The Power of a Small Breakthrough

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:            I Samuel 14:1-23

I.          Background

A.        When Saul had been king for two years, he chose 3,000 men and Jonathan attacked a garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba.  He then blew a trumpet for the rest of Israel to assemble for war.

B.         The Philistines responded with thirty thousand (three thousand most likely) chariots and six thousand horsemen and people as the sand of the seashore in number.  They camped at Michmash.

C.        When Israel saw the Philistine response, they knew they were in danger.  They became distressed and hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.  Those who still followed Saul did so with trembling.

D.        Saul foolishly gets impatient waiting for Samuel to come offer a burnt offering unto the Lord before battle.  As a result God rejects the ongoing lineage of Saul’s throne.  Jonathan would have been the next king.

E.         The Philistines sent out three companies of raiders to keep Israel distracted

F.         The Israelites had no ironsmith.  They depended upon the Philistines for this service.  Therefore they had no weapons except their farming tools.  Only Saul and Jonathan had swords.

II.        Time for a breakthrough

            A.        The odds of defeating the Philistines was overwhelmingly against Israel

B.         Jonathan and his armor bearer went up to the Philistines (Jonathan did not tell his father because he knew his father would be in fear of losing his son as a result of Samuel’s prophetic prediction of Saul having no ongoing heir to the throne.)

C.        Between a rock and a hard place:  Jonathan chooses a path to the Philistine camp that is very treacherous and almost impossible to make.

            1.         Sharp Rock on one side (“Bozez” meaning “Slippery”)

            2.         Sharp Rock on the other side (“Seneh” meaning “Thorny”)

D.        Jonathan invites his armor bearer to come with him on this military excursion

            (verse 6).  Jonathan had faith in God’s ability to save them.

E.         Armor Bearers:  The power of agreement and loyal partnership in battle

            1.         Armor Bearers carry the armor of their leader

                        2.         Armor Bearers cover a leader’s backside

                        3.         Armor Bearers fight for their leader

                        4.         Armor Bearers accept their leader’s battle as their own

5.         Jonathan’s armor bearer responded:  “Do all that is in your heart.  Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.”

6.         Leadership is a “heart thing”

            F.         Jonathan establishes a sign for victory

                        1.         If the Philistines come down to them, they will stand and fight there

2.         If the Philistines invite them up to fight, then God has delivered the Philistines into their hand

G.        The Philistines taunt Jonathan and his armor bearer and invite them up so that they might “teach them a lesson” (the devil taunts God’s people)

H.        Jonathan and his armor bearer climb the mountain on their hands and knees, something the Philistines probably saw as impossible.

I.          The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer finished them off.

III.       The Power of a Small Breakthrough

            A.        Jonathan killed about 20 men within a half acre of land (size of a home lot)

            B.         Result:  The tide of the battle was turned

                        1.         Philistines

a.         There was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people of the Philistines.

                                    b.         The garrison and the raiders trembled

                                    c.         The earth quaked so that it was a very great trembling

                                    d.         The Philistines were retreating (melting away)

e.         Every man’s sword was against his neighbor

f.          There was great confusion in the Philistine camp

                        2.         Israel

a.         Saul and the people of Israel gained new courage

b.         The army of Israel assembled and went to battle

c.         The Hebrews that were in the camp of the Philistines rejoined Saul and Jonathan

d.         Those who had hidden themselves came out and followed Saul and Jonathan into the battle

                        3.         The Lord saved Israel that day

                        4.         The battle lines shifted to another front line

IV.       Application

            A.        The situation may look hopeless to change

            B.         Don’t get discouraged.  All you need is a small breakthrough.

            C.        One small breakthrough can change the whole scenario of your circumstances

                        1.         Paying off one bill can give you the edge on paying off the rest

2.         One small breakthrough in your marriage can begin the process of healing and restoration

3.         Getting one more person in your cell group can change the whole dynamic of your group

4.         Starting to pray each day can begin to change everything in your life

5.         One revelation from God’s word can set you free

6.         One word from God can change your life forever

7.         One person saved at work can activate a spirit of evangelism

8.         One church service when we get a small breakthrough can start a revival

9.         One experience of giving your life to Jesus Christ can change your life forever.

            D.        Its time to find someone to get in agreement with to get a breakthrough