Breakthrough Amidst Great Challenge!
Elyria Church of the Nazarene
Sunday, July August 1,2021
Breakthrough Amidst Great Challenge!
A Word…
“What we call a problem, Heaven calls a harvest.”
(Stephen Furtick)
Satan tries to limit our praying because he knows how our praying will limit him!
“Don’t let what you see make you forget what
I said. (Jesus)
“All He has to do is move His Hand!”
Somebody took a survey of church members from across USA
10 % cannot be found.
20 % never attend.
25 % never pray.
30 % never read the Bible.
40 % never give to the church.
60 % never give to world missions.
75 % never serve through the church.
95% have never won a single person to Jesus, yet:
100% expect to go to heaven.
7 Intrinsic Values!
· Intrinsic: “belonging naturally, essential”
I Thessalonians 5:23-24 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
1. “All In!”
· Sold out, surrendered…to Jesus!
· On board, count on me!
· Living surrendered, set apart lives…
Psalm 63:1 1You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
2. Spiritual Life (& Hunger for “The More”)!
· Spiritually alive! Thriving! Feed the flame!
· GREAT FAITH & TRUST IN GOD!!!
· Live…hungry!!!
II Corinthians 4:18 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
3. Eternal Outlook!
· Keeping the eternal in view…
· Recognize the days are short!
Malachi 3:10 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
II Corinthians 9:7 7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (NLT)
4. (Surrendered) Stewardship!
· Time, Talent, Testimony, Treasure, Temple (body)
Romans 12:10 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
5. Culture of Honor
· Embrace love, acceptance, and forgiveness in Christ
· Honoring one another above ourselves
I Timothy 5:17 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
I Thessalonians 5:12-13 12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
6. Support Your Shepherd
· Love, support, stand behind, pray for…
· God’s servant for this season…
7. Watchmen On The Wall!
· Standing On The Wall…
Isaiah 62:6-7 6Jerusalem, I have stationed guards on your walls. They must never be silent day or night.
You who call out to the Lord must not give yourselves any rest. 7 And don’t give him any rest until he makes Jerusalem secure. Don’t give him any peace until people all over the earth praise that city. (NIVR)
· Fasting, prayer, praising…calling, crying out…
Colossians 4:2 2(devote yourselves) Give a lot of time and effort to prayer. Always be watchful and thankful.
· Standing In The Gap…
Ezekiel 22:30 30 “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
· Standing In His Presence
Psalm 91:1-2 1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (KJV)
Reference: I Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing.
Matthew 21:13, House of prayer for all nations.
Luke 14:23 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.