There is victory available in Christ. In that culture, children of mixed race were ostracized by the community. The bigger question is: Why do humans, who are supposedly smarter than hamsters, sometimes do the same thing? Grateful for the freedom to worship U in spirit and in truth. The only unknown about the entire story is whether those who hear the invitation will accept the offer of adoption by God's grace. Breaking the Chains of Sin. Father, praising Ur holy name for another blessed set aside SONday! He also decided to come clean with the elders of his church about what happened: "When I shared it with the elders, they just looked at me across the table and said, 'Satan is determined to get you for this right now. They called her the ugliest word in the Korean language - "tooki" - alien devil. The very first psalm teaches the same principle, only with a different word picture: "How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Thus, we can choose liberty (freedom) and eternal life through Christ, or we can choose captivity and death according to the power of the devil (see 2 Ne. The mission president gave them the option to do so. Part of the beauty of Romans 8 comes from its position in Paul's letter. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. She abandoned her little girl to the streets. Your transformed mind will make all the difference when it comes to enjoying or despising your walk with Christ. We need to allow Jesus to break the chains of sin that has been going on for a long time. It would be the humane thing to do. Select an option and chat directly with a member of our support team. 1:18). He went back to the United States, and she never saw him again. When he paid for his meal, he did not reveal the stolen treasures. Once, years ago, when a million dollars was still a million dollars, Watson had a top junior executive who spent $12 million of the company's money on a venture that failed. It was unheard of, but the company was ready to promote a 38-year-old from vice president to president. Each righteous choice we make can then lead to future righteous choices. You can imagine the money, the investments, the experiments, this man, and his multi-billion dollar company have made through the years. Thankfully, Paul turned his attention away from his own sin, and back to the one who set him free from sin. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. But this woman didn't do that. They were free to choose the Lord’s service, and they so chose. Download a free manuscript of this sermon | PDF. Hammy gets up, shakes himself, apparently hurt from the unexpected sharp blow on his head. ", For more than 20 years, drinking wasn't a major issue for Lucado. A man who meditates on the word of God will delight himself and God. The only lasting solution to a guilty conscience is the forgiveness of God Himself. We are astonished that men, women, and children could be a commodity bought, sold, and subjected to prolonged misery to further the interests of others. The young man was a very impressive business man who wooed and awed the board of directors. A lifestyle of sexual sin can can lead to embarrassment, physical and medical ramifications, financial penalties, and a guilt-ridden sense of spiritual bankruptcy. Break the Chains. Have you chosen to be held captive by worldly things? This should be a relief to us. Each of these men was virtuous and highly respected. He died for our sins so we could be set free. I've just spent $12 million educating you. With all this concentration on sin, most of us are left with a bit of worry. By Elder H. Ross Workman. For two years she lived in the streets, until finally she made her way to an orphanage. Scriptures: Romans 8:1-17. Then a time or two with no food at all. Just then, everything changed. We should run a good race for Christ - not even slowing to a walk! Don’t make it about weight loss. Traditions exist in every culture. Porn was immediately addictive for him, and it led to actions that were an affront to God and society. Typically, freedom to make righteous choices is measured by a willingness to sacrifice that which is the object of desire or passion. Arthur Conan Doyle, the ingenious creator of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, once found great humor in a practical joke he played on 12 famous friends. Hammy has a warm nest of cedar shavings to curl up in, a water bottle to drink from, and best of all, a wheel he can run inside of. She did something that probably nobody in this room could imagine ever doing. The prisons of addiction, fear, shame… Whatever our particular prisons, we...Read the Post Break the chains that are holding you down. Your Mind, Will & Emotions either pollute or nourish your Spirit by the substances you CHOOSE to see(sight),hear(Hearing). So instead of going through the day struggling to NOT sin (and often losing the battle), you'll end up going through the day struggling TO sin instead (at least that's what it begins to feel like, though some battles with our "old man/self" will still be lost even … Lee Strobel, "Meet the Jesus I Know," Preaching Today Audio #211. 