Who Is This Man? week 1
Jesus Liberator
Text: Mark 1:21–34

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Text: Mark 1:21-28

(21) Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. (22) The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. (23) Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evilspirit began shouting, (24) “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!”

(25) Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. (26) At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. (27) Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” (28) The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. (29) After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John,

they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. (30) Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. (31) So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. (32) That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. (33) The whole town gathered at the door to watch. (34) So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

1. He Spoke With Authority (vv. 21–22)

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2. He Had Authority Over Darkness Power to Set People Free (vv. 23–28)

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3. He Had Authority Over Sickness, Power to Restore (vv. 29–34)

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Who Is This Man? week 1
Jesus Liberator
Text: Mark 1:21–34

We are talking about spiritual liberation today And I couldn’t help but notice the timing. By now you have heard that We attacked Iran. and no doubt there is a lot of propaganda out there trying to support the evil regime that has slaughtered thousands of its own civilians just for daring to oppose the ayatollah. but this operations is about defending the world against evil as well as liberating a people that have been in bondage to a false king under a radical ideology for 47 years.

That kind of parallels our reality. The world under the bondage of the devil the false god of this world was finally about to be liberated as Jesus came into the world to set free those who were captive to the devil, this false king and his evil ideology.

Every generation forms opinions about Jesus.

Some say He was a moral teacher.
Some say a prophet.
Some say a revolutionary.
But he is nothing less than the true King who has come to set us free.

But Mark’s Gospel does not allow us to stay comfortable with those categories.

Text: Mark 1:21-28

1. He Spoke With Authority (vv. 21–22)

Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum and begins teaching.

Mark tells us something striking:

“The people were amazed at His teaching, because He taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

why were they so amazed? there was something different about the way he spoke. a gravitas that only The Spirit of God can bring. in todays world there has been a lot of mistrust of and questioning authority. things have really broken down and I think more than ever we need that voice of authority.

But here’s the difficulty. everyone ls willing to accept a Jesus on their own terms, one of their own making. one who loves them but doesn’t call them to repentance. they want to worship a God of their own making and stick the label Jesus on it. they want a Jesus that is quiet and doesn’t make a fuss who whispers to them in difficult moments and holds their hand.

I wonder if Christians today would be willing to take Jesus with them out in public have them visit their workplace. take them with them to their classroom. when Jesus spoke up would you nod along with him or would you cringe and crawl under your seat. would you be embarrassed by how forward he is in addressing your friends issues?

that is how Jesus was. he made people feel very uncomfortable because they felt laid bare before him. but for those who were willing to accept him there was deliverance and healing and transformation.

The question is not, “Do I agree with Jesus?”
The question is, “Will I submit to Him?”

2. He Had Authority Over Darkness Power to Set People Free (vv. 23–28)

Right in the middle of church, everything explodes.

A man possessed by an unclean spirit begins shouting:

“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!”

Notice the irony. The religious leaders are still evaluating Jesus.
The demon recognizes Him instantly. Darkness always knows when light has entered the room.

I have watched videos of people preaching the gospel out in public and out of nowhere people will come up and start arguing even screaming sometimes physically attack them? that’s not normal behavior. street preaching is nothing new but the demonic reaction to the gospel on the level that we are seeing in society today is an indicator that God is moving and exposing the darkness. and darkness doesn’t like being exposed.

The man’s condition This is not merely symbolic evil. Mark presents a real, tormented human being — someone whose life is being dominated and distorted by spiritual bondage. And here is what’s important: This man is in the synagogue. Religion had not set him free. He had proximity to worship but no liberation. Jesus’ response authority does not negotiate with darkness. What Mark is showing us Jesus doesn’t just explain evil.
He overpowers it.

Bondage still exists today.

Not always dramatic possession, but chains are everywhere:

addictions people cannot break
bitterness that controls hearts
shame that defines identity
fear that paralyzes decisions
lies people believe about themselves

Many people try religion, self-help, or willpower.

