Keys to a Spiritual Breakthrough
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Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever felt like you were either stuck in a spiritual rut or in the midst of a spiritual battle?
tend to visualize a storm, chains, or a wall
You’ve even prayed about it and it feels as if God is not listen or doing anything about your situation. This morning I desire to share with you some “Keys to a Spiritual Breakthrough.”
Key Topics in Possible Series:
Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough
Giving leads to a Financial Breakthrough
The idea of a “spiritual breakthrough” is subjective, and the term itself is not found in the Bible, but the concept is all throughout scripture.
Visualize what a breakthrough is:
A spiritual breakthrough can be defined as a time when a person is saved, gains a deeper understanding of biblical truth, receives an answer to prayer, or wins the victory over sin.
a wall
Paul’s experience on the Damascus Road could be considered a spiritual breakthrough, as he saw for the first time who Jesus really is ().
A Spiritual Breakthrough can be …
chains
Paul’s experience on the Damascus Road could be considered a spiritual breakthrough, as he saw for the first time who Jesus really is ().
Peter’s experience on the rooftop in Joppa could be considered a spiritual breakthrough, as he learned that the gospel was for all people, Gentiles included ().
The conversion of Lydia on the outskirts of Philippi could be seen as a spiritual breakthrough, as she was the first person saved on European soil ().
The idea of a “breakthrough” suggests a preceding struggle that finally peaks and finds resolution.
We have to realize that we can not bring about the breakthrough, only God can.
12 I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men. 13 He who opens the breach goes up before them; they break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king passes on before them, the Lord at their head.
Why we need a Breakthrough:
micah 2.
Scripture Text: (Parallel text in 1 Chronicles 14)
We are stagnant!
2 sam 5.17
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.
24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11 And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 12 And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned. 13 And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14 And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 15 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 16 And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
Background:
After a civil war in the house of Israel, Saul was dead and David anointed King of Israel uniting the people once again.
The Philistines who may have considered David an ally now saw him as a threat.
The Enemy often Attacks Suddenly after Great Victory
The Enemy often Attacks Suddenly after Great Victory
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
Notice David’s response when the enemy attacks: “went down to the stronghold” = maybe a recently captured Jebusite fortress. (“A fortified place”)
Unlike Saul, David was careful to determine the Lord’s will concerning their offensive attack.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The Enemy Often Attacks In A Familiar Place
The Enemy Often Attacks In A Familiar Place
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
2
“Spread out” can be best translated “overrun”
The “Valley of Rephaim” = the valley of “Giants”. This is the same valley that David defeated Goliath years earlier.
19 So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives.
19 So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
19 So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the Lord.
is
20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.
The Lord Provides an Answer When We Sincerely Turn to Him in Prayer
The Lord Provides an Answer When We Sincerely Turn to Him in Prayer
19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
A Handbook on the Second Book of Samuel 2. Two Victories over the Philistines (2 Sam 5:17–25)
I will certainly give. literally “giving I will give.” This is stronger than saying simply “I will give.” The Hebrew construction is used to emphasize the certainty of Yahweh doing this. NAB says “I will surely deliver …,” and AB has “I shall indeed hand them over.”
4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
The Lord Begins to Turn Things Around When We Fully Obey His Word
The Lord Begins to Turn Things Around When We Fully Obey His Word
19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
2
The Lord Brings Breakthrough When We Are Willing to Fight
The Lord Brings Breakthrough When We Are Willing to Fight
20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
Baal-perazim
A Handbook on the Second Book of Samuel 2. Two Victories over the Philistines (2 Sam 5:17–25)
“ ‘Baal’ means ‘Lord,’ and Perazim comes from the verb ‘paraz’ that means ‘to open a breach/breakthrough.’
Breakthrough is not something we sit around and wait for, Breakthrough is God waiting on us to respond in obedience to what He has already commanded and already promised
Breakthrough is not something we sit around and wait for, Breakthrough is God waiting on us to respond in obedience to what He has already commanded and already promised
“Surrounded” by Michael W. Smith
The word says
"For the spirit of heaviness
Put on the garment of praise"
That's how we fight our battles
It may look like I'm surrounded but I'm surrounded by You
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
The Enemy Often Times Attacks in the Very Same Way Again and Again.
The Enemy Often Times Attacks in the Very Same Way Again and Again.
21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.
24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
Some time had passed
God does things differently
The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Samuel (3) David Defeats the Philistines Twice (5:17–25)
Especially significant in this event is that David deferred his attack until the Lord had gone out in front of Israel. In so doing, he was charting a course for the nation that differed fundamentally from the one the people had proposed during the days of Samuel. Previously the Israelites had asked to “be like all the other nations,” with an earthly “king to lead us and to go out before us to fight our battles” (1 Sam 8:20).
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
eph
Closing
Closing
“Surrounded” by Michael W. Smith
The word says
"For the spirit of heaviness
Put on the garment of praise"
That's how we fight our battles
It may look like I'm surrounded but I'm surrounded by You
After Elisha reported to the King of Israel over and over again what the Lord had revealed to him concerning the King of Aram’s plans, the King of Aram sent his army to capture Elisha. During the night they surrounded Elisha and his servant.
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.