Celebrate Recovery: Breaking Free

The Bible is clear about the fact that "all have sinned." (Romans 3:23) Because of sin, all of us carry the tendency in our heart to hurt ourselves and others, and we have all known the experience of people hurting us. What everyone needs is repentance and recovery in order to live the lives God created us for.

People often say, "Time heals all wounds." That sounds good, but it's simply not true. Many of us can carry hurts around inside from 30 or 40 years ago. In fact, sometimes time makes things worse. Problems left unresolved can fester, extending the pain.

What we need is a solid way to help people overcome their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Jesus Christ has come to be that Way to new life. This is our focus in the series called Breaking Free, based on the opening words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.

During an eight-week series, Centenary presented the messages outlined below as a study and opportunity for all of us. Feel free to download and listen to these messages as you start your own road to recovery.

The First Step to Freedom

Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanagable.

Blessed are those who know they are spiritually poor. Matthew 5:3

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 11 MB [download now!]
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!]

Where to Get Help When You Hurt

Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 7 MB [download now!]
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!]

Letting Go

Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control

Blessed are the meek. Matthew 5:5

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 7 MB [download now!]
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!]

Coming Clean / Robert Pitman preaching

Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to someone I trust

Blessed are the pure in heart. Matthew 5:8

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 8 MB [download now!]
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!]

Making Changes / Ellen Marmon preaching

Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humble ask Him to remove my character defects.

Blessed are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires. Matthew 5:6

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 7 MB [download now!]
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!]

Repairing Relationships

Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others except when to do so would harm them or others.

Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:7,9

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 6 MB [download now!], or
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!].

Maintaining Momentum

Reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible readings, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow is will.

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 7 MB [download now!], or
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!].

Recycling My Pain

Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others both by my example and my words.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God requires Matthew 5:10

Download the MP3 file of the sermon - about 7 MB [download now!], or
Listen to the sermon via streaming MP3 [listen now!].