“Jesus said, ‘I AM the Door! Everyone who comes in through me will be saved!” John 10:9
“Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.” Psalm 105:20 (NLT)
“But during the night God sent an angel to open the prison doors and set them free. Then he told them “Go tell people everything about this New Life!” Acts 5:19-20
“Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the prison doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off and they were set free!” Acts 16:26 (NLT)
Jesus Has Risen To Release You From Your Prison
“The (Father) has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners.” Luke 4:18
“If you live as I tell you to, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . . . And if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free!” John 8:31-32, 36
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!” 2 Cor. 3:17 (NIV)
“You are called to be free.” Galatians 5:14
FREE FROM WHAT?
- FREE FROM THE PRISON OF PRETENDING
“The fear of human opinion disables; but trusting in God protects you from that.” Proverbs 29:25 (Mes)
“You are always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned.” Luke 16:15 (CEV)
“I will live in freedom, because I only pay attention to what you say (Lord).” Psalm 119:45
Action Plan: Take a moment to pray and ask God to help you see yourself honestly. Make a list of what you are faking in your life. What are you hiding or sugar-coating because you want to impress others?
- FREEDOM FROM THE PRISON OF UNFORGIVENESS
“There is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of God’s life-giving Spirit – and this power is mine through Christ Jesus – has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 (LB)
“Some men stay happy till the day they die . . . others have no happiness at all; they live and die with bitter hearts.” Job 21:23-25
“If you refuse to forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15 (NLT)
Action Plan: Make a list of those that have hurt you in the past. Next to each one, ask yourself if you have truly forgiven that person and right down yes or no. For every “no,” pray for that person and ask God to help change your heart.
- FREEDOM FROM THE PRISON OF FEAR
(1st Easter) “That evening, the disciples met behind locked doors out of fear of the religious leaders. Suddenly, Jesus stood among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said.” John 20:19 (NLT)
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him . . . There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:16, 18 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from – if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the DOOR IS OPEN!” Acts 10:35 (Mes)
Action Plan: Read through Romans chapter 8 this week. Make it a goal to memorize verse 28 and verses 38-39.
CLASS: If you have not taken all (or any) of Saddleback’s CLASSes, register to take your next one this weekend. Start with CLASS 101 and move around the bases if you have not done so. Click here to register and for more information.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.
