Break Every Chain

Part 1: Breaking the Chains of Sin & Death

March 31, 2024

"At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord's words flashed through Peter's mind: 'Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.' And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly." (Luke 22:61–62, New Living Translation)

"I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. . . . Because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin." (Romans 7:15, 25, NLT)

"You ate fruit from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat. So I will put a curse on the ground, and you will have to work very hard for your food. In pain you will eat its food all the days of your life. . . . You will sweat and work hard for your food. Later you will return to the ground, because you were taken from it. You are dust, and when you die, you will return to the dust." (Genesis 3:17–19, New Century Version)

"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned." (Romans 5:12, NLT)

"Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." (Romans 8:20–21, NLT)

"But Christ has rescued us from the curse.… When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" (Galatians 3:13, NLT)

"Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:40–43, NLT)

"Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, 'Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead!' . . . . So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. . . . But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened." (Luke 24:1–12, NLT)

"And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. 'Peace be with you,' he said." (Luke 24:36–37, NLT)

"He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces." (Psalm 107:14, New King James Version)