“Trusting god to work for us”
Pastor Jose F. Maldonado Hillburn Drive Grace Baptist Church
Nov. 19, 2006
“And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many of by few.” I Samuel 14:6
Introduction:
Let’s consider the events that relate to this passage.
1. Israel was at war with the Phillistines, 1 Sam. 13:5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 22.
2. God in His Providence ordained and was governing the affairs that Israel was experiencing at the present moment. God had ordered these events so that Israel might learn to be dependent upon God and through this to also be taught to be in submission to God. You see brethren; it is not until we learn to submit to the government of God’s providence that we grow in the faith to learn how to trust God. To know that all things that happen to us are ordered and ordained by God. He does this to show us how to depend on Him and in Him, that is, that we by might wholly TRUST in Him alone. Let us grow to the place that David was in his life concerning God’s providential dealings with him, where David with complete trust and a living hope, declares with unflinching and unwavering faith in Ps.31:14 & 15, “But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand…” No, David did not trust in some heathenish luck or good fortune, but in the providence of a Triune God! In another passage David says, “the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way, though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.”
So here in I Samuel 13 & 14 Israel is brought to the place of either trusting in God or trusting in the arm of the flesh. In like manner, in various times in our lives, “WE,” as individuals and as a Church are brought to the point of either trusting God or trusting in the flesh. I preach to myself first as I preach to you this morning.
This is my introduction to my message this morning. I would like to speak on the subject of: “Trusting God to Work for Us.” I have 3 things I want to share with you:
I. The Perception of Jonathan: “…Come let us go over…”
II. The Persuasion of Jonathan: “…it may be that the LORD will work for us…” (to those who are outside Christ you can say it may be that the Lord will save me today)
III. The Power of Jehovah: “…for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many of by few.”
I. The Perception of Jonathan: “…Come let us go over…”
A. Jonathan’s faith was in trusting his God.
1. He says with unfeigned faith, “…Come let us go over…”
2. His perception was keen and discerning.
3. Notice the amount of men at war with Israel. 1 Sam. 13:5, “And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.”
4. Notice the affects of this. I Sam.13:6 & 7, “When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.”
5. Notice the armor Israel had. I Sam.13:22, “So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.”
6. Notice Jonathan’s faith in the midst of this, for he says unwavering and wholeheartedly, “…Come let us go over…”
(1). Jonathan knew the situation, he knew what the Philistines had and he knew what Israel had. He was not oblivious to what was going on.
(2). Jonathan doesn’t take inventory of weapons or men, but by faith says, “…Come let us go over…”
B You see Jonathan’s faith was personal.
1. This is what catches my eye and blesses my soul.
2. It was not contingent upon his armor bearer.
3. It was not contingent upon the army of Israel.
4. It was not contingent upon the king of Israel, Saul.
5. It was an individual-personal faith in his GOD!
6. This is where God needs to bring us sometimes even in the midst of adversity, trusting Him and Him alone, that is, acting in faith by believing God.
a. We have all at one time or another read something concerning revival (revival is God meeting with His people) which has captured our hearts and our imagination. Have we not prayed that God would condescend to meet with us? Have we not prayed, “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.” Isa.64:1
b. We must by faith trust God and believe that God will work a work in our midst. “…for I will work a work in your days…” Hab.1:5. We must go forward in the ministry in trusting our God.
c. Gordon Bayliss would tell us often that it begins with a personal relationship with God. He would tell us of the importance of having eye contact with the Shepherd and about not leaving our first love.
7. The reason I’m sharing this and making an important point regarding Jonathan’s faith being personal is because:
a. Jonathan did not wait for anybody else to move, so that he could move.
b. Jonathan did not wait to get a bigger army than the Philistines to move.
c. Jonathan did not wait for his armor bearer to move so that he could move.
d. Jonathan did not wait for the king of Israel to move so that he could move.
e. Jonathan did not wait for Ahiah the priest to move so that he could move.
f. Jonathan did not wait for anybody to move so that he could move.
