Scripture: Romans 15:4-6

C.I.: Freed from the Bondage of Our Past

Today… - Many (if not all) in this room have suffered through a time of bondage – some still are!

I. The Causes and Deliverance from Bondage

A. A Heritage of Slavery

1. The slavery of God’s people in Egypt was inherited from their forefathers.
a. The pivotal event in the history of the Jews – was their deliverance from Egypt (Joseph to Moses)
1) For there arose someone who did not know God – and who did not care for His people.
2) (Ex. 1:8), “Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.”
3) (Ex. 1:11), “So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor.”
4) (Acts 7:6), “….been enslaved and mistreated for 400 years.”

b. There are many today – who find themselves enslaved to a past inherited from their parents…!
1) Thus, families can develop a legacy of bondage (3 examples):
(i) Drinking: (see off-print)
(ii) Child Abuse: (see off-print)
(iii) Divorce: (see off-print)
2) Thus, children can inherit the physical consequences of their bondage – and become enslaved.
(i) (Ex. 20:5), “You shall not worship or serve idols [anything that comes between us and God becomes our god], - for I the Lord your God am a jealous God [He doesn’t share], visiting the iniquity of the father on the children unto the 3rd & 4th generations….”
(ii) Children may suffer the physical consequences – but not the spiritual – (Ezk. 18:20).

B. How God Responds to Our Bondage (4 things that are important for us to understand):

1. First: God Knows that You are Hurting – and Our Pain Hurts Him:
a. (Ex. 3:7), “The Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, - and I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, - for I am aware of their sufferings.”
b. (Isa. 53:4), “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, - and our sorrows He Himself carried.”
c. So in our pain when we ask, “Where is God?” – He answers, “Right here beside you” (Mt. 28:20)

2. Second: God Sends a Deliverer
a. (Ex. 3:10), “Come now, I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people out of Egypt
b. He promised to send one for us too - (Deut. 18:15), “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet [Acts 7:32] – like me from among you [Law-Giver, Judge, Savior – Jms. 4:12], and you shall listen to Him [Matt. 17:5].”
c. God has kept His promise – He has sent His Son to deliver us from all bondage!!!

3. Third: God Warns: Trials Precede Deliverance
a. The EXPECTATION of the Jews – did not match up with the REALITY!
1) (Ex. 5:1, 7-9, 21), “Then Moses and Aaron said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let My people go!”’ – Then Pharaoh commanded his foremen, “You are no longer to give the people straw to make bricks. – Let them gather their own…but the quota of bricks shall not change.” – The people said to Moses, “May God judge you, for you have made us odious in the sight of Pharaoh – and have placed a sword in his hand to kill us!”’”
2) Often people stop following their deliverer – because their life isn’t made immediately better.

b. Jesus warns us to EXPECT trials – lest we fall away:
1) (Matt. 13:20-21), “And the one on whom the seed fell in the rocky soil – this is the man who immediately receives the word with joy; - yet he has no firm root in himself but is only temporary, - and when affliction and persecution arises because of the word, - immediately he falls away.”
2) God offers us a Second Chance – but it doesn’t come without some difficulty.
3) (Quote John 16:33; I John 5:4).

4. Fourth: God Desires to “Fill Our Lives”
a. When today free from bondage on outside (saved) – we must also break the bondage on the inside
1) Relate how the people were freed (Red Sea & defeat of Pharaoh’s army) – but the people were still bound (enslaved) on the inside.
2) (Num. 14:3-4), “Why is the Lord bringing us into this land? – Would it not be better to return to Egypt? – Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt!”
3) It took just a short time to get the Jews out of Egypt – it took longer to get Egypt out of the J.

b. After we have been given a “Second Chance” – we need to replace that which bound us w/JESUS
1) (Matt. 12:43-45), “Now when an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it wanders through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.”
2) Jesus dealt with demon-possession. – These can no longer infect our lives – but can influence.
3) “Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; - and when it comes, it find it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. – Then it goes and get 7 demons more wicked then itself, and they go and live there; and the last state of that man will be worse than the first.”

c. The more our life is filled with Jesus – the less room there will be for Satan!
1) Filling our lives with Jesus means – focusing our minds on Him – (Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:8).
2) Filling our lives with Jesus means – living each day for Him – (Rom. 12:1; Jms. 4:7).

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Review 4 main points

2. Delivered… But Struggling? (God is Calling You Home - quote I Jn. 1:9; 2:1)

3. Not Delivered Yet… But Want to Be?! (Are You Ready to be Set Free - quote Jn. 8:36; Matt. 28:18-20)