Soldiers Never Leave A Man Behind Series

"We Were Soldiers"

Soldiers Never Leave A Man Behind (3 of 3)

Deut. 2:24-36 April 6, 2003 FBC, Chester, IL Mike Fogerson Speaker

Introduction:

I The first command that God has given us is to go to war.

A God told Israel to pick a fight. (vv:24)

2:24 "Set out now and cross the Arnon Gorge. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his country. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle.

a After God had given a clear declaration of war, Moses tried diplomacy. (vv:26-28a)

26 From the desert of Kedemoth I sent messengers to Sihon king of Heshbon offering peace and saying, [27] "Let us pass through your country. We will stay on the main road; we will not turn aside to the right or to the left. [28] Sell us food to eat and water to drink for their price in silver. Only let us pass through on foot--

*Compromise over courage

b Because Israel refused to go in to battle, God sent the battle to Israel. (v:32)

DT 2:32 When Sihon and all his army came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz,

*God gave His Army complete Victory!! (vv:33-34a, 36)

[33] the LORD our God delivered him over to us and we struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army. [34] At that time we took all his towns and completely destroyed them...[36] From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the gorge, even as far as Gilead, not one town was too strong for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them.

B FBC has been called to go to war from her Commanding officer! (Eph. 6:12-13)

[12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph. 6:12/13

a We are fighting the devil and the demons of hell for the heart & soul for every man, woman, child, & home in Chester.

(The enemy is at the gate, the flood waters are rising and it’s up to us to turn the tide!)

b For years now the church as been so careful not to offend people, muddy the waters, cause waves, be low key...those days are over!!!

*The time for diplomacy has ended, it’s time to put on our armor and take to the battle field.

C Many of us are in war/battle, but it’s with people who are sitting in the same pews we are. (That’s a tactic of the enemy. Divide and Conquer. Makes us ineffective as unit/church)

a If a tiger fights a lion, the tiger will win every time. If 10 tigers fight 10 lions, the lions win every time. WHY? Because the tigers will fight as individual tigers, the lions will battle together as a pride!

b Many of us have been warring for a long time, but it’s been against each other. We’ve had friendly fire in our churches for a long time. It’s time stop fighting like tigers and begin fighting as lions!!!!!

T.S.: Be aware that in every battle there will be those who take a hit from enemy fire.

[2] In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-4)

II The second command that God has given us to never leave a man behind.

A Jesus deployed His troops into hostile territory. (Luke 10:3, Jn. 15:19)[3]

Luke 10:3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

a He promised to stay with His troops.

[6] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deut. 31:6

[5] No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you Josh. 1:5

because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Heb. 13:5b

*God doesn’t break a promise

NU 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?