Crashing Through

Acts 1:12-14 KJV Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. [13] And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. [14] These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

I. INTRODUCTION—CRASHING THROUGH

A. Robert Kurson—Crashing Through

At three years old, Mike Mays was accidentally blinded by a chemical explosion when he and his 4 year old sister were playing in the garage. He lived his entire life until he was well into his forties before having his eyesight was restored by a pioneering ophthalmologist. But despite the fact that he was blinded at a young age, it seemed that his whole life was spent overcoming the obstacles that were presented by his blindness.

He learned to ride a bike, skate on a skateboard, play soccer, become an engineer, marry and have a family. He was so adept at walking by using an incredible sense of hearing that worked with echoes and how his brain interpreted those echoes. As a matter of fact most people were not even aware that he was blind until they would get close enough to him to see his eyes.

Robert Kurson tells the story in a book entitled Crashing Through. The title came about when Mike begin to describe his childhood and that when he would play on the playground or in pickup games of football with his neighborhood buddies that he was always having to “crash through” some obstacle or hindrance that prevented him from accomplishing what he wanted to do.

So it was with many scrapes, bruises, aches, and pains that Mike accomplished what he did with his life. But even then after he had the corrective surgery huge discouraging obstacles had to be endured. It was almost as if Mike’s brain did not know how to figure out spatial and peripheral visual fields that he had to navigate through. But he continued on with his efforts at “crashing through” to do what needed to be done.

-If there is any spiritual inclination about you at all, we have to understand that involvement in spiritual revivals and leadership is going to tax everything about us. We are in a battle that will throw every single distraction and danger it can to hinder where the church and its individual leaders are going.

B. Quotes—General

James Allen—You will become as small as your controlling desire, as great as your dominant aspiration.

Johnson—Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. He that shall walk, with vigor, three hours a day, will pass in seven years, a space equal to the circumference of the globe.

Milnes—The virtue lies in the struggle not in the prize.

Bruyere—No road is too long to the man who advances deliberately and without undue haste; and no honors are too distant for the man who prepares himself for them with patience.

Carlyle—Every noble work is at first impossible.

Wellington at Waterloo—Hard pounding gentlemen; but we will see who can pound the longest.

Burke—Never despair; but if you do, work on in despair.

C. Quotes—Biblical

-Throughout Scripture there are exhortations and challenges brought to us that urge us to completely crash through every obstacle and hindrance that comes into our path:

Luke 9:23-25 KJV And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [24] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. [25] For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Hebrews 11:24-27 KJV By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; [25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; [26] Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. [27] By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Daniel 1:8 KJV But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Matthew 4:18-20 KJV And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. [19] And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. [20] And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.