But freedom does not come from trying harder.

Freedom comes from encountering Someone stronger.

Jesus doesn’t merely manage brokenness.
He liberates.

3. He Had Authority Over Sickness, Power to Restore (vv. 29–34)

Immediately after synagogue, Jesus goes to Peter’s home. Peter’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever — a serious condition in the ancient world. She begins serving them. Not out of obligation — but restoration. Healing returns her to purpose and community.

Evening comes

Word spreads across town.

By sunset:

“The whole town gathered at the door.”

Imagine the scene:

the sick
the oppressed
the desperate
families carrying loved ones

And Mark says:

“Jesus healed many… and drove out many demons.”

This is a preview of the Kingdom of God.

Where Jesus rules, restoration begins.

The Big Picture, What Mark Wants Us to See

In one day, Mark shows three arenas of authority:

Authority in teaching — He speaks truth unlike anyone else.
Authority over demons — He frees what enslaves humanity.
Authority over sickness — He restores what sin has broken.

This is not merely a teacher. This is not merely a healer. This is the King reclaiming His world.

Gospel Invitation, Why This Matters

Everyone was amazed…but amazement is not the same as faith.

Crowds gathered. recognized Him. People talked about Him everywhere. But the real question remains:

Who is He to you?

If Jesus has authority, then neutrality isn’t possible.
You cannot simply admire Him.
You either resist His authority, or receive His freedom.
The same Jesus who commanded demons and lifted the sick would ultimately go to a cross.
And there, He would confront humanity’s deepest bondage, sin itself.
The authority revealed in Capernaum would be proven at the resurrection.

Closing

Mark begins his Gospel by answering the question slowly, unmistakably:

Who is this man?

He is the One whose words carry divine authority.
He is the One who breaks chains no one else can break.
He is the One who restores what life has destroyed.

And today, just like that crowded doorway in Capernaum…

He still stands ready to meet those who come to Him.

My Identity in Christ – Part 6

Understanding the Conflict Within Us

Plan A — living God’s way.
Plan B — living according to our own understanding.

The more we rehearse our own plans, the less we naturally seek God’s.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Scripture says:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
— Proverbs 3:5–6(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

The strength of Plan A depends on conviction — how deeply we truly trust God’s plan.
The strength of Plan B depends on attention — how much time and energy we give to thoughts that oppose God’s truth.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Where Does Plan B Come From?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

The Flesh — the old patterns of thinking formed before we knew Christ.
The World — a value system shaped apart from God and influenced by the evil one.
The Devil — whom Jesus called the father of lies, constantly tempting, accusing, and deceiving.

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We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down strongholds of human reasoning and destroy false arguments… We capture rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
— 2 Corinthians 10:4–5

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This is offensive warfare. God’s truth advances. Lies are torn down. Strongholds fall.
And thoughts are taken captive. Imagine a game of capture the flag. The objective is to take back territory occupied by the enemy. The territory in this battle is your mind. God is reclaiming how you think.

Tearing down Strongholds–(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

we need to deal with the lies that they are built out of. that’s why Paul says the second line about taking thoughts captive

Taking thoughts Captive–(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

We capture their rebellious thoughts (Noema) and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Cor 10:5)
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds (Noema) of those who don’t believe. (2 Cor 4:4)
so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes (Noema).
2 Corinthians 2:11 – NLT
(3) But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion (Noema) to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
2 Corinthians 11:3 – NLT
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Every believer is called to a renewing of the mind:

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.
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Transformation does not begin with feelings.
It begins with thinking.

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when our thinking is not aligned with truth, our feelings will not reflect reality.

We must learn to recognize lies — whether they come from the flesh, the world, or the devil — and intentionally replace them with God’s truth.

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)Recognizing Lies — Replacing Them With Truth

Spiritual growth is not just resisting sin; it is retraining belief.
The enemy plants lies. Scripture supplies truth. Transformation happens when truth is consistently believed and applied.

