Breakthrough Through Humility and Community in Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the gift of community and the power of breakthrough in our lives. We introduced Paul, a talented and humble musician who has been a blessing to our church. His journey reminds us of the importance of using our gifts for God's glory, not for personal recognition. Paul's story is a testament to the power of humility and teamwork, as he consistently directs attention away from himself and towards God. This serves as a reminder that our talents are meant to uplift others and glorify God, not to elevate ourselves.

We also explored the concept of breakthrough, both in our church and personal lives. While God is moving powerfully within our community, we must also seek His transformative power in our individual lives. Breakthrough requires us to recognize the battles we face and to be willing to break up the hard, unplowed ground in our hearts. This process is not easy, but it is necessary for growth and transformation. We are called to sow righteousness and reap the fruit of unfailing love, but this requires us to confront and break through the barriers that hold us back.

The story of the alabaster jar serves as a powerful metaphor for breakthrough. Just as the woman broke open her jar to anoint Jesus, we must be willing to break open the areas of our lives that are holding us back. This act of breaking is costly and requires vulnerability, but it leads to a deeper connection with God and a release of His power in our lives. We are encouraged to pour out our hearts to Jesus, not holding back due to fear or the opinions of others.

As we journey through this year, let us be inspired by the breakthroughs we witness in our community to seek our own personal breakthroughs. Let us be willing to break up the unplowed ground in our hearts, to confront the battles we face, and to pour out our lives in worship and devotion to Jesus. In doing so, we will experience the fullness of what God has for us and become a testament to His transformative power.

Key Takeaways:

1. Humility in Service: Paul's story reminds us that our gifts are meant to glorify God and serve others, not to elevate ourselves. True humility involves directing attention away from ourselves and towards God, fostering a spirit of teamwork and community. [47:07]

2. Recognizing the Battle: Many of us fail to realize that we are in a spiritual battle, mistaking our journey for a holiday. Acknowledging the battles we face is the first step towards seeking breakthrough and transformation in our lives. [52:57]

3. Breaking Unplowed Ground: Hosea 10:12 calls us to break up the hard, unplowed ground in our hearts. This process is challenging but necessary for growth, as it allows the seeds of righteousness to take root and flourish. [53:53]

4. The Cost of Breakthrough: The story of the alabaster jar illustrates that breakthrough comes at a cost. We must be willing to break open the areas of our lives that hold us back, even if it requires vulnerability and sacrifice. [01:00:11]

5. Pouring Out to Jesus: We are encouraged to pour out our hearts to Jesus, not holding back due to fear or the opinions of others. True breakthrough comes when we fully surrender to Him and allow His transformative power to work in our lives. [01:11:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [47:07] - Introducing Paul
- [48:26] - The Temptation of Pride
- [49:38] - Invitation to Worship
- [51:17] - Breakthrough in the Church
- [52:57] - Recognizing the Battle
- [53:53] - Breaking Unplowed Ground
- [55:09] - The Power of Testimonies
- [56:53] - The Cost of Breakthrough
- [58:21] - The Alabaster Jar
- [01:00:11] - Overcoming Disappointment
- [01:01:43] - The Danger of Indignation
- [01:03:39] - Aligning Our Hearts
- [01:05:08] - Breaking Up with Idols
- [01:07:07] - Bottling Up Breakthrough
- [01:11:46] - Pouring Out to Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hosea 10:12 - "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
2. Luke 7:37-38 - "A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."

Observation Questions:
1. What qualities of humility and teamwork were highlighted in Paul's story, and how did they reflect his approach to using his musical gifts? [47:07]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "breaking up unplowed ground" in our hearts, and why is this process necessary for spiritual growth? [53:53]
3. What was the significance of the alabaster jar in the sermon, and how does it serve as a metaphor for personal breakthrough? [58:21]
4. How did the sermon illustrate the cost of breakthrough using the story of the woman with the alabaster jar? [01:00:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that humility in service can lead to a more effective and God-glorifying use of our talents? [47:07]
2. How does recognizing the spiritual battles in our lives change our approach to seeking personal breakthroughs? [52:57]
3. What does the act of breaking open the alabaster jar symbolize in terms of vulnerability and sacrifice in our spiritual journey? [58:21]
4. How can the story of the woman with the alabaster jar challenge our perceptions of what it means to pour out our lives in worship and devotion to Jesus? [01:11:46]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a talent or gift you have. How can you use it more effectively to serve others and glorify God, rather than seeking personal recognition? [47:07]
2. Identify a "battle" you are currently facing in your life. How can acknowledging this battle help you seek God's transformative power for a breakthrough? [52:57]
3. What "unplowed ground" in your heart needs to be broken up for spiritual growth? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [53:53]
4. Consider an area of your life where you feel stuck or in need of breakthrough. What might it cost you to break open this area, and are you willing to make that sacrifice? [01:00:11]
5. How can you pour out your heart to Jesus more fully, without holding back due to fear or the opinions of others? What practical steps can you take to do this? [01:11:46]
6. Think about a past disappointment that may be hindering your spiritual growth. How can you bring this disappointment to Jesus and seek healing and breakthrough? [01:01:06]
7. Are there any "old ways" or habits you need to break up with to carry God's new fire in your life? What specific changes can you make to align more closely with God's plans for you? [01:20:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Humility in Service
Our gifts and talents are not meant for self-glorification but to honor God and serve others. Paul's story exemplifies this truth, as he consistently redirects attention from himself to God, fostering a spirit of humility and teamwork. This approach not only strengthens community bonds but also aligns with the biblical call to use our abilities for the greater good. By focusing on God's glory rather than personal recognition, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to contribute their unique gifts. [47:07]

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." (Romans 12:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you use your gifts to serve others this week, ensuring that God receives the glory rather than yourself?


