THE PURSUIT OF DIVINE PROSPERITY

Sermon was preached on 20th November 2022

SERIES: PROSPERITY

TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 4:9-10

The example of Jabez demonstrates what it means to have divine breakthrough or prosperity and what to do in securing and maintaining the breakthroughs. We can see how Jabez desired, pursued and prayed for divine prosperity and how eventually got it. We can therefore infer that:

• Every step we take is easier taking us closer or farther from our glorious destiny in Christ-Proverbs 3:5-8.
• Every decision we make is easier to our advantage or disadvantage-Jeremiah 2:13-17.
• Every step we take is easier for our lifting or our downfall-Isaiah 42:24-25.
• Every move we make is either helping or hurting our destiny-Psalm 32:8-10.
• Prosperity, breakthrough is breaking through a barrier which the psalmist calls “jumping over a wall.”
• Thus because “there is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death-Proverbs 14:12; 16:25.
• Prosperity is when you penetrate your enemy’s defense. They have been trying to defend you but all of sudden you move in.
• Prosperity is an anointed increase, which will make people wonder what is happening to you.
• Prosperity is being lifted above all the enemies about you.
• Prosperity is promotion, enrichment, betterment or positive headway. Let us learn more:-

THE PRINCIPLES FOR DIVINE PROSPERITY

• Divine prosperity, breakthrough, success comes from applying the principles contained in the word of God.
• It has nothing to do with your location, background, education or your own achievements in life.
• It is not limited by the source or cause of your problem, the magnitude of the problem, the duration of the problem or the record of failures in attempting to look for solution.
• The Biblical principles of divine prosperity include:-

1. Living or walking in righteousness.

• The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree-Psalm 92:12.
• The prayer of the righteous will have great impact-James 5:16.

2. Having delight in the word of God-Psalm 37:4.

• Delight to study, to listen to, to do or obey and to teach others.
• Joshua will succeed in his ministerial assignment by teaching and living in the word of God-Joshua 1:8.
• A man whose delight is in the word of God will prosper in all he does-Psalm 1:1-3.

3. Commitment to prayer in the will of God.

• God already has our prosperity in store, but we must reach out to it through our prayers in His will.
• His will is revealed to us through His word and by His spirit.
• Elijah prayed fervently for rain and received an answer because God promised to give the rain.
• All the prayer requests of Jabez were granted because he prayed according to the will of God.

4. Yielding to and fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit.

• Only the power of the Holy Spirit can bring divine prosperity and breakthrough in all areas of our lives.
• The more we surrender and relate with Him, the more blessings and breakthroughs we receive-Phil. 2:1-2.

PRAYER FOR DIVINE PROSERITY.

• The prayer of Jabez is a perfect model prayer for divine breakthrough for every believer.
• Jabez would have fulfilled the above principles for his prayer to be answered and his miracles received.

1. He prayed that God should bless him indeed.

• Any blessing that is not from God will not last or may add sorrow to it.
• Any door that is not opened by God will lead to eternal destruction.
• The blessings Jacob stole from Esau could not move him, into the purpose of God, until he had the real encounter.
• These blessings include all manner of blessings in the physical and spiritual.

2. He prayed that God should enlarge his territory.

• God has plans, promises and prophesies for our enlargement in every area of our lives.
• The first blessing on man is to be fruitful and multiply.
• You may not grow, increase or be enlarged beyond what your vision can carry-2 Kings 6:1-2.

3. He prayed that the hand of God will be with him.

• This represents the presence of God and power of God.
• If you can only maintain the presence and the power of God in your life, you will enjoy divine breakthrough above your equals.

4. He prayed that God will keep him from evil.

• We need divine protection and preservation to have and to enjoy divine breakthrough.
• We are charged to be strong in the Lord and putting on His armor always-Ephesians 6:10-12.

THE POWER FOR DIVINE PROSPERITY.

• After fulfilling the principles for divine prosperity and pray for it, only the power of the Holy Spirit can bring about the breakthrough prosperity-Zachariah 4:6.
• The great mountain before Zerrubabbel will become plain and he will finish the project he started by the Holy Spirit.
• When many asked about how the miraculous conception will take place, she was told that it will be by the Holy Spirit-Luke 1:34-36.
• The exploits done by Saul and by David were possible only by the Holy Spirit-1^st Samuel 10:6, 16, 13.
• Ministerial breakthroughs can only come by the power of the Holy Spirit-Acts 1:8; 10:38.
• The wisdom, knowledge and understanding need for all-round breakthrough can only come by the Holy Spirit-Acts 19:1-6.
• We must maintain a healthy relationship with the Holy Spirit to continually enjoy His filling and power.

CONCLUSION.

• If you are pursuing prosperity and breakthrough in any area of your life, then you need to:-

1. Fulfil all the principles of God for divine prosperity.
2. Pray fervently for your breakthrough prosperity in line with the will of God.
3. Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit alone to bring about the desired prosperity.