God Of The Breakthrough

GOD OF THE BREAKTHROUGH

2 Sam. 5:17-21

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: New Year’s Humor

1. On New Year’s Eve an elderly man was stopped by the police around 2 AM and was asked where he was going at that time of night.

2. The man replied, "I'm on my way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body, as well as smoking, and staying out late."

3. The officer asked, "Really? Who's giving a lecture this time of night?" The man replied, "That would be my wife."

B. TEXT

“But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David....[and] spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to [“attack,” NIV] the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, “The LORD has broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.” And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.” 2 Sam. 5:17-21.

C. THESIS

1. After 15 years of trouble and perseverance, David finally reached the fulfillment of his dreams; He was anointed king of all Israel and placed on the throne.

2. Everything was perfect, right? No! Suddenly, as David stepped up to a new level, he faced a new devil. Higher ground = bigger challenges.

3. We’re going to look at what it means to go up to a higher level, see the 3 anointings David received for victory, and see the culmination of God’s plan for his life – his whole nation delivered from oppression.

4. Message title: “God of the Breakthrough.”

I. GOING TO A HIGHER LEVEL

A. WHAT IS “GOING TO A HIGHER LEVEL?” “Going to a higher level” means that:

1. We recognize that we haven’t achieved perfection, but have room to grow.

2. It means that we refuse to be satisfied with where we are, and are taking action to improve ourselves.

3. It usually calls for a higher level of obedience, stretching our faith, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, outreach to the lost, walking with God in relationship, getting deeper in God’s Word, ‘getting on fire,’ and having a heart after God, like David.

B. WHY SEEK TO GO TO A HIGHER LEVEL?

1. IT’S GOD’S WILL. David sought a new level because it was God’s will. Our growth & perfection is God’s will: Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Phip. 3:12.

2. THERE’S A GREATER WORK GOD WANTS US TO DO. God had a greater work for David. God wants us to affect more people for Christ. As we obey God, the anointing on our lives will get stronger (Acts 5:32). Eph. 5:18, “Be filled with the Spirit.”

HUMOR. Many of us are like the guy who went fishing and caught nothing, so he went to the fish store. He told the attendant, “Throw me ten fish so I can tell my wife I caught them!” Don’t pretend; let’s do a greater work!

3. We should grow up in our RESPONSIBILITY – Heb. 5:12. John 17:4, "I have glorified Your Name on the Earth by completing the work You gave Me to do." I want to be able to say that. We all have a destiny and a destination.

4. FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE. Eph. 5:15-17, Amplified Version; "Live purposefully... Therefore do not be vague or thoughtless or... but understand what the will of the Lord is." We can’t achieve things without a purpose and goals.

5. The devil will pull out all the stops to keep us from going on with God. The devil wants to keep us in a wimpy, lukewarm, lazy zone where we’ll be ineffective.

C. JABEZ & SPIRITUAL AMBITION

Jabez’ prayer, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” 1 Chr. 4:10.

1. SPIRITUAL ENLARGEMENT

a. "Enlarge my territory" ("borders,” RSV). Probably NOT referring to property, but to how he might glorify God on a larger scale.

b. Jabez wanted to be valuable to the Lord; do we? SAND on the beach is free. If bagged, it’s worth $1/lb. If made into sandpaper, it’s worth $5/lb. If made into a silicon computer chip, it’s worth $500/tsp. The sand is the same, but it has increased value by greater purpose!