SETTING THE CAPTIVES FREE
LUKE 4:14-21
14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Soon he became well known throughout the surrounding country. 15 He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll containing the messages of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him, and he unrolled the scroll to the place where it says: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue stared at him intently. 21 Then he said, "This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes!"
Jesus had just been in the desert in confrontation with satan.
Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10:1
These captives which are to be set free are prisoners of the devil/satan. They are in satan’s labor camp, being forced, as slaves to do his bidding. They are in chains of bondage, and there is nothing they can do about it.
Spiritual Warfare for purpose of setting the captives/lost free, involves using the Keys of the Kingdom.
And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)
THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
In-order to set the captives free our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the Keys of the Kingdom.
There are four keys that linked together bring great victory in the lives of those who are bound & tormented.
As we PRAY the WORD in the NAME OF JESUS, the HOLY SPIRIT’ ANOINTING will, with POWER unlock the minds of the captives/lost, so that, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will set them free.
The first step in the process of setting the captives free is seen in these Scriptures. What is that first step?
1. Realize that Jesus wants you to be free!
(He had just dealt with woman caught in adultery)
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released… Luke 4:18
Conclusions: We can see from the above Scriptures that part of the total ministry of Jesus before His ascension was that of loosening those whom Satan had bound. Jesus, in-order to continue setting the captives/lost free while He is away, gave His followers instructions to continue doing the things He was doing (setting the captives free) and gave them the authority to use His Name to carry out those instructions.
2. Believe He has supplied everything it takes to get free!
4Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].
5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. Isaiah 53:4,5 AMP
13Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified); Galatians 3:13 AMP
9For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favor and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied). 2 Corinthians 8:9 AMP
6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
3. Believe that you receive the benefit of His promises!
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Psalm 103:1-2
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits… Psalm 68:19
Jesus cursed the fig tree & the next day they said, look it really happened!
So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ’Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24
What are you going to believe & receive in your life today?
19Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
Luke 10:19 AMP
But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
John 15:7, 16
