THANKING GOD IN ADVANCE
FOR YOUR BREAKTHROUGH
Seeking God for a Breakthrough – Part 3
Rick Warren
November 26-27, 2016
Jesus: "Anytime you ask for anything in prayer, believe that you HAVE received it, and you WILL receive it." Mark 11:24
Thanking God AFTER he gives something is: GRATITUDE
Thanking God BEFORE he gives it is called: FAITH
2 CHRONICLES 20:1-26
"After this, 3 enemy nations united to attack King Jehoshaphat. Spies told him, 'A huge combined army is marching to Jerusalem right now to defeat you!' Scared and worried, King Jehoshaphat resolved to seek the Lord, and he announced a nationwide fast. So everyone came together to fast and pray and seek help from God. When they all got to the Temple in Jerusalem, the king stood up and prayed aloud." 2 Chronicles 20:1-5
HOW TO PRAY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH
- FOCUSING ON GOD, NOT MY PROBLEM
"Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he set his face to seek the Lord." 2 Chronicles 20:3a
- REMIND MYSELF OF GOD'S GREATNESS
"O Lord, Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over every kingdom and nation. You are so powerful and mighty that nothing and no one can defeat you!" 2 Chronicles 20:6
- REMIND MYSELF OF HIS UNLIMITED POWER
"And God, DID YOU NOT drive out those who tried to keep us from living here when you brought us back home?" 2 Chronicles 20:7a
- REMIND GOD OF HIS PROMISES
"And also, DID YOU NOT give this promised land to your friend Abraham's descendants, to be theirs forever?" 2 Chronicles 20:7b
- ASK GOD FOR A BREAKTHROUGH
"Our enemies want to destroy us. WILL YOU NOT stop them from defeating us?" 2 Chronicles 20:10-12a
ACTION PLAN: This week discover additional time to pray by starting an "electronics fast." Set a specific time period each day when you are going to turn off your computer, your phone, and your television as you read the Bible and pray. Use the prayer model from last week's message (you can see it again at saddleback.com/map).
- TELL GOD: I CAN'T DO THIS; I NEED YOU TO DO THIS.
"Lord, we are powerless against this mighty army that is coming to attack us and we don't know what to do BUT we are looking to you for help." 2 Chronicles 20:12b
"Then all the men of Judah stood before the Lord, waiting with their wives and young children and even babies." 2 Chronicles 20:13
ACTION PLAN: Identify one area in your life where you need a breakthrough. Write this down and keep it in your wallet or purse. Offer this need up to God and make the choice to be patient, trusting in God's timing.
- LISTEN TO WHAT GOES SAYS
"This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouragedbecause of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's!'
. . . You won't need to fight in this battle! Just take up your positionand stand strong! Then just wait and watch, and you will see the Lord deliver you! Again, do not be afraid or get discouraged, because the Lord is with you! Then the King and everyone else all bowed down on the ground and worshiped God!" 2 Chronicles 20:15b-18
WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOUR BREAKTHROUGH:
- RELAX, DON'T BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED
- IT'S MY BATTLE & I'LL HANDLE IT
- KEEP SERVING IN YOUR POSITION
- WAIT & WATCH WHAT GOD DOES
ACTION PLAN: Next to the breakthrough need you wrote down earlier, write down these four things that God says about your breakthrough. Every time you think about your need, pull out this card and read it to yourself and thank God in advance for answering your need.
- THANK GOD IN ADVANCE FOR THE ANSWER
"Then the king appointed musicians and singers in choir robes TOMarch in front of the army and loudly praise and thank the Lord! This is what they sang: 'WE Thank God! His love never quits!'" 2 Chronicles 20:21
"At the moment they began to sing and to praise, the Lord
caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to begin fighting among themselves, and they destroyed each other!" 2 Chronicles 20:22-23
ACTION PLAN: Make a playlist of worship music that you enjoy. Listen to it a little each day and sing along when able.
- EXPECT GOD TO TURN BATTLES INTO BLESSINGS
"When the army of Judah finally arrived at the battleground, the valley was covered with dead bodies for as far as they could see. No one had survived. So they went out to gather the plunder and they found huge amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables — more than they could carry back! In fact, there was so much loot it took three days to collect it all! On the fourth day, they gathered for a worship service in that valley, which they named 'The Valley of Beracah' because the people had thanked and praised God there." 2 Chronicles 20:24-26
ACTION PLAN: This Thursday, December 1, is World AIDS Day. Consider volunteering with Saddleback's HIV/AIDS initiative to help support the local or international ministry. Email hiv@saddleback.comor visit hivaidsinitiative.com.
Reminder: Take your next spiritual step with CLASS this weekend. Go toSaddleback.com/class for info on CLASS at your campus.
