Jeremiah 29:12-14 ESV
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
-The goal of our pursuit is closeness, and intimacy with God.
-We are made in His image.
- When we become well acquainted with God, we will reflect His image more closely.
The Enemies of Our Pursuit
Our failure to discern rightly or wrongly what enemy or obstacle we are fighting will determine whether or not we receive breakthrough in our lives or continue to wander.
Setbacks are a sign, but discernment is the key to know if you are walking in God’s will or not.
Mark 5:21-42 ESV
*And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. *
1. *Comparing your breakthrough or Spiritual journey to others’ journey. *
Comparison says…
I have been waiting for Jesus and someone took my place.
I should be further along by now.
Comparison causes us to get more concerned with how God is moving in the hearts of other people that we end up missing and neglecting what God is doing in us.
Comparison causes you to see other people’s breakthrough as an interruption to what God should be doing in you.
*25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. *
2. *The fear and doubt that nothing will really change. *
Fear and doubt say…
- I have already tried to get help.
- I have struggled with that for too long.
Truth says…
- God is the God of the suddenly.
- We can believe the reputation of Jesus more than the stronghold of our past.
Romans 10:11 ESV
*“Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” *
*30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. *
3. *The opinions and rejection of those who watch us draw near to Jesus. *
People who knew you before Jesus still have an expectation of what you should be.
Because of Her condition she was labeled by society.
When she touched Jesus and His holiness, His grace touched her and her uncleanliness did not affect Him.
33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
4. *Pushing through physical, emotional, and financial exhaustion. *
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- We become blinded to God’s blessing when we are surrounded by discouragement.
*35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing[e] what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” *
5. *The Obstacle of delay is not denial. *
2 peter 3:9 ESV
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus[f] saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.
6. *Gather the right people in your corner to help you fight your battles. *
Bad company corrupts good morals, just like doubt, negativity, and unbelief kills faith!
Discussion Questions:
1- When setbacks come your way, how do you take them?
2- How has comparison to what God does in others affected your relationship with God?
3- How have the labels of society affected your life and your walk with God?
4- Read Romans 10:11. How does this scripture change the way that you approach the Lord?
5- Out of these 6 obstacles or enemies of pursuit, which one do you most identify with and why?