Breaking Free Week 13

Breaking Free from Stress

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Stress is allowing
the fear of failure
to rule your mind.

So how do we break free from Stress?

1. Run to Daddy.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Prayer puts life back in the right perspective.

Romans 8:14-15 (NIV)
¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Matthew 10:28 (NIV)
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell

James 4:12a (NIV)
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.

There are rewards for those who pray.

Matthew 6:6 (HCSB)
But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

2. Refuse to be God.

Romans 12:3 (NLT)
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

3. Rest in God’s Peace

Peace and fear can’t co-exist.

John 16:33 (NIV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

NEXT STEPS

• Today I will go to God in prayer about areas of stress in my life.
• Today I will thank God for the good things He has given me.
• Today I decide to trust in the peace of Jesus, not in the fear of failure.

Breaking Free Week 12

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Breaking Free from Addiction

2 Peter 2:19 (NIV)
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

HOW TO B.R.E.A.K. F.R.E.E.

B - Begin today.

Proverbs 27:1 (MSG)
Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow; you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.

R - Refuse to blame others.

Proverbs 19:3 (GN)
"Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and they blame the Lord."

James 1:14 (NIV)
… but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

E - Examine my life.

Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
"Let us examine our ways and test them, and return to the Lord."

Psalms 32:4-5 (LB)
"My dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration ... until I finally admitted my sins and stopped trying to hide them ... And God forgave me! All my guilt is gone!"

A - Ask Christ to take over my life.

Romans 6:12-13 (LB)
"Don't let sin control your body any longer; don't give in to its sinful desires ... But give yourself completely to God -- every part of you -- to be used for His good purposes."

K - Keep away from the temptation.

Hebrews 12:1-2b (NIV)
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

F - Focus on something better.

Romans 8:5 (ESV)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Philippians 4:8 -9 (NIV)
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

R - Restore broken relationships.

Romans 12:18 (Ph)
"As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone."

E - Enlist a support group.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)
⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: ¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

James 5:16 (NIV)
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."

E - Extend myself to others .

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (MSG)
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV)
"If a person is trapped in some sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself; you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:13 (GN)
"God keeps His promise: He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist; at the time you are tempted He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out."

NEXT STEPS:

• Today I will take responsibility for my addiction and ask Jesus to be Lord over all of my life.
• Today, for support, I will commit to join a Covenant Small Group or specialized group focused on my addiction.
• This week I will find a way to use what God brought me through to help others.

BREAKING FREE Week 11

Freedom From Busyness

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Luke 10:38-42 ESV
³⁸  Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  ³⁹  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.  ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”  ⁴¹   But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,  ⁴²   but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Hurts Caused by Busyness

1. Resentment

   
   Luke 10:40 ESV
   But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 




2. Reversed Results

   
   Luke 10:41 ESV
   But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 




3. Relational Damage

   
   Luke 10:41-42 ESV
   ⁴¹     But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴²    but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”




4. Regrets

   
   Luke 10:42 ESV
    but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Busyness is not our business.

Jesus said our business is found in the…

1. Great Kingdom

   
   Matthew 6:33 NIV
   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.




2. Great Commandment

   
   Matthew 22:36-40 NIV
   “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”




3. Great Commission

   
   Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
   Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How do I break the habit of busyness?

• Remind yourself of God’s position and promises daily.
• Reestablish your values.
• Refuse to say yes to everything.
• Request help from others.
• Rely on God’s power in your life.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Next Steps:

1. This week I will take time to sit at Jesus’ feet by reading my bible in a quiet place
2. This week I will write down what I currently value and go to God with the results.
3. This week if I am overwhelmed, I will ask for help from my friends, family or church.

BREAKING FREE Week 10

BREAK FREE FROM BITTERNESS

Pastor Dr. Jackson Wambua
Deliverance Church Kakamega, Kenya
Hebrews 12:15 NIV
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

1. WHAT IS BITTERNESS?

Bitterness is hurt, anger, hostility, indignation, animosity, venom, acrimony, ill feelings, ill will, bad blood, resentfulness or harshness.


THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BITTERNESS
1. Bitterness follows unwanted experiences - failures, disappointment, setbacks, that are perceived to be beyond one's control.
2. Bitterness is the result of a perceived right that has been violated.
3. Bitterness cause emotional, physical and spiritual bondage.
4. Bitterness affects not only us will contaminate all our relationships.


OVERCOMING BITTERNESS
*Steps for healing the hurt that won't go away.
1. Stop dwelling and retelling.
2. Seek grace.
3. What if our bitterness is toward God?
4. Forgive.
1. Forgiveness is a characteristic of our identity in Christ.
2. Forgiveness is more than an outward behavior.
3. Forgiveness is a deliberate decision to cancel the debt owed.
* The process of forgiveness includes (Five things).
1. Acknowledge the offense to God
2. Express to God how it made you feel
3. Express to God your decision to cancel the debt
4. Accepting the person just the way they are
5. Being willing to risk being hurt again
4. Forgiveness requires our trust in God's character.

BREAKING FREE Week 9

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Breaking Free of Procrastination

There are serious negative costs to procrastination.

7 Ideas to help O.R.G.A.N.I.Z. if untrained in time management.

• Organize your to-do list by importance.
• Remove distractions.
• Give yourself time limits.
• Award yourself when big task is completed.
• Never do exciting tasks first. Save for last.
• Itemize big tasks to break down into bite size.
• Zoom in on a single Task instead of multi task.

Fear, rebellion and selfishness / laziness are the core heart issues found in procrastination.

1 John 4:18 NIV
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Proverbs 17:11 NIV
Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Romans 13:1-2 NIV
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Proverbs 21:25 NIV
The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

Colossians 3:23 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Identify your problem.

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Decide to care for others first.

Philippians 2:1-4 NIV
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Elicit accountability

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Aspire to live in today.

Matthew 5:23-25 NIV
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 6:2 NIV
 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God... For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Next Steps:

Today I commit to…

• Get alone with God and ask Him to search my heart for any procrastination issue.
• Settle matters quickly.
• Ask Christ to be the Lord over my life.

BREAKING FREE Week 7

Message by:
Pastor Jeff Kellogg
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Breaking Free of Depression

Psalm 42:5,11
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

I. The Question

A. Surface problems

• Lack of self-acceptance (appearance, intelligence, capabilities, temperament, gender, race, nationality)
• Loss of something treasured (possessions, relationships, respect, unmet expectations, personal health, security, etc)
• Feelings of guilt (over past sins, ongoing bad habits)
• Unjust treatment (lack of appreciation, insults, injuries, abuse)

B. Root problems

1. Earthly value system

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
¹⁶So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2. Moral impurity

Genesis 4:6-7
⁶The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? ⁷If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

3. Bitterness

Jonah 4:2-4
²And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. ³Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” ⁴And the LORD said, “Do you do well to be angry?”

C. Root cause

God’s offer/command	Our wrong response
1. Let me be your treasure	NO, I will pursue what makes me happy and content
2. Let me forgive you	NO, I’m doing nothing wrong; I will decide what is right for me, or NO, that’s too easy, I will work harder to be deserving of God’s favor
3. Let me administer justice	NO, I will do the punishing myself

D. No apparent cause

II. The Answer

A. Preach to your soul v.5,11

B. Hope in God v.5

C. I shall again praise him v.5

D. Remember God and past worship v.4,6

E. Believe in God’s control over your circumstances v.7

F. Trust in his steadfast love even when discouragement persists v.8

My Next Steps

• I will read and meditate on Psalm 42 this week.
• I will ask God to reveal any root causes in my life for persistent discouragement.
• I will preach to my soul this week when discouraged.

BREAKING FREE Week 6

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Getting Over Greed

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

  Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

             

WHY DO I ALWAYS WANT MORE?     3 Misconceptions

 

1.  Having more things will make me more Happy.

  Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 (LB)

He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend..."

 

2.  Having more things will make me more Important.

  Luke 12:15 (Ph)
"Be on your guard against greed in any shape or form.  For a man's real life in no way depends on the number of his possessions."

 

3.  Having more things will make me more Secure.

  Proverbs 18:11 (LB)
"The rich man thinks of his wealth as an impregnable defense, a high wall of safety.  What a dreamer!"

 

A. The cure for greed is open hands and obedient hearts.

 

B. God has called us to a different economy defined not by Greed but by Generosity.

  Acts 20:35 the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

  Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

  Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

 

C. The Strength to be Content is only found in Christ.

 

Next Steps:

• I will get alone with God this week and honestly ask “How much is enough?”
• I will practice generosity this week by purposely giving to someone in need or to the church.
• I place my trust in Christ for the 1st time today to receive the strength I need for life.

BREAKING FREE Week 4

Message by:
Gail Scheffers
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Facts about Anger

Anger is mentioned 375 in the Bible.

Men usually get angry at things. Women usually get angry at people.

We all have anger. Anger is an emotion that is given by God.

Ephesians 4:26-32
in your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed until the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

How are we supposed to not sin in our anger?

1. Recognize where the anger is coming from.

a. Most anger comes from these three sources:

i. Hurt

ii. Frustration

iii. Insecurity

2. Take care of your anger as soon as possible.

3. Don’t allow Satan to get a foothold in your life over anger.

4. Use the right weapons.

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

5. We have to take into captivity every angry thought. We must demolish footholds hopefully before they become strongholds.

6. Replace your anger with TRUTHS.

What are some things we can replace our anger with?

1. Put off the old self, put on your new self Ephesians 4:22


2. Made new in the attitude of your mind. Ephesians 4:23


3. Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor. Ephesians 4:25


4. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths. Ephesians 4:29

7. Be aware of the progression of anger.

My Next Steps

1. This week I will talk to a trusted friend about my anger issues.
2. This week I will replace my anger with at least one of the things was mentioned in the message.
3. This week I will begin tearing down the strong hold of anger by memorizing and meditating Ephesians 4: 26-32 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
4. This week I will pray for the people in my life who seem to have real issues with anger and speak with them as the Holy Spirit gives me opportunity.

