Breakthrough 2025

Intro

Joke - If the 3 wisemen had been 3 wise women, they would have asked for directions so they would not have been late… been on time… helped deliver the baby Jesus… leaned the stable, cooked a meal… and bought disposable diapers….

I love to watch some of these stunts that people do that just seem impossible to do. examples Surprisingly to some, most people have the ability to do some pretty amazing things.

But when it comes to dealing with obstacles in our lives, it’s all spiritual. When we have problems, we tend to always focus on how to solve them in the physical realm. We try to figure out what we can do to make a difference.

We often exhaust all of our “human” measures before turning to God to solve our problems.

We tend to try and solve all of our problems in the natural realm, but the solution always starts in the spiritual realm. That’s why prayer often become a formality. We do it because we know we should, not because we feel like we are unleashing heaven onto earth. But that is exactly what we are doing when we pray… bridging the gap between heaven and earth and asking God to intervene in our daily lives and issues.

Instead of praying first, we often practice this… “well, I’ve tried everything else, so I might as well pray… maybe God will do something.

Look at this passage in Matt 17:14-21

Matthew 17:14–21 NLT

14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” 17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. 19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” 20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Let’s look at

Natural vs. Supernatural

For something to be natural means that it was part of creation. Natural is what is our nature. If someone is a “natural” at say baseball, it means he was created with that ability. And the Bible says it’s our nature to sin and the biblical word for a sinful man is a natural man.

The Creator is greater than nature and has the power to change it because He is Supernatural.

The word super literally means greater than… Superman is greater than a regular man. That’s why people are so fascinated with the Superman movies and now all the superhero movies… We are looking for someone greater than…

The Christian life should be one of power, supernatural power, that comes from living a spirit filled life.

Acts 1:8 NLT

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

It’s natural to view things through natural lens… it’s normal. That’s why we need a change of perspective when dealing with problems.

We all face obstacles in our lives.

We often call them…

Roadblocks…

Trials or tribulations (James 1)

Storms - (Matt 7)

Issues -

Husbands…

Speaking of obstacles…

A car was driving down the street when all of a sudden it started swerving. The car was going back and forth till someone with a cell phone called the police. A police officer pulled the car over. A young lady rolls down the window and says, "Officer, I'm so glad you are here. I saw a tree in the road, then I saw another. So I had to swerve to keep from hitting it!" The officer looks at her, then says, "Ma'am, that's your air freshener."

Let’s look at

4 types of Obstacles people face.

1. Wilderness or Forest: An obstacle of confusion.

These may include

decisions about a career - I remember when I finished school…

Who you will marry - if you will marry -

Sometimes you can’t see the forrest for the trees…

2. Deserts: An obstacles of drought

It could be lack… lack of anything… relationships… money… purpose

Maybe you haven’t heard from God…

3. Waters: An obstacle of fear

Many times in the Bible Water is referred to as troubles… people feared it.

Fear of failure - Mike

Fear of success - some people will mess themselves up just before they succeed at something.

Fear of the future -

Fear of commitment - White Christmas…

4. Mountains: An obstacle of ability.

We don’t feel like we have the ability to …

get out of debt

find another job - steve

start and provide for a family…

beat an addiction or stronghold …

Mountains are big obstacles and that’s what we are talking about today and why we are talking about them…

How to Breakthrough a Big Obstacle

1. Breaking through big obstacles requires bringing our problems to Jesus.

Matthew 17:14–15 NLT

14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

The first important thing this man did is he brought his obstacle, which was his son’s challenges, into the presence of Jesus.

Just imagine with me for a minute the anguish this father had experienced watching his son’s uncontrollable seizures to the point where he would throw himself into fire. Imagine the countless injuries this father must have seen happen to his son… the emotional trauma…

But he did not use this as an excuse to turn away from God… instead he chose to bring his problem to God.

One of my prayers when people are going through difficult times is that they will draw closer to the Lord during those trials and not try to blame God and run away.

Jesus won’t touch a problem that you don’t give Him.

1 Peter 5:6–7 NLT

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Let me ask,

What areas of your life have you been keeping from Jesus?

Thought life… dating life… work life… marriage… kids… job… finances…

2. Breaking through big obstacles requires identifying the source of the Problem.

Matthew 17:15 NLT

15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

Often times physical problems are a manifestation of a spiritual problem in a person’s life.

worry … fear … anger … bitterness…

This is not always the case. In John 9, they asked Jesus what sin caused the mans illness and Jesus said none.

