IN ANY WAR
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, June 6, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
IN ANY WAR
By Michael D. O’Neal…..Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church…..Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Exodus 32:15-29
Text: Exodus 32:17
Exodus 32:17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
Introduction: When Moses and Joshua returned from getting the ten commandments on the mount, Joshua was alarmed at what he thought was the sounds of war! Actually, the shouting, singing, and dancing were just part of a rap music worship service that they had picked up while they were in captivity in Africa! It was a mess. They were dancing to Motley Crew rap music, naked, while worshiping false gods!
Anyway, there are certain things that accompany a war, such as the sounds of battle. Joshua thought he heard the sounds of battle. We who are saved are in a war, beloved. It is not a war against each other. It is not a war against the government. It is not a war against other denominations. It is a war against the DEVIL. I want to point out tonight some ingredients of war that are common to the spiritual warfare in which believers engage today.
I. IN ANY WAR THERE IS A CAUSE
1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
A. The cause is the plight of the lost
B. The cause is the protection of the lambs
C. The cause is the praise of the Lord
II. IN ANY WAR THERE IS COMBAT
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
A. Combat calls for skill with a weapon
* Our weapon is the word of God
B. Combat calls for the spirit of a warrior
* Christians need killer instinct toward the devil.
* They should determine to smash him!
C. Combat calls for steadfastness in the war
III. IN ANY WAR THERE ARE CASUALTIES
2 Samuel 1:25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
A. We lose some soldiers to death
B. We lose some soldiers to dishonor
C. We lose some soldiers to desertion
IV. IN ANY WAR THERE ARE THE COMPASSIONATE
Luke 10:33-34 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
The above passage may not be from one of the Bible’s war stories, but it does show that
A. A compassionate soldier detects the wounded
B. A compassionate soldier doctors the wounded
* With counsel from the scriptures
* With comfort
* With company
C. A compassionate soldier defends the wounded
* He watches for the enemy (Satan) to attack again.
V. IN ANY WAR THERE ARE COWARDS
Psalms 78:9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
A. They fear the unknown
B. They fear the unpleasant
C. They fear the unpopular
VI. IN ANY WAR THERE ARE THE COURAGEOUS
Joshua 10:7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.
A. They are not stopped by the enemy’s magnitude
B. They are not stopped by the enemy’s might
C. They are not stopped by the enemy’s mouth
* Goliath frightened the Israelites with his taunting, sneering, and threats.
* The devil will tell you that you’re a “goner.”
VII. IN ANY WAR THERE IS A CONQUEST
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
A. We are past conquerors
B. We are present conquerors
C. We are promised conquerors
* Praise God for the book of Revelation!
* The end has been written already! And we are on the winning side!
Hallelujah!!!