-I am dumb, I am ugly, Nobody loves me• Been hypnotized, consulted a medium or spirits• secret pact or vow• involved in satanic rituals

2. Deception versus Truth• Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT) — 23

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Deceptions• Money is the answer to lasting happiness• Food or alcohol will relieve your stress• Sexual lust can be fulfilled by….• I can do as I please without any consequences• Association with bad companions have no

effect• Believing there are no earthly consequences

for your sin

3. Bitterness versus Forgiveness

• Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV) — 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

We are called to be merciful

• Luke 6:36 (ESV) — 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

We are called to forgive others

• Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV) — 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 (ESV) • 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have

forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

• Ask God to bring to mind people you need to forgive • Write down names of those who you need to forgive • Do you need to forgive yourself—Things you have done wrong

and are inflicting self punishment? To forgive yourself is to accept the truth that God has already forgiven you in Christ

Write down “Thoughts against God”

God has not done anything wrong so He does not need forgiveness. We need to let go of our disappointments with the Heavenly Father. Feelings of anger and resentment against God

Defining Forgiveness• Forgiveness is not forgetting• Forgiveness is a choice, a decision of

the will• Forgiveness is agreeing to live with the

consequences of another person’s sin

– Bondage of bitterness or freedom of forgiveness

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

• For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Forgive from the heart• 1 Peter 1:22–23 (NLT) — 22 You were cleansed

from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

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Healing of the emotions

• Forgiveness is choosing not to hold someone’s sin against him or her anymore.

• Not bringing up past offenses• Setting up scriptural boundaries while exercising grace and forgiveness, • Not allowing further abuse cycles to continue

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Don’t wait until you feel like forgiving

• Once you choose to forgive, satan will lose his hard hold on you• God will heal your damaged emotions

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (ESV)• 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are

not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Start with the first person on your list

Communion

Self Examination

• Sins that need confession•People that need

confession•People that need to be

forgiven

Bread—Body of Jesus that was given for me

• but that person does not deserve my forgiveness• Do you or I deserve God’s

forgiveness• Forgive us our trespasses as we

forgive those who trespass against us

Cup-Blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin

• Took our penalty for our sins on Himself• Be forgiving people• You will be offended by many—Just

forgive them and let it go

LEGO

•We all need one another. Connect points•Carry this with you—

forgive and remember to care for one another