But there is a biblical basis for physical problems being manifestations of spiritual bondage… unforgiveness… and dis-obedience.

Most of the time, people assume the physical problems are always rooted in the physical realm, but we know from many passages of scripture that

Physical problems can often be God’s attempt to get us to pay attention to spiritual inconsistencies in our lives.

raised one way and then begin living another…

bitterness - HBP

3. Breaking through big obstacles requires addressing our problems with spiritual solutions.

Matthew 17:17–18 NLT

17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

Many people attempt to use physical solutions to spiritual problems. I am amazed at how many people think that understanding your spouse is the key to a successful marriage, or that getting some good advice that will give them a shortcut, or that they can pay to get right with God. All of those things are good, but none of them will break a spiritual stronghold and give you victory over a spiritual struggle.

The only way to breakthrough spiritual strongholds and struggles is by fighting the battle with spiritual disciplines.

One spring a family was driving from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, Florida. As far as the eye could see, orange trees were loaded with fruit. When they stopped for breakfast, the Dad ordered orange juice. "I'm sorry," the waitress said. "I can't bring you orange juice. Our machine is broken." They were surrounded by millions of oranges, they had oranges in the kitchen--orange slices garnished the plates. What was the problem? The problem was they had become dependent on a machine to get the juice.

Christians are sometimes like that. They may be surrounded by Bibles in their homes, but if something should happen to the Sunday morning preaching service, they would have no nourishment for their souls. The problem is not a lack of spiritual food--but that many Christians haven't grown enough to know how to get it for themselves.

Paul said in Ephesians 6:12

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

We don’t fight as the world does with natural solutions. We use spiritual disciplines to fight a spiritual fight.

Important Spiritual disciplines include

Prayer Fasting Attending Worship Services Giving Bible Study Sabbath Service Witnessing

So let me ask,

What are some Spiritual Disciplines I need to practice more often in 2025?

4. Breaking through big obstacles requires Trusting God when we face our problems.

Matthew 17:19–21 NLT

19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” 20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

We already know that the Bible clearly teaches that nothing is impossible for God.

Look at Matt 19:23-26

Matthew 19:23–26 NLT

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

We also know that when we have great faith, then nothing is impossible for us as well.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Matthew 17:20 NLT

20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

We get caught up in thinking that we are in an impossible situation.

Maybe we

believe we are in a relationship that can’t change… an abusive situation…

are in a financial situation that there doesn’t seem to be a way out of…

a family situation that just doesn’t seem to change…

have an offense that we can’t seem to forgive…

are facing a health situation that we seem to be stuck with…

have a sin or stronghold in our lives that we just can’t seem to shake… addictions.. bitterness…

How important is faith?

The Bible clearly teaches that there is nothing that we can’t get past if we will just have faith.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

In what areas of my life do I need to ask God for more faith?

5. Breaking through big obstacles requires building our faith through prayer and fasting.

Matthew 17:21 NKJV

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Prayer and fasting are both faith building exercises.

If you want to increase the size of your biceps, you would do bicep exercises. If you wanted bigger Quadriceps, you would do leg exercises.

In the same way, of you want to build your faith, then you need to do some spiritual exercises like prayer and fasting.

Prayer and Fasting stretch your faith by putting you in a position to trust God.

They both seem silly to the outside world, but they have great faith building power in the supernatural world. They are both spiritual exercises.

I believe that Jesus was telling his disciples that you can’t overcome this big of a spiritual stronghold because you don’t have enough faith, and the reason you don’t have enough faith is because you haven’t been praying and fasting like you need to .

Its sort of like if you entered the world’s strongest man contest but had never worked out. You have to exercise or workout to gain strength.

Big mountains take Big Faith and big Faith comes from Big Spiritual lifting.

Are you willing to commit to praying and fasting to overcome the big mountains in your life?

Conclusion -

Listen to me… Mountains are…

Big

Steep

Time Consuming

Overwhelming

Mountains always seem like they are too much…

Relationships

Offense -

grief

illness

debt - it takes time to get out of debt…

Children - they take about 35 years to raise…

So the Question to ask yourself is

What is the mountain that I m currently facing?

Here is the game plan…

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting - begins Monday, Jan 6th and ends on Jan 26th.

We will work on problems from the supernatural angle.

We will work this year to increase our faith and relationship with the Lord.

The size of your mountain should determine the size of your fasting commitment.

Quality preparation + Supernatural Faith = Spiritual Success

Look at the Fasting Commitment Cards in your Worship Folders.