Sermon Central
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Fighting The Enemy From Far Off Pt. 1 Series
Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Feb 22, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: We must learn strategy in battle, this text shows how an unqualified soldier goes out with courage simply because there was a cause.
Killing the Enemy from far off
1 Sam 17:1-11
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.
7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
Killing the Enemy from far off
Vs. 1-3 there’s always a divide between good and bad
The enemy comes to try to make an assault on the church
The enemies of the church are watchful to take all advantages, and they never have greater advantages than when her protectors have provoked God’s Spirit and prophets to leave them. Saul mustered his forces, and faced them,
Prepared for Battle
Vs 4-7 1) Goliath’s height was 9’ 9” 2) Helmet: Protection but not the armor of God 3) Coat of Mail 5000 shekels (125 pounds) 4) Bronze armor on his leg 5) Spear 6) Spear Head (15 Pounds) Shield Bearer went before him (Another Source of Protection). Ephesians 6:17-18 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
When It’s time to go to battle it seems as if there are never any volunteers to assist in the Fight.
We give the giant too much space in the quarters of our brain and when we do this we can also give the giant more authority in our conscience than he deserves, when we have given the giant space and opportunity the giant becomes the first thought of our morning and the last worry of the night.
When the enemy calls out our pain in public he thus calls out our promotion and our celebration as well.
Isa 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
The giant will do several things:
1) Taunt you 2) Boast of his power 3) Occupy your mind 4) Try to arm himself with armor that you would wear.
A NAZARENE
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (Matt 2:23) - Jesus of Nazareth, may we never be ashamed to be called the followers of the lowly Nazarene. We too are "highly favored" to be your followers. Help us to live up to our calling. Amen.
FRIEND OF SINNERS
Behold...a friend of publicans and sinners. (Matt 11:19) - These are the words of Jesus Himself. He quotes their own phrases as applied to Himself. Matthew 11:19 Lord Jesus, the world is full of friendless sinners. May we make them acquainted with You who are their Friend. May our lives demonstrate Your love. Amen.
GOD’S SERVANT
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen. (Matt 12:18) - Jesus, the prophesied Servant! Isaiah had portrayed Him. Dear Lord, let us labor with You, the Servant of Jehovah, today and thus make it a good day for You and for us, as You would be pleased with our work. Amen.
GOD’S BELOVED
Behold...my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased. (Matt 12:18) - Our Father, Your love for us has broken all the barriers down; and we pray that Your Spirit may rest upon us this day as we meditate upon the greatness
