Video Illustration: Trailer clip from Breakthrough
Summary of the movie:
John Smith (Ruiz) is a 14-year-old Guatemalan boy raised in Lake St. Louis, Missouri by his adoptive parents, Brian (Lucas) and Joyce Smith (Metz). Though they are loving and supportive, John struggles with feelings of abandonment from his birth parents, and rebels against his parents and teachers.
In school, John’s class is assigned to give a presentation about their family backgrounds. On his day to present, John admits he did not do the assignment. His basketball coach, who had promised him a starting position, warns John that if he gets a failing grade, he will be benched. John later gives a half-hearted presentation, saying that everyone already knows he is adopted and he does not know much about his true background.
Later, John and his friends Josh and Reiger go out onto a frozen lake, ignoring a neighbor’s warning. The resident calls the police, and all three boys fall through the ice. Josh and Reiger manage to swim to the surface and are rescued by first responders. Two rescuers dive in, but are unable to find John. As they are about to give up, one of the rescuers, Tommy Shine (Colter), hears a voice telling him to go back. Thinking it is his chief, he tries again, and manages to lift John to the surface.
With no pulse or breath, John is taken to the local hospital, where an emergency team works frantically to save his life. After John still fails to register a pulse, the attending physician Dr. Sutterer gives Joyce a chance to say goodbye. A weeping Joyce cradles her son in her arms, pleading with the Holy Spirit to not let John die, at which point a faint pulse registers. Dr. Sutterer recommends transferring John to a better equipped hospital, citing Dr. Garrett (Haysbert) as an expert in cases like John's.
After John is transferred and placed in a medically-induced coma, Garrett warns his parents that he has little hope for John's recovery, and that if he were to pull through, he would likely live in a persistent vegetative state. Jason Noble (Grace), the family’s new liberal pastor with whom Joyce has frequently clashed, visits the hospital, and Joyce slowly warms to him. Like Joyce, he regards John's progress as divine intervention. John shows some signs of consciousness: he is able to hear Joyce and Noble and respond with squeezes to the hand, and a tear trickles from his eye as a crowd gathers to sing and pray for his recovery.
Joyce turns John's possible recovery into an obsession, harassing his health care professionals and alienating those around her, including her husband. In a heated moment, Joyce tells Brian that if not for her, John would be dead. After a brief and hurtful rebuttal, Brian storms off. Realizing she cannot control John's outcome, Joyce retreats to the roof of the hospital to pray, asking God for forgiveness and submitting to His will. It begins to snow, which she believes is an answer. She and Brian meet with Garrett, who tells them that the drugs they have been administering are becoming toxic to John’s system and may be doing more harm than good. Joyce, who had been adamant about saving John's life at all costs, suggests stopping treatment and bringing him out of the coma, stating that she is ready for whatever fate brings. Garrett agrees.
John is revived and slowly regains consciousness, reliving his accident. He hears his mother's voice and opens his eyes, with full cognitive ability. A few days later, he is discharged from the hospital and returns to school.
John's return, though welcomed by many, is met with some resentment by others, who question why John was spared while their own loved ones died. This weighs on John's mind, and he returns to the lake, where he sees Tommy Shine, and thanks him for saving his life. Tommy admits that he did not believe in God until after a series of protracted events since John's accident, and all he did was pull John from the water.
John reconciles his survival with a renewed sense of purpose in his life and rebuilds his relationships with those he had been alienating. An epilogue reveals that John is pursuing a career in ministry after graduating from high school.
Our Theme this year - Breakthrough 2020
Sermon: Keys to Spiritual Breakthrough!
Thesis: In 2020 we are looking for a spiritual breakthrough in our lives, families, churches, school, community – to get the desired breakthrough in our lives we need to have 20 – 20 vision from the Lord to see into the spiritual realm and how to use His weapons which bring breakthrough.
To help remember- Ashley will do song Breakthrough by Jay Stocker, Korey Miller, and Jake Epsy highlight the words.
Scripture Texts:
2 Corinthians 10:3-4: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Introduction:
This morning, I want us to talk about breakthroughs. But more importantly about having a spiritual breakthrough. We need to push forward in 2020 with the foresight that a breakthrough is possible – that a miracle is possible - we need too see things through the eyes of faith and not fear - I believe we need to give over our negative thoughts - mindsets to the Lord which I believe leads to breakdowns.
Illustration:
I cannot break these blocks with my hand but I can with a tool designed to break these blocks apart.
A Sledge Hammer – break block!
In breaking the block – write on them – they represent pride, lust, envy, porn, addiction, arrogance, doubt, anger, hypocrisy, fear, apathy, sin, shame, rejection, depression, financial bondage, broken marriage, toxic relationships, just to name a few.
I. David’s spiritual breakthrough came from seeking direction from the Lord even after he had a break down.
a. 1 Samuel 27 International Standard Version David Escapes to Philistine Territory
i. 27 David told himself, “One of these days I’ll perish by Saul’s hand. There is nothing better for me to do than to escape to Philistine territory. Saul will give up searching for me anymore within the borders of Israel, so I’ll escape from him.” 2 So David got up, and he and the 600 men who were with him went to Maoch’s son Achish, the king of Gath. 3 David stayed with Achish in Gath along with his men, each of whom was with his household. David had his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who had been the wife of Nabal of Carmel. 4 Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, and he did not continue to search for him.
1. In our scenario David had a spiritual break down fear overran his faith. So he ran to his enemy for protection rather than to God – by the way this was not the first time David had a spiritual break down.
a. 1 Samuel 21:11b-15: And at that, David shot out of there, running for his life from Saul. He went to Achish, king of Gath. When the servants of Achish saw him, they said, “Can this be David, the famous David? Is this the one they sing of at their dances? Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand!” When David realized that he had been recognized, he panicked, fearing the worst from Achish, king of Gath. So right there, while they were looking at him, he pretended to go crazy, pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard. Achish took one look at him and said to his servants, “Can’t you see he’s crazy? Why did you let him in here? Don’t you think I have enough crazy people to put up with as it is without adding another? Get him out of here!”
b. Breakdowns happen to the best of Gods people – remember David was a man after Gods own heart and at times he had spiritual breakdowns – but each time he returned to the Lord – you could says he had to come to his spiritual senses again.
ii. Psalm 69 obviously relates to a point in David’s life when he was in difficult straits from numerous enemies. There were several periods in the shepherd-king’s life that could correspond with the sentiments here expressed.
1. Psalm 69 For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.
a. 1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. 4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. 5 You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. 6 Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. 7 For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. 8 I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; 9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. 10 When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; 11 when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. 13 But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. 14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. 15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. 16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. 17 Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. 18 Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. 20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. 21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. 22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and[b] a trap. 23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. 24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. 25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. 28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. 29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—may your salvation, God, protect me. 30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. 32 The poor will see and be glad—you who seek God, may your hearts live! 33 The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. 34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, 35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; 36 the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.
i. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1140-psalm-69-a-plea-for-gods-deliverance
iii. It is classified as a “Psalm of David.” Though these superscriptions are not a part of the original text, they are nonetheless very ancient — antedating even the Septuagint.
1. That aside, this psalm is quoted in Acts 1:20. Peter declared that the quotation was from the Holy Spirit “by the mouth of David” (Acts 1:16). Moreover, in Romans 11:9, Paul writes just prior to citing this psalm, “And David says.”
2. In this plaintive song, David calls for the Lord’s deliverance from the hands of his enemies and for the justice of divine punishment upon his adversaries
b. We read on in Davids life – it is filled with ups and downs but we come to 2 Samuel 5:David becomes King and his enemies go on the attack against him.
i. “The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David. On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies. ” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.” David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.”
1. ??2 Samuel? ?5:6-10? ?NIV?? https://www.bible.com/111/2sa.5.6-10.niv????????????
ii. “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.”
1. ??2 Samuel? ?5:17-25? ?NIV?????? - https://www.bible.com/111/2sa.5.17-25.niv????????
a. God is described as Baal-Perazim, or the God of Breakthroughs.
b. This Story of David and his breakthrough against fear and his enemies-shows how he overcame his breakdowns by connecting or reconnecting with the Lord.
c. How to get a breakthrough in 2020 – let’s learn from David
i. Don, t run to your enemies for protection.
ii. But instead Inquire of the Lord how to attack your enemy or stand firm on the faith so the breakthrough comes.
