Jesus And Me, Part 12: That’s Not How It Works

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.

That’s not how breakthrough works.

2 Kings 5:9–14
So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.’
      But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
      Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

The breakthrough comes after the .

That’s not how peace works.

Philippians 4:6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace comes after the .

That’s not how fruit works.

John 15:5–6
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

The fruit comes after .

That’s not how grace works.

Ephesians 2:8–9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

The grace comes after .

“How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology? No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and no church clothes. He couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn’t take away his pain, heal his body, or smite the scoffers. Yet it was a thief who walked into heaven the same hour as Jesus simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who he said he was. No spin from brilliant theologians. No ego or arrogance. No shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words. No haze machine, donuts, or coffee in the entrance. Just a naked dying man on a cross, unable to even fold his hands to pray.” – Author Unknown

Small Group Questions

1. What’s something you thought was broken‚ but later realized you were just using wrong?
2. Most of us grew up hearing that God’s love is unconditional. But a lot of his promises do have conditions. Does that idea challenge you, comfort you, or confuse you? Why?
3. Why do you think obedience often comes before breakthrough in biblical accounts? What does that teach us about God and what he cares about?
4. If peace comes after prayer and thanksgiving, what’s one thing robbing you of peace right now? And what would it look like to bring that to God instead of carrying it alone?
5. Is it hard to for you to receive something you didn’t earn? Is there something God is trying to give you right now that you keep refusing to accept?
6. What’s one practical step you feel prompted to take right now, and how can we help you take it?
7. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?