Month Of Breakthrough: INSTANTLY BREAKTHROUGH HAPPENS.

SUNDAY 15/12/2024

Scripture Reference: Acts 3:1-11

1-5 One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time, there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look here.” He looked up, expecting to get something from them.

6-8 Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked. The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing, and praising God.

9-10 Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple’s Beautiful Gate and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.

11 The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon’s Porch to see it for themselves.

Theme: When Breakthrough Happens Instantly

Introduction:

Breakthroughs are moments when God steps into our situations and changes everything instantly. Acts 3:1-11 vividly describes an instant breakthrough in the life of a man who had been lame from birth. With one encounter, his life transformed completely. This story reminds us that no matter how long we’ve waited or how impossible our situations seem, when God moves, breakthroughs happen instantly.

Let us explore four key truths about experiencing an instant breakthrough in our lives.

Point 1: Divine Encounters Trigger Instant Breakthroughs

In Acts 3, the lame man had a divine encounter he wasn’t even expecting. Peter and John were walking into the temple at the exact time he was begging at the gate. God orchestrated this meeting as a setup for his breakthrough.

1. God’s Timing is Perfect

   The man had been in his condition for decades, yet his breakthrough came suddenly. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time for everything. When God’s timing aligns with His purpose, breakthroughs happen without delay.

   – Have you been waiting for years? Trust that your breakthrough moment is coming.

2. Be Ready for Divine Appointments

   The lame man wasn’t expecting healing, but he was in the right place at the right time. Similarly, we must remain open and expectant for God to move. Divine encounters can happen in moments of worship, prayer, or even unexpected circumstances.

    Are you positioning yourself spiritually for divine encounters?

3. God Uses People to Bring Breakthroughs

   – Peter and John were instruments of God’s power. Sometimes, God sends people into our lives to deliver the breakthrough we need. Be attentive to the people God brings your way.

Point 2: Faith Unlocks Instant Breakthroughs.

Peter said to the man, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (v. 6). This statement was filled with faith in Jesus’ power to heal instantly.

1. Faith in the Name of Jesus

   – The name of Jesus carries unmatched authority. Philippians 2:9-10 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” declares that every knee must bow at the name of Jesus. Peter didn’t rely on his own power but invoked the name of Jesus, which brought instant healing.

   – Do you believe in the power of Jesus’ name to bring breakthrough into your life?

2. Faith Requires Action

   – Peter didn’t just speak words; he reached out and helped the man up. Faith is not passive; it demands action. James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

   – What steps of faith are you taking as you wait for your breakthrough?

3. Faith Defies Natural Limitations

   – The lame man’s healing was medically impossible, yet faith in Jesus made it happen instantly. What seems impossible to man is possible with God (Luke 18:27).

Point 3: God’s Power Transforms Instantly

The moment Peter lifted the man, his feet and ankles were strengthened (v. 7). This was an immediate and total transformation.

1. God’s Power Knows No Delay

   – The lame man didn’t experience gradual healing—it was instantaneous. When God intervenes, He can turn situations around in the blink of an eye. Are you trusting in God’s power for your breakthrough?

2. Complete Transformation

   – Not only did the man stand, but he also leaped and walked into the temple praising God (v. 8). God’s breakthroughs are not partial; they are complete and leave no room for doubt.

   – Trust that when God moves, He will fully address your situation.

3. The Power of Prayer and Expectancy

   – Peter and John were going to pray when this miracle happened. Prayer creates an atmosphere for God’s power to manifest. Are you maintaining a life of prayer and expectancy?

Point 4: Instant Breakthroughs Lead to Testimonies

The man’s healing became a testimony that glorified God and drew others to Him. Acts 3:9-10 says everyone who saw the man was filled with wonder and amazement.

1. Your Breakthrough Glorifies God

   – The man’s instant healing was undeniable, and he praised God openly. When God performs a breakthrough in your life, it’s important to give Him the glory.

   – Have you shared your testimonies with others to glorify God?

2. Testimonies Inspire Faith in Others

   – The crowd’s amazement shows how one testimony can lead to many more breakthroughs. Revelation 12:11 says, “They triumphed over Him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Sharing what God has done can ignite faith in others.

3. Celebrate and Build on Your Breakthrough

   – The man didn’t just walk away quietly; he entered the temple rejoicing. Celebrate your breakthroughs with gratitude and use them as a foundation to trust God for even greater things.

Living Testimony 1: Financial Breakthrough (Pastor’s Testimony)

A pastor once shared how he faced financial struggles during the early days of ministry. At one point, he had no money for rent. In prayer, God instructed him to sow his last amount into another ministry. Despite the challenge, he obeyed. Within days, an unexpected financial blessing arrived that not only paid his rent but provided for months ahead. This instant breakthrough taught him the power of obedience and faith in God’s provision.

Living Testimony 2: Healing Breakthrough (Pastor’s Testimony)

A pastor shared his experience with a severe back condition that made preaching nearly impossible. Doctors recommended surgery, but he believed in God’s healing power. During a worship service, as he prayed and praised, he felt a surge of warmth in his back. Instantly, the pain disappeared, and he was completely healed. He has been preaching pain-free ever since. This testimony reveals that God’s healing can happen instantly when we trust Him completely.

Conclusion:

Acts 3:1-11 is a powerful reminder that breakthroughs can happen instantly when God steps in. Divine encounters, faith, God’s transformative power, and testimonies all play a role in experiencing these miracles. If God did it for the lame man, He can do it for you. Trust in Him and expect your breakthrough today.

Call to Action:

1. Ask God for a divine encounter this week.
2. Declare His promises over your life in faith.
3. Take bold steps of obedience and trust.
4. Share your testimonies to encourage others.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God of instant breakthroughs. As we place our faith in You, let Your power bring healing, restoration, and provision to every area of our lives. May we testify of Your greatness and draw others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God bless you all.