Christ and the Church: Embracing Breakthrough

In the heart of Life Springs Church, something remarkable is unfolding. As we gather this morning, I can’t help but feel the excitement in the air. God is moving among us, and it’s time for us to embrace the breakthrough that He has promised. Today, I want to share a message about the relationship between Christ and the Church, and how we can deepen our connection with Him and each other.

Photo by John Price on Unsplash

Before we dive into the message, let’s take a moment to pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts, ready to receive your word. We surrender everything to you, asking that you reveal Jesus in us and through us. In His name, we pray. Amen.

As I walked into our intercessory prayer meeting this morning, I was struck by the power of collective prayer. One person would pray, and another would share a dream that aligned perfectly with the prayer. This is not just coincidence; it’s God working in our midst. We are on the brink of a breakthrough, a moment where we can go deeper with Him, as we heard last week.

Photo by Pedro Lima on Unsplash

The Concept of Breakthrough

Breakthrough is a term that resonates deeply with me. It’s not just about a series of events or a moment of revival; it’s about a transformation that occurs when we press into God. In my early years of ministry, I experienced what I call breakthrough moments. They were powerful, life-changing instances when God’s presence was undeniable. Many refer to these as revivals, but I prefer to call them breakthroughs because they signify a new beginning.

It’s essential to understand that breakthrough is often preceded by challenges. It’s not a time of leisure; it’s a time of pressing in and seeking God with all our hearts. In my own journey, I faced moments of doubt and uncertainty, wondering if I was in the right place. But God confirmed my calling through signs and wonders, reminding me that He is always faithful.

Photo by Alexander Komarov on Unsplash

God’s Promises Are Faithful

One of the key messages today is that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. His promises span from the grand scale of the world to the intimate details of our lives. If you seek Him, you will find Him. He is not an idol made of wood or clay; He is alive and active in our lives. God is the God of miracles and answered prayers. He takes the initiative, reaching out to us even when we are not seeking Him.

I remember a time when I encountered the Lord in a powerful way. I was not looking for Him, but He found me. That encounter changed my life forever. It was a moment of surrender, where I realized that everything I valued had to be laid down to find true life in Jesus. And let me tell you, it was worth it.

Photo by Rosie Sun on Unsplash

Birthing His Kingdom

Breakthrough is not just about personal encounters; it’s about the birthing of God’s kingdom in our lives and in our church. Throughout history, we see how God has moved among His people. The Acts of the Apostles did not stop; it continues today. When we read the Scriptures, we gain a glimpse of God’s glory and His faithfulness throughout history.

Isaiah 60:1-22 paints a beautiful picture of what God is doing. It speaks of light breaking through darkness and the promises of righteousness. God is saying that we will no longer walk in darkness, for He will be our everlasting light. This is a profound promise that we can hold onto as we step into our breakthrough.

Photo by Marcus Dall Col on Unsplash

The Timing of God

Now, here’s the crux of the matter: when does this promise become a reality? Many people look to the future for the fulfillment of God’s promises, but we must ask ourselves if Christ rules and reigns today. Is His kingdom a present reality? If we deny that, we may be unknowingly submitting to something contrary to His kingdom.

Jesus declared that the kingdom of God is at hand. We are not just waiting for a future promise; we are called to live in the reality of His kingdom today. This means that we have access to His power and authority right now. We can proclaim liberty, heal the brokenhearted, and bring beauty from ashes, as Isaiah prophesied.

Photo by Jack B on Unsplash

Facing Trials and Challenges

Every human being faces trials, but it’s how we respond that matters. Are we allowing our challenges to draw us closer to Jesus, or are we turning away? In moments of testing, we have a choice to make. Will we endure and receive the crown of life promised to those who love Him?

In my life, I have seen revival and breakthrough, but I long for my children to experience it as well. It’s a beautiful thing when God’s presence is so palpable that it feels like a hot knife cutting through butter. We are on the brink of something extraordinary, but we must wake up and enter into it.

Photo by NEOM on Unsplash

Our Role in the Harvest

As we reflect on the state of the Church today, we must recognize that the harvest is ripe. John 4:35 reminds us to lift our eyes and see the fields ready for harvest. But how do we engage with this? It starts with understanding that Jesus often reached out to the least likely individuals, showing us that everyone is worthy of His love.

When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, He broke societal norms to reach her heart. He saw her potential and her need for living water. We too must be willing to step outside our comfort zones and reach those who may feel unworthy or unloved. The world is waiting for the good news of Jesus, and we have the opportunity to share it.

Photo by Hannah Shedrow on Unsplash

Letting Living Water Flow

In the midst of all this, we must remember that God has ordained life to flow from us. The Holy Spirit is the river of living water that brings life to the barren places. If we allow the Spirit to flow through us, we can bring transformation wherever we go. Our churches should be places where living water overflows, bringing hope and healing to those in need.

Let us not fall asleep or become complacent. Instead, let us be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow the rivers of life to flow through us. This is the dream that God has given us at Life Springs Church. We are called to extend the borders of His kingdom and plant seeds of hope in a world that desperately needs it.

Photo by Jonatan Lindemann on Unsplash

Conclusion: Embracing the Opportunity

As we wrap up today, I want to encourage you to embrace the opportunity that God is presenting to us. We have passed the test, and now it’s time to step into the spoils of war. Let’s shake off any apathy and be ready to receive what God has for us. We are not just a church; we are a movement of His love and grace in the world.

If you are feeling burdened or in need of prayer, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here for one another, and together, we can step into the breakthrough that God has in store for us. Let’s be a church that is alive, vibrant, and filled with the Spirit, ready to make a difference.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Thank you for being here today. Let’s go forth with the knowledge that God is faithful, His promises are true, and we are called to be His ambassadors in this world.

Christ and the Church

1. Mothers are very important in the economy of God
   1. Mothers were in the heart of God before the fall of man.
   2. God gave Eve to Adam, and the command was to be fruitful and multiply.
   3. The heart of the Father was to transform the earth into the garden of God through the family of man.
   4. Let’s read scripture:

Ephesians 5:25–32 (NKJV) — 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

2. Christ and the Church
   1. Paul describes how marriage and baptism are related.
   2. He gave Himself to perfect her.
   3. The covenant unites in a way that is wonderful
   4. The bride of Christ was not perfect when wed – transform man, transform the world (back to the garden).
   5. Another scripture that talks about the process of the transformation of the bride:

Numbers 20:2–13 (NKJV) — 2 Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. 3 And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: “If only we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4 Why have you brought up the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? 5 And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.” 6 So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” 9 So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 12 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” 13 This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them.

3. Meribah
   1. There was no water…Last week at the feast of tabernacles…celebrating the rock…living water and last days.
   2. The point is that the rock did not give water…though still present
   3. Do not grieve or quench the Holy Spirit.
   4. Testing – the goal is not to see if we pass, but to raise us up mature.
   5. The process of transformation.
   6. The people complain, God speaks from His glory, directions are given to restore water.
   7. Moses is irate, calls them rebels and strikes the rock
   8. Misrepresented God.
   9. God’s gracious care and discipline
   10. There was a time for discipline and a time for grace.
   11. Psalm 81:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets. 7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
   12. Proverbs 17:3 (NKJV) — 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.
4. The Family of God
   1. Rebuilding the temple
   2. Love one another
   3. Marriage, family and covenant
   4. Zechariah 4:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”
   5. The Wisdom Tradition – (Mark 10 Bible study the law of Moses vs. creation) –
      1. Extending the dominion of the garden of God.
      2. Rebuilding according to a biblical social architecture.

• Rebuilding through the grace of God