Happy Father’s Day! Today America honors dads throughout the land. And for my Father’s Day Sermon I want to call your attention to 2nd Samuel 23. 2nd Samuel 23 tells us about ‘David’s mighty men.’ These were a group of highly trained soldiers who fought on many battlefields along side of David and aided him in his victories.
Know this: when God calls a man to perform some special service in the interests of His kingdom and His people, He also graciously raises up for him those who support his cause and strengthen his hands by using their influence on his behalf.
Today, I want to focus in on one of David’s men — his name is ‘Shammah.’ I don’t know if he was a father or not, but I do know that the spirit and determination he possessed, along with the effort he put forth, would do any father much good to emulate.
Text: 2 Samuel 23:11-12
11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles:
Now those of you with extended culinary experience will tell you that lentiles are peas. And so, what the scripture is saying here is that the Philistines brought their army together to destroy a pea patch that was about ready for harvest.
Continuing with verse 11, it says: and the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he [Shammah that is] stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
*I want to stick my shovel in at verse 12: “But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.”
My sisters and brothers, in the text the Philistines have come, once again to attack the people of God. The Philistines, you’all, were always starting some mess! They are like some folk you find in the church; always starting some, or in some mess. [Touch your neighbor and tell them: “Don’t start none... won’t be none!”]
Now the Philistines were Israel’s nemesis for, literally, hundreds of years. They were a warring people — and David had had a lot of trouble with them ever since he killed their biggest, baddest, and strongest warrior, a fella named Goliath. You remember Goliath? Goliath was the Philistines’ “Bad, bad, Leroy Brown... the baddest man in the whole dog gone town!” Goliath was huge and intimidating! The Bible says that He stood over nine feet tall! — that’s two feet taller than Shaquille O’Neal!
Goliath wouldn’t have to jump to put a basketball into the hoop. All he would have to do is reach up and slam it down! He was built and he was strong! He wore a coat of armor that weighed 125-pounds. The point of the spear that he threw weighed 15 pounds all by itself. Goliath was not the kind of guy that you want to meet in a dark alley at night! — And every Israelite was afraid of him... except David.
Now why wasn’t David afraid of Goliath? Here’s why: you see, David had God on his side! He was anointed! Let me tell you... when you are anointed, you don’t have to fear nothing or nobody! My sisters and brothers... when you are anointed, your enemy may [at times] win the battle, but they won’t win the war!
Goliath had the tools, the talent and the tenacity to destroy David, but David the power of God in nothing more than a homemade sling shot and a smooth stone. But that was enough!
Now even though Goliath was slain, the Israelites knew that the Philistines had other great warriors. And because they were such vicious, and seditious people, when they came around to make war, most of time the Israelites ran away.
... But on this particular occasion, recorded here in these two verses of 2nd Samuel 23, one man takes a stand; brother Shammah! — And on this Father’s Day 2007, I hear Shammah speaking to all of the men, and he’s telling us: “Brother’s... we need to stay in the pea patch and fight for our victory!” — And there are three [3] aspects of this story that I want to focus on that I believe are germane to the times in which we live.
First of all, I want you to see in this story that:
IT WAS A TIME OF GREAT CONFLICT.
Now notice WHEN the Philistines came. WATCH THIS: They came during the time of the harvest. Here the Israelites are, in the pea patch, trying to get their crops in. Their attention is so focused on what they are doing, that they are not prepared to go to battle. And so, when the enemy comes, he catches them unprepared and easily defeated. There’s a great lesson to the church here, as well as to fathers: First let me deal with the church: Let us not be so busy with church work, that we neglect the work of the church!
In other words, let us never be so busy working that we fail to watch out for our enemy, the devil — because the devil is sneaky, and he comes in when we are preoccupied with matters that are of lesser importance than harvesting souls.
My sisters and brothers... we’ve got to understand that coming to church alone and being a member of a certain auxiliary won’t prepare us to fight and be victorious over the devil. NO... we have to be like Gideon’s faithful few who were chosen to fight because when Gideon took them to a water hole to drink, he noticed that when they drank, they got down on one knee and drank with one hand, but held their weapon in the other hand. So is must be with us... while we work, we’ve got to keep our weapon [God’s Word] at our side and in our hearts!
Now, let me say something to all of the fathers: I know you work hard to make a living for your family, but never be so busy that you fail to protect your children [which is your harvest] from the attack of the enemy — because the enemy wants your kids! He wants your sons and your daughters!
It’s a fact that children raised in homes where the father is not present or actively involved in their spiritual education grow up with problems. Why do you think that we have so many little thugs and hoodlums running around? Why do you think we’re seeing more and more young teenage girls pregnant? Many times it’s because daddy wasn’t around to help teach them that their bodies are temples unto God!