Day 2: Recognizing the Battle
Many people mistakenly view their spiritual journey as a leisurely path rather than a battleground. Recognizing that we are in a spiritual battle is crucial for seeking breakthrough and transformation. This awareness helps us identify the challenges we face and equips us to confront them with God's strength. By acknowledging the spiritual warfare around us, we can better prepare ourselves to overcome obstacles and grow in our faith. [52:57]

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual battles are you currently facing, and how can you equip yourself with God's armor to confront them today?


Day 3: Breaking Unplowed Ground
Hosea 10:12 calls us to break up the hard, unplowed ground in our hearts, a process that is challenging but essential for growth. This metaphor highlights the need to confront and remove the barriers that prevent us from experiencing God's transformative power. By doing so, we allow the seeds of righteousness to take root and flourish in our lives. This act of breaking up the ground requires introspection and a willingness to change, but it ultimately leads to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. [53:53]

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10:12, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your heart have become hardened, and how can you begin to break up this unplowed ground to allow God's righteousness to grow?


Day 4: The Cost of Breakthrough
The story of the alabaster jar illustrates that breakthrough often comes at a cost. Just as the woman broke open her jar to anoint Jesus, we must be willing to break open the areas of our lives that hold us back. This act of breaking is costly and requires vulnerability, but it leads to a deeper connection with God and a release of His power in our lives. By embracing vulnerability and sacrifice, we can experience true breakthrough and transformation. [01:00:11]

"And there came a woman with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head." (Mark 14:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you need to break open, even if it requires vulnerability and sacrifice, to experience a deeper connection with God?


Day 5: Pouring Out to Jesus
True breakthrough comes when we fully surrender to Jesus, pouring out our hearts without holding back due to fear or the opinions of others. This act of surrender allows His transformative power to work in our lives, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Him. By letting go of our fears and concerns, we can experience the fullness of what God has for us and become a testament to His transformative power. [01:11:46]

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." (Psalm 62:8, ESV)

Reflection: What fears or opinions of others are holding you back from fully surrendering to Jesus, and how can you begin to pour out your heart to Him today?

Quotes

"Paul's not good at sort of like talking about himself. So I just want to point out a few different reasons why we really believe that Paul is a kind of a, literally a God sent to us. Number one, he is somebody who's been a Christian for around 15 years and he loves Jesus." [00:46:30]

"The second thing is that he loves music and he knows that he has a gift and he wants to deliver it. And he loves music. And he knows that he has a gift and he wants to deliver it. So he's worked very, very hard on developing that gift. He started being involved with worship teams as young back as like six. By eight, he was drumming in the church." [00:46:50]

"And so one of the things that we're really loved about Paul is that he's such a team player. He really is such a team player. It's not about him. It's not about, look at me, guys, look at what I can do. It's very much about, I want to work with people. I want to bring people on." [00:48:40]

"Cause see, God can be doing a lot of great things around of you, but at some point you have to say, God, it's great that you're doing all these things around me, but how about you do some things in me? Praise God for the breakthrough over here. Praise God for Paul. Praise God for the solemnizing license." [00:51:54]

"Do many of us realize that we are in a battle? Because you see, we have a lot of Ukrainians in this church. And for them, it lands different. Young people like to say, oh, it hit me. It hits different. Amen? When you bring up battle, when you bring up war, if you're Ukrainian, it hits different." [00:52:57]

"And one of the reasons I think why we're not eager to breakthrough, or we don't really want to deal with breakthrough, is because it's not easy. It's not easy. So this is the scripture I want to share with you. It's Hosea 10, 12. Have a listen. Sow righteousness for yourselves. Reap the fruit of unfailing love. And come on, church, break up your unplowed ground." [00:53:53]

"If you have hard ground, church, it doesn't matter how great the seed you have. If you sow that onto hard ground, what's going to happen? Nothing. That seed is just going to bounce, or it's going to land on hard ground, and it's not going to be able to go into the soil." [00:54:47]

"And I want to sort of show you in this kind of the breaking of the alabaster jar, the breaking up of that alabaster jar, how a great breakthrough comes, but it comes at a cost. It's not an easy thing. Amen? And this is the same for us. So let's read the story together. Are you with me? Are you with me?" [00:59:28]

"So Jesus is anointed several different times. And I want to sort of show you in this kind of the breaking of the alabaster jar, the breaking up of that alabaster jar, how a great breakthrough comes, but it comes at a cost. It's not an easy thing. Amen? And this is the same for us." [00:59:28]

"Some of you today, you are like, sorry. Some of you today, you are like a bottle of champagne. God has put something amazing inside of you. There's so much in you that's ready to come out. There's so much God's put inside of you. Hallelujah. So much. And it's just bursting and waiting to come out. But you've been bottling it." [01:08:26]

"And I know it's like, well, you know, he's one of them church leaders, so he has to say this, doesn't he? He has to point people to Jesus. But listen to me, there's only one person you can really pour it out to, and that is Jesus. I'm sorry. Stop pouring your stuff out to somebody else." [01:11:46]

"Jesus loves you where you're at today. You could be in the very bottom, up the pit. You could be in a prison. You could be in a complete and utter mess today. You got your Sunday best on, you're looking good, but you're a mess, truth be told. But one of the things that I think is a blessing for me, a privilege for me to be able to stand here with this microphone and preach from this Bible, is I can say with all surety and confidence, Jesus loves you right now, wherever you're at." [01:20:11]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?