Breakthrough – Week 1

Breakthrough – Week 1

January 15, 2023

Definition of Breakthrough (Webster):

• A sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique
• An act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle
• An instance of passing through a barrier or protection
• An offensive military assault that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line.

OPENING SCRIPTURE:
Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of REPHAIM (2 Samuel 5:17-18 NKJ)

• Rephaim means Giants. The Valley of Giants.
• First thing First: Pray

So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”

• Prayer should never be the last resort.
• Pray until you hear from God.

And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” (2 Samuel 5:19 NKJ)

• The second thing: Obey

So David went to Baal PERAZIM, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore, he called the name of that place Baal PERAZIM. (2 Samuel 5:20 NKJ)

• “Perazim” means in Hebrew means Breakthrough.
• Like a breakthrough of water.
• “Perazim” in context means “The place where the Lord mastered my breakthrough”

Prayer + Obedience = Breakthrough

A Breakthrough story: Mark Chapter 9

And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. (Mark 9:14 NKJ)

• God does things His own way and the best thing we can do is get out of His way.
• The barrier to breakthrough is us!

Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” (Mark 9:15-16 NKJ)

• The dad chose to stay and wait on Jesus for his breakthrough.
• Breakthrough happens when we wait upon the Lord!

“Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” (Mark 9:17-18 NKJ)

• Breakthrough happens when you take it straight up to the Master!

So He (Jesus) asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” (Mark 9:21-22 NKJ)

• Desperation creates the best scenario for breakthrough.
• Our breaking point can also become our breakthrough!

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24 NKJ)

• Jesus, I believe in you. I believe you can heal my son, but my fear, my doubts are holding me back.
• But Jesus was moved with compassion.

He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. (Mark 9:25-27 NKJ)

Why could the disciple not bring the breakthrough?

And when He (Jesus) had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” (Mark 9:28 NKJ)

• The pressure to perform because others are watching. The scribes were watching.
• Pressure, we take our eyes off of Jesus. The Lord of the Breakthrough!

So He said to them, “THIS KIND can come out by nothing but PRAYER and FASTING.” (Mark 9:29 NKJ)

• When you pray, the center of your prayer is Jesus
• When you fast, the center of your fast is Jesus
• The purpose of a fast and prayer is to dethrone you and place Jesus on the throne of your life.

CONCLUSION: What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *