Today on Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram.
If you could see a supernatural breakthrough
in one area of your life, what would it be? Unfortunately,
when people start to think about that, you begin
to ponder some really big thing that would have
to happen. And what I want you to know, almost
always just the opposite is true. Today, we're
going to learn how that really works. Stay with
me. In our last program, we heard how Jesus reached
an entire Samaritan city. Remember the story?
A despised woman with a complicated past meets
Jesus at a well. She recognizes him as the Messiah.
Then she runs back to town, risking rejection
to tell others about him. And the whole city
comes out to meet Jesus. Today on Living on the
Edge, Chip Ingram shows us what Jesus wanted
his disciples to learn from that encounter. It's
all part of our series, Experience Breakthrough.
If you're waiting for perfect conditions to launch
what God's calling you to do, this message might
change everything. Here's Chip Ingram. Now, I
want to show you something about how Jesus very
intentionally reached a city, and I'm going to
suggest that he didn't just reach a city. But
he's wanting to teach his disciples about how
to reach cities. And then we're going to learn
from the disciples how to reach a city. Where
did the breakthrough begin? Answer with Jesus.
Jesus cared. Jesus had compassion on that city.
And he had very specific compassion on that woman.
He chose an immoral, socially rejected woman
in a culturally despised town. What did Jesus
want his disciples to learn about himself? His
love and compassion is for all people regardless
of where they've been, what they look like, or
what they've done, or what they're presently
doing. He wanted them to understand that his
personal satisfaction is rooted not in what you
can achieve, not in how you look, not in what
you own. My food is to do the will of him who
sent me and to accomplish his work. I saw in
60 minutes a brief Little interview with a man
in New York City. And his name is Tudor Jones
II. Paul Tudor Jones II. He's a hedge fund guy.
I have no idea his spiritual background other
than he mentioned his mom wanted him to be a
preacher. He started 80 charter schools in New
York City. And in the interview, this one line
captured me. He turned to the interview, he says,
Well, you need to understand that the only real
purpose and significance in life is making sacrifices
to meet the needs of other people. That's what
life's all about. That's where fulfillment is.
I think he got that from somewhere. I wonder
if we do. And finally, what about breakthrough?
I think Jesus wanted them to learn that breakthroughs
start small. A man and a woman having a conversation.
It's like a mustard seed. Starts small, and then
a few people come out, and then it multiplies.
The other thing he wanted them to learn about
breakthroughs is they're not something that are
going to happen someday, someway out there. You
say, disciples, Your mindset, your paradigm is
in four months, then comes the harvest. In other
words, someday, someway, God's going to do something.
You know, there's been things in the Old Testament
and from their world. For us, it was, yes, there
was a great, the first awakening, the second
awakening, and there's the layman's prayer revival,
and the Wesley's did things. We've heard about
things in Korea and these movements in Africa
and breakouts in, you know, Latin America. I
bet just mystically, somehow, someway, God does
that. And Jesus would say, no. God is already
working. Breakthroughs are not about someday,
someway, if we do X, Y, Z, F, G, M, and God mystically
blows on it. God is already working. He's looking
for regular, ordinary people to just believe.
In fact, notice the timeless axiom I put on the
bottom of your notes. Unlikely supernatural breakthroughs
are not dependent on a future work of God, but
a present work of God. See the difference? I
believe he's working in the Muslim community
in our area, in the Chinese community, in the
Korean community. I think the Spirit of God is
working everywhere. He's looking for an unlikely
person like you or me who's ordinary, who feels
unworthy like this woman to say, I'm going to
just go tell him I'm going to take a step and
I might get rejected. But what I'll probably
find is he's already been working and he has
hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands
of people who are struggling in their marriage
and hurting and have health issues and unresolved
issues with their parents and kids and they're
confused and the work and the money and all that
stuff really isn't delivering. And God just is
looking for a messenger, a man, a woman, or a
student who would just do what an immoral woman
did to a faraway group of people from God. and
he'll break through. But here's the deal. It
takes a small group for a breakthrough to happen.
Because that dream will die in your heart in
a New York minute, and you'll be afraid to take
the step unless there's three or four people
praying with you. And then when you take the
first one, it gets harder before it gets better,
and you're ready to quit. You need a group of
people to say, let's hang in there. Or you're
thinking, you know, I... Chip, you know, you're
like on rounding third. I'm coming out of the
batter's box. In fact, I'm not sure I'm up at
the plate. I have a sexual addiction. I got a
problem in my marriage. Actually, I have a problem
that I'm not married because of how I'm living.
Or, you know, I've got this problem over here.
