WHAT IF THE CAPTIVES REFUSED TO GO ?
Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
1. YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE RESCUER.
A. IT IS NOT TO YOUR BENEFIT TO MAKE YOUR OWN RESCUE PLANS.
***A man’s boat was overwhelmed in the ocean. He tried for hours to stay above water. Sharks began to circle around him. Suddenly, he hears the noise of a helicopter. The rescuers found him. One of the highly trained Navy seamen was lowered to the man. He was on a strong cable with a large basket. But, the man in the ocean was afraid. he wanted the helicopter to land. In the middle of the ocean, there was nothing to land on. He refused to get into the basket, saying he was afraid of heights. Silly man. When a rescuer comes, you follow what he says to do. Jesus came telling us what to do.
B. JESUS PREACHED–TAUGHT–HOW PEOPLE COULD BE FREED. IT IS UP TO THEM TO RESPOND BY DOING WHAT HE SAID.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
2. EVEN CHRISTIANS NEED DELIVERANCE FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE WORLD WON’T GIVE YOU DELIVERANCE. IT WILL GET YOU DEEPER INTO TROUBLE.
What does it do for drug addiction ? It gives you more drugs. What does it do for undisciplined children ? It teaches them to disobey parents, and fills them with prescribed medication. The country is overwhelmed in debt… and how do politicians deliver the country ? By spending more money and making the country deeper into debt. The world’s answers just do not work.
A. HE CAN DELIVER WHILE USING OTHER BELIEVERS. INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN HERE.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
B. WE ARE DELIVERED BY FAITHFUL PRAYING.
2 Thessalonians 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
C. FREEDOM FROM THE POWER OF SIN REQUIRES US TO BRING SINFUL THOUGHTS INTO CAPTIVITY OF CHRIST. EVERY THOUGHT !
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
D. THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE DELIVERANCE, AND THAT IS GOD. EVERYTHING ELSE IS DECEPTION.
- CALLING OUT TO GOD IS NEEDED FOR TRUE DELIVERANCE. WE CANNOT DEPEND UPON OURSELVES IN OUR PRIDE.
Psalms 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
3. WHATEVER YOUR BONDAGE TODAY, GOD IS ABLE TO HELP YOU TODAY !
A. LOOKING AHEAD. THE NEW WORLD DEPENDS UPON GOD DELIVERING US FROM CAPTIVITY OF SIN.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
B. FAITHFULNESS TO GOD DELIVERS US OUT OF THE WICKEDNESS OF MEN.
Acts 7:10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
C. OUR SOUL IS DELIVERED FROM THE ANGER OF GOD WHEN WE OBEY HIS WORD.
Ezekiel 33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
D. JESUS WILL LEAD CAPTIVES TO FREEDOM IF THEY MADE THEIR DECISION TO FOLLOW HIM.
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.