Mighty Men of God
2 Samuel 23:8-17
Introduction
This morning I would like to take a look at some amazing men from the Old Testament who were called “Mighty Men of God”. This message is the theme being used by “No Greater Love Ministries” this year and it is the call to arms for all men in God’s church to consider going to battle for the Lord. In February, men from this church will travel once again to New Orleans to claim ground for Jesus Christ. Remember part of my vision from last week for this church is that we would lean towards full-time evangelism, and stepping out of your comfort zone is critical to accomplishing this.
I firmly believe that this message will apply to all of us as we seek to serve the Lord and minister to others for the Kingdom. These three men were deliberately serving their King, and this morning I want to explore their example in life that we can apply to our own lives today.
This morning, I want us to examine and look at three men who exemplified giving it all in the face of adversity, and who were called to their King’s purpose in a way that only faithful servants could serve their master.
Open your bibles to 2 Samuel 23 and we will be looking at verses 15-17.
First though, allow me to give you a small amount of background leading into today’s story.
David was the King and he was sitting around a campfire with his trusted men. The bible tells us about each of these men and briefly; Josheb was a man who killed 800 men with a spear at one time (a one man wrecking crew); Eleazar stood back to back with David when they taunted the Philistines – and he was so faithful to fight that his hand froze to his sword; and Shammah stood in the middle of a field when Israel’s troops had fled and he was faithful to defend the land – which God brought a great victory to him.
Oh that we could be this faithful (and have this much courage) – and would have this type of commitment to the Lord.
These three men and David were resting in the evening around a campfire – because the battle had been called off for the night. The bible says that David was “in the stronghold (v14), which means his army had an advantageous position in the battle, and they were able to relax and rest for the night.
Now, let’s pick up the story from here …
Read verse 15 through 17 of 2 Samuel 23 …
Pray
Point 1 – Serving means there is a great cause
These men were faithful to their King, and they would have done whatever it took to please David. These three men were the best of the best – the absolute top and most faithful.
You see, they had fought amazing battles and were faithful to never turn their back – and this morning we need to see that there is a great cause for serving faithfully. These three men were living testimonies of that cause – and I ask you – do you have the same faithfulness as these men did to serve the Great Cause?
As they are visiting with David, these men are talking with one another and just reminiscing about their past – They were camped just outside Bethlehem and interestingly enough Bethlehem was David’s hometown – and the Philistine’s have taken control of this town and David’s army is approaching the city to take it back.
While they were talking, David just happened to mention that he would love a drink of water from this particular well – a well he had drank from as a child – and he remembered that the taste of it would certainly quench his thirst on this evening.
David was not asking his men to go and literally get it – but I am certain that these men began to think of how they could honor their king.
You see these three men talking with David had amazing courage, and as they talked I wonder how they pondered about how they could honor their king. But they knew, that service meant there would be a great commitment.
Point 2 – Serving means there is a great commitment
Later on, after I am sure David went to bed – there sat these three men who belonged to David and they were wondering what they could do for their king.
As they sat there, at some point (the bible does not mention when) one of them had to have an idea to actually go and get their king a glass from this well. These men were determined to please their King, and so it says that they broke through the Philistine lines and headed for this well … simply to fetch their King a glass of water. (Get water)
What I find unique here is that all three of these men were willing to go the distance for David, and not just one of them. Together, they knew that they had to do this for David, and they wanted to make their King happy.
As these men reached the well, I wonder if they had to talk their way through some guards, or if they were clever enough to just walk on through the battle lines.
However they reached the well, they drew up a full glass of water and then had to sneak back through the enemy lines to get back to camp. Remember that this is all at night, through enemy land, and they were risking their lives for their king.
Imagine your own commitment to the Lord – does it lead you through unchartered land and through rough terrain? How about through enemy lands? Have you ever felt alone in that walk? Note that these men stuck together and were committed to giving an offering to their king – even if it meant giving their life for him – it was worth it to them to serve in this capacity. They believed that this sacrifice for their king was worth it!!
Point 3 – Serving means there is a great sacrifice
You see, when you have a great cause – you are willing to give a great sacrifice. This cause of battling for the Lord is that souls would be saved and God is looking for willing vessels to serve.
Today, there is a battle preparing to be fought again. I have been to that battle 8 times now, and I know that each time I go I come back a little more different – because I get to spend time being refined, and sacrificing of myself for Jesus Christ.
The sacrifice that is required of us is that we would give of ourselves to produce and deliver to our Lord all that we would have. God is looking for men who are willing to go – and I wonder how many here would be willing to sacrifice of themselves for the Kingdom?
Notice these men who were sacrificing their lives for water, and look closely at what happens when these men got back to David’s location. (Verse 16-17)
As these men came and brought this glass of water to David, he was simply not able to drink it. He realized in his heart that these men had traversed dangerous lands, and he knew that if these three men were willing to risk their life, how could he possibly drink of this offering that they had brought him?
David was a man who was after God’s own heart, and he realized that this offering was more than he deserved, and he offered it to the Lord. (Pour water)
David’s mighty men were willing to give their life for their king, and as an offering to the Lord David gave their sacrifice to God. Has there ever been a time in your life when all you could do is offer something given to you up to the Lord? How about being willing to offer up your own life to the Lord?
When have we been poured out in service to God? (Pour water) Doesn’t God require more of us than yesterday’s offering? David knew this, and he was honoring the Lord because he understood the importance of his men being willing to serve. David was not worthy of this offering – and it was all he could give to the Lord.
What if we served like that? What if we were desperate before the Lord that we would pour out our hearts before God? Oh, that we would be this right, and this pure before the Lord? (Pour water)
You see, serving means that there is a great victory!
Point 4 – Serving means there is a great victory
The church is called to reach out and minister to this world – even David knew this and he was giving God the victory in this. His offering other than his life to the Lord was that he recognized what these men were willing to do; he recognized that these men were willing to step out and take back what belonged to their king.
The church is given to reach out into the world – to take back what is rightfully God’s and there is no other mission more important than this. What if we would reach out and grab hold of what the devil took from us is the mission of a Godly man, it was the mission of these mighty men of God – and their victory was in the Lord’s eyes, and was in the eyes of their king.
And I ask you this morning to consider … What is the victory worth? Is the victory not worth stepping out and giving the Gospel to a world that needs to see Jesus?
Right now, I want you to speak to each man here very clearly –we need to be men and be willing to stand up and take back what the enemy has taken away. If we don’t model it, our children and our grandchildren will never learn what has to be done!
The greatest victory that we could ever have would be that Jesus would be glorified – He promised that if he would be lifted up, He would draw all men unto Himself!
Conclusion / Invite Singers
This morning, I want to ask you to consider making a commitment to step out of your comfort zone. Let me challenge you: What is your offering worth? This evangelism opportunity to New Orleans is a men’s ministry – but it does not have to stop there.
Evangelism is a church-wide offering. It is something that we each need to be broken and poured for – poured out as an offering to the Lord. This morning, maybe you have a need to be poured out before God. Maybe you have a desire to reach out and do something different – to serve in a new capacity – to be a vessel that is emptied out of sin and fully ready to reach out for the Lord.
As we sing – do you need to be broken and poured out? Maybe you need to get your life right before the Lord? Maybe this morning is a day that you would be willing to come and join this fellowship? Or maybe today is the day that you would finally accept what God has been asking you to do.
I hear God saying taht if we want to receive "well done good and faithful servant", we need to be broken and emptied out for the Lord.
As we sing, will you obey the Lord this morning?
Pray
