Breakdowns to Breakthroughs: Embracing God's Timing
Summary
In the sermon titled "[MESSAGE ONLY] The Pause Before The Promise," the speaker delves into the concept that breakdowns are often precursors to breakthroughs. They use the biblical figure Joseph as an example, illustrating how he endured numerous challenges without losing faith in God's promises. The speaker points out that while many people desire the fulfillment of God's promises and the breakthroughs that accompany them, they are less enthusiastic about the breakdowns that typically precede such moments. The speaker argues that these breakdowns are essential for one to fully appreciate and glorify God during the breakthroughs, as they instill a sense of determination to praise God.
The speaker also shares a personal story about a woman who could predict rain through her sense of smell, using this to demonstrate that God's promises may not always be immediately apparent but can manifest suddenly. They stress the importance of finding strength in silence and patiently waiting for God's promises, drawing parallels between the biblical account of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the challenges faced before a breakthrough. The speaker cites Luke 2 and Romans 8:25 to reinforce the idea of patient and confident waiting for what we do not yet see.
Furthermore, the speaker reflects on the significance of pausing and slowing down in life, suggesting that these moments are not mere delays but preparations for what lies ahead. A personal anecdote about a visit to Mississippi and an unexpected rainstorm serves as a metaphor for being prepared and attentive to God's signs and messages. The speaker's friend's grandmother, who sensed the impending storm, symbolizes the spiritual discernment needed to recognize and prepare for God's promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Breakdowns are an integral part of the journey towards experiencing God's promises. They teach us resilience and ensure that when the breakthrough comes, our praise and gratitude towards God are unshakeable. This perspective helps believers to endure difficult times with the understanding that they are a prelude to God's fulfillment.
[14:17]
- The fulfillment of God's promises often comes after a period of silence and waiting. This waiting period is not a sign of God's absence but a time for believers to strengthen their faith and trust in God's timing. The story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem serves as a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, God's promises will come to pass.
[10:41]
- The ability to sense and prepare for what God is about to do in our lives is crucial. Just as the grandmother in Mississippi sensed the coming rain, believers must be attuned to the spiritual signs that precede God's actions. This discernment allows us to be ready when God moves.
[05:35]
- Patience is a virtue that is deeply connected to faith. Waiting for God's promises requires a confident expectation that what God has said will happen, even when there is no physical evidence. This patience is not passive but an active trust in God's faithfulness.
[09:58]
- Life's pauses are not to be mistaken for inaction or wasted time. Instead, they are opportunities for growth and preparation. Believers should embrace these pauses, understanding that God is at work behind the scenes, setting the stage for the promises to unfold in His perfect timing.
[08:31]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Pause Before The Promise"
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
> "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."
2. Romans 8:25 (NIV)
> "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances surrounding Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem as described in Luke 2:6-7?
2. According to Romans 8:25, what is required of us when we hope for something we do not yet have?
3. In the sermon, what did the speaker say about the significance of breakdowns before breakthroughs? ([10:41])
4. How did the speaker's story about the grandmother in Mississippi illustrate the concept of spiritual discernment? ([08:31])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem illustrate the idea of breakdowns preceding breakthroughs? ([10:41])
2. What does Romans 8:25 teach us about the nature of patience and hope in the context of waiting for God's promises?
3. How can the ability to sense and prepare for God's actions, as illustrated by the grandmother's ability to predict rain, be applied to our spiritual lives? ([08:31])
4. Why might God allow us to experience breakdowns before granting us breakthroughs, according to the sermon? ([12:51])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant breakdown before a breakthrough. How did that experience shape your faith and trust in God? ([12:51])
2. How can you cultivate patience and confident expectation in your life, especially when waiting for God's promises to manifest? ([09:58])
3. What are some practical ways you can slow down and embrace life's pauses as opportunities for growth and preparation? ([05:35])
4. How can you develop spiritual discernment to recognize and prepare for God's promises, similar to the grandmother's ability to sense rain? ([08:31])
5. In what ways can you ensure that your praise and gratitude towards God remain unshakeable, even during times of breakdown? ([13:33])
6. Identify a current challenge in your life that feels like a breakdown. How can you shift your perspective to see it as a prelude to a breakthrough?
7. How can you support others in your small group or community who are going through their own breakdowns, helping them to see the potential for future breakthroughs?
Devotional
Day 1: Resilience Precedes Revelation
Breakdowns are not merely obstacles but essential stages that build resilience and deepen one's appreciation for the breakthroughs that follow. They are the refining fires that prepare individuals to hold steadfast in their faith, ensuring that when the promise is fulfilled, the praise is genuine and the gratitude is profound. These trials are not punishments but rather opportunities to develop a stronger character and a more profound faith. [14:17]
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Reflection: How can you view your current struggles as opportunities for growth rather than mere hardships?
Day 2: Silent Seasons Strengthen Faith
The quiet periods of waiting are not voids of inactivity but are rich with the potential for spiritual growth. They are times to cultivate patience and fortify one's trust in the divine plan. These seasons of silence are when faith can be tested but also where it can be strengthened, as one learns to rely not on sight but on the assurance of what is promised. [10:41]
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively strengthen your faith during a season of waiting?
Day 3: Discernment Prepares for Promise
The ability to perceive the subtle signs of God's work in one's life is a spiritual skill that requires cultivation. Like the grandmother who could sense the rain, believers must develop the discernment to recognize the precursors to God's promises. This spiritual awareness allows one to prepare and align with God's timing, ensuring readiness when the moment of fulfillment arrives. [05:35]
1 Chronicles 12:32 - "Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two hundred chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper spiritual discernment to recognize God's work in your life?
Day 4: Patience as Active Trust
Patience in waiting for God's promises is not a passive resignation but an active expression of trust. It is the confident expectation that what has been divinely spoken will come to pass, despite the absence of physical evidence. This form of patience is a testament to one's faith, demonstrating a steadfast belief in the reliability and faithfulness of God's word. [09:58]
Psalm 130:5-6 - "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning."
Reflection: What promise are you waiting for, and how can you actively demonstrate trust in God's timing today?
Day 5: Pauses as Preparation
Life's pauses are not setbacks but divine preparations for the future. These moments are opportunities to grow, reflect, and prepare for what is to come. They are not times of divine absence but of divine construction, where the groundwork is laid for the promises to be realized. Embracing these pauses with faith allows one to see them as the necessary prelude to the unfolding of God's perfect timing. [08:31]
Isaiah 30:18 - "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."
Reflection: Can you identify a 'pause' in your life that might be God preparing you for what's next? How can you embrace this time more fully?
Quotes
"Pause is not a delay, no no, pause is nothing more than preparation and if we don't take those times and those moments to just slow down... it's the time you all where we're readying ourselves for what's to come." [05:35] (Download)
"Before you have any type of breakthrough you've got to be broken down. God has to take you through the breakdown to make us appreciate the breakthrough." [12:51] (Download)
"When you've been broken down, you have no worry giving God the glory; you know nobody did this but Jesus; you've made up your mind I'm going to praise him like I'm losing my mind." [14:17] (Download)
"It's in silence we find our strength to take the next step." [09:18] (Download)
"Before there is a breakthrough, there's often a breakdown." [10:41] (Download)
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