Sermon Central
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Paralyzation Of Faith Series
Contributed by Ronnie Smith on Jul 15, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: Chick-fa-la has an advertising campaign that displays cows holding up signs saying “eat more chicken”. This is cute because the cows are trying to save their own lives by convincing others to “eat more chicken”. If we as Christians expect to be all God
Strife - 1 a: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension b : an act of contention : FIGHT, STRUGGLE
2 : exertion or contention for superiority
Midian- In the Hebrew Text means Strife.
1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian (STRIFE) seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian (STRIFE) prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites (STRIFE) the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites (STRIFE) came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites (STRIFE); and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites (STRIFE),
8 That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
As we read, please understand that you can put the name of any believer in there to replace the words, children of Israel.
Paralyzation of our FAITH is strife.
Over the years as a son of a Pastor and even as a Youth Pastor and now for the past few years a Senior Pastor, when I someone in the church that could not dwell in Unity and Harmony it hurts my heart and I can’t imagine what it does to the heart of God.
I hear of churches and people all over the country that are full of potential but people hinder the move of God.
Strife paralyzes my Faith.
It is water on the flame.
When did Strife developed?
When the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord.
The only thing that really matters is the “sight of the Lord”. The Sight of the Lord is seen when no one else on earth can see.
It means they displeased the Lord. They made him disappointed.
Evil-grief, hurtful, troubled, wicked.
God looked at them and said they were causing trouble.
Listen to what the Prophet said to Israel:
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
Unbelief literally translates - unfaithfulness or disobedience.
God said I saved you, set you free, delivered you, I have blessed you, but you have not obeyed my voice.
Strife is disobedience to God.
IF YOU LIVE A LIFE OF STRIFE AND ALWAYS KEEP SOMETHING GOING AND ALWAYS PICKING UP THE TELEPHONE AND GOING BEHIND PEOPLES BACK TO BUILD YOUR OWN LITTLE KINGDOM, YOU ARE SINNING!
As strife develops, we see the definition of strife:
Hebrew word for strife – Chidding or contention, controversy, quarreling.
Greek-quarrelling, contention debate, conflict,
IT IS A DESCISION THAT YOU MAKE.
24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
This was between His disciples. Those who loved him, spent time with him.
Strife over who teaches the class, who gets to sing, who gets more handshakes, who’s on the board.
When was Strife displayed:
Some people love misery.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
This is not of God.
Where you have envy and strife you have disorder.
