Victory Or Defeat

Victory or Defeat

Judges 1:1-7

INTRODUCTION

Imagine for a moment that you are invited to a royal banquet by a king named Adonibezek.

1) Almost any food you could hope for on the table.

2) Over to one side you notice a strange sight.

a. A group of men chained to a table begging for food.

b. You see the king throw a piece of meat to the group of men and watch as they scramble and fight for the food to the delight of the king.

3) You notice something particularly strange about each

of these men as they try to pick up the food.

a. They are missing their thumbs.

b. They are missing their big toes.

Who are these men? They are 70 kings who king Adonibezek has conquered in battle.

The reason for this is found in the meaning of his name.

Adonibezek--"My Lord Lightning"

With great speed he would conquer his enemies.

I. THE SAD STATE OF THESE SEVENTY SOVEREIGNS.

A. They Were Defeated.

We are not told how they were defeated, but it could

have come from any number of reasons.

1. They Could Have Been Ambushed.

2. They Could Have Been Out Manned.

3. They Could Have Been Outsmarted.

4. They Could Have Been Under Armed.

Whatever the reason, when the battle was over they were defeated.

B. They Were Dethroned.

These men were meant to rule. They were of royal blood and had been given the throne.

C. They Were Disabled.

1. No Thumbs--They could not hold a sword in battle.

2. No Big Toes--They could not stand to fight or run.

D. They Were Disgraced.

1. Once a king with royal treatment.

2. Now a beggar with humiliation.

Defeated, Dethroned, Disabled, Disgraced.

II. THE CORRESPONDING CONDITION OF CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS.

I don’t believe that it is by accident that this story

appears in scripture or that the king’s name means

"Lord Lightning".

Satan is called "Lord Lightning"

Revelation 1:6--says that Christ "...hath made us kings

and priests unto God..."

I Peter 2:9--"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal

priesthood...."

Romans 6:12--"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."

Romans 6:14--"For sin shall not have dominion over you"

Yet many Christians allow sin to rule them.

A. Many Christians Are Defeated.

1. Some Have Been Ambushed.

I Peter 5:8--"Be sober, be vigilant; because your

adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh

about seeking whom he man devour."

2. Some Have Been Out Manned.

We try to go the battle alone and we are no match for Satan.

Ephesians 6:10--"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."

3. Some Have Been Outsmarted.

Ephesians 6:11--"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

II Corinthians 2:11--"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

4. Some Have Been Under Armed.

Ephesians 6:13--"Wherefore take unto you the whole

armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in

the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

B. Many Christians Have Been Dethroned.

We were meant to rule and reign in Christ but we have

allowed "Lord Lightning" to dethrone us.

1. Sin Of Not Trusting The Lord -- Worry

2. Sins Of The Flesh -- Thought life, drinking, smoking, pornography, bad language.

Saved but not on the throne.

C. Many Christians Have Been Disabled.

1. Lost The Ability To Use The Sword Of The Spirit.

2. Lost The Ability To Stand And Go Forward In Victory.

Satan comes along and pushes you and you fall over.

Fall to every temptation. Cannot Serve God.

D. Many Christians Have Been A Disgrace.

You’ve lost your testimony. Living like the world.

We have a lot of secret service Christians.

They don’t want to look like, talk like, or walk like Christians.

Their behavior doesn’t match what they say.

Captive of Lord Lightning.

Read Judges 1:1-7

III. THE LOFTY LIFE OF OUR LIBERATING LORD.

1 Cor. 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Remember Three Things About Satan.

1. Satan Is A Definite Fact.

Not a mythological character.

Not just a force or influence but a real person.

He has life, intelligence, a will, a feeling.

2. Satan Is A Destructive Force.

He is out to defeat you.

Christianity, Church, Family, Person.

3. Satan Is A Defeated Foe.

B. How Do You Gain Victory.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

In this verse, Paul the apostle is giving testimony to the church at Corinth that in Christ there is victory.