The Spirit of Breakthrough

  • Acts 16:22-26
  • Nov 22, 2009
  • Series: Barriers

There are two attitudes that people have when things go bad. The attitude of the world which says, "I have nothing to rejoice over," and the attitude of the Christian which says, "I have everything to rejoice over." We are called to rejoice in the Lord always. We need to praise the Lord in every circumstance.

 

BARRIERS
THE SPIRIT OF BREAKTHROUGH
November 22, 2009
Mark Johnson
 
THIS IS NOT A FORMULA; THIS IS ABOUT A HEART OF FAITH THAT ACTS ACCORDING TO THAT FAITH.
 
Acts 16:22-26
 
THESE WERE MEN WHO UNDERSTOOD WHO THEY WERE; THEY WERE SOLDIERS ON ASSIGNMENT IN HOSTILE TERRITORY.
 
WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN YOUR PRISON AND IN YOUR CHAINS?
 
Are you hopeless, complaining, bitter, and angry with God?
 
Why did God put this story in the Bible?   Doctrine
 
This story gives us the doctrine of a right spirit before God in all circumstances.
 
Two attitudes when things go bad:
 
1.  Attitude focused on the world
                 - I HAVE NOTHING TO REJOICE OVER.  
2.  Attitude focused on being a servant of Jesus
                 - I HAVE EVERYTHING TO REJOICE OVER.
 
Philippians 4:4-9
 
1.  Rejoice in the Lord always.
2.  Gentleness means don’t get all worked up.
     Why? The Lord is near.
3.  Don’t be anxious about anything.
 
Do I just ignore my circumstances?  No.
Rejoicing and worship are not a denial of the ‘truth.’
Rejoicing and worship are recognition of the ‘Truth.’
 
Check your spirit here, especially in regard to your prison.
 
 
 
 
 
The enemy of your soul wants you to doubt God’s Word, be discouraged, fearful, angry, bitter and FAITHLESS!
 
The Creator of your soul wants you to believe, trust, have joy,
be patient, be encouraged, be fearless, and have FAITH.
 
Paul does not instruct us to ignore our issues, instead he tells us:
 
4.  By prayer and petition present your requests to God.
 
Take your issues to God; but there is a spirit-checking word I have left out.
 
5.  With thanksgiving.
 
DO YOU HAVE A SPIRIT OF BREAKTHROUGH?
 
Psalm 67:1-7  
 
What happens when we praise the Lord?
The land will yield its harvest.
God will bless us.
 
The last verse tells us why; that all the ends of earth will fear Him.
 
SO REJOICE IN THE LORD IN FAITH.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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