8. Jonathan moved in faith because he trusted his God!
9. Jonathan’s execution of faith was based upon God and no one else. Jonathan did not walk by sight but by faith and this was evident in his life. Look at holy faith, “…come let us go over…it may be that the LORD will work for us.”
10. It was a faith dependent upon God, it was a moving faith.
11. Perhaps it can be said of Jonathan as it was said of Abraham in Romans 4:20 & 21, by the Apostle Paul, “He staggered not…through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that… he was able also to perform.”
(a). Jonathan was fully persuaded, fully convinced, confident that God was able to perform.
(b). Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the substance or confidence of things hope for, the evidence or conviction of things not seen.
*****NOTE****What I am trying to say is:
DO NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO MOVE FOR YOU TO MOVE.
DO NOT WAIT FOR YOUR PASTOR TO MOVE FOR YOU TO MOVE.
DO NOT WAIT FOR A BROTHER OR SISTER TO MOVE FOR YOU TO MOVE.
IS YOUR FAITH DEPENDENT UPON YOUR PASTOR, A PERSON, OR GOD? (do not misunderstand me, I’m not saying do not trust your pastor or your brethren in everyday things)
CAN YOU SAY---“COME LET US GO OVER” AND PRAY FOR SO AND SO IT MIGHT BE THAT THE LORD MIGHT SAVE HIM OR HER? DO NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO INITIATE SOMETHING, YOU BY FAITH GO TO GOD! CAN YOU SAY---“COME LET US GO OVER” LETS PRAY FOR SO AND SO WHO IS GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME RIGHT NOW? OR WHATEVER THE SITUATION IS----GO BEFORE GOD IN FAITH FOR WHATEVER IS PRESSING! WE NEED TO BE AS JONATHAN!
1. We need to be like those four who brought their friend to Jesus. They encountered an obstacle, by faith they pressed on. They were not discouraged, no, they were moved by faith. We seem to get so easily discouraged.
2. We need to be like Phinehas in Numbers 25:1-13. He acted upon himself. In other words, he did not wait for someone else to move so that he might move. He acted in FAITH and CONVICTION, trusting God and God blessed him tremendously along with his posterity, Ps.106:30-31.
3. We need to be like Daniel in Daniel 1 and like the three Hebrew children in Daniel 3.
*****DO NOT WAIT FOR ANYBODY TO MOVE SO THAT YOU CAN MOVE: YOU MOVE UPON THE URGING OF GOD! (granted it must be spiritual and not fleshly)*************************************************
C. We want revival:
1. It must start with self. (pray like David in Ps.83:1, keep not thou silent, O God: hold not thy peace)
2. Then it will flow to the church
3. Then for the community.
D. Make this personal to our hearts as Jonathan did, but with faith.
1. It may be that the Lord will work for “ME!”
2. For there is no restraint to the LORD. (Examples: 2 Sam.12:22, there are few here in HDGBC, but who can tell what God will do? Jer.36:3 with Jonah 3:9)
II. The Persuasion of Jonathan: “…it may be that the LORD will work for us…”
A. We must have faith in the mighty works of God. “…for there is no restraint to the Lord…it may be that the LORD will work for us.”
B. To be as persuaded as Jonathan, to know that God is mighty.
C. To be persuaded that there is none who can hinder or keep God from doing or working.
D. To be persuaded in understanding that there are no limitations with God.
E. Jonathan knew that there was no restraint with God, why? Well maybe or because he understood the principle of faith in Eph.3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
1. Jonathan believed that his God was able to do above all that he could ask or think.
2. Come let us go over---it may be that the LORD will work for us!
F. Jonathan also understood the principle of faith in Matt.19:26, “But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
1. Jonathan knew that with himself and his armor bearer or with the army of Israel that it was impossible.
2. But he was completely persuaded that with God all things ARE POSSIBLE for he says, “…IT MAY BE…”
G. Jonathan knew his God and God’s Word and knew what God had done and performed in the past, i.e. that this was the God of Abel, Enoch and Noah. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! The God of Moses, Joshua and Samuel!
