Breaking Out of Your Limitations

26 February 2012

1. Introduction

• Eph.3:20 “To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works within us”.
• God is bigger than all our limitations.
• God is at work =energeo=within us to empower us to break out.
• The problem is not with the limitation it is with our thinking and believing.
• 2 Cor.2:14 “Now thanks be unto God which always causes us to triumph in Christ and makes manifest by us the Saviour of His Knowledge in every place”.
• Always – every time
• Triumph – victory procession of Roman General, celebrating overcoming the enemy.
• Limitations are seldom external they are mainly internal.
• What do you think is limiting you?

Physical? Education? Finance? Failure? Disappointment?

Challenge your thinking is this really what is holding me back?

Prov. 4:23 “Out of the heart flows issues of life”

2. Story of Jephthah – Judges 11

(a) Jephthah’s “limitations

· Illegitimate

· Mother desperately poor – prostitute

· Abandoned – given up by mother

· Rejected by family

· Thrown out of home- bitter resentment

· Injustice over lost inheritance

· Rejected by authorities

· Limited education opportunities

· Economic recession

· Spiritual darkness, oppression, idolatry

· Rejected from the house of God Dt.23:2-3

· Living under a curse of rejection

· Don’t look for someone or something to blame for where you are at.

· When you blame, you             become a ‘victim’

become “bitter”

become “limited”

(b) Your Limitations do not define who you are

· Judg.11:1”Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour”

· Name Jephthah =3316= He will open, He will breakout, He will loose him

· His name was prophetic describing who God saw him to be. God sees you according to faith – what He designed you to be.

· His name was given to him by his father.

· Mighty man of Valour

His nature,character was the result of what he chose to do.

“Mighty” =1368= hero, one who behaves boldly, a warrior.

“Valour” =2428= force, strength, courage.

This is what he became as a result of his choices.

He refused to become bitter or to blame – took responsibility.

(c) Breaking out of Your Limitations – it’s a choice

· To breakout you must face your limitations – face your Goliath.

· What you cannot change outside you must result in change inside you.

· Jephthah made several choices – caused him to become:

(i) Man of Prayer (Faith)

· Heb.11:32 Holy Spirit describes Jephthah as a man of faith – pleased God.

· He entrusted his life to Christ – chose to believe in God.

· Not just a head believe but a heart belief = accessed grace.

· Jud.11:11 As soon as he was given leadership he prayed = lifestyle.

(ii) Man of Peace (Reconciled)

· Jud.11:12-14 He sent messengers to King of Ammon seeking reconciliation.

· He had resolved personal injustice by forgiveness and blessing.

· There was no bitterness or strife in his heart – sought peace.

· His heart was free from injustice and anger = reconciled injustice.

(iii) Man of Power (Stand Up)

· Jud.11:29 Holy Spirit came mightily upon him to battle.

· He had identified his gift and developed it out of sight.

· He was willing to stand up and to fight bit battle because he had stood up and fought small battles unseen – developed character and skill.

· What is limiting you? What/who are you blaming? Heb.4:45.