Oppression Defeated.

Oppression Defeated.

Acts 10:34-38KJV

One man stated—Men ablaze are invincible. The stronghold of Satan is proof against everything but fire.

Most of us are familiar with this song—it’s the theme from the television show Friends. But have you ever caught the lyrics to the song? They read, in part: So no one told you life was gonna be this way, Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s D.O.A. It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year… Many find themselves saying things like, “whatever can go wrong will go wrong.” We have a pessimistic, browbeaten, downcast view of life. We suddenly find that we can’t sleep, we’ve lost (or gained) weight, some days we just don’t want to get out of bed. If you can relate to what I’m talking about, then you might just be depressed or oppressed.

Acts 10:34-37KJV Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

Overview—God’s no respecter of persons. Fear God and believe (worketh righteousness) you’re accepted.

I want to stop right there, because the next verse represents a shift. Say, “A shift.”

Acts 10:38KJV How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Where had Jesus been? Getting prepared: Upon the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon Him, and the heavens opened while God’s voice, Matthew 3:17NKJV And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Do you know for sure that your faith is approved?

Jesus is anointed to defeat any stronghold of oppression. A stronghold is something that has been around a while. Strongholds don’t get nervous over your self-will and or your self-determination. The very word stronghold indicates its here to stay.

Strongholds developed out of oppression, oppression can be defined as prolonged cruel control that lives on and on; therefore, a person lives beaten down, and strong holds become a way of life.

Acts 10:38TM Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.

So what causes strongholds? Your family history, your history, false or legalistic religion, false or legalistic teaching, judgment, lies and generational traits passed down. Childhood, things heard and seen. Siblings, their actions and treatment toward you. Teen years, Peers and their pressure, too much idol time. Parents, their rules, punishments, anger, sins etc.

I want to give you some analogies of a stronghold:

In the book of Joshua, God gave Joshua instructions to follow, and Jericho’s wall would come down!

Pharaoh in Egypt was a strong hold, Moses commanded freedom.

In the New Testament Book of Acts, Diana made idols, it became a strong hold the apostle Paul set her free in Jesus’ name.

In, Luke 4:16-21TM, we can hear Jesus’ plan for mankind. 16 He came to Nazareth where he had been raised. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s time to shine!” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”

Before you walk in God’s spirit you need to proclaim this:

Jesus saves, heals and delivers.

Jesus is anointed to preach the gospel to the poor.

Jesus is sent to heal the brokenhearted.

Jesus is sent to proclaim liberty to the captives.

Jesus promotes recovery of sight to the blind.

Jesus is sent to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

Jesus is sent to proclaim the year of Jubilee. Favor, Restoration…

Have you ever walked against the wind? Walking in the flesh is like walking against the wind.