Dave
Connell. Breakthrough
Sunday, 4 May 2014 11:00 am
Introduction
Breakthrough…what is it? What does it mean?
Breakthrough can occur in many different areas of our
lives
Eg spiritual, emotional,
relationships, finances
God uses difficult situations to grow us. Plans
breakthroughs for us
Many dimensions to breakthrough….engage a better life, one
season ends and another begins
In the Kingdom of god his plan is that we go from glory to
glory to glory….Gods plans are always
for our good, for our benefit
and growth, to become Christ-like
Judges 11 Story of Jephthae
Vs.1 Mighty man of valour…and the son of a harlot
Jephthae lived in the shadow of shame
and rejection….no choice over how he was born, family,
response of people to him and his
shameful birth origin
Many people experience shame and rejection related to
their origin of birth and family
We still have ability to make choices how we respond to
the situations that we find ourselves in
Vs.2 Other sons in the family looked
different to him and rejected him because he was different
His step brothers drove him out…no future or inheritance
in this house!
Words of family are very powerful and have great impact….
Family spoke words "no future, destiny, no place here
for you"
He carried his father’s DNA but was rejected by family and
also by those in authority when he appealed to them for help
People need identity and purpose….these are connected to
one another
Identity….who am I? Whose am I?
Purpose…what is the meaning of my life? Why am I here?
Vs.3 Fled to the land of Tob….grew and
learned leadership and fighting
His own family had cut him off from identity and destiny
and rejected him….very painful
Many people are struggling with these same issues.
Vs 5‐6 Crisis occurred in the nation and the people who rejected him
then sought him out to save them
People who rejected him came to him in their need to
become their leader
God has used his adversity to prepare him for his life's
calling and purpose
Keys to breakthrough
1. Run to God…not to substitutes
Where you run to in your time of conflict is important
………bottle?, substitutes, work,
relationships, fantasy, some form of escape.
Where you run in conflict is important….impacts the final
outcome of your life
Jephthae ran to the land of Tob
Tob= to make good! To realign.
Easy to run for comfort, quick fix…must run to Jesus in
time of trouble and not substitutes
Where we run in adversity influences us and the outcome….dont run to fantasy and escape
Run to His presence! Shadow of his wings! House of God…don't run away!
Don't run from God but run to him and His word….let God
influence you and your decisions when you are in a time of distress
2. Remember who you are in Christ
Remember….to hold firmly and clearly in your mind
Jephthae= breakthrough! One who
breaks out
He was surrounded with conflict turmoil and shame but
chose to reach out to God.
He is acknowledged in Heb11: as a man of faith…trusted God
What is shaping your life and identity….circumstances? Pressures? People? God?
What you make your focus you open your life up to…what is
your focus?
God had predetermined a destiny for Jephthae…planned
before he was conceived.
People need someone who will
breakthrough for them….give them hope for their change
Decisions you make today will shape your life. Don't
identify with the pain and distress…they do
not define who you are
Focus on God, who He says you are,
what He says you can do. In Him you have what it takes
Take time to meditate in what. God says about you…eg Ps.139
Others are waiting for you to breakthrough…they are
looking for hope
3. Remember the Promises in God’s Word
Remember….to hold firmly and clearly in your mind
Gilead= place and a person, who and where he came from
Breakthrough doesn't just happen….requires a determined
alignment
Gilead= monument of testimony! Standing stones
Stones were erected to witness an agreement between a
person and God…reminder and testimony
Stones were erected as a reminder of covenant
E.g. Jacob, Moses, Israel, Joshua,…all
erected stones as reminder of Gods covenant promises
Remind God of the covenant and promises that He has made
with you.
OT. Person had a revelation of
God…erected a reminder
NT 1Pet2:4‐5 Jesus is the cornerstone….rejected by
men but chosen by God and precious.
We are living stones….built up in Christ….no more put to
shame!...covenant in his blood
Stand on the Word and remind God of the covenant God made
with us in Christ
Hold fast to the Word of God…believe and confess it and
act on it
Remind God of His Word and promises to you….speak them out
and declare them boldly
We can choose to live out of circumstances and feelings or
live out of what God has to say about us
We have the Holy Spirit to bring breakthrough in our lives
Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the
world!
Personal Application
1. What has the Holy Spirit being saying to you through this
message?
What personal response will you make to this?
2. What do you run to when you are in a time of pain or stress?
What are you looking for? Do you find it?
What hinders you turning to Jesus in your time of difficulty?
What could you do about this.
3. What does Gods word have to say about your new identity in
Christ?
How would believing this change how you respond to painful
rejection?
4. What does Gods word say about your difficulties?
How could you use Gods word to strengthen you in difficulties?
What part do you think forgiveness played in Jepthaes
emerging as a leader?