Or, you know, no one knows. I've already, I mean,
cheating on your taxes is just what I do. How
could God ever use someone like me? Well, I need
a group of people that will help me go through
the journey and love me the way Jesus loved this
woman. And realize no one has it together and
I can be real. It's God's plan. Breakthroughs
in us have always been and always will be designed
for breakouts through us. So let's shift. That's
how Jesus did it. Let's see if the disciples
learned anything about how breakthroughs happen.
How did his followers reach the world? And what
I would say to you is if you would turn to the
book of Acts for just a minute, I would encourage
you to kind of relax maybe later this afternoon
and read the book of Acts or at least the first
six or seven chapters very quickly. Let me give
you an overview. And I think you're going to
see that everything they saw Jesus do, they began
to do the same thing. And then there's a timeless
axiomatic principle that we learn from them.
As you open Acts 1, Jesus is in a resurrected
body. He's going to say goodbye to his disciples.
You can open the text there and just follow along.
I'm going to give you the thumbnail sketch. And
he tells them that I want you to hang around
because for 40 days I've been explaining the
kingdom of God. I've been teaching you about
the mission to go into all the world, that every
ethnic people needs to hear that I am God. I've
paid for their sin. I've risen from the dead.
And the power isn't in you. The power is in the
gospel, the announcement of the good news. And
you will be my witnesses, beginning here in Jerusalem
and then Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost
parts of the world. And you'll be given power.
The word is dunamis. We get our word dynamite.
You will have dynamite, supernatural power inside
of you. All you do is you don't convince anybody.
You don't twist their arms. You don't have to,
you know, tell them how terrible they are. Here's
what you do. You just testify to what I've done
in you. But here's what I want you to do. I want
you to hang out here, and the Spirit's going
to come. He'll give you power, and you'll get
it. And then he goes up into the sky. Literally,
he ascends. They're looking up in the sky. A
couple angels say, hey, guys, why are you looking
up there? This same Jesus who is ascending is
going to come back. So take what he said seriously.
So they do what? Good disciples do. You know,
they're kind of checking the Old Testament, realize,
well, we don't know what to do while we're waiting,
but we know that the Old Testament says clearly
that, you know, one is going to go south, and
we need to replace that person. So, they just
obey what they know. And Matthias becomes one
of the 12. And they wait, and then we have a
big breakthrough. Boom, right? Acts 2, the Holy
Spirit comes. They're hanging out praying, just
doing what they know to do. The Spirit comes,
and unbeknownst to them, they start speaking.
in multiple different known dialects and languages
because it's Pentecost, and Pentecost is a religious
holiday when people have come from all over the
world, and people from all over that known world
hear about Jesus, the Messiah, and the praising
of God in their own language. And they think,
some people think they're crazy and drunk, and
Peter says, we're not drunk, gang. And this cowardly
Peter steps up and becomes bold Peter with God's
supernatural unleashed power and breakthrough,
and he gives a great sermon, and 3 ,000 people
come to Christ. And then after 3 ,000 people
come to Christ, they say, oh, what are we going
to do with them? And they don't have a game plan.
They don't have a lot of programs. And, well,
let's just do two things for sure. Let's keep
meeting at the temple, and we'll keep teaching
the people God's Word. And then let's have people
meet in homes, house to house. We'll break bread
together. The apostles' teaching, we'll share
life. We'll help people that are hurting. We'll
love one another in homes. And let's each one
of us go out of our homes and where we're at
with other people. And so they start doing that.
You're listening to Living on the Edge with Chip
Ingram, and we'll continue our lesson in just
a minute. If you've missed any part of this series
or want to dive deeper into the principles we're
learning about, everything is available at livingontheedge
.org. You'll find the complete message library,
small group resources, and practical study tools,
all designed to help you experience the breakthrough
you're seeking. It's all there waiting for you
at livingontheedge .org. Well, now let's continue
with today's message. Well, then it's a normal
day. Chapter 3 opens up and Peter's going, so
what do we do? Well, we used to go to prayer
meetings every day. I guess we should go. It's
time to pray. He's on his way to the temple and
there's a lame guy that ever since he was a little
boy, you learn he's been there a long time. Peter's
walked by him. Everybody walks by him. And Peter
realizes, you know, there were no venture capitalists
back then to say, you know what? We believe in
this mission. We think this Jesus thing is going
to go. We think it's a good idea. We think it
can really work, so we're going to fund it. God
said, I will fund whatever you need, just trust
me. So Peter says to a lame guy, silver and gold
have I none, because he didn't have any, but
what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus,
be healed. Supernaturally, he's healed. God authenticating.
It's an act of compassion like Jesus was compassionate.
He gets up leaping and praising God and comes
into the temple and all of a sudden, oh my lands,
what's happening? This little Jewish sect who
believes in this risen Lord, it's going nuts.
So we threaten them, don't you ever do this again.
And then they go back and what do they do? They
pray. And they don't pray, oh God, it's so difficult
and we're being persecuted. It's, oh wow, this
is awesome. How in the world could we be so privileged
to get persecuted for you? And after their prayer
meeting, it says, like God's saying, amen, the
room starts, and there's an earthquake. And the
prayer they prayed wasn't protect us. It says,
make us bold, make us strong, give us power,
allow us to proclaim your name and accompany
it with signs and wonders and with all that you
want to do, God. And so you just see this pattern,
compassion, breakthrough, compassion, God's spirit.
God's provision. So much so that no one has need.
They love one another. They keep meeting in these
homes. Ethnic groups by chapter 8 are added,
the Samaritans. By chapter 10, the Gentiles are
added. By chapter 28, the known world, Paul,
is in that strategic city called Rome and declaring
the whole future of all the rest of history.
And so city after city after city after city,
Starting in these little small groups. And notice
the lessons. The lessons are very similar to
the ones that we've learned. Where did the breakthrough
begin? With God. They always do. He loves the
world so much that he sent his son. Whom did
Jesus choose? Eleven unlikely candidates. All
Galileans. How did they make room? They obeyed
what they knew. I mean, they were conflicted.
If we do this. They just obeyed what they knew.
And they waited and they prayed. What courageous
step did they take? They identified with what
God was doing even in the face of persecution.
They radically shared their resources with one
another. And they kept their focus on external
acts of compassion, meeting the needs of others.
After the persecution, chapter 4, before it opens
in chapter 5, the apostles... People were coming
from everywhere like they did to Jesus. Needs
are met. People are healed. God is working. What
did Jesus want them to learn? I love the world.
This mission I gave you is not an option. And
all the power that you will ever need to do everything
I call you to do, you already have. What did
he want them to learn about themselves? You can't
let your lack of faith and your prejudice and
your view of the world to keep you. from doing
what I want you to do. You can't let your little
agenda about my world and my stuff and my family
and my future and my money. If you do that, you'll
seek to save your life and you'll lose it. You
need to lose your life for me. And then we often
leave out the second part of that passage and
the gospel. We give our lives to announce the
good news to other people. And sometimes our
lives is our reputation and sometimes it's risky.
And sometimes it's very, very hard, and sometimes
we're persecuted, and that's normal. And it's
also awesome. It's like holding that new baby.
As my old coach used to say, no pain, no gain.
About breakthrough, they start in absolutely
small groups. It was with the three, then the
12, then the 120, then Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria,
global. And that's how it always happens. Two
and a half, three years ago, three people had
a dream to reach an apartment complex for young
professionals. They put on a DVD and invited
their neighbors who they didn't know. Three or
four came. The next week, 12 came. Pretty soon,
they were filling a house. Pretty soon, it was
three, four, five, six houses. And pretty soon,
a young professional ministry was built. Just
how God works. Notice what it says. Timeless
axiom, breakthroughs are fueled by compassion
and birthed in biblical community. Breakthroughs
are birthed in biblical community. They're fueled.
Acts of compassion fuel it, followed by biblical
community to figure out what are we going to
do? How are we going to do it? I'm afraid. I've
got to deal with my own stuff. See, Some of you
are pregnant with an idea and the rapid pace
of life. You've thought multiple times about
your neighborhood or workplace. You just haven't
taken the step. I want you to know the Spirit
of God is working in your neighborhood. I have
a meeting this week with two couples who believe
that. Both pretty recent in their faith and really
walking with God. And we're meeting together
and we're going to launch a Bible study for non
-Christians in our neighborhood. And they're
a little uptight about it. And honestly, you
know, they think I'm not. You know, Pastor, you
really get this, right? Yeah, I'm a little uptight
about it. But here's what I know. God is working
in the families in our community. I have another
neighbor that I've built a relationship with
that I love him. I love him and his wife. They've
never been in our home yet. To that I say, shame
on you, Chip. I mean, maybe they won't come.
But you know what? Someone ought to say, hey,
you want to come over and just have coffee? Tell
us your story. How long you lived here? I mean,
you know, I've talked in the driveway forever
with them. What about you? The potentiality is
God wants to do something in you first because
you're conflicted. And it's like, oh man, I need
to, I need to, I need to, I know what's right,
but. And you know, right about after a week after
this series is over, a year from now, I could
interview you. If you don't act, you'll be in
the exact same spot, except you always reap what
you sow. And so you think how it is is going
to stay how it is. No, no, no, no. When we know
what to do and don't obey, things don't get easier
or the same. They get worse. Because God in his
great love doesn't allow us to stay the same.
The velvet vice of his discipline, you know,
he's bringing truth to your heart and your life
because he wants to do good. Remember, he's good.
He's a good shepherd. He can take care of you.
