Explore how to contend for God's promises through faithful obedience and understanding the power of God's presence.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're diving deep into the Word of God, specifically from the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 2, verse 24.
Here's what it says:
"Set out now and cross the Arnon Gorge. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his country. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle."
And engage him in battle - wow, what a powerful command from the Lord. It's a call to step into our faith, to move forward in the promises of God, and to stand firm in His presence. But how do we do that? How do we contend for God's promises? It's not always easy, beloved, but if there's one thing I know, it's that it's absolutely worth it.
In the words of Max Lucado, "Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right." Our obedience to God is not a negotiation or a gamble, it's a necessity for us to fully experience the power of God's presence.
So, today, we're going to explore how to contend for God's promises, the necessity of faithful obedience, and the power of God's presence.
But before we dive in, let's pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your Word that guides us, and your presence that comforts us. As we delve into your Word today, open our hearts and minds to understand your promises, to learn the importance of faithful obedience, and to experience the power of your presence. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Now, let's get into it.
Contending for the promise of God is a concept that requires us to actively pursue and fight for the promises that God has made to us in His Word. It's not a passive acceptance of His promises, but an active engagement in faith, prayer, and obedience. It's about stepping into the battlefield of life, armed with the promises of God, and refusing to back down until we see those promises come to fruition.
What those promises are: The Bible is filled with promises from God - promises of provision, protection, peace, and so much more. But to contend for these promises, we must first know them. We must spend time in God's Word, studying and meditating on His promises. This is our spiritual nourishment, our source of strength and encouragement in the battle.
Prayer: Prayer is our line of communication with God. It's how we express our needs, our desires, and our gratitude. But it's also how we contend for God's promises. Through prayer, we can remind God of His promises, not because He forgets, but because it helps us to remember. It strengthens our faith and keeps us focused on God's truth rather than our circumstances.
Faith: Hebrews 11:1 tells us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." In other words, faith is believing in God's promises even when we can't see them. It's trusting that God will do what He said He would do, even when our circumstances suggest otherwise. This kind of faith requires courage, determination, and perseverance.
Obedience: Deuteronomy 28:1-2 tells us that if we fully obey the Lord and carefully follow all His commands, the Lord will set us high above all the nations on earth, and all these blessings will come on us and accompany us. This means that our obedience to God is directly linked to His promises. When we obey God, we position ourselves to receive His promises.
Patience: God's timing is not our timing. He sees the bigger picture and knows exactly when and how to fulfill His promises. Our job is to trust Him, to wait patiently, and to keep contending, even when it's hard.
A lifelong journey of faith, prayer, obedience, and patience: It's a battle, but it's a battle worth fighting. And the victory is worth every struggle, every tear, every moment of doubt. Because the victory is not just the fulfillment of God's promises, but the deepening of our relationship with Him.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how you contended for a promise of God in your own life. What does this mean to you and how did it affect your life and your faith?
Faithful obedience is not just about following rules or adhering to religious rituals ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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