31:16). Imprisonment. The young man went to lunch alone that day, and was unintentionally followed by several of the board members, who happened to stand in line behind him. Find answers to some of the more asked questions. One beer with a barbecue won't hurt. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. He climbs back up on top of the wheel, turns over, stretches himself out, and gets ready to clunk his head again. Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night" (Psalms 1:1–2 HCSB). So reject the lies of Satan and start believing what Jesus says to you. In response the Lord said to Balaam, “Thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed” (Num. Joel calls this “restoring the years the locust have eaten” (Joel 2:25). So this little girl spent the day cleaning up the little boys - giving them baths and combing their hair - and wondering which one would be adopted by the American couple. Only after he was enchained by his addiction did he recognize that he had willingly submitted to captivity. As it tramped, it began to work itself up on top of the dirt. These words describe the painful enslavement to a dirty three-letter word—sin. This website is a collection of Evangelist Gary Gaskill’s messages about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, going all the way back to 1994. We are astonished that men, women, and children could be a commodity bought, sold, and subjected to prolonged misery to further the interests of others. 1:13). Andy Cook is the pastor of Shirley Hills Baptist Church in, Warner Robins, Georgia. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For example, consider family traditions regarding the Sabbath. Each of these men was virtuous and highly respected. It was as if he were chained by a master whose only purpose was to make him miserable. Paul says that God has already set him free from the law of sin and death (8:1), and that while he couldn't beat the sin that had hounded him, God did by sending his own Son. Other traditions are contrary to the gospel and priesthood government and, when followed blindly, result in captivity. For the joke, Doyle sent every one of them the same telegram: "Fly at once, all is discovered!" Amber Albrecht May 27, 2017 December 12, 2020 Deliverance, Prayers. Naturally, they were watching him closely, filled with pride and excitement about the coming announcement. How you live is going to make a difference in the way you enjoy life. He did not decide at once to become a slave to the computer screen. Balaam sought the will of the Lord in the matter. The Prophet Joseph Smith and the pioneer Saints sacrificed much to establish the Church “in the top of the mountains” (Isa. Abraham Taking Isaac to Be Sacrificed, by Del Parson. Balaam was an Israelite prophet residing near the borders of Moab at the time Moses was leading the children of Israel through the wilderness. How, then, does one “shake off the awful chains” of spiritual captivity? He was going to have a family. CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible (Hardcover), Discover the Hope You're Looking for In God's Word, by Andy Cook on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM. Couples who are physically and financially able are urged to sacrifice to serve full-time missions. D-Now 2014: Breaking the Chains of Sin by Marianne Brown, Youth Director at Hutto Discovery UMC. Yet the more spiritual captivity we experience, choose, or permit, the less freedom of choice we feel in matters of spiritual importance. Paul says the key is to set our minds on what the Spirit desires. Breaking the Chains of Sin We are born into a sinful world, one that would rather teach you how to get ahead, steal to get what you want, take what is not yours and claim it as though it is. The youth had a wonderful time worshipping and serving together. But picture this: When a man and woman fall in love and get married, they automatically stop some practices and start others. These types of chains manifested in various ways – demons, sickness, sin. In some countries, tribal traditions run deep. It didn't take long for this little girl to draw conclusions about herself based on the way people treated her. Posted: Jan 24, 2010 by Bob Graham. With all our scars, with all that is wrong with us, with all the terrible consequences our  sin has laid upon us, God still wants us. The cross is the proof. It adversely affected his social life. Sin doesn't have the power to hold you prisoner. What God would hope is not that we would dwell on our failures, but rather that we'd learn something from them. But when the dirt hit the mule, it started snorting and tramping. The Savior promised, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32). For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Hammy climbs on top of the wheel, turns over on his back, and stretches out. How is it, then, that many willingly relinquish their freedom and submit themselves and their loved ones to captivity by that master