Pulling Down Strong Holds ( 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
Illus: Iron Cage
There was a cavern, inside of it was an iron cage hanging from the ceiling with a man inside. Let’s listen in as the man moans
WHY did I allow this to happen to Me, I ‘m held captive in this Strong Hold, and I can’t Escape?
“I’m not who I used to be nor am I what I Planned and hoped to be.
“I was a man full of passion for life, I had dreams of success, and planned to end up in heaven. Everything in life was great.” I attended Church every Sunday, But I never accepted JESUS as my Savior.
I’m a man full of torment fear and despair, I am hopelessly caught in this trap of sin. The bars of this cage have become a stronghold I can’t overcome, there is no escape for me.
thru the lust of the flesh, riches, Fame, the pride of life. I rejected the light of the world, the Saving Grace of God, I turned to Satan, and followed his ways, Now I’m locked in this strong hold. I’m hopelessly lost there is no mercy for me.
Text: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Amplified
3 For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.
4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,
6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.
Intro: I want to talk about two things;
1. Strong Holds
2. is Deliverance from Strong Holds.
1. Strong Holds
What is a stronghold?
A stronghold is a fort or castle something almost impossible to conquer
A stronghold is a sin or lifestyle that you cannot break free of
A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best
SOME STRONGHOLD IN THE BIBLE
1. Goliath
2. Jericho
3. Peter in prison
4. Gideon
The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian seven years, and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Qedemites came and attacked them. ...
3. Deliverance from Strong Holds.
Isa 54:17
No weapon formed against you will succeed,
and you will refute any accusation[e]
raised against you in court.
This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants,
and their righteousness is from Me.”
This is the LORD’s declaration.
Our Weapons for pulling down strong holds are: The Blood of Jesus, the Authority of Jesus’ Name, the Power of the Holy Ghost, the Word of God
1. Goliath- destroyed by David I come against you in the name of the LORD-Sling and Stone
2. Jericho—Trumpet blast and a shout
3. Peter in the prison—Angel came because of prayer
4. Gideon- 300 with God destroyed the midianites
5. Back to the cavern
Let’s go back to the cavern, things are different now, there is a brilliant shaft of light shining through the roof. Its flooding the whole cavern chasing away all darkness. We look inside the Iron Cage and see a man on his knees shedding bitter tears as He repents for all the wrong He’s done, GOD’S mercy shatters the iron bars of the strong hold that has held this man captive for so long.
THE POWER OF GOD WILL SHATTER ANY STRONGHOLD IN YOUR LIFE
What has bars around you
