Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, December 7, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
PREPARE FOR WAR IN 2004
by Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-35
Text: Luke 14:31
Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Introduction: HOW PREPARED ARE YOU?
Because of our calendar, people do more preparation in December than at any other time of the year. They prepare Christmas shopping, decorations, meals, vacation, and traveling. They prepare New Year’s parties and New Year’s resolutions. They prepare their final end of the year giving to charities and investing of their money.
Also, because of New Year’s Day and New Year’s resolutions, more people examine their PRIORITES at this time of the year than at any other. We tend to prepare for those things that we consider most important or seem most urgent. I want to ask you as Christians to make preparation for something to which you may not have given much attention. I will also reveal to you the theme that will be our emphasis in our church next year:
PREPARE FOR WAR IN 2004
I. PREPARE FOR WAR
2 Chronicles 17:18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
A. The field of battle is around us
1. In the areas of the mind
2. In the areas of morality
3. In the areas of our message
B. The foe is advancing
1. Our main foe is Satan
2. His spirits are at work
3. His servants and spies are out
C. The fight is at hand
1. You may be the next casualty!
2. Your family may be next!
3. 1 Pet. 5:8!
II. PREPARE TO WAIT
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
A. We need to wait in private
1. A battle is won in PRIVATE PREPARATION as well as in the open, direct conflict.
B. We need to wait for power – Eph. 6:10