whose only purpose is to make them “miserable like unto himself”? RETURN TO VIDEO TEACHING MENU – Marcus and Lesleys Videos-Ministry. He had become addicted to pornography, which he accessed via his home computer. God has broken the chains. ", Lucado didn't drink that beer. Spiritual captivity rarely results from a single choice or event. The executive put his resignation on Watson's desk saying, "I'm sure that you want my resignation." Reflections for the Week of Sunday August 25, 2019 Eleventh after Pentecost August 25, 2019 — 0 Comments. So he got a truckload of dirt, backed up to the well, and dumped the dirt on top of the mule at the bottom of the well. You can break the chains of sin in your life, and you can also break the chains of shame. Breaking the chains of sin begins by understanding that the Lord is for the body and the body for the Lord. How does your family feel when a major sports event conflicts with Church responsibilities? Please see below for details. Perhaps the worst chain we create is the guilt and shame that we feel from our wrongdoing. Arthur Conan Doyle, the ingenious creator of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, once found great humor in a practical joke he played on 12 famous friends. Being in Christ, Breaking the chains of sin, Escape from Slavery, Kingdom of God, Lamb of God. Why? A Louisiana farmer's favorite mule fell into a well. I am intrigued by the story of the Old Testament prophet Balaam, which teaches us much about captivity and freedom. She tried to raise her little girl as best she could, until the rejection was too much. Who will rescue me from this dying body?" The tempter would have us think that we've just missed out on some great experience, that God has actually punished us for leaving a life of sin. The greater bondage is to the father of lies—a form of captivity that is far more devastating and potentially longer lasting. Watson roared back:, "No I don't want your resignation. Instead, he'll accept your failures as part of the investment He has made in your spiritual growth. Is it really out of their control? If we are succumbing to spiritual captivity, we may not recognize the growing loss of freedom in our lives. More often, freedom is surrendered one small step at a time until the way to regain that freedom is obscured. Even individual and family traditions can lead to spiritual captivity. The Lord asks us to sacrifice too. Consider the choice made by one faithful couple. The second point of this message is the work room that requires the most sweat and toil. Even though all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), when we accept the gift of God's grace we can still experience God's glory as if we had never sinned at all. "I felt a sense of conviction," Lucado remembers, "because the night before I'd had a long talk with my oldest daughter about not covering things up. Romans 8 explains why we should refuse to live in the guilt of our sin and remember that God has broken its chains. She had light-colored, curly hair. Lucado recalled, "I lowered my guard a bit. Instead he rolled down the window, threw it in a trash bin, and asked God for forgiveness. Breaking the chains of sin, Law and Love, Sermon on the Mount. Saul of Tarsus rode toward Damascus with chains in his luggage and a feeling of security in his heart.He was a member of the chosen people of God, as had been his father and grandfather and great-grandfather before him. The wheel picks up speed and spins faster and faster until CLUNK! (2 Ne. By completing the lessons the reader will learn how to change God's way. Your Bible study. I was impressed that sharing my exchange with this young man would be an excellent way to … Leave a reply. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord that we have the ability to break free from these chains of sin. And instead of being promoted to president, the young man with the promising future was fired - all for six cents worth of butter. Exodus 28:13-14 You shall make filigree settings of gold, and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them of twisted cordage work, and you shall put the corded chains on the filigree settings. Is that a bad thing? Father, as many have awakened and have begun their journey, they are grateful for second chances. Reflections for the Week of Sunday August 11, 2019 Ninth after Pentecost All the children in the orphanage got excited, because at least one little boy was going to have hope. Satan's greatest threat to any of us is a permanent separation from God because of our own sin. The evil practice of slavery has existed in various civilizations throughout the history of the world. Sin may seem good at first, but the repercussions are always negative. In the preceding chapter, Paul takes a look at his own life, and his own shortcomings, and writes words like these: "For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. BREAKING THE CHAINS OF BONDAGE The word bondage come from the Greek word “douleuo” doolyoo’-o which means to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary): KJV -- be in bondage, (do) serve (-ice). If there's anything about this DNA stuff, I've got it. The joy he had in writing of God's grace is what makes Romans 8 one of the greatest chapters in all the Bible. Download a free manuscript of this sermon. They were not held captive by their worldly goods. One mindset leads to hostility with God, but the other leads to peace with God. Changing God's Way: By Breaking the Chains of Sin -WORKBOOK-The purpose of the WORKBOOK is to help those using the book Changing God's Way By Breaking the Chains of Sin within a 12 week bible study format. TO – COMPLETE LIST OF SITE BLOGS. 