Persistence/ Pressing On

Matthew 1:17

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

From the above text, we see that 14 is a special number to God, and in 2014 we are in a new season, a new beginning. We must look forward to the things God is doing and will do, this year. This is a special season, and God has prepared many things for us. 

When God is doing a new thing, the enemy rises in opposition.

John 5:1-7

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethseda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 

⁵ Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw hi lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” ⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps before me.” 

There are things that are ahead of us, and obstacles that we have to overcome. When we come across obstacles, that’s not the time for us to shy back and retract. It is time for us to step on the stumbling blocks and forge forward. God wants us to overcome every obstacle.

Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

In this year, it’s the radical Christians that are going to experience the new season. It’s those Christians who will say they are tired of living the ordinary life, and be determined do live an extraordinary life. To have a breakthrough, we have to break something. In the yester years, we have been coming across stumbling blocks and retracting, it’s the high time we purpose to forge forward and overcome.

We have to be alert to recognize the time when the pool is being stirred. Do not switch off and be found offline. Do not allow yourself to miss out on the new thigns that God is doing, this new season.

Just like the pool was surrounded by five porches/ pillars, I want to talk about five pillars that may be a hindrance to you this year, that the Lord gave me.

• The crowd factor

Looking at numbers discourages many, whether too many or too few. Do not be discouraged by the numbers. The man by the pool was not discourage by the multitude, by the crowd. This year, you have set your goals and have determined to succeed, and the enemy will come to discourage you, keep you from your breakthrough. Do not be discouraged by the number of people with PHDs, degrees et cetera. Do not be discouraged by any multitude.

Zaccheus was not discouraged by the multitudes, but looked for a way to see Jesus. Do not be discouraged by the multitude, ask God to give you ways to your miracle. The four men carrying their paralytic friend were also not discouraged by the multitude of people who had thronged the house that Jesus was in. They found a way through the roof. The blind Bartimaeus was not discouraged by the big multitude, not even when he shouted at the top of his voice calling Jesus, and they kept telling him to keep quiet. Keep pressing on, you will find your way through. You have to be radical. Do not let anyone put you down.

The woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years did not have anyone to carry her, but crawled till she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, and through this she got her breakthrough.

People will tell you that you are not qualified, but remember that it is God who has qualified us, not men. God has given us grace and a ministry, we are not going to fail, we will press on.

God does not move because of the multitude. Keep pursuing God.

• Overtaking factor 

Whenever the man tried to get in the water, somebody else overtook him. Sometimes we get so discouraged when we get overtaken by people, in life. The devil will try to bring things before you, people who have overtaken you and made it in life, showing you how you deserve it more than them. Do not let yourself be discouraged. Your season is coming, and is even brighter than theirs. They have their dreams and visions, and they cannot be yours. There are things that are a priority to people, and are not to you, and these are the things that the devil will bring you way to distract you and discourage you. Do not listen to him, your season is coming.

Just because people have overtaken you this season, does not mean that you lk

• Push me factor

 When the waters in the pool were stirred, the man had no one to push him. In this world today,everyone depends on their godfathers or godmothers, people who will push themin life. Because of this, they wait for their people in “high” places to push them through to better places. Those people who sit there and wait to b epushed will remain there, doing nothing. This year, do not wait to be pushed. It is so bad when you wait to be pushed, pushed by even circumstances.

Let it not be that you will just sit there and wait to be pushed, whether to go to church or in other spiritual matters.

When you are pushed, it may cost you more than you would have, because people who push you expect something in return when they push you. This year, push yourself; do not wait to be pushed. Pray on, press on, as God pushes you ahead. Do not be pushed by circumstances and situations, push them

In the ministry, do not wait to be pushed, in order to serve in church.

 

• Age factor

The man, despite having stayed by the pool for 38 years, was not discouraged. Abraham and Sarah were not discouraged either, by their ages. Leave everything to God. Do not be discouaraged by time and age; press on; pursue your career, your dream. 

• The physical challenges

The man by the pool was physically challenged, but still pressed on. your mind and the devil will try to feel you with limitations, based on physical challenges. Moses was a stammerer, but was still used by God to deliver Israel from captivity.Smith Wigglesworth could not speak proper English, but still cast out demons with that same English. The 4 lepers in 2 Kings 7 were used by God to deliver Israel, in spite of their physical limitations.

Press on past any hindrances, and you will overcome, by God's grace.

-- Pastor Samson Munyoki. 

5/01/13 Sunday service sermon, at Teaching Transformation Ministry.


Pastor Samson is a friend of Teaching Transformation Ministry. We are located along the Thika-Ruai Flyover Junction (at the Thika Rd./ Bypass intersection), Next to Eastgate Restaurant.