I’m not saying that Mom can’t do it — for there are many young people who grew up to be good, and morally upright adults after being raised by a single mother. But you must understand that the Bible says that “it’s dad’s job to teach the children about the ways of the Lord.”
NOW WATCH THIS: The Bible says that the Philistines attacked at a specific time: the time of the harvest. Now why attack at harvest? Well, you see the Philistines knew that harvest time was a time of great joy for the Israelites. They watched and saw how people worked with a gleam in their eye. They had a gleam in their eye because they knew that in a little while they would able to rest from their labors and enjoy the fruits of the harvest.
... And so, you could say that the Philistines were attacking the Israelites at harvest time in an effort to take away their joy! But not only that, they attacked at harvest because to attack at harvest would mean an opportunity to destroy the Israelites food supply... and without a proper food supply, they knew that the Israelites would become weak, and the weaker they were... the easier it would be for them to gain victory over them.
I can’t speak for you, but I’ve discovered that the devil comes in and attacks me when I’m on the verge of a great harvest of blessing and victory!
You need to understand that satan and the world don’t mind us just coming to church and having church! He doesn’t mind us just singing some and I believe that he even shouts with us if the beat is good! He doesn’t mind some of the preachers’ preaching and some of the deacons’ praying. ... But when he thinks that we’re getting salvation serious about this thing, then he gets worried and comes to stir up trouble, because he knows that we’re on the verge of a harvest!
Why do some of you think the devil is on you so hard right now? It is because he knows that you are close to your breakthrough! Why do you think that even though you’ve been praying you’re finding yourself swimming in tears every night? It is because satan knows that when you are a serious about serving God, you recognize that some attacks WILL come your way that will make you cry, but you know that “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!”
You see...
—The devil doesn’t mind you praying ABOUT THE SPIRIT, as long as you don’t start praying IN THE SPIRIT!
—He doesn’t like it, but he can tolerate you reaching up IN HERE, so long as you don’t start out, and begin being a witness OUT THERE!
—He doesn’t mind you having a church, until you decide that you’re not satisfied to be like the churches who ain’t about nothing!
—Men... he loves it when you don’t know that you are a royal priesthood; when you behave like a dog and when you call women out of their names, but when he thinks that you are being empowered God’s life-changing Word, and commence to going out and witnessing to young boys and young men; little thugs and wanna be gangsters; that you don’t have to sell drugs to make a decent living; that you don’t have to tote a gun to be a man; that you don’t have to refer to women as “Ho’s” and “B’s”; and that making a baby doesn’t necessarily make you a father... that’s when he tries to shut you down and take you out!!!
Brothers... we have got to see this current generation as our precious harvest crop, and harvesting them for the Lord has got to be our mission... for if we don’t harvest them now, there won’t be a crop to harvest tomorrow, for the Bible says that each Godless generation becomes weaker than the one before it! In other words, we have got to stay in the pea patch!!
My sisters and brothers... we must understand that we are engaged in the greatest struggle that the world has ever known! It’s a fight between good and evil. God is working to reach world for His Name’s sake and the devil is fighting Him every step of the way! Somebody has to take a stand for God!
When the Philistines attacked they thought that no one would stand against them. #1: It Was A Time Of Great Conflict, but #2: IT WAS ALSO A TIME OF GREAT COURAGE.
The Bible tells us that Shammah "stood". He resolved in his heart that he would fight for that pea patch. He made up his mind that he would not run away from the battle. Maybe he had run before, but not this time! Today, he would stand and he would fight, even if it cost him his life!
In my sanctified mind, I can hear him saying: “This is my pea patch! It may not be much in anyone else’s eyes, but it’s mine! I won’t surrender it to the enemy!” Church... I want you to know that Shammah was determined! I wonder... how determined are you today to hold on to what God has given, and to claim the blessings that are rightfully ours through the shed blood of Jesus?
— Maybe Satan is trying to overrun your pea patch where health is concerned. Take the sword to him!
— Maybe he’s trying to overrun your pea patch where finances are concerned. Take the sword to him!
— Maybe he’s trying to ruin your marriage. Take the sword to him! Your sword is your Holy Word! Satan is a thief and a robber! He comes to steal and destroy! We must be determined to defend our heritage of faith.
That what Shammah did! Shammah understood that there are some things worth fighting for! And I stopped by on this Father’s Day 2007, to tell every man under the sound of my voice that ‘There are some things worth fighting for!’
— Your marriage is worth fighting for!
— Your children are worth fighting for!
— Your brothers are worth fighting for!
— Your sisters are worth fighting for!
