Questions on the Road to Victory
Next
to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded
together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s
troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of
the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought
about a great victory. 2 Sam. 23:11-12 (NIV)
"Courage
is almost a contradiction in terms:
it means a strongdesire to live talking the form of readiness to
die." - Gilbert K. Chesterton
1-
This
chapter contains the last words of Kind David.
2-
In
it he magnifies God & enumerates the most valiant men who served with him
and some of their deeds.
3-
The
story of Shammah the third of David’s “mighty men” catches
the imagination and illus. Truth.
There are several Questions you must answer on your way to
victory. (or defeat) (Shammah did)
1- Question One: Is
Anything in Your Life Worth Fighting For?
1- “Lentils” are
beans. (Old Saying, “That’s not worth beans?” Meaning its not
worth fighting over.)
2- These beans might have been
little but they were precious because they belonged to the Lord.
3- The value of a thing is not
always in its quantity or size.
1.
Unborn babies, or those who life has crushed.
2.
Truth – there is no such thing as small truth just as there
is no “small lie”.
4- Life will teach you that you
sometimes pay a big price for just a few beans! (Sin & Holiness)
5- Esau is an example of this
principle. (Gen. 25:30-34)
6- At some point in life you
must decide to stand for something!
7- Family? Marriage? Children?
Friendships? Church? (Tell Someone - Draw the line!!!)
2- Question Two: Are You
Going to Fight or Are You Going to Run?
1- You aren’t going to get
by without a fight! (You can count on conflict!!!)
1.
Internal Conflict- "Self"
2.
External Conflict- "Outward sin"
3.
Infernal Conflict- "Satan
2- Any fight worth fighting
continues until there is a winner!
3- A critical fight that ends in
a draw is a disaster!!
1.
Freedom vs. Terrorism?
2.
Creation vs. Evolution?
3.
Christianity vs. Atheism?
4- Will I be an Esau or a
Shammah? (Both made a great decision over “lentils”- beans)
5- If you are going to reclaim
your family you must prepare yourself to fight!!!! (Tell Someone –
Get Ready)
3- Question Three: Do You
Have Enough Courage to take the First Step?
1- While you are busy waiting
the enemy is stripping you of your most precious possessions!
2- You know the truth, now you
must act on it!
3- The time for you to act is
now!!!!
4- God is expecting YOU to take
next step!
1.
It is not the “1st step” in a real sense
because He has already done that.
2.
God gives you something then multiplies it when you give it back
to Him!
5- If you will fight, God will
give the victory!!!
6- Courage never means that you
are not afraid it simply means that you control your fear!
7- We sometimes celebrate the
foolishly courageous, but we never celebrate the coward!!
1- What is it that you should be
fighting for instead of against?
2- Will you fight?
3- When?
POEM
I'd rather be the ship that sails,
And rides the billows wild and free,
Than to be the ship that always fails
To leave its port and go to sea.
I'd rather feel the sting of strife
Where gales are born and tempests roar
Than to settle down to useless life,
And rot in dry-dock on the shore.
I'd rather fight some mighty wave
With honor in supreme command,
And fill at last a well-earned grave
Than die in ease upon the sand.
I'd rather drive where sea storms blow,
And be the ship that always failed
To make the port where it would go
Than be the ship that never sailed.
Email openarms@openarmsbaptist.com Web Site openarmsbaptist.com