Sunday August 26, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/Encountertexoma/videos/547227842999671
I believe every Christian longs for and needs breakthroughs from God. We long to hear God’s voice clearly. We want God to speak to us regarding some area of concern.
PICTURE IT THIS WAY: Many of us have used a power drill to bore a hole through a piece of wood.
ARE YOU LONGING FOR A BREAKTHROUGH?
LET’S LOOK AT THE MASTER OF BREAKTHROUGHS
1 Chronicles 14:8-11 – “Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.”
One of the first lessons we learn from these scriptures is that as soon as the Enemy hears that something good has happened in your life , he comes against you.
We don’t need to be afraid of this opposition, WE HAVE JESUS CHRIST!
Here’s what we need to love about this story: DAVID’S RESPONSE!
“And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?”
That’s the key to practicing faith!
Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
We already have the revealed Word from God-sixty six books of God’s revealed Word!
But sometimes we want a specific Word from God.
What do we do? Which direction do we turn? What decision do we make?
It’s such a time that we ask God to speak specifically to us. We long to hear God’s voice!
God responded to David specifically. God told David to go up and engage in battle, for He would deliver the Philistines into his hand.
AT THAT POINT DAVID HAD A WORD FROM GOD!
David had exactly what he needed to act in faith!
If we define faith as taking God at His word, then we need to have a word from God that we can believe in, and act upon!
FAITH MUST HAVE GOD’S WORD TO STAND ON!
Remember the Philistines raided the Valley of Rephaim? Rephaim means giants!
The Philistines were sending a message to David. They were using straight forward scare tactics. They wanted to intimidate him.
David could have responded with overconfidence.
Or he could have responded with fear.
Instead, his response was to inquire of the Lord. Why is this so significant?
David was not a wimpy king. He was an experienced combat warrior!
SO WHY DID DAVID INQUIRE OF THE LORD?
Because David trusted God more than his own strength!
Just think about it. David ’s soldiers are all prepared for battle, but first they saw their leader walk away and spend time on his knees in prayer!
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO YOU AND ME.
A BREAKTHROUGH COMES WITH A NOW WORD FROM GOD AND FAITH!
FAITH IS NOT A BLIND LEAP!!!!!
Psalm 119:105- “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”
When God gives us a word we have enough light to take the next step! Faith is never blind!
ONCE WE HEAR GOD THEN WE CAN HAVE TRUE FAITH!
Here’s what the outcome of the battle looked like for David and his men.
1 Chronicles 14:11,12 – “So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.”
Baal Perazim- Master of Breakthroughs.
David wasn’t saying that Baal was the master of breakthroughs!
David was saying that Baal was broken through! Baal was defeated! This false god was destroyed and the false idols were destroyed! David wanted everyone to know that the site of the pagan temple was the same site where Baal was done away with.
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO US?
The place in our lives where the Enemy thinks he’s the strongest is the exact place God wants to give us breakthroughs!
Is there one area in your life where you’ve never been able to gain the victory? GOD IS THE MASTER OF BREAKTHROUGHS!
BUT FAITH IS NOT ENOUGH!
If we want a breakthrough we need faith plus something else. Do you know what that something else is?
James 2:17 – “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
So we need to put action to our faith for our faith to amount to anything!
NOW LOOK AT THIS. YOU’VE GOT TO CATCH THIS!
1 Chronicles 14:13-17 – “Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.”
They had just defeated the Philistines! Yet David again inquires of the Lord.
DAVID DIDN’T RELY ON PAST EXPERIENCE
Again David heard God’s voice and then responded in faith. His faith had works. Another word for works-OBEDIENCE!
Matthew 7:24 – “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
THE WISE HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD AND OBEY!
CONCLUSION: Friends, our lives are filled with constant noises competing for our attention.
In the midst of all the noise in our lives, God is speaking! Do we hear Him? And when we hear Him, do we obey?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?