We continued exploring the humility of Christ and how He chose to become just like us....and even lower. Why would God choose to become not only a man, but a servant? Isn't the point of being a leader so that others will serve you?

As we have looked at the Christ's humble nature it stands in stark contrast to our society and even the modern church structure. We need to ask ourselves, if I am not growing in humility, am I really following Christ?

We continued with considering the humility of Jesus. From the Beatitudes to washing the disciples feet, Jesus embodied what true humility is. Our society has reframed humility to be self-loathing or timidity, but we see in the life of Jesus that it is bold, confident, and fully focused on dependency on God for everything. Just as Jesus fully depended in the Father, so too can we live from a place of humble dependency on the life and spirit of Christ in us!

When we begin to look at and be aware of the humility of God, it exposes the pride in and around our lives. Humility doesn't call attention to itself, yet it is the carbon atom of the Christian walk. To follow Christ requires that we take the lower path. It requires a heart that refuses to be self dependent and instead fully relies on the indwelling life of Christ to lead, guide and provide all we need.

In this sermon I share from my heart. The main scripture is 2 Cor. 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

'we all' speaks of the body of Christ coming together to look upon Jesus and share that with one another. 'Unveiled face' refers to the veil of the Old Testament and the law is taken away in Christ, revealing the true heart and clear nature of God. 'Beholding as in a mirror' when we start acknowledging and seeing the power and nature of Christ shining through us. 'being transformed into the same image' when we look at Jesus and become more mindful of Him, we naturally start living out of the nature and Spirit that He's placed in us.

I feel that God has placed Paul's prayer in Ephesians and Philemon on my heart for this coming year. He prays that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation would come upon the believers so that they might know (by seeing and experiencing) who God is for them and in them. Also, this prayer sets the backdrop for what we as the body of Christ need and the world......a real, genuine revelation of Jesus Christ.

"Keep your heart with all diligence..." is a timeless command that is more true now than ever. What we take in to our heart eventually comes out of our lives. The world is constantly vying for your attention. Whole companies and industries revolve around capturing your attention and.....ultimately your heart. The good news is, you may have problems, but it is your choice if you have issues. Just like David with Goliath and Joshua leading the children of Israel. Our problems become places where the size and power of the God we serve is tested. Is our God bigger than our problems or not?

In this episode we get into the practical process of addressing spiritual/demonic attacks in the Christian's life. Since the spirit realm operates much like our legal system, we are able to systematically address and remove ground that we have given the enemy in our lives. Using our authority as believers and the name of Jesus Christ we can remove the enemy's influence and work in our lives. Below is the handout that I reference in the message.

Legal Process of Removing Demonic Influence and Oppression:

Confess → Cancel → Command → Commit

Unforgiveness

Confess: God, you know every wound from my past. You know the damage done by the enemy and the ways I made it worse by my own distrust and sin. God, please forgive me for not trusting you when that happened and my part in the sin. (1x)

Today, I choose to forgive ________, for …

I choose to forgive (him/her/them) because Jesus has forgiven me.

Today, I choose to forgive myself, for …

I choose to forgive myself because Jesus has forgiven me.

Heavenly Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I repent for all the ways that I have accused you for what Satan has done in my life. I forgive myself and release myself from the bitterness towards you.

__________________________________________

Areas of Sin

Confess:“Lord Jesus, I confess my sin in the area of ______. Lord Jesus, please forgive me.”

________________________________

Cancel: Lord Jesus, if there are any spirits who have anything to do with me, my body, or my spirit because of this sin, I ask you to forgive this sin and cancel any ground held against me because of this sin.

Command:“In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, if there are any demons working in this area of my life, I command you to leave me with all your works and effects and all your associates and their works and effects, and go to the feet of Jesus right now. I command this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and our Savior, Amen.”

Commit: Holy Spirit please come and fill these areas of my life that were previously under demonic control. I submit to you and desire your fellowship and filling in these places in my life.

| Common names where strongholds reside
| Abortion/murder
| Anger/hatred/temper
| Anxiety
| Conflict or confusion in a relationship
| Confusion
| Control
| Coveting
| Depression
| Doubt
| Eating disorder and/or body dysmorphia
| Fear
| Fear or disrespect of authority
| Freemasonry or other secret society where vows were made
| Generational sins
| Insomnia or nightmares
| Jealousy
| Legalism
| Lying
| Occult and/or New Age
| Pornography
| Power
| Pride
| Rape/assault/abuse-victim of or has committed
| Rebellion
| Religious spirit
| Same sex attraction
| Self-harm
| Self-hatred/unworthy
| Sexual sin
| Shame
| Silence
| Soul ties
| Stealing
| Suicidal thoughts
| Unclean thoughts or lust
| Unforgiveness
| Unworthy
| Yoga
| Mental and physical illnesses can be caused by the demonic

| accusations from the enemy
-Combat with Freedom Prayer
|
| despair
| feeling inadequate
| guilt
| hopelessness
| low self-steem
| self-condemnation
| self-destruction
| self-hatred
| shame
| suicidal thoughts
| unworthiness
| worthlessness

We continued our teaching from last week. Joelle and I share some personal stories about our interactions with demonic influences. Then we address the believer's authority: who has it, who doesn't, and what gives the enemy a foothold?