Title: Breaking the Limits in our Faith and Life
Theme: Helping people overcome their limitations.
Text: John 11:1-45, Luke , 1 Samuel 17
Introduction
Opening Illustration found on the Internet. Story of elephant and peg.
Elephant and the Peg
People get tied to stakes all the time. We look on the outside and say, “Man, it is just so easy for them to get out. It is so easy for them to overcome yet they fall right back into the same trap. They are so used to the way things are.
For some of you people have told you for so long what you can’t do. What you are not able to do.
This story will hopefully open up your eyes to how we allow things to hold us back from our full potential. I went to the circus one day and was amazed to find the elephants where only restrained by a rope around their leg that was tied to a stake in the ground. I knew that this animal could easily pull out the stake and trample everyone in the crowd. I was so amazed by this and had to find out why they did not escape.
I set out to find the trainer in charge of handling these elephants. After asking a few workers I soon found the trainer and I asked him “why is it these enormous animals do not escape from these ropes tied to a tiny little stake in the ground?”
He replied ” When they are young they tie a chain around their leg and attach it to a concrete block that was anchored deep into the ground and for the first few months they will tug and tug on the chain.” Over the next few months of pulling on the chain they realize it is useless because they are never going to get free.
As soon as the elephant gives up they can replace it with the rope tied to the stake. The elephant will feel the resistance and they will not attempt to escape. Now does the elephant have the ability to get away? Of course he does. I know that you know that but he doesn’t know that does he?
Most people are just like the elephant because when we where young our foot was chained by our parents, school teachers and friends and where told what we could and could not do. I believe with all of my heart that all of us have more talent and ability than we realize we have.
Every time we attempt to do something we feel the rope tug and we question if we can do it. Our self talk goes something like this.
Can I make this work?
I am not a people person.
Can I trust the people I am working with?
Can I afford it?
The first thing that goes through you mind is that stake and that rope and this symbolized the phrase “what if it doesn’t”
Work, Sell or Pay ect. you can fill in the end with anything you want.
We all need to cut the rope and change that phrase to “what if it does” Work, Sell and Pay. What it the company you are with becomes a billion dollar company? What if you can talk to people and learn the skills it takes to make this work?
Don’t allow fear to run your life! Break free from the rope and become the person you can by overcoming any fears . I always ask this question and it usually strikes a chord with most people. I do not mean to offend anyone with this.
Ask yourself if you where on your death bed would you have regrets? I want to be able to go out with no regrets and to impact as many peoples lives as I can in a positive way. I was once told the only two things that a certain in life is death and taxes.
I beg to differ on this. I believe if you build a legacy and impact others you will never die. Example: Abraham Lincoln died along time ago however his memory lives on in the hearts of generations to come due to his impact and legacy he left behind.
I want to close with this do not let fear prevent you from your legacy cut that rope and don’t look back you will be amazed what will happen.
This reminds me so much how the devil has tied the hands of Christians. He has told us for a long time this is they way it happens.
I look around this community and the drugs and problems the we have didn’t happen this way over night. It happens as Christians let the devil tie their hands.
Limited in our Belief and understanding of the Power of God
Mary, Martha, & Lazrus
Martha and Mary were also limited by their chains.
John 11:1-45
(21) Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
(32) Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
Jesus was out of town when He got the Word. His friend Lazarus was sick. He had been sick for a while but this looked like he was going to die. Jesus made a strange decision. He said lets stay here for a few more days.
By the time He arrived to see Mary & Martha and Lazarus, Lazarus was dead.
Martha “If you had been here’
They were limited by their understanding of who God is.
Limited in our Desire to Try again
Peter & Fishing
When Jesus met Peter he was fishing. Jesus called out to him and told him to try again fishing. Peter said we have been fishing all night but at your word we will try again.
Luke 5:4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."
What word do you need to try again?
We are more than conquers
Greater is he that is in me than He that is in the world
I can do all things through Christ
Notice another lesson here: If we don’t try we are never going to see it happen. This is what amazed Peter so much. He fell on his face and said, “Depart from me for I am a sinful man”. He had a true revelation of who God is.
We have forgotten. We have laid aside.
Just think if David had forgotten.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Limited in Remembrance of what God has already done
David and Goliath -
When David heard what Goliath speak against the Lord it stirred something in him. You would think that David would be afraid when there was close to four feet difference. When you see a man of war who had fought and killed many people you would think that there would be a fear of people from this giant.
Yet David remembered what the Lord had done. God is looking for some people who remember. God needs some people to stir up that in their life and see more in their situation.
1 Samuel 17:33 And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." (34) But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, (35) I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. (36) "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." (37) Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"
2Ti 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
In Psalm 78:41b-42, David shares a powerful revelation to the listeners of his day and beyond. Speaking of the forefathers of our faith he says, "…and they limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power; the day when He redeemed them from the enemy." May he who has an ear, hear what the Spirit has to say today.
"The soul of the people became very discouraged on the way." Numbers 21:4b
1 Chronicles 16:8-14 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! (9) Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! (10) Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! (11) Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (12) Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, (13) O seed of Israel His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones! (14) He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.