1. He saw what God had done in the past---if God did for them---then cannot this God work for me!
2. It might be that the Lord might be gracious to me---FOR---IT MAY BE THAT THE LORD WILL WORK FOR US: FOR (BECAUSE) THERE IS NO RESTRAINT TO THE LORD!
(a). There is none that can stay His hand! “And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Dan.4:35.
(b). There is none that can say, WHAT DOEST THOU? “Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?” Job 9:12.
(c). “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Romans 9:20 & 21.
3. The Bible sets forth the glorious truth that there is no restraint to the LORD. Just read the “I WILLS,” of God in the Bible and see if they were ever thwarted by impotent man.
(a). Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? I even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? Isa.43:10-12.
(b). Look at the wisdom of God, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” Prov.21:30, and Psalm 33:10 & 11, “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
(c). “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” Isa.14:24, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” Isa.46:10 & 11.
(d). “And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.” s Num.11:23.
H. How can this be? Simple, FOR THERE IS NO RESTRAINT TO THE LORD! How can this be applied spiritually? (all the following questions are a prelude to point #3.)
1. Can we believe God will move in our midst?
2. Can we believe God will do a work in our midst?
3. Can we believe God will save in our midst?
4. Can we believe God will bless when we evangelize, at work when we go door to door or where ever we evangelize, at school, where we buy groceries, pay our bills?
5. Better yet can we believe that God can give us the southwest side of San Antonio?
6. Can we make an impact in the community where our church is?
7. I shared with you a couple of Sunday nights ago about going forth in fasting and prayer to see God move in our midst.
8. Look at Jonathan’s faith as he went up against insurmountable odds. That which was impractical, that which was beyond one’s power---that when you look at it is humanistic-ally, unattainable!
9. You think Jonathan didn’t know this? Of course he did! This is why he did not trust in the arm of the flesh, but in the POWER AND MIGHT OF HIS GOD!
10. You see, it might be that the LORD will work for us, for there is no restraint to the LORD.
11. May God stretch and saturate our hearts with Jonathan’s conviction and belief.
12. This is what I want, this is what I hope for and may God be pleased to move in our midst. I want this for our Church, I don’t want to trust in the flesh or some fleshly method or program, no, I want to see God condescend and work for us.
13. I want to trust in the might and power of God not in some program, method or entertainment, but in the TRUE and LIVING GOD!
(a). “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zech. 14:6.
(b). “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance…” I Thess.1:5.
(c). “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
1 Cor.1: 17 & 18.
(d). “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Col. 2:8. I want that which is only after Christ!
III. The Power of Jehovah: “…for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many of by few.”
A. We must have faith in the power and ability of God.
B. Herein lies the key to evangelism!
C. The Lord will save or deliver by:
1. MANY –-or—
2. FEW!
D. Jonathan knew that God could deliver the Philistines into his hand, by many or by few, by tens of thousands or by a handful, or just 2.
E. This again is the whole key to evangelism, it is not contingent on or in our strength, but in the strength and wisdom and power of God!
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor.3:7.
F. It is not in the work of man or the arm of the flesh. Look at how Saul responded to the crises, I Samuel 14:52. He acted like our modern churches in our day do, trusting in MAN, in his wisdom, in his strength, in his ability, in his method.
G. It is not in man’s wisdom, regardless of what program is wholly accepted by Christendom. It is not in the 40 days of purpose, it is not in the promise keepers, it is not with what man comes up with.
1. It is not in the psychology of man-centered evangelism.
2. It is not in Christian narcissism.
3. It is not in some seeker-friendly gospel or seeker sensitive church.
4. We are not to be peddlers of the Word of God. We are not interested in some market-driven church.
5. It is not in pragmatism, that is, if it works, regardless of what it is, good! It does make a different if it is Scriptural or not. Does it work is the question. If it does not work, abandon it.
