Freedom in Spiritual Poverty

0:00Today we'll finish up our week on living poor in spirit by exploring how spiritual freedom is tied to spiritual poverty. May you be stirred up today to live free as you hold tightly to the truth of God's kingdom. Abundant life is available to us now as we seek to live low and abide in Jesus. Welcome to the first 15 podcast. Our scripture for today comes from 1 Peter 2 verse 16.

1:01Scripture says, Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. There is abundant freedom from sin available to those who in humility and acknowledgement of their brokenness, look to God for help. God's heart is for freedom. He came, died and rose again, that we might no longer be entangled to the burdens of this world, but be set free to experience the fullness of heaven on earth. Isaiah 61 verse 1 foretold of Jesus' purposes on the earth in saying, The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the

2:03opening of the prison to those who are bound. Through the powerful sacrifice of Jesus in living and dying for us, we have been set free. But the Bible is clear that walking in the freedom made available by the blood of Jesus only happens as we continually yield our lives to Him on a daily basis. Romans 6 verse 7 and verse 11 say, For one who has died has been set free from sin. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. First Peter 2, 16 says, Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. In Galatians 5, 13 says, For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another.

3:11We experience continual freedom as we submit our lives to the purposes, presence, and plans of our Heavenly Father. There is freedom for you and me today if we will choose to live poor in spirit. Jesus set us free, not that we would continue to live for ourselves in the world, but that we would experience the abundant life that comes through humility and submission to our loving God. The God had continually modeled submission and humility. They continually serve one another in an irreconcilable paradox of being three and one. And God is calling us to follow His model. Where are you struggling with the bonds of sin today? Where does the world seem to have a hold on you? Submit your life to the capable hands of your loving Heavenly Father and ask Him to reveal to you the path to freedom.

4:15Look for any parts of your life in which you are still living for yourself in the things of the world. There is no freedom available to us in the pursuits of the world. The abundant life found in God is in direct opposition to the ways and cares of the earth. Choose today to pursue the life God has laid before you. Find your enjoyment in His loving nearness and receive the freedom that comes from abiding in the presence of the Holy Spirit. As you enter guided prayer, lay your heart bare before God.

5:19As we begin, meditate on the connection between humility and freedom. Reflect on the opposition between the things of the world and abundant life in God. First Peter 2.16 says, live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. And next, where are you not experiencing the freedom available to you in Christ?

6:33In what ways are you living for yourself in the world? In what ways are you living for yourself in the world? In what ways are you living for yourself in the world? In what ways are you living for yourself in the world? In what ways are you living for yourself in the world? Submit the entirety of your life to Him and listen for His voice. Ask Him to reveal His love and grace to you that you might live empowered by His presence.

7:39Second Corinthians 3.17 says, now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. In what ways are you living for yourself in the world? In what ways are you living for yourself in the world? In what ways are you living for yourself in the world?

8:45And may your life be filled with the peace and joy that comes from experiencing freedom from the burdens and cares of sin. Scripture says, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law weakened by the flesh could not do. By sending His own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Thank you so much for listening to today's podcast, the last in our week-long series on being poor in Spirit.

9:55I hope this week you've gotten a sense of the incredible peace and life that humility can bring. It's inside of living humbly, living poor in Spirit that we can find true joy in this life. Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you seek Him.