Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Freedom in Christ, Overcoming Addiction. Lesson One: There Is Hope, You Are Not Too Far Gone.

We're so glad you're here.

Before We Begin

A gentle note first. This course is Bible teaching and spiritual encouragement. It does not replace medical care, professional counseling, or treatment. We encourage you to use those good resources right alongside your faith. And if you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time, day or night, in the United States. In an emergency, call 911.

Where This Course Begins

Maybe you're listening because you're caught in something you can't seem to break. Alcohol. Drugs. Pills. Pornography. Gambling. Something else. Maybe you've tried to quit more times than you can count.

Or maybe you're listening because someone you love is struggling, and your heart is breaking.

Either way, we want you to hear this first. There is hope.

Addiction often grows in silence and shame. Shame whispers, "You've gone too far. God is done with you. You'll never change." But that is a lie. And today we're going to answer that lie with the Word of God.

Our Key Verse

Today's key verse is John 8:36.

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." — John 8:36 (KJV)

Free indeed. Not a little better for a while. Truly free. And notice who does the freeing. The Son. Jesus Christ. Freedom is not something you have to manufacture by willpower alone. It's something He gives.

Jesus Came for the Captive

When Jesus began His ministry, He stood up in the synagogue and read from Isaiah about Himself:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," — Luke 4:18 (KJV)

Deliverance to the captives. Liberty for the bruised. That is what Jesus came to do. If you feel bound and bruised, you are exactly the kind of person He came for.

You Are Not Too Far Gone

The apostle Paul once hunted down Christians. Later he wrote:

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." — 1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)

If God could save and change Paul, He can reach you.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." — Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

And no matter how deep the pit, God's grace goes deeper:

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" — Romans 5:20 (KJV)

Real People Were Set Free

In 1 Corinthians chapter six, Paul lists sins that once ruled people's lives, and drunkards are on that list. Then he says this to the church:

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." — 1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV)

"Such were some of you." Past tense. Real men and women, in a real church, had been set free. What Jesus did for them, He can do for you.

The Father Is Running Toward You

Remember the story of the prodigal son, who wasted everything and ended up feeding pigs. When he finally came home:

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." — Luke 15:20 (KJV)

The father didn't wait with folded arms. He ran. That's how God feels about you coming home.

And for everyone who is in Christ Jesus, here is the promise:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." — Romans 8:1 (KJV)

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." — Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

You Were Not Meant to Fight Alone

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

God often works through people. Reaching out for help is not a lack of faith. It's often how faith takes its next step.

So please, talk to a pastor or a Christian counselor. Look into a recovery group. And talk to a doctor. Stopping some substances suddenly, like alcohol or certain drugs, can be medically dangerous, so get medical help with withdrawal. Remember, if you are ever in crisis, call or text 988.

And if you love someone who is struggling, keep praying, keep loving, and get support for yourself too. You can't fix them, but God is able.

Simple Steps for This Week

First, tell God the truth. Just be honest with Him.

Second, tell one trusted person.

Third, take one step toward help. Make the call.

And fourth, read Psalm 34 and John chapter eight this week.

His mercy is fresh every single morning:

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)

Next Time

In Lesson Two, we'll look at being honest before God, and the grace He gives when we confess.

Until then, Jesus is still saying:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

A Prayer

Let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that no one is too far gone for You.

Lord, for every person listening who feels bound, we ask You to break the chains. Lift the shame. Give courage to tell the truth and to reach out for help. Surround them with people who will walk alongside them.

And for every family member who is hurting, give peace and strength.

Make us free indeed, through Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. We'll see you in Lesson Two.

This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.