Four Cups, Week 2: The Cup of Deliverance

(Exodus 6:6-7) (NIV) “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.   The Cup of Deliverance.   (Galatians 5:1)(NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.   (Ephesians 2:8-9)(NLT) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.   (Philippians 2:12-13)(NLT) Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.   Triune beings:   Body – Physical part…has issues…cravings, appetites, lusts etc. Mind – Thoughts, your free-will and emotions. Spirit – In His own image.   Results of Deliverance:   1. Victory over sin.   Sin: What we do to ourselves.   (Romans 7:21-25)(NIV) So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!   2. Healing from wounds.Wounds: What others do to us.   (Ephesians 4:26-27)(NLT) And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.   3. Authority over the enemy.   (Ephesians 6:10-12)(NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.   (Romans 7:21-25)(NIV) So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!   (Romans 8:1)(NLT) So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.   (Romans 8:2)(NLT) And because you belong to him, the power of the lifegiving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.   (Romans 8:5-6)(NLT) Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.   What has the most influence on how we think?   Answer: Relationships.   The relationships I choose have a direct impact on my pursuit toward a fulfilling life.   (Proverbs 28:13)(NLT) People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.    (1 John 1:9)(NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   (James 5:16)(NLT) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.