1. Lie: “I am defined by my past.”
(flesh + shame + accusation)
Truth: In Christ, I am a new creation. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
Application: Your history explains you, but it no longer defines you.

2. Lie: “I have to earn God’s acceptance.”
(worldly performance mindset)
Truth: I am accepted by grace, not performance.“God saved you by his grace when you believed… it is a gift from God.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
Application: Obedience flows from acceptance — it does not create it.

3. Lie: “I will never really change.”
(flesh + hopelessness)
Truth: God is actively transforming me.“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” — Philippians 1:6
Application: Sanctification is a process powered by God, not self-effort alone.

4. Lie: “My worth comes from others’ approval.”
(world system — comparison & validation)
Truth: My identity comes from being chosen by God. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” — 1 Peter 2:9
Application: When identity is settled vertically, you are freed horizontally.

5. Lie: “I am alone in this struggle.”
(devil — isolation & discouragement)
Truth: God is present and provides strength.“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5
“God is faithful… He will provide a way out.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
Application: Isolation is a strategy of the enemy; connection is God’s design.

My Identity in Christ Part 5: Becoming the Person God called you to be.

You can’t live beyond what you believe. Ever since we were little kids we formed belief systems. i am not talking about what we believe about God and the world but what we believe about ourselves deep inside. this develops overtime through our experiences and things are parents and friends tell us growing up. We take in certain truths or perceptions that form our belief system. We can profess to believe something all we want but its what’s in our hearts that really drives us or holds us back in the search for significance, success and satisfaction in life.

You will hear a lot of advice in this world to follow your heart and dream big and you can do anything if you just set your mind to it. which all sounds good until you hit some speed bumps along the way. We get discouraged, distracted and even disappointed when our plans are delayed or put on hold. or they just don’t turn out they way you expected them to. And when we are disappointed we say things like “oh well i guess it’s not God’s will for me” or ill never accomplish (Fill in the blank) its not a fun place to visit.

Illustration: one of our vacations to visit family we decided to take a boat out on to Caddo lake in texas and on our way they we passed through a town. name UNCERTAIN. population 94. and it was a quiet place. i couldn’t believe they named a town Uncertain. and the names they had for their business had the towns names. and yes there was an UNCERTAIN CHURCH. and if you think about it that’s are struggle today.

I think we all at times end up in a similar place where we are uncertain of what God’s plan for us really is. That’s why I like how the Apostle Peter put it in his letter

(3) By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (4) And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

(5) In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, (6) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, (7) and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (8) The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your

knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. (10) So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
2 Peter 1:3-10 – NLT

Transition: Did you notice something missing in Peters description of God’s goals for us? there is nothing about gifts or talents or abilities, there is no quantification, no numbers. There are no verses in the Bible that tell you must accomplish a certain task or reach a certain number of people or do a particular amount of ministry in order to fulfill God’s Plan for your life.