31:8). And why, even after that, would he do it again? It is often said that we are free to choose whatever course we desire, but we are not free to avoid the consequences of that choice. Many think of captivity only in terms of imprisonment by other people. The Lord requires sacrifice to test the faithful. BREAKING THE CHAINS OF DESTRUCTIVE HABITS. To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. They built their own housing, dug their own water well, attended to all their personal needs, and proselytized by bicycle. The mortal Jesus had few possessions, and He relied on others for His food and keeping. You can put the sinful nature in you to death and become free. A lot of times when we have a sin in our life that is binding us and is holding us captive we feel alone and that nobody is there to really help us through it. Let's look at a list of sins that need to be renounced even if they have been repented of. Glenn Lyons told me the story of how a minister in his denomination was asked to bless a new casino. He drove to an out-of-the-way convenience store, parked, and waited till all the patrons left. They were called to serve in a village far from other Church units. Captivity. ", One afternoon on his way to speak at a men's retreat he began to plot: "Where could I buy a beer and not be seen by anyone I know?" Some of these traditions are wonderful, preserving culture and defining social order. Break Every Chain. Guilt and shame can be reasonably important responses when you know something is wrong… In fact, before I become buried in guilt, I'd like to keep this story in mind as we tackle the tough topic of sin. BREAKING THE CHAINS. According to what Paul writes here (verses 5-8), the mind set on what our sinful nature desires will live by that sinful nature. Start small with one meal of sun up to sun down but implement it and see what God does. 2:27). Free download of I Quit, Breaking the Chains of Sin by Kholisile Kosana. Your community. We're going to cover this with prayer, but you've got to get the alcohol out of your life.' Valley Hi FBC, Pastor Todd Peebles Customer Service Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT Monday - Friday Phone: 1-800-458-2772. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. But now, he expects you to get to work! However, careful attention to the reasons for not serving may reveal a risk of being imprisoned by worldly desires. You can break the chains that bind you. The next day the couple came, and this is what the girl recalled. If you’re willing to admit there’s a problem and let it go, Jesus will help you break every chain. Some seek to explain spiritual captivity as something out of their control. What a wretched man I am! This is coming from a chapter-seven man who still battled sinful leanings, a man who often lost those battles. His willingness to sacrifice all that Heavenly Father required and to keep all the Father’s commandments brought Him ultimate freedom. No matter how noble our reputation is, we all have things for which we are ashamed and hope no one discovers. 19:21). He made choices that put him in bondage to his desire for the wealth and power promised by the king. "So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. TO – CHRISTIAN BOOK AND RESOURCES STORE. Then another time with Mexican food. Want to get in touch? While Balaam at first refused to oppose the will of God, the Moabite king tempted him with wealth, position, and political influence. Some people feel they are in captivity because of their poverty. What God would hope is not that we would dwell on our failures, but rather that we'd learn something from them. The Lord sets prisoners free….Psalm 146:7b Chains. A particularly powerful source of captivity is tradition. Balak, the Moabite king, fearing the incursion of the children of Israel journeying through Sinai, appealed to Balaam for help in cursing them. But in 2001, it nearly became one. The Fulness of the Gospel: Putting Off the Natural Man, Families Are Forever— and So Is Parenthood, Lessons from the Old Testament: Following the Holy Ghost, Family Home Evening Helps: A Wagon in Our Living Room, Church Supports Call for Constitutional Amendment, Tabernacle Choir Honored for 4,000th Broadcast, Visitors’ Center Reopens in Independence, Taiwan Jubilee: Saints Celebrate 50 Years, Seminary and Church Magazines Music Now Available Online at LDS.org, “Breaking the Chains of Sin,” Ensign, July 2006, 52–55. And two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings. Some manifestations are tangible and easy to spot, like substance abuse, overeating or gambling. We all can raise a hand agreeing “yes” to that because there are so many areas of our lives that need chain-breaking by Jesus! 