1. David asked God for wisdom – for instruction on how to get the breakthrough – then he listened to the Lords direction and followed it.
a. This morning, I believe that God is the God of breakthroughs. I believe we will see many spiritual breakthroughs this year.
II. Another story of the lame man’s breakthrough and how he received it.
a. Mark 2:1-12: “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!””
i. ??Mark? ?2:1-12? ?NIV??????????????
1. https://www.bible.com/111/mrk.2.1-12.niv
a. I know we can have a spiritual breakthrough of our own but first we need to be desperate for it.
b. This morning, we have been given another key to a spiritual breakthrough in our lives – Go to Jesus! See Mark 2:1-12
1. We don’t have to, like that man, walk away. We don’t have to stand and stare at the insurmountable barrier that separates us from God.
2. We have been given a kind of spiritual sledgehammer; a spiritual wrecking ball that will smash through those barriers and bring a breakthrough – we don’t have to make it happen – Jesus will do it if we go desperately to Him and ask.
c. How desperate are you for a breakthrough?
i. Cambridge Dictionary defines it this way – 1. the feeling of being in such a bad situation that you will take any risk to change it:
1. Example - In desperation, they jumped out of the window to escape the fire.
2. Definition 2- the feeling of needing or wanting something very much:
a. Example: his desperation to survive helped him to live.
III. Job’s story – “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).
a. We a choice to make like Job, either we are going to believe God is for us or He is against us!
i. One brings a break down the other a breakthrough.
b. Prayer and fasting are spiritual disciplines. Just as godly parents train and discipline their children in the ways of the Lord, so too, our heavenly Father loves us and knows what we have need of. He understands what is best for us, and by activating these spiritual weapons, we also gain two important attributes of the Lord: obedience and discipline. Prayer and fasting are beneficial for us.
i. Job practiced it in the midst of his trauma and tragedies in life.
1. He lost his business, his kids, his security and health.
ii. Fasting is spoken of throughout Scripture.
1. Jesus placed fasting on the same level as financial stewardship and prayer!
2. What would happen to our church if we cut our financial giving to it?
3. What would happen if we did not pray?
iii. Every major character fasted for spiritual breakthrough in the Scriptures:
1. Job
2. Samuel
3. Moses
4. David
5. Isaiah
6. Jeremiah
7. Many of the Prophets
8. Jesus
9. Paul
10. James
11. John
12. Jesus - Matthew 9:15 “There is a time for fasting”
a. God wants us to do this and Jesus was our model for doing it.
c. Spiritual Benefits of prayer and fasting:
i. Protection from our enemies
ii. Freedom from the bondage of sin
iii. Victory over temptations
iv. Manifestation of physical healing
v. Deliverance from evil spirits
vi. Repentance and revival
vii. Restoration
viii. Release into ministry
d. Physical Benefits of prayer and fasting
i. Detoxes your body from impurities.
ii. Resets your hormones.
iii. Lowers weight.
1. It has other physical benefits as well, such as lowering cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and other physical ailments.
e. Prayer and fasting have both physical and spiritual benefits for us, but even more importantly, they are heavenly weapons that when used together cause spiritual breakthrough for us.
i. From https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/54446-your-secret-weapon-for-a-breakthrough
Conclusion:
We get spiritual breakthroughs by:
1. Inquiring of the Lord and seeking His direction, wisdom, insight and then listening to His instructions!
a. This is all about prayer - which is connecting or reconnecting with Jesus.
b. We must seek the audience of GOD alone not run to our enemies for protection.
2. The second dimension to spiritual breakthrough is we need to get desperate for a spiritual breakthrough – now spiritual breakdowns can motivate us to to go after a spiritual breakthrough with the help of the Lord.
a. Breakdowns can lead to spiritual breakthroughs when we see that we need the Lord to bring the breakthrough – we cannot do it with our fleshly talents or will – we need his intervention!
3. The third weapon for a spiritual breakthrough is fasting combined with prayer.
a. For the next 21 days we are challenging you this month to do a 21 day, 7 day, 3 day fast for the purpose of a spiritual breakthrough in your life.
i. You could fast:
1. Social media
2. Food
3. Coffee
4. Video games
5. TV – like movies, series
6. Sports
7. Negative self-talk fast
8. Anger fast
9. Self-centered fast – deny yourself for 21 days – others first!