When everyone else ran off, Shammah stood his ground and fought! Now why did Shammah fight? I’m glad you asked me! He fought because he knew that without food, the people would perish. He knew the people had to eat and that if they were going to eat, the fields had to be defended!
Oh my brothers... we have such a treasure in the Word of God. God’s Word is good meat! It’s "Strong Meat That Produces Full-Grown Men!” One day Jesus said in a parable to His Disciples and asked: “What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
In other words, Jesus was trying to teach them [as well as us] that THEY HAD and WE HAVE a responsibility to share His Word (as good meat) to those who watch us and look to us for leadership. And if we do that, He’ll reward us with good things, and allow us to see the fruits of our labors in those we share it with!
I’m going to give you 3rd point in a minute, but you know... I was thinking of my father the other day. Even though he is now in heaven with Jesus, I still have wonderful memories of him. Illus. — And I thought about three things that my father gave me. Each of these things start with the letter “B”.
The first "B" that reminds me of my father is:
A BALL. When I was a boy, my father and I used to go to the ball game and if we didn’t go to the ball game, he would sometimes walk down to the open field below our house where I and my friends would play ball, and daddy would stand there and watch us play.
Although he would be tired from working his construction job, from time to time my father took the time to do some special things with me. Some fathers get too busy and never seem to have time to do things with their children. I am glad that I had a father who loved me enough to take the time to do things with me.
The second “B” that reminds me of my father is:
THE BIBLE. My daddy couldn’t read, but he made me go to Sunday School and that taught me about God’s love and about how Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Of all the things my father did for me, I’m most grateful for him helping me learn the Bible.
Finally, the third "B" that reminds me of my father is: A BELT! I didn’t like that one too much, but it helped me! You see, There were times when I was a little boy that I did some things that I wasn’t supposed to do. When that happened, I sometimes got a whooping!
I know that this isn’t a very popular form of discipline today, and I would never want to see any child abused, but there are times when we need discipline, and I am glad that I had a father who loved me enough to discipline me when I needed it.
Well... I must hasten on, but I hope that you realize that you have a heavenly father who loves you enough to discipline you when you need it. One who will take the time to play with you. Most of all, I hope that you have a father who loves you enough to teach you about God’s love.
For Israel, It Was A Time Of Great Conflict, but for Shammah, It Was A Time Of Great Courage. — And because of his great courage, IT WAS A TIME OF GREAT CONQUEST. That’s my 3rd and final point.
The record of 2nd Samuel 23 informs us that: The Lord Defeated The Enemy! WATCH THIS: It says in verse 12: “But he [Shammah that is] stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.” Yes... the one who really won the victory was God!
— It’s the same God...
Who fought for David in the valley against Goliath!
— It’s the same God...
Who got in the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew boys!
— It’s the same God...
Who made the lions in Daniel’s den turn into a posturepedic mattress!
— It’s the same God...
Who fought Joshua’s battle at Jericho!
... And I stopped by on my way to heaven today to tell every man; every father; every young boy and every young girl; every young woman and ever old woman that when you take a stand for the Lord... He’ll give you power and He’ll give you victory!
God bless you! That’s all I have to tell you. Happy Father’s Day Dads! I’m going to my seat, but know that when we face the spiritual battles of life, we need to remember that those battles are the Lord’s! So when it’s fighting time... don’t run... stand!
Church... it’s battle time! The enemy is still attacking the people of God just as he did through the Philistines. And, just like it was then, so people are still fleeing from the scene of the battle!
People are abandoning the harvest and are choosing to flee rather than fight. The question is: where do YOU stand today? Are you willing to stand idly by while the enemy ransacks your crop? Or, like Shammah, are you willing to take your stand for God, regardless of the consequences and fight until the victory is won.
Will you stay in the pea patch while other are running away? We Need More Men In The Pea Patch! We Need More Women In The Pea Patch! Who will stand with me in the pea patch?
— If we don’t stand, Satan will certainly take everything from us he can get his hands on!
— If he takes away the Bible, what will the following generations eat?
— If he takes away our desire to witness, who will tell the Good News?
— If he takes away our will to pray, who will call on the Father and stand in the gap for this world?
— If we don’t fight, then we will certainly lose those things that give us power and make us great for the glory of God!
— If we don’t fight today, then people starve tomorrow!
— If the field is not protected now, those who follow will have no harvest to enjoy!
We Need More People In The Pea Patch!
Epilogue:
The Lord Defended The Ground because He had one man who was willing to stand. The result was, the fields were protected and the people were saved from starvation and from slavery! Shammah stood when others fled. He turned the tide of the battle that day.
We should stand when others flee because it is possible for us to turn the tide of the battle for God. We may be small and little known, but that does not mean we cannot do great things for God!
