May 25th, 2008 River of Life Ministries Pastor Michael West
Series: His Majesty, His Name Part 7—
Jehovah Tsebaioth; Lord of Hosts
Sermon: Victory is a shout away
Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17
“Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord!”
Let me ask you something; "What can the Devil do to a Christian like that?"
In the forefeet of pigs is a very small hole, which may be seen when the hair has been carefully removed. The tradition is that the legion of devils entered by these apertures.
There are also around it some six rings, the whole together not larger than a small spangle. They look as if they are burnt or branded into the skin, and the tradition is that they are the marks of the devil’s claws when he entered the swine.
When Mussolini was strutting in force across much of the Mediterranean world, he was asked to explain his swift rise to power. He answered, "I found Europe full of empty throne rooms, and simply walked in and took one of them
The wolf, when attacked, will first note the earnestness with which the enemy presses the attack, and, if he shows great determination, he scampers away. But if he detects the least fear in his pursuer’s movements, he will defend himself with great bravery.
When you declare war on your sin and unbelief that will be the time when you will see powerful revelation from the Lord.
The Israelites finally stopped grumbling and decided to go into the Promised Land, no matter what it cost them. They were willing to do battle with anything that stood between them and the fullness of God’s covenant promises. In the midst of them was a real believer and his name was Joshua.
With all determination from deep within his heart and very soul, with all his mind and strength, Joshua determined to go the distance. He had been born in a generation that compromised, was full of bitterness, hatred and rebellion, yet he mustard up and stood out from among all his peers and set a standard of his own.
By his very life you could see that He refused to be like the compromising crowd. He had an unquenchable thirst and hunger for the Lord of Host. In his heart he hungered for more of God and wasn’t going to let anything or anyone, stand in his way. There was a lot for him to learn, but he was willing. But determination brought him to set his heart on God’s promises.
Joshua was going to obey God, resist the temptations, be willing to sacrifice and surrender all of himself, just to have his heart’s yearning desire to know God more. He would do anything necessary to bring down all the strongholds that stood between him and the total victory God said he could have. Look what God had to say about it:
Joshua 5:13-15
That’s revelation. To Joshua, God showed Himself as the Jehovah Tsebaoith—The Lord of Hosts. God showed Joshua that He carries a mighty sword and commands the greatest army in the heavens and every one of God’s mighty warriors were standing by to take up the fight for Israel.
This should speak volumes to us. In these last days, there is a real remnant of Christians who for the love of Jesus, are determined to go all the way with the Lord. There heart and soul’s cry out to walk in holiness, readiness to do the Father’s will, to do the things worthy of the Name above all Names—Jesus.
There are those who desire to be free of every false, deceitful, sinful, thing, every stronghold of iniquity, every thing that tries to rise above that powerful Name—Jesus. To be free from domination by the ideas and ways of hell’s evils.
There is a people out in this world today that will refuse to let their lives be dragged away from the determination to follow through with commitment, purpose and the things that God has placed in their hearts. These people want the Victory! They cry out for Victory.
One generation living under the curse died in the wilderness. But this new generation learned from that and was determined to not make the same mistake twice.
God reveals Himself as the Lord of Hosts only to those who set their hearts and minds to walk before Him in purity. He doesn’t not do this for those who just want their sins forgiven and to make to heaven someday. Let’s face it, the Bible is clear, the lukewarm, half-baked, world loving, spew-potato believer will never know the
Jehovah Tseboaith.
That means they will never know the victory made possible for them either.
Let me ask, Why would God in His right mind ever send His mighty angels to help believers who are not even willing to take up the fight?
Before Moses had died, he had a vision—Deuteronomy 33:26
Joshua had a clearer vision and through it, every believer needs to realize that we need the Lord of Hosts in order to fight the onslaught of hell’s principalities, powers and rulers of dark places, because we simply cannot do it alone.
Here are four elements for your victory:
We have to cross over
Joshua 3:17
When we finally get tired of lifeless, powerless, dead Christianity around us, tired of the backslide state of the church, sick of worldliness, unbelief, junk that runs through the world into the vey heart of the church that grieves God’s Spirit—that’s when you have reached the banks of the river you need to cross.
When you tire of old world religious traditions and the wilderness it has created—you are at the bank of your river to cross. When you have been stirred by the Holy Spirit of God to desire more, realizing you really aren’t satisfied with your Christian lifestyle that is carnal and self-pleasing, where selfishness has taken precedent—where you can tell that your victory is just a shout away—it’s time to cross.
But remember, when you cross, you are making a declaration of war. You are committing to do battle and if you stop in the middle, or somewhere else, it will mean captivity again and seven times worse.
Your battle will be with every sin that stands between you and the fullness of God in your life.
When Israel arrived at their river, word traveled among their enemies were serious this time. Their God is doing wonders among them and they are determined more than ever to take dominion.
When you look at Israel in the wilderness, notice that they weren’t challenged by their enemies. Hitites, Jebusites, Amalakites, Cannanites—who cares about Israel? We aren’t afraid, why bother with them? “Those people are harmless. They are all talk. They don’t live up to what they say they believe. No big prayers. They probably by the way they are living, don’t believe in their God anymore.”
Up until this time in Israel’s history, Jericho kept it’s gates open for trade. People came and went as they pleased. They had nothing to fear from Israel out there in the wilderness dessert and even talk of Israel trying to take over became a big joke…
Until, the day Israel crossed over the Jordan.
At that moment the wind of change was upon the land, Canaan sensed something was up—Joshua 2:9
What a change and in such a short time. When Israel marched around the city, they were easy targets for fiery arrows, but Jericho never attacked. Why? Perhaps they were so afraid, they didn’t dare draw back a bow. Look at Joshua 2:11
Now, what about you? Is your enemy afraid of you? Does he tremble when you walk into a room? Or does he mock and make fun of you Christian life and power and God you say you love?
James 4:7
James reminds us that the enemy knows when you are serious.
When you stay where you are, the walls, like Jericho, get stronger and thicker each passing hour, day, week and year after year. It will take determination to stand against what you have allowed to steal from you...you can name your own sins, that’s you business, but don’t sit here today and ignore the conviction the Holy Spirit is placing on you. Your victory is a shout away. The Lord of Hosts is standing by to hear form you your decision and course of action.
The work of change begins when you stand up and declare war on your sins, declare war on the things that bind you up, declare war by crossing your river today. Cross and don’t look back. Cross and don’t go back.
Cross today with determination live a holy live that you have been set apart to by God Himself. Jehovah Tseboaith—the Lord of Hosts is ready, willing and more than able to help you conquer and gain the victory. He is standing by to give you revelation that will aide in the battle you have begun.
