Sunday 6 th April 2014

God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus. Max Lucado

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed ( metamorphosed ) into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour 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.

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’ The time: kairos – a moment of opportunity Repent: metanoia – change your ‘mind’ Believe: pisteo – step out on, put weight on Recognise – Reflect – Replace - Respond

Steps to Experiencing God’s Grace Renouncing lies & choosing truth 2. Renouncing false expectations 3. Confessing sin 4. Forgiving others 5. Freedom from fear(s) 6. Surrendering to God

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, I take my stand against all His enemies who want to hinder my freedom. I refuse all fear, anxiety, doubt, confusion, deception, distraction or any other form of interference that comes from the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. I choose to take my place in Christ, and I declare that all His enemies have been disarmed, and that Jesus himself came to destroy the devil’s work in my life. I declare that the chains of bondage have already been broken by Christ and that I am in Him. Therefore His victory is my victory.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you love me and that your Son died and rose again so that I could have an intimate relationship with you. Your word says it was ‘for freedom that Christ has set us free’, and I really want to take hold of that freedom. There are many ways in which I have not stood firm in your covenant of grace, but instead have allowed a yoke of slavery to weigh me down and wear me out. Please deliver me from all bondage in my life, and bring to my mind all the attitudes and actions that have kept me from receiving and giving away your love. I ask that your truth would set me free to love, worship, know, obey and serve you and others in the love and acceptance that you have extended to me in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

 Rom 3:23 – all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God  Rom 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Rom 8:1-2 – there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  1 John 1:8-9 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 Mat 6:12 - Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us  Heb 12:15 - See to it that nobody misses the grace of God, and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many  Eph 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 Satan  Death  Divorce  Not being loved by God  Never being loved  Not being able to love others  Marriage  Rejection  Never getting married  Never having children  Disapproval  Embarrassment  Failure  Financial problems  Going crazy  Being a hopeless case  Death of a loved one  The future  Confrontation  Being a victim of crime  Having committed an unforgivable sin  Specific animals / objects  PEOPLE (see sheet)

Will you surrender your “rights” in order to follow God’s will for your life? (see sheet for examples)

LIEPOSSIBLE REASON(S)RESULT I can’t do anything right & my best isn’t good enough Continual criticism & put- downs / Overly strict family background Indecision / instability Critical/judgemental spirit Unhealthy competition I’m unlovable, worthless, unattractive & unwanted Receiving little of no affection or healthy physical touch Withdrawing from people OR using my body to get attention and/or affection I am guilty, dirty, defiled, not good enough for relationship with God Physical, verbal, emotional or sexual abuse Feelings of guilt & shame Hiding or covering up Living according to the lie I am (we are) better than others Repeatedly hearing others put-down for being different to ‘us’ Boasting, arrogance, putting others down, separatism, self-righteousness

Determine the Lie What effect has it had on your life? Finding as many Bible verses as you can which state the opposite truth – write them down Write a prayer / declaration I renounce the lie that... I announce the truth that... Read the verses & say the prayer daily for 40 days

 What God is like Father Son Holy Spirit  What Jesus has done for us  Who we are in Christ as a result “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”1 Cor 11:26