BREAKING FREE Week 3

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Avoiding a Fatal Attraction

When dealing with fatal attractions or your thinking process that leads to actions there are Pre, In, and post things you can do.
The adult generation that left in the Exodus never got to see the promise land due to their sin. Only Joshua and Caleb made it in among adult men original to the Exodus.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1. MAKE A COMMITMENT to keep God’s Standards.

Psalm 119:9
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:13-20
You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”  But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.    Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Proverbs 5:1-7
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,   that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.   For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;   but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.   Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.   She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.   Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.

Ephesians 5:3-5
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

2. MAINTAIN your marriage.

Proverbs 5:18-19 (LB)
"... rejoice in your wife. Let her charms and tender embrace satisfy you. Let her love alone fill you with delight."

1 Corinthians 7:2-5
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

3. MANAGE your mind.

James 1:13-15
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Matthew 5:28
"Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

4. MONITOR your media intake.

Matthew 6:22-23
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good you whole being will be full of light. But if bad ... full of darkness!"

Psalm 101:3
"I will set before my eyes no vile things."

2 Timothy 2:22 (LB)
"Run from anything that gives you evil thoughts but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right."

5. MINIMIZE the opportunities for temptation.

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

1 Corinthians 15:33
"Bad company corrupts good character."

6. MAGNIFY the consequences.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 (MSG)
One final word, friends. We ask you— urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life. Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity. Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God.

James 1:12
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under temptation, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor's crown, the life God has promised to those who love Him."

BREAKING FREE Week 2

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

The Cure for your “I” Problem

James 4:6 (ESV)
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Good pride: Self-respect, dignity, satisfaction with a job well done. Joy in seeing others succeed.

Galatians 6:4
Each man should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself without comparing himself to somebody else."

2 Corinthians 7:4
I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Bad pride: Conceit, egotism, selfishness. Attitude of superiority.

Proverbs 16:5
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23
Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Grace is the change agent.

When you are in a situation that you cannot get out of or break through using your power, that’s when grace is needed. EX: Grace is God stepping in and giving you something you don’t deserve to take you to a place you couldn’t get to. It’s God giving a part of himself to you to change your situation. He is all about grace but opposes what works against grace-pride.

I. HOW PRIDE CAUSES PROBLEMS

1. It prevents me from growing.

Proverbs 26:12
"There is more hope for a fool than for a man who is wise in his own eyes."

Proverbs 10:17(LB)
"Anyone willing to be corrected is on the pathway to life. Anyone refusing has lost his chance."

2. It poisons relationships.

Proverbs 13:10
"Pride only breeds quarrels."

Matthew 7:5
"Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will be able to see and take the speck out of your brother's eye."

3. It produces stress and anxiety.

Proverbs 29:25 (GN)
"It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you ..."

Matthew 5:5 (GN)
"The Lord gave us a mind and conscience. We cannot hide from ourselves."

II. HOW TO BE HUMBLE AND HAPPY

1. Admit my weaknesses honestly.

Proverbs 28:13 (LB)
"A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance."

2. Evaluate my strengths realistically.

Romans 12:3 (CEV)
Galatians 6:4
"Each man should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself without comparing himself to somebody else."

3. Enjoy my successes gratefully.

1 Corinthians 4:7 (LB)
"What are you so puffed up about? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you have accomplished something on your own?"

James 1:17

4. Serve others unselfishly.

Philippians 2:3-5
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves... Look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ."

5. Humble myself voluntarily.

James 4:10
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

BREAKING FREE Week 1

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

WHY DO I DO WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO?

I. THE PROBLEM

Romans 7:15-16
For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.

Mark 14:37
"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

II. GOD’S PROMISE

John 8:32
"Jesus said, `...When you know the Truth, the Truth will set you free."

Behind every self-defeating behavior is a lie that I'm believing.

Over the summer we're going to expose and uncover and challenge the untruths and faulty misconceptions and misperceptions that keep you hung up, that keep you bound, that keep you from being unloosed. I believe it's going to be a liberating series. Jesus said "When you know the Truth, the Truth will set you free."

III. THE PRESCRIPTION

a. ACKNOWLEDGE the root of my problem.

I John 1:8 (Living Bible)
"If we say we have no sin we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth."

If you'd go to Alcoholics Anonymous the very first step of AA is "Admit that I'm powerless to control my situation and my life has become unmanageable."

John 8:34
"Everyone who commits sin is its slave!"

b. BELIEVE that Christ can change me.

Romans 7:24-25
"Who can free me from this prison...? I thank God there is a way out through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 8:2
"For the new spiritual principle of life in Jesus Christ lifts me out of the old vicious circle of sin..."

"The truth will set you free."

John 14:6
Jesus said "I am the Truth".

c. COMMIT all I am to Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17
"When anyone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!"

You say, "If I become a Christian, won't God make me a fanatic?" No.

II Timothy 1:7
"The Spirit God gives us doesn't make us timid; instead his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control."

d. Move from Trying and Trusting.

2 Cor. 3:17
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Today I commit to:

Admit the problem of sin in my life to myself and God.

Trust Christ with my life.

Encourage someone in my life about the freedom in Christ.