For decades, God has been calling his people to exit the corporate religious realm which has been corrupted for decades. God knows and sees what his people have been doing; he knows what is being done to his people in these organizations. These men and women who have been entrusted with great authority and responsibilities have uttered oaths of commitment to God and to their organizations which bind their lives to these organizations. This brings about bondage by way of finances, employment and retirement. When God's call is heard, this bondage energizes the fear of sinning against God, the fear of losing the praise of men and social status, the fear of being alone and becoming an outcast.
What is it that can break the bondage of these illegitimate commitments and preserve a man or a woman's life so they can walk with God as never before? What delivers is obedience to the call of God and which will invoke the power of God. Our FIRST allegiance of heart and life is to God by way of His son Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and savior.
Again, it is past time for all of God’s people to answer his call to exit these perverse corporate religious organizations. Embrace the liberty with which Christ has made us FREE!
Introduction: ACTS, Life Changing Deliverance
The roots of Acts lie in the ministry of Jesus Christ when he was ministering here upon the earth. Jesus' life and ministry, then and now, IS ABOUT CHANGE – change from sickness to health, from personal unrest to peace, from fear to confidence, change from death to life, change from weakness to strength. When he encountered people and ministered to them, he expected change to occur. Why could he expect change?
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all (no help at what? Giving life!). The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
The words he spoke, which were authored by his Father, they were produced and brought forth by the energizing and operation of holy spirit. This exercised power gave the strength and wisdom to impart deliverance, and change. Jesus Christ is authorized to command life changing deliverance.
For an example, let’s examine John 8.
John 8:31 - 34
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
Abiding, living in, staying put - in who's word? His word, which was authored by God, but imparted by Jesus Christ.
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
You, the individual, personally, will know, not doubt, not be confused, not be unsure, no questions remaining, but you will KNOW – what is it you will know? THE TRUTH; not “a” truth, not “your” truth, not the facts, not someone elses truth, not denominational truth, but THE TRUTH.
The impact of knowing THE TRUTH is freedom, which is the opposite of bondage and slavery. There is freedom, liberty to function, free to move, free to LIVE. Here was a thrilling, exciting, energizing, gold engraved invitation from The Son of God, The Messiah Himself to accept life changing deliverance and be free, to cast off the shackles of the world and enter into liberty!!!
What was the response to this wonderful invitation?
33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
These people showed a preference for their religious upbringing and traditions rather than to accept the invitation for deliverance from bondage resulting in freedom. The extent of their spiritual blindness is exposed. Even looking with the senses and thinking for a bit, one would realize that these Judeans lived in an occupied country which was subjugated, enslaved to Rome. Roman soldiers could grab any one of these men at any time for any reason – even on the level of the senses it could be seen that they were actually enslaved to a foreign power. Jesus taught them of the spiritual bondage that enslaved these men.
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
This statement is not a judgment to condemnation, this is a statement of the ancient problem which had dominated mankind until the messiah, Jesus Christ was manifested. It says elsewhere that “the wages of sin is death”. The fear of death is the foundation of all fear. Jesus Christ came to resolve the sin question, to defeat fear and the one who has the power of death.
Jesus Christ was presenting THE TRUTH which cut through and across everything and anything that those people in Judea had ever been taught. It was so radical that even his mother and brethren thought he had gone crazy and had lost his mind. That record is in Mark 3:20,21.
This invitation to deliverance is an invitation to change and to grow. Deliverance from poverty, sickness, bondage, and fear brings change.
For a moment, think about a baby – it depends upon others to feed, clothe, clean it and change its diapers. As time goes by it grows in its capabilities until it no longer needs diapers – the child can feed, dress, and clean itself. It learns to master the fundamental activities of daily living. If your baby reaches four years of age and remains in diapers, continuing to function as a 10 month old, with no growth you would be calling for medical assistance because something is terribly wrong – because there is no growth! This is called “failure to thrive”, and “developmental delay”.
Why is it that disciples of Christ are expected to perform the same religious activities month in and month out? Why are disciples of Christ not expected to grow in strength and in power in their daily lives? Why do we think it is normal for disciples of Christ never to develop the skills to feed themselves and others with the bread of life from the scriptures and from the gift of holy spirit within themselves?
Fast forward to the day of Pentecost and another invitation to change, starting at the conclusion of Peter's sermon.
Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
Here again, was an invitation to life changing deliverance – “...repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…” Accepting this invitation is accomplished and expressed in being born again and manifesting the gift of holy spirit, just as the apostles had on this momentous day.
Sometime compare Peter's sermon with the typical “fire and brimstone” type of preaching which is prevalent in some circles and note the differences. Repentance and salvation is not a fire escape from the “pits of hell”, but rather an acceptance of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, an acceptance of life more abundant. God creates in the individual a new unique creation which is holy spirit.
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
People who had come from all over the known world to be at the temple on the day of Pentecost had not planned on receiving holy spirit into manifestation that day. That was not part of their schedule or itinerary. In truth, it changed everything for those who had accepted Christ that day. Here was an utterly unique, new doctrine AND Power. It was unlike anything that had ever been taught, it was contrary to how they had been raised and what they had been trained to believe, accept, and expect. Here was freedom and life! Their lives after this was a demonstration of the apostles doctrine, and what it is to “...save yourselves from this crooked generation...”. The new believers demonstrated more changes and growth.
The foundation of how the assembly of believers conducted themselves in the book of Acts is recorded in Acts 2:42 – 47. These activities continued throughout the communities of believers after the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
The believers had never practiced this before! They were not raised this way – there were not even any apostles around when these believers were being raised. They are not just listening, but devoting themselves to the apostles teaching. That means they are learning it and growing in understanding to the point that they are able to apply the teachings in their daily lives.
There was no fellowship before the day of Pentecost, and the believers are devoting themselves to the fellowship of believers and the breaking of bread – this is a daily activity. The believers had never been able to pray by operating that gift of holy spirit – another daily activity.
43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
They were all growing in their spiritual understanding and capabilities. The people had awe because for once in their life they had clear spiritual discernment, knowledge and wisdom by way of the operation of the gift of holy spirit. The apostles were growing in might and power by their operation of the gift of holy spirit and in their service to the fellow believers. Growth and life changing deliverance continues to accelerate.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
Now this is a remarkable change! No more money grubbing selfishness, no more financial fear – they cast aside their competition with the Joneses, the lust for possessions. They took on the tender hearted care for one another.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
All these things are recorded here to document the remarkable growth and changes in the lives of these believers. These are unusual changes in behavior which is not normally seen in the world, or in our day and time. God is the source of life which engendered this explosive grown by way of the new birth and that gift of holy spirit. Jesus Christ came so that we could have life and have it more abundantly. He testified that out of our belly would flow rivers (plural) of living water – life. This life produces growth, and growth produces change. Ultimately, the believers cast aside their own will and made God's will their will.
Desire for deliverance is a desire for change. Desire for spiritual growth is a desire for change. As you obtain deliverance, spiritual knowledge, wisdom and discernment, your life will not stay the same. Don't be surprised if your dreams, goals, aspirations, ambitions, and expectations start changing. Don't be surprised if the world begins to look like a very different place. We have been bought with a price; now we belong to God by way of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ.
God, by way of the believers, invites people to partake of the power of His deliverance, and to live a life which is more than abundant. As with all invitations, we are free to chose whether to accept the invitation or to refuse it. The individual is the one who determines if he or she will grow and change or will continue on with life as it always has been.
Part 2 continues with the record of a religious official who was delivered from his oaths.
The Truth of Christ sets us free in every aspect of our life. Thanks Keith.