Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#5]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Deuteronomy 3:16
Introduction:
This morning, we are going to continue our series from chapter 3 verse 16 of each Book of the Bible. Last week we looked at the hope that comes from belonging to God, today we are going to look at the hope that comes from spiritual warfare.
We are in a spiritual war. If you are a Christian, you are in God’s Army; if you are not a Christian, you are in Satan’s Army. Now you may be a good soldier or a poor soldier; but you are a soldier in 1 of these 2 armies. We know that God’s Army wins the ultimate victory through Jesus Christ; but the Church does not seem to have very many victories right now. If we are going to have daily victory, we must be all that we can be for God.
Deuteronomy 3:1-3 (NIV)
“Next we turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan with his whole army marched out to meet us in battle at Edrei. The LORD said to me, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon." So the LORD our God also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army. We struck them down, leaving no survivors.”
There is hope in…
1. Being fearless.
Fear keeps us from victory because it keeps us from going to battle.
Are you afraid of…
? Failure?
Many people never do anything because they are afraid that they will mess up. Failure is not the problem- Not learning from your mistakes is the problem.
Are you afraid of…
? Injury?
Many people are afraid that they will get hurt. They never get involved in what God is doing because someone might hurt them. Unfortunately, you are probably right; people may hurt your feelings and not treat you right. Remember Who you serve.
Are you afraid of…
? The enemy?
Satan is a strong enemy, but he is not as strong as God.
Deuteronomy 3:16-20 (NIV)
“But to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory extending from Gilead down to the Arnon Gorge (the middle of the gorge being the border) and out to the Jabbok River, which is the border of the Ammonites. Its western border was the Jordan in the Arabah, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah. I commanded you at that time: "The LORD your God has given you this land to take possession of it. But all your able-bodied men, armed for battle, must cross over ahead of your brother Israelites. However, your wives, your children and your livestock (I know you have much livestock) may stay in the towns I have given you, until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they too have taken over the land that the LORD your God is giving them, across the Jordan. After that, each of you may go back to the possession I have given you."
There is hope in…
2. Being united.
As the Israelites were traveling, some of the Tribes began to receive their inherited land. It would have been easy for those men in those Tribes to settle in their land and not continue on. God told them to stay in the army and after they helped the rest of the Nation conquer their land, they could go home and enjoy their inheritance.
If the enemy can’t scare us from battle then he will try to get us to battle one another, so that we will be divided.
Deuteronomy 3:21-29 (NIV)
“At that time I commanded Joshua: "You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you." At that time I pleaded with the LORD: "O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan--that fine hill country and Lebanon." But because of you the LORD was angry with me and would not listen to me. "That is enough," the LORD said. "Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor.”
There is hope in…
3. Being obedient.
Moses was not getting to go into the Promised Land because he had disobeyed God. What did he do that was so bad that he couldn’t go into the Promised Land? As the Israelites had been wandering through the desert, they became thirsty. As usual, they began to complain and cause trouble. Moses and Aaron asked God what to do and God told Moses to go out and speak to the rock and water would come out of the rock. Moses went out to the rock; but instead of speaking to the rock, Moses hit it twice with his staff. Because of that, he was not allowed to set foot into the Promised Land. That sounds harsh, but God does not tolerate disobedience.
Conclusion:
If we are going to be the Army that we are supposed to be; then we must stand firm while being attacked, listen to our Commander, and follow Him.
