Joy from the Holy Spirit- 7/31/11 am

thank you for being here today

Breaking Free

Eph. 6:11-12 – Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our

struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the

rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, against

the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

What is one of the devil’s most deadly schemes?

Unforgiven Wounds.

Un-forgiven wounds

chain the heart…

How do they keep us in chains?

resentmentbitterness

anger

hatred

Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and

know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

How can we know the truth?There is only one source of truth.

The word of

GodWhat does the word

say?...

Matt. 6:14-15…For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Why is this subject so important?What did Jesus say about it?

It’s part of being forgiven…

It’s more important than giving…

Matt. 5:23-24…Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

It requires honesty…It requires action…

Mark 11:25…And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

It doesn’t require an apology

It’s more important than worship…

This is not an option.

We must seek to

understand the

power of God’s

We must seek to understand its importance to…

…our FreedomForgiveness and our

What un-forgiven hurts are we letting affect our hearts today?

We must be honest with God and ourselves.

We must identify the un-forgiven hurts that are enslaving our hearts.

We must pray for the faith and strength to face them.

We must believe that through the power and love of God, we can forgive.

Do any of us have a heart that needs to forgive someone and be

healed?

We must ask God to lead us to the freedom of forgiveness.