He'll provide for you. He'll lead you even through
the valley of the shadow of death, even when
it's hard. If you don't know what to do, he'll
guide you. Remember all that? Well, if we don't
listen to his voice, sometimes we get to feel
his hand. But his heart is not to, he's not trying
to mess over your life. He's just doing with
you what we do with our kids. Here's some consequences,
honey. You didn't listen the first 11 times.
Can I give you some very specific action? Pray
fervently and desperately. Can I ask you? Because
it doesn't happen all at once. And as you pray,
you'll find he'll start speaking to you probably
more than he does anything else. But pray. For
30 days. Fervently. Unleash your power, Lord,
in my situation. Second, extend God's compassion
to someone or a group in need this week. A lot
of it, just get the ball rolling. I mean, do
something. Love someone. It's legal. I mean,
just new eyes. Just love someone. If you're in
a small group right now, say, you know what?
We're having a great time. What should we do?
Could we love somebody? Every time you just go
out and extend compassion, the Spirit of God
begins to explode. And then finally, join or
start. I like to call them, not just a small
group, a life -assisting group. action group.
Join or start a life action group. What? To pursue
breakthrough in you and through you. And what
you need to do is prioritize and say, I need
to get in a group to get loving, healing, encouragement.
And if there's people you already know, say,
hey, can we do a group? There's others of you,
and you're thinking, if I could just find two
or three other people where I've talked casually,
or I mean, I think Bob would do this, or Mary
would do this, or there's these two people, you
know, at our company, and they're Christians
that go to different churches. Great. Absolutely
small. Everything new. Everything birthed. Any
innovation, any cultural good, any movement of
God gets birthed in a small group. This is Living
on the Edge with Chip Ingram. Breakthrough is
birthed in biblical community. That's the timeless
pattern. Chip will be right back, so stay with
us. If today's message is stirring something
in you, a sense that God wants to do more in
your life than you're currently experiencing,
let me point you to a resource designed to deepen
your walk with Him. It's Chip's free 10 -day
devotional, Psalms of Hope. The format is straightforward.
Chip provides 10 minutes of teaching each day.
Then you take 10 minutes to pray and meditate
on what you've learned, just 20 minutes daily
for 10 days. If you're feeling spiritually stuck,
or if you need fresh assurance that God is good
and wants to work in your life, these ancient
songs will speak directly to your situation.
Get started today by going to livingontheedge
.org. Just search for Psalms of Hope and begin
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Well, now here's Chip with some final thoughts.
As we wrap up today's program and as we get near
the end of this series, I've talked about a number
of things with regard to Breakthrough. And you
heard me today talk about the absolute critical
nature. of having a small group, a band of at
least two other people, a court of three or three
to five people that when you begin to pray about
a breakthrough, when you begin to focus on what
you're asking God to do, when you come to the
point where you realize God is good, God wants
and desires to do a supernatural, impossible
thing in me and through me, and then when you
begin to move toward that and recognize, you
know, you can't do it and you come to the end
of yourself, Here's what I want you to remember.
Every major breakthrough always had this very
small group of people. I put it this way. The
birthplace of breakthrough is always small. And
if you're asking yourself, you know, Chip, I
still don't quite get, I mean. Where should I
focus? What should I fuel? Let me ask you two
questions that have really helped me. I don't
know where you're at. I don't know what season
of life. But lean back just for a minute and
let me ask you, when you hear about X, whatever
that is, and you get so angry inside that you
just can't contain it, I'm going to tell you
that that may be an area where God may want you
to make a difference. Or when you watch this
or experience that and it makes you begin to
cry. In other words, your heart goes out. It's
filled with compassion. It just so deeply touches
you. The things that make you angry and the things
that make you cry are often indicators of areas
where God has put inside of you a special passion,
a special concern. That anger is about usually
something that's wrong. or or unjust that needs
to be fixed or what brings you to tears are the
needs and the hurts of somebody or something
it could be in your family could be in your neighborhood
could be in your church it could be an issue
and it might look in so big and so overwhelming
But every major thing that has happened has started
by a man or a woman who saw this overwhelming
problem. The stories of every major movement
begin, are you ready, with someone just like
you. Someone that refuses to let the status quo
be the story of their life. And who says, God,
I am available. I'll do whatever you want me
to do. and finds one or two people that would
believe that with you. And sometimes the gestation
and birthing process is more than nine months,
five years, ten years, and they don't give up,
and they don't give in. And then later, we see
the hand of God, because He'll work in you deeply,
and then significantly through you. Go for your
breakthrough. God is good, and He's for you.
Want to experience breakthrough regularly, not
just occasionally? I'm Dave Drewy. Don't miss
tomorrow's program on Living on the Edge. Today's
program is produced and sponsored by Living on
the Edge.