Need a Breakthrough?

Breakout: Going beyond yourself.

Doing nothing is not an option.
 Stop bouncing around in one little comfort zone and breakout.

[Pastor illustrated the dire consequences of complacency by relating the story of Atari and its role in the electronic gaming world.  Atari went from cutting edge to complacency and thence to disaster.]

Complacency is a dangerous problem, a type of imprisonment.  Before you realize what is happening you are stuck.

The scripture lesson:  Exodus 1:8-12 in which  a Pharaoh arose in Egypt who "knew not Joseph."  This king recognized the potential power of the Israelites so he oppressed them, enslaved them.  He knew that if the Israelites caught on to what they were capable of, the Egyptians would be in trouble.

Yet even under oppression the people continued to thrive.  They were a powerful, powerful people but they did not realize it.  They had no idea how powerful they were.  Sadly, the same might be said of the church today.

The Israelites forgot who they were.  The big problem with bondage was that they accepted it.
Bondage and slavery is not about a lack of strength: it is about a lack of truth.
     Jesus said,  Ye shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.

• The congregation that is complacent, unmoved, let alone being changed, needs a wake-up; needs a breakout; needs to think outside the box. 
• We have to do something radical to reach people for Jesus Christ.  The church cannot reach people using culturally outdated techniques.  The message must adapt to reach the culture.  We have to start thinking differently.

Individuals need a breakthrough: perhaps physical; perhaps habits that hurt; perhaps emotional; perhaps depression, for example if you allow it to affect relationships, even with God; perhaps financial: money will choke the life out of you, either worry for want of it, or worry for where it is and what it is doing. 

Maybe God wants to bless you in ways you cannot now comprehend.

We come to accept that things are not going to get better.
What is the kryptonite in your life?

Think:  Where do you need a breakthrough?

God hears, remembers, sees, knows every thing you are dealing with in your life.
He wants to deliver you out and bring you up.
Do not settle for less.
"God, I can't beat it, but I know You can!"


And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God knew their plight. --Exodus 2:24,25

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning