The God of the Breakthrough (1 Chronicles 14)
This sermon explores the unexpected ways God intervenes in life, often with sudden and powerful "breakthrough moments." It offers encouragement for those facing persistent challenges, suggesting that periods of intense pressure can precede a significant outpouring of divine favor.
This sermon teaches that God often brings sudden, powerful breakthroughs in life, much like a bursting flood, even when challenges seem insurmountable. The pressure felt during difficult times is a sign that God is preparing to act, moving you into a new level of purpose.
Overview
The sermon introduces the idea that God works not only gradually but also through "sudden" breakthrough moments, likening these to a "burst of God's favor" or a "flood of his goodness." It encourages listeners not to be discouraged by periods of no improvement, but to recognize that what seems like pressure or opposition is often a sign that a major shift is about to occur.
The speaker illustrates this concept with the story of King David from 1 Chronicles 14. David, immediately after being anointed king, faced the Philistines in the "valley of giants." David inquired of the Lord before battle and, upon God's assurance of victory, defeated the enemy, naming the place "Balperism," meaning "the God of the breakthrough." This victory was compared to "the bursting forth of waters," signifying unstoppable, overwhelming power.
Further examples include Paul and Silas in prison who, despite pressure, praised God until an earthquake brought their sudden release. The sermon emphasizes that the pressure felt in challenging situations is like water building behind a dam; it indicates that powerful favor and blessing are being stored up for a sudden, overwhelming release. It concludes by encouraging listeners to turn pressure into praise and live with a "breakthrough minded" attitude, anticipating God's sudden intervention.
Key points
- God often brings "breakthrough moments" that are sudden bursts of favor, not always gradual improvements.
- Opposition and pressure, like David faced after being anointed king, often signal that a new level or greater favor is imminent.
- David inquired of the Lord before battle and named the place of his victory "Balperism," meaning "the God of the breakthrough."
- This breakthrough is likened to "the bursting forth of waters"—an unstoppable, overwhelming force that removes obstacles.
- The pressure and silence experienced during waiting seasons are signs that God is storing up power and momentum for a sudden release.
- Turning worry into worship or pressure into praise, as Paul and Silas did in prison, can precede a breakthrough.
- Expect "suddenlies" from God, where problems turn around and you are catapulted into your purpose.
In Joel Osteen's words
“A breakthrough is a sudden burst of God's favor.”
“The pressure you feel is not because God is not working.”
“Turn your pressure into praise. Turn your worry into worship.”
Outline
- I. Introduction to Breakthroughs
- A. God works gradually, "little by little."
- B. God also works suddenly with "breakthrough moments."
- 1. A breakthrough is a sudden burst of God's favor.
- 2. These moments catapult you into destiny.
- C. Don't be discouraged by lack of improvement; God knows and sees.
- D. The God of the breakthrough is on the way for illness, finances, family.
- II. David's Breakthrough at Balperism (1 Chronicles 14)
- A. David was anointed king, a destiny moment.
- B. The Philistines rose up against him, a sign of a new level.
- 1. The enemy fights you for where you're going, not where you are.
- 2. Opposition indicates greater favor and influence are coming.
- C. David inquired of the Lord for guidance.
- 1. Don't fight every battle; depend on God.
- D. God promised victory; David defeated the Philistines.
- E. David named the place "Balperism," meaning "the God of the breakthrough."
- 1. Likened to the "bursting forth of waters" – unstoppable power.
- 2. Nothing can stop God's power when it bursts through.
- III. The Pressure as a Sign of Building Momentum
- A. The bursting forth implies something held back is suddenly released.
- B. Pressure is a sign that water is building behind a dam.
- 1. Energy and force are being stored up unseen.
- 2. The higher the water, the more pressure, leading to a sudden release.
- C. The pressure is not a sign of God forgetting, but of coming breakthrough.
- IV. Turning Pressure into Praise
- A. Example: Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25-26).
- 1. Under pressure, they sang praises and thanked God.
- 2. At midnight, an earthquake brought sudden release.
- B. Your pressure is there to propel you, not defeat you.
- C. Magnify the Lord, not your problems. (Psalm 34:3, Psalm 27:1)
- V. Expect the "Flash Flood Warning"
- A. Be ready for a flood of God's favor, healing, and abundance.
- B. This is uncommon, unusual, and unexpected, especially under pressure.
- C. God has scheduled these supernatural breakthrough moments.
- D. Name your "Balperisms" – places where God showed up for you.
- 1. Personal examples: Lakewood building, mother's healing, car accident, father's trunk.
- E. Isaiah's prophecy: "When the enemy comes in, like a flood, the spirit of God will rise up." (Isaiah 59:19)
- F. Live breakthrough-minded and turn pressure into praise.
- VI. Conclusion
- A. Invitation to make Jesus Lord.
Scripture references
10 And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
11 So they came up to Baal–perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal–perazim.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Insights
God often moves in sudden bursts of favor, not just through gradual change.
The enemy fights where you are going, not just where you stand.
Pressure felt in difficult times can signal a greater release is coming.
Questions & answers
What is a "breakthrough" according to this sermon?
A breakthrough is described as a sudden burst of God's favor or a flood of His goodness that rapidly advances a person into their destiny, often occurring when circumstances seem impossible.
Why does the sermon liken God's breakthrough to "bursting forth of waters"?
The analogy of water bursting forth, like a dam breaking or a flood, illustrates that God's power is unstoppable and overwhelming, capable of moving anything in its path, no matter how immovable it seems.
What should one do when feeling immense pressure or seeing no improvement in a difficult situation?
The sermon advises turning pressure into praise and worry into worship, recognizing that this pressure is a sign that God is building momentum and preparing for a sudden, powerful release of His favor.
What is the significance of David naming the place "Balperism"?
David named the place "Balperism," meaning "the God of the breakthrough," to commemorate a moment where God intervened suddenly and powerfully to give him victory, establishing a memorial for future generations.
How does the sermon reinterpret Isaiah 59:19?
The sermon suggests re-reading Isaiah 59:19 with the comma after "comes in" instead of "flood," emphasizing that "like a flood, the spirit of God will rise up," highlighting God's overwhelming power rather than the enemy's.
Flashcards
Turn your pastor's sermon into notes like this
Record at church or paste a YouTube link. Sermon Notes gives you summaries, scriptures, flashcards, and a daily devotional from your own sermons.
More from Joel Osteen
Related on similar themes
Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on Joel Osteen. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.