Lesson 3: Knowing How To Fight Keeps You Sharp

A. DIDN’T HAVE WEAPONS ( I SAMUEL 14:1-52)

“So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son” (13:22).

One of Satan’s primary strategies is to get God’s people to compromise their weapons.

1. People had weapons in the past. “The men of Israel . . . smote them” (7:11).

2. People lost weapons under Saul’s leadership.

3. We must have spiritual weapons to fight. “Take unto you the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13).

a. Belt of truth (6:14).

b. Chest armor of righteousness (6:14). Stand before God.

c. Shoes of the gospel (6:15).

d. Shield of faith (6:16).

e. Helmet of salvation (6:17).

f. Attacking weapon – sword of the Word of God (6:17).

B. SIGNS THAT POINTED TO SAUL’S TROUBLE

1. Saul’s inactivity. “Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree” (14:2).

2. Allowed inroads of enemy. “The garrison of the Philistines” (13:23).

3. Didn’t use spiritual resources he had. “The Lord’s priest in Shiloh, wearing the ephod” (14:3).

4. Impatient to find God’s will. “Saul said, ‘Bring hither the ark of God’ . . . Saul said to the priest, ‘Withdraw thy hand’” (14:18-19).

5. Didn’t know where all his officers were. “Number now, see who is gone from us” (14:17).

6. Your testimony no longer inspires. “Behold, the Hebrews came forth out of their holes where they have hid themselves” (14:11).

C. GOD GAVE ISRAEL A VICTORY

1. God sent an earthquake. “The earth quaked, so it was a very great trembling” (14:15).

2. God used a leader. “They (20 Philistines) fell before Jonathan” (14:13).

3. God loves to use a minority. “The Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few” (14:6).

4. God used confusion. “Behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow” (14:2).

5. The Israelite prisoners began to fight. “The Hebrews that were with the Philistines . . . turned to be with . . . Jonathan” (14:21).

6. The cowards began to fight. “All the men of Israel which had hid themselves . . . followed hard after them (the Philistines)” (14:22).

D. YOU KNOW YOU HAVE BACKSLIDDEN WHEN . . .

1. You know you are backsliding when you try to do God’s work by rules. “No one could eat.” But people needed strength to run and fight. He who broke Saul’s rule was a better fighter. “His eyes were enlightened” (14:27). If Saul had not made a foolish requirement, there would have been a greater victory over the Philistines” (14:30, ELT).

2. You know you are backsliding when you try to lead God’s people by fear and retaliation. “For the people feared the oath” (14:26).

The First Law of Leadership: When people buy into your dreams or visions, they buy into your leadership.

3. You know you are backsliding when God doesn’t answer your prayers. “Saul asked counsel of God . . . but he answered him not” (14:37).

4. You know you are backsliding when you are more interested in the sin of others, than the sin of your heart. “Draw near . . . let’s see who has sinned this day” (14:38).

5. You know you are backsliding when you want to punish someone who is used of God. “Saul answered . . . thou shalt surely die, Jonathan” (14:44).

6. You know you are backsliding when you go against the majority of God’s people. “Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid . . . there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground” (14:45).

7. You know you are backsliding when you quit too soon. “Saul went up from following the Philistines” (14:46).

a. He was discouraged when someone else was the hero.

b. He was disillusioned when followers rebuked him.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.