S. T. O. N. E. S.
Central, August 29, 2004 -- Pastor Tim Hohm -- RevTim.com
1 Samuel 17:1-11 (NLT)
The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. [2] Saul countered by gathering his troops near the valley of Elah. [3] So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.
[4] Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was a giant of a man, measuring over nine feet tall! [5] He wore a bronze helmet and a coat of mail that weighed 125 pounds. [6] He also wore bronze leggings, and he slung a bronze javelin over his back. [7] The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed fifteen pounds. An armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a huge shield.
[8] Goliath stood and shouted across to the Israelites, "Do you need a whole army to settle this? Choose someone to fight for you, and I will represent the Philistines. We will settle this dispute in single combat! [9] If your man is able to kill me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! [10] I defy the armies of Israel! Send me a man who will fight with me!" [11] When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.
1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NLT)
Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. [39] David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. "I can’t go in these," he protested. "I’m not used to them." So he took them off again. [40] He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath.
S. Start
You must approach the battle head on. Have a vision in mind for your future and ministry
1 Samuel 17:16 (NIV)
For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
In our battles, recognize where the enemy is: Acknowledge what the effect is on your personal life, your family life, your ministry life.
Understand Satan wants to keep you paralized in your journey for Christ.
AND ACKNOWLEDGE that Jesus Christ does NOT want you paralized. He wants your faith active and is willing to use you for His Kingdom and His Purposes!
You will never conquer any enemy, any habit, any unforgiveness, any disciplines ...
You will never tithe, never win anyone to Christ, never learn the Bible, never have influence your co-workers or family for God...
If you do not begin to do His will in your life and face the battles head-on!
T. Tenacity
Your persistence to stay focused on the outcome of your challenge until its completion -- With God ALL THINGS are possible!
ILLUSTRATION:
For two years, scientists sequestered themselves in an artificial environment called Biosphere 2. Inside their self-sustaining community, the Biospherians created a number of mini-environments, including adesert, rain forest, even an ocean.
Nearly every weather condition could be simulated except one, wind. Over time, the effects of their windless environment became apparent. A number of acacia trees bent over and even snapped.
Without the stress of wind to strengthen the wood, the trunks grew weak and could not hold up their own weight. Weathering storms is what builds our strength....
O. Omnipotence
HIS Power.
1 Chron. 29:11 (NLT)
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
His power leads to:
No Overreaction
Trust
Confidence
Worship Him
A Heart of Singing
NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU, GOD!
1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NLT)
David shouted in reply, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! [47] And everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle, not ours. The Lord will give you to us!"
N. Never Give Up
Purpose and Calling from God allows your perspective to motivate you and to help you continue.
Illustration:
Scratched on the walls of one of the Nazi prison camps were the words, “I believe in the sun even when it does not shine. I believe in love even when it is not expressed. And I believe in God even when He is silent.”...
Illustration:
Marathon runners often reach the point where they wonder whether they can keep going. They hit the wall. They doubt they can finish the race. Their muscles burn with pain; their strength is gone. They feel defeated.
As we run our Christian lives, we can reach that point too. Faced with our sin, we begin to doubt God’s forgiveness. “Will I really finish the race and receive the prize or are my sins too great?” Faced with the burning pains and troubles of life, we begin to doubt God’s love. “Why doesn’t God take this away from me?” We feel defeated.
At those times when you hit the wall, turn to these words that the Holy Spirit gave the Apostle Paul to write (Romans 8:31-39) and believe that in Christ Jesus, you more than conquer.
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Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For in Christ Jesus our Lord
1) no accusation can rob us of his forgiveness, and
2) no force can separate us from his love.
E. End
The outcome of victory. You were sure when you started the battle, and God proves himself faithful again.
God has provided ... The Lamb
You walked on water.
You overcame the enemy, the temptation, the bitterness, the pain of life.
S. See God
To God be the glory.
The difficulties, trials, challenges you face in life are much bigger than you are. Spiritual battles, spiritual places. Your enemy (without God) is also much bigger than you are.
Days are brighter, your perspective is clearer. You are truly stronger because with God all things WERE Possible.
