South County Church
Breakthrough – Busting through the obstacles that take us to the next level and maximize our potential.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did I do that?”
Big Idea: Decide to take responsibility for your soul and surrender fully to Jesus.
· Don’t ignore what is really going on inside of you.
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
What causes us to have thoughts and desires that aren’t godly or good for us?
- The Enemy
-- Romans 7:18-20 NLT – 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
- Our Past
-- Upbringing, failures, disappointments, poor authority figure
- Our Self-Talk
-- Philippians 4:8 NLT – 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
-- Philippians 4:8 NIV
What does Scripture say to do with the ME problem?
- Strip off the weights and sin
-- Hebrews 12:1 NLT – …let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up…
- Run with Endurance
-- Hebrews 12:2 NLT – And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
--- Endurance - steadfast, constancy
----- Committed to the race and willing to do whatever it takes to finish and finish well.
------ Hebrews 10:36 NLT – 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
- Keep our Eyes on Jesus
-- Hebrews 12:2 NLT - 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
-- Jesus is our perfect example!
--- Philippians 1:6 NIV – 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
--- Psalm 25:15 NLT – 15 My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
--- Philippians 2:13 NLT – For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Identifying the Crud to Throw Off
- What is getting in the way of my growth?
-- Attitude
-- Laziness
-- Relationships – Are you closest friends taking you down or up?
-- Unhealthy Patterns
-- Self-talk – lying to yourself or beating up yourself
-- Technology
-- Video games
-- Gambling – lottery
-- Drinking or drug use
- Share this reality with a close friend.
Are you running the race of life alone?
- Big Idea: Decide to take responsibility for your soul and surrender fully to Jesus.
-- Secondary big idea – Don’t go this journey alone!
--- Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT – 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
--- Proverbs 13:20 NLT – 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Next Steps
o Read and meditate on Hebrews 12:1-4
o Evaluate: How am I getting in the way of my growth?
o Action: Choose your best friends wisely – the people you choose to spend the most time with.