Godly goals vs Godly Desires There are a lot of godly desires that we have. to raise our kids to be Christians, to reach our neighbors for Christ. to see our spouse come to know Jesus. but when those godly desires are blocked, we become discouraged. When our neighbor doesn’t want to know Jesus or maybe our kids aren’t walking with God like we want or that husband or wife that’s been praying for their their spouse to be saved for years doesn’t see it happen. it can really affect your sense of self worth. you can feel like your failing as a Christian and of course that can can bring anxiety as well. and that’s because our desires, even though they are well intentioned can be blocked by other people or circumstances.
1. A Godly goal is a clearly defined direction for your life that aligns with God’s purposes and does not depend on controlling other people or circumstances.
  1. the only one you control is you. you can’t control other peoples decisions.
2. A Godly desire is any specific result that depends on the cooperation of other people, the success of events or favorable circumstances
  - you can’t base your success or sense of self worth on your desires no matter how godly they might be.
  - When we elevate our desires, as good as they might be, and equate them to God’s goals or his plan for our lives we set ourselves up for anger, discouragement and even depression because people aren’t going to always act the way you want, circumstances will not always workout the way you want.
God’s Goal is for you to become the person he has called you to be.
- That means character development powered by the Holy Spirit.
- God has given us everything we need to live a Godly life
- We share in his divine nature (Spiritually Alive) which give us the power to escape the desires of this corrupt world
- lets take another look at that verse
- (5) In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, (6) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, (7) and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (8) The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be
- - Believe you are who God says you are.
  - Grow in your knowledge of his word
  - practice self control
  - Love everybody.
Your significance comes not from what you accomplish but from who you are in Christ.
1. this is were we as Christian’s can experience true spiritual freedom. not being burdened by our own expectations or expectations placed upon us by others. as we develop our relationship with God and his people we will develop into the person he has always meant us to be .
2. God sees you not as who you are but as who you will be. he knows past, present and future
3. Illustration: We have a digital photo frame at home that cycles through pictures our family has taken. and even when we are watching TV we stop and look with a sense of love and thankfulness for our kids and grandkids. I picture God the father sitting in his throne room and imagine he has a picture of each of us.in it would be all grown up. we are not there yet. but one day we will be and that’s the picture he looks at. in fact Paul points this out in his letter to the Ephesian church.
4. (10) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
  Ephesians 2:10 – NLT
5. Know that you are God’s work of art, his child and he just wants you to grow into the person he has planned for you to be.
6. Be free today in Christ and in his love for you.
7. Ephesians

My Identity in Christ Part 5: Becoming the Person God called you to be.

Godly goals vs Godly Desires(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
1. A Godly goal is a clearly defined direction for your life that aligns with God’s purposes and does not depend on controlling other people or circumstances.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
2. A Godly desire is any specific result that depends on the cooperation of other people, the success of events or favorable circumstances(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
God’s Goal is for you to become the person he has called you to be.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- (5) In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, (6) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, (7) and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (8) The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Your significance comes not from what you accomplish but from who you are in Christ
1. (10) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
  Ephesians 2:10 – NLT(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

My Identity in Christ part 4: The Power of Faith in Truth.

Having Faith is key to living the Christian life. the author of Hebrews said

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 – NLT

three keys to living by faith

1. Faith needs an object. You can’t simply place your faith in faith– If you think about it. everyone lives by faith. the relationships we have by faith we put in people. The cars we drive on the road we have faith will get us to work. but when people fail us or our cars fail us. it’s hard to trust or not wonder what’s going to happen next. we. The most trusted faith object is that laws of nature. we know that gravity will work and that the sun will shine everyday. its pretty reliable. But the ultimate faith object is not the sun but the Son of God. God does not change. in fact Hebrews tell us.

(8) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 – NLT
God is immutable. his character is always the same. his love for you is constant.
this is why we can place our trust in him

2. How much you faith you have depends on how well you know the object of your faith

often when people are disappointed and believe God has failed them it has do do with a lack of knowledge about God and his ways.
they expect a certain response or answer to prayer and when it doesn’t come in the form they desire they are angry.
if you want your faith in God to increase you must increase your knowledge of God.
if you have little knowledge of God and his Word your faith will remain small. If you have great knowledge about God and his word there is potential to have great faith.
Faith in God is not about getting emotionally pumped up and forcing yourself to believe.
that leads to presumption not Faith
the only way to increase our faith is to increase our knowledge of God.
(17) So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:17 – NLT

3. Faith is an action.

I remember when /tammy and I were dating and we went with the boys to Kapena falls and my son dylan taunting me common pastor dave don’t you trust God or something like that. my first time ever diving of a 35 ft cliff.
to grow in faith we need act on what we believe to be true according to God’s Word.
if you have faith that you can do all things in Christ who gives you strength and go get that job that you want, start that band, take on that new ministry, start that new business. You prayed you planned only one thing remains. to just do it.

