2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NKJV

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

• We need to make sure that we take care of what God has given us. We must continue to monitor our hearts. We need to Stay Free. Stay Free!

4 Disciplines of Life We Need to Stay Free:

                                    1) Relationship with Jesus

                                    2) Renewing of mind

                                    3) Accountability

                                    4) Spiritual Warfare

#1) FRIENDSHIP (Relationship With Jesus)

Romans 10:9 NLT

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

• Salvation takes place when we submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ and believe He is the only begotten Son of God who was sent to redeem us.
• This salvation is by grace. In other words, it isn’t based on how good we are or who we are. It is based on the death and resurrection of Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Once we have received Jesus into our hearts, there are three important disciplines we need to establish in our lives.

A) Pray

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

B) Read the Word

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

C) Yield to the Holy Spirit

John 16:7-15 NLT

7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

The Holy Spirit has been sent by God to:

• Give us power (Acts 1:8)
• Fill us with the character of Christ (Galatians 5:22)
• Give us gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12)
• Comfort us (John 16:7)
• Lead us into all truth and a closer relationship with Jesus.

#2) RENEWAL (Renewing of Mind)

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

John 8:31-32 NKJV

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

• What keeps us free is found in the continuing ministry of God’s Word in our lives.

Psalm 1 Passion

What delight comes to those who follow God’s ways!  They won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.  Their pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,” meditating day and night in his true revelation of light.  They will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of their lives.  They are never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.  But how different are the wicked.  All they are is dust in the wind— driven away to destruction!  The wicked will not endure the day of judgment, for God will not defend them.  Nothing they do will succeed or endure for long, for they have no part with those who walk in truth.  But how different it is for the righteous! The Lord embraces their paths as they move forward while the way of the wicked lead only to doom.

Here are some benefits of meditation of the Word:

1) The Word of God becomes revelation knowledge to you

2) Your thought-life and your mind is renewed

3) It heals you

4) Worry, fear, stress, and anxiety are defeated

Philippians 4:8 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

5) Sinful thoughts are defeated

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NLT

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

According to the Word, there are four times Moses commanded parents to teach their children.

1) Sitting at home

2) On the road

3) Bedtime

4) Morning time

Matthew 11:29 NLT

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

CONCLUSION:

To stay FREE…

1) our Friendship with Jesus is needed.

2) the continual Renewing of our mind is a must.

(Next week…)

3) Exposition (We all need Accountability)

4) Engagement (We all need to be active in Spiritual Warfare)

• We need these spiritual disciplines to stay free. Because freedom only happens in Christ.

Psalm 139:23-24 Passion

God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart.

Examine me through and through;

find out everything that may be hidden within me.

Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares.

See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on,

and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways—

the path that brings me back to you.