Sermon Central
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Contending For Your Destiny: An Introduction Series
Contributed by Marty Boller on Nov 2, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: #1 of 3 teachings. There is a great need for Christians to awaken to the unique call & destiny awaiting all those who follow Jesus. Yet how many treasures of God’s Kingdom are never claimed because we try to remain civilians in a time of war?
King Aragorn (from JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: ’The Return of the King)’: "A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand!"
One of my favorite passages of promise…
Jeremiah 29:11 (MsgB)I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
The Bible is full of wonderful promises like this.
Promises from God that literally can take our breath away.
Yet, the sad news… many of us fail to see these promises completely fulfilled in our lives. God’s promises are stolen away.
Why? Because the devil comes to steal & destroy them?
Yes, BUT deeper is the fact that YOU & I FAIL TO CONTEND for our destiny. We fail to enter into the role God has for us. The important role that God wants for us so that we may be recepients of His hope & promises.
IT’S TIME TO CONTEND FOR OUR DESTINY! Time to take off the gloves & go at it. WARNING!! Over the next few weeks, we’re going to call you to WAR. No weenies allowed!
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men (& women) lay hold of it.
KJV: violent men, warriors, men & women like David who were not afraid in times of war.
Keep in mind…I’m a pretty peaceful kind of guy. I hate conflict.
Mercy & compassion.
I’m not a risking kind of guy
BUT GOD ASKED ME…when are YOU going to start CONTENDING FOR YOUR DESTINY???
1st Chronicles 12: 32 The Sons of Issachar
Tell the story.
High water mark of OT
David as coming to the throne
List of tribes & what they contributed toward the process
Sons of Issachar had a ‘unique’ annointing
*Knowing the uniqueness of the times.
*Knowing what to do during this unique time.
Sons of Issachar were READY TO CONTEND FOR THEIR DESTINY! ARE YOU????
Are YOU ARE AWARE OF THE UNIQUENESS OF THE TIME YOU LIVE IN?
ARE YOU AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE FOR YOU TO CONTEND FOR YOUR DESTINY RIGHT NOW?
Sometimes STORIES & FAIRY TALES make the point better.
LORD OF THE RINGS.
HOBBITS.Simple creatures. Loving, gentle & kind creatures. Humble, small, insignificant. Peace-loving. Loved community.
But a bigger story was unfolding around theme. EVIL was stirring. It threatened to destroy everything of MIDDLE-EARTH.
Destiny DREW SAM & FRODO into the bigger story. Gentle Hobbits had to learn to pick up the sword & LEARN TO CONTEND for their DESTINY & the DESTINY of MIDDLE EARTH!
IT’S TIME! Ephesians 5:14-16 For it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
CLOSING PRAYER