4. Distortions of Faith–

When speaking about having faith in God and his Word we need to be aware of those who have let new age or metaphysical teaching into the church. were people believe that they can change reality with their minds. or manipulate God into doing what they want.
there is nothing wrong with being positive but the idea if you claim or declare something to be true that’s not already to true in God’s Word is stepping outside the bounds of Faith.

5. Living by Faith in Our identity in Christ

consider the following verses. these are a small sample of truths about we who are in Christ.
- (13) For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
  Philippians 4:13 – NLT
- (19) And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
  Philippians 4:19 – NLT
- (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
  2 Timothy 1:7 – NLT

6.What happens when I stumble in my Walk of Faith?

we aren’t’ perfect. even the most mature saint will struggle at times. they key is that we don’t fall into a defeated attitude and stay there thinking God is disappointed with us or that he is done with us. This is why Jesus spoke in the gospel of John about leaving the 99 sheep to find the one that was lost and why he told the parable of the prodigal son who left his father and wasted his inheritance on wild living yet the father received him back. Whenever you struggle remember the one constant

7. God’s love for you is not based on your actions but his character

this is not a license to just do whatever we want because if we stray to far. God does discipline those he loves but i think the bigger problem is dealing with the lies of our adversary.
- (1) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (2) He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
  1 John 2:1-2 – NLT
- that means Jesus in in heaven before the Father representing us. what does that mean? Regardless of our performance God continues to love us. when we are secure in his love we will go about doing his will

My Identity in Christ part 4: The Power of Faith in Truth.

Having Faith is key to living the Christian life. the author of Hebrews said

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 – NLT

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three keys to living by faith

1. Faith needs an object. You can’t simply place your faith in faith–

(8) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 – NLT
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2. How much you faith you have depends on how well you know the object of your faith

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(17) So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:17 – NLT

3. Faith is an action.

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4. Distortions of Faith–

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5. Living by Faith in Our identity in Christ

consider the following verses. these are a small sample of truths about we who are in Christ.
- (13) For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
  Philippians 4:13 – NLT
- (19) And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
  Philippians 4:19 – NLT
- (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
  2 Timothy 1:7 – NLT

6.What happens when I stumble in my Walk of Faith?

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7. God’s love for you is not based on your actions but his character

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- (1) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (2) He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
  1 John 2:1-2 – NLT

My Identity in Christ Pt 3“Winning the Battle of the Mind” — Truth vs Lies

A few years ago, researchers studied how misinformation spreads online. They found something disturbing:
False information spreads faster and farther than truth, especially when it confirms what people already feel. and it has only gotten worse in the age of social media. Think about it. How many times have you seen some video go viral and then you have 100 influencers giving us their opinion on it. and the several days later more news becomes available that sheds some light on the original story, but does anyone want to see both sides and weigh the facts? no they just stick with what they want to believe. but the most dangerous lies aren’t the biased news stories about what’s going on in the world at large.

its. the quiet ones we replay in our own heads. the lies that we believe about ourselves. “Nothing’s ever going to change.” “God must be tired of me.” “ This is just who I am. “why cant I be a better Christian” and on it goes. the greatest battles you face are not happening around you. They are happening within you.

And that’s exactly where the enemy aims. And that’s why Jesus doesn’t say, “You’ll feel the truth.”
He says, “You will know the truth.”

John 8:31–32 (NLT “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Freedom doesn’t begin with a change in circumstances. Freedom begins with a change in what you believe.

1: Spiritual Warfare Is a Truth Encounter

spiritual warfare starts in the mind. there is a battle going on between light and darkness. between truth and lies.

We are living in a time were people are willing to so quickly and easily accept the most outrageuos falsehoods with little to no proof.

not only is there a lack of discerment and wisdom but there is general unwillingness to put in the effort to educate oneself. a society that wont read is and is addicted to videos is primed for deception. Christians should be readers and they need to read the bible. how else will you know the truth that sets you free

To understand this, we need to talk about something the Bible makes very clear, but we don’t talk about very often. There are two fundamentally different ways of thinking

2: The Natural Person vs. the Spiritual Person

According to Genesis when our ancestors rebelled against God it severed our relationship with him and the light within us went out. This fall of the human race left us in a condition that the apostle Paul describes here.