4 steps to breaking free from the chains that bind you. Breaking the Chains of Sin Tonight I have struggled with some sin in my life. The struggle to escape spiritual captivity and regain our freedom is not always an easy process; indeed, it may lead us through the refiner’s fire. After recently purchasing a farm for their retirement, they felt prompted to accept a mission call. Of the Seventy. So let's do it. Romans 8:12-17. He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. All those led by God’s Spirit are God's sons" (Romans 8:12–14 HCSB). But a man who doesn't control his mind will slow first to a walk with the counsel of the wicked, then he will stand in the way of sinners, and finally, he will sit in the seat of mockers. Let’s ask Him to free us from the bondage that has taken too much of our lives already. That’s why we proclaim the gospel, the good news of the cross and resurrection. Satan sets the trap, and hopes we'll fall into it. 2:2). Author and Pastor Lee Strobel tells this story. Illustration. “We learned about how to break the chains of sin and draw nearer to God by playing games, praying, and dressing up in secondhand pajamas.” Addiction is man’s false attempt to satisfy a void that only God can fill. He entered, bought a beer, held it close to his side, and hurried to his car. One mindset leads to death, and the other leads to life. On the other hand, if we set our minds on what the Spirit desires, we will live according to the Spirit. OR RETURN TO HOME PAGE – Jesus Christ Is the Way, The Truth and The Life On the other hand, author and pastor Max Lucado took control of his mind and walked away from a potential problem with alcoholism. Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good … 13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. However, poverty is not a source of captivity in the eternal sense. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. If not, why? God won't accept your resignation. One can be in captivity to sin or to the pursuit of worldly honors such as fame, wealth, political power, or social standing. Within 24 hours, the dozen men of noble reputation had taken a trip out of the country! He has everything a hamster could want or need. We're sorry, an error occurred. But part if your game plan is to know that it can be done. Traditions that are contrary to gospel principles offend the Spirit and, if followed, obscure one’s ability to be guided by the Spirit to recognize righteous choices that would expand freedom. While staying with my friends, Tim and Jill Jones, I watched their hamster, Hammy, in his little cage. She gave birth to a little girl who looked different than the other Korean children. But what does Hammy do? Paul calls this “pulling down strongholds” (2 Cor 10:4) and “casting down imaginations” (2 Cor 10:5). At last he was so consumed with the desire for those gifts promised by the king that he conspired to bring a curse upon the children of Israel (see Num. So many times, I have experienced and heard of shame associated with dressing up in the other sex’s clothes. Breaking the Chains of Sin book. But when Jesus gave his life up for the sake of sinners, the ultimate power of sin was defeated once and for all. Concern about the house, car, or boat; preoccupation with investments; plans for travel; a desire to enjoy a summer home; and similar obstacles compel the question: do you feel free to choose to serve a mission? What was intended to bury it turned out to be its salvation. This talk ends with an interview concerning porn addiction. We may never experience the isolation of an actual prison cell, but we all have been held hostage to the prison within ourselves. When Balaam made the Lord’s response known, the king’s ministers tempted Balaam with ever greater promises of gifts: great riches and worldly honors. He made chains in the inner sanctuary and placed them on the tops of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates and placed them on the chains. When your hate for sin is strong enough you can deny the sin that tries to force you to do or think in ways that aren’t pleasing to God. Available in PDF, ePub and Kindle. Breaking the Chains of Sin; I'm All Over It; Solomon's Divine Wisdom; God Is For Us! It is highly recommended that you read Comparing the "one true" churches before reading this section. Rather, he decided at some earlier time that viewing destructive images “just this once” would not hurt and would satisfy a “curiosity.” Once became twice, and twice became several times, until a powerful addiction had lessened his power of choice. Sincerely seek the Lord to be set free from the yoke of sin … Take the example of sexuality. An hour later, a room that should have been filled with joy was instead marked by anger.