6. It is not in activities.
7. It is not in gimmicks, offering candy, toys sometimes money under seats etc.
8. It is not in drama or entertainment, that is, having the power team, the karate Christian, puppet ministry, clowns for Jesus and so forth.
(a). “They did not destroy the peoples, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them, But they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works; they served their idols, which became a snare to them... Thus they were defiled by their own works, and played the harlot by their own deeds.” Ps.106:34-36, 39.
(b). Sad but true, many in professing Christendom do not see the snare of these false programs as they have learned the works of the marketing world and implement them into their churches and are defiled by their own works. No wonder Christ said what He said in Rev 3:14-18, “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see”.
9. It is not in some Arminian works or free will gospel.
10. It’s not in mans plan of salvation.
11. It is not in any of these things and others we could spend time here naming that many churches do in our day and time. It is unbelievable what the church offers sinners in our day. It is sad how many things have replaced the gospel in many churches.
H. In spite of all this we need to be as Jonathan---that is---having faith in God alone and not in something we can conjure up. Not having faith in our power, our wisdom, our programs, no but FAITH IN GOD ALONE!
1. Faith in God’s work, God’s power, God’s might, God’s wisdom, God’s ability, God’s strength!
2. Faith in God’s way of evangelism. We must preach the true gospel, with passion, with conviction, not compromising for the sake of peace or ecumenicalism. “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Cor.4:2-6.
3. Remember, “it may be that the LORD will work for us, for there is no restraint to the LORD, to save by many or by few."
I. If we serve an Omnipotent God---A Sovereign God---we do not need to trust in fleshly things---but solely upon the Spirit of God to move with power to subdue sinners and to build up saints in the most holy faith. Jonah tells us clearly, “Salvation is of the LORD.” Jonah 2:9.
J. Examples of God moving with a few:
1. Gideon, Judges 7:1-9, 12, 15-22; 8:4, from 32,000 men of war to 10,000men to 300.
2. Asa, 2 Chron. 14: 9-12.
3. Paul and the Apostles and Disciples of Christ, Acts 17:1-6, (some believed and some believed not, verses 4 & 5 and in Acts 28:23 & 24.)
4. God overthrew the world with “12,” that is, He turned the world upside down with Paul and the others---If God did it for them why can’t He do it for us? I want Him to do it for us.
5. What method did God use? The simple mere preaching of the Gospel of Christ, Paul preached the Lordship of Christ, he preached (vs7) KING JESUS!
6. This is the preaching I want to preach. This is the plan I want to stick to: GOD’S PLAN! Preaching Christ Jesus and Him Crucified! This is the only means by which God will save sinners; according to the Bible, God’s WORD, God’s GOSPEL, God’s TRUTH! I will stick to this plan! If 21st century men want to use and follow all kinds of programs and pragmatism that it offers, let them, but I want to stay and stick to God’s PROGRAM! I want to trust God’s plan of salvation in preaching Christ as the only way of salvation!
7. If God turned the world upside down in Acts 17---can it be---it might be---who can tell what God might do---in the Southwest Side of San Antonio?
8. You see brethren “in might be that the LORD will work for us; for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.”
9. Come let us go to unto the garrison of these uncircumcised in heart in the Southwest Side of San Antonio and take the gospel of Christ to them!
10. Sad, but sometimes we are like that man in Mark 9:23 & 24, “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
I would not want to hear the following words from God when I die and give account for my pastorate: “I could not do great and mighty works in Southwest San Antonio because of unbelief.” “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matt.13:58.
May God be pleased to stir up our hearts: Haggai 1:12-12 and Ezra 1:5
Consecrate your lives and service to God this day! 1 Chron.29:1-5.
Sing: Have Faith in God.