(1) Once yo⁵u were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. (2) You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. (3) All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Ephesians 2:1-3 – NLT

(Show Graphic of the Natural Person.)

This was our condition before we placed our faith in God receiving a new nature. in this state we are led by our passion, our feelings. we follow our hearts. and were also easily led to believe the lies of the devil because there was no is opposing council.

The Natural person is the led by their flesh by their emotions and their circumstances in the pursuit to be happy.

But God has given us a New Nature and Spiritual Nature. this new spiritual nature helps us to think differently.

(14) But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. (15) Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 – NLT

(Show Graphic of the Spiritual Person)

The Spiritual person is not led around by their emotions and circumstances but by the Spirit of God.

Now you might be thinking. great I have a new identity in Christ. I have a new nature. So why do i still struggle with anger, anxiety, and the worries of this world instead of being filled every day with hope, faith and love? why am i still struggling with these unwanted thoughts and desires?

3. salvation gives you a new identity, but the mind must be renewed.

To live by the Spirit you need three things.
A firm understanding of who you are in Christ Jesus
a willingness to crucify daily the old sin trained flesh
Living by faith in the grace of God.

the problem is that many Christians are trying to do the last 2 without understanding the first. Understanding who they are in Christ, We just bypass it and go yeah i know that but what do i need to do? and that’s the problem. If you are really locked in on who God says you are than what you do will flow naturally from that mindset.

How many of you the past two weeks used the list of I am scriptures when you experienced fear or anxiety or doubt or discouragement? How did it make you feel? How many didn’t use the list? why do you think that is? did you forget or maybe a doubt came into your mind that the scriptures aren’t going to make a difference. and of course, we know where that voice comes from.

What we renew our minds with is key. if a majority of what we renew our minds with is content that glorifies the world or immorality than we shouldn’t be surprised that we struggle to be spiritual. we are actually working against the new nature God has blessed us with.

How do we renew our minds? With the truth. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 – NLT

living in freedom comes from having a mind that is renewed in God’s truth. When we experience lies like God is disappointed in me or we feel unworthiness or struggle with guilt and shame, when anger wells up we need to go to the scriptures. this week i challenge you every morning to read this list. of i am statements outload. see if it does not change your general mood and outlook by weeks end.

Who Is This Man? week 1 Jesus Liberator Text: Mark 1:21–34

1. He Spoke With Authority (vv. 21–22)

2. He Had Authority Over Darkness Power to Set People Free (vv. 23–28)

3. He Had Authority Over Sickness, Power to Restore (vv. 29–34)

Who Is This Man? week 1 Jesus Liberator Text: Mark 1:21–34

1. He Spoke With Authority (vv. 21–22)

2. He Had Authority Over Darkness Power to Set People Free (vv. 23–28)

3. He Had Authority Over Sickness, Power to Restore (vv. 29–34)

The Big Picture, What Mark Wants Us to See

Gospel Invitation, Why This Matters

Closing

My Identity in Christ – Part 6

Understanding the Conflict Within Us

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)Recognizing Lies — Replacing Them With Truth

My Identity in Christ Part 5: Becoming the Person God called you to be.

My Identity in Christ Part 5: Becoming the Person God called you to be.

My Identity in Christ part 4: The Power of Faith in Truth.

My Identity in Christ part 4: The Power of Faith in Truth.

My Identity in Christ Pt 3“Winning the Battle of the Mind” — Truth vs Lies

1: Spiritual Warfare Is a Truth Encounter

2: The Natural Person vs. the Spiritual Person

3. salvation gives you a new identity, but the mind must be renewed.

Who Is This Man? week 1
Jesus Liberator
Text: Mark 1:21–34

Who Is This Man? week 1
Jesus Liberator
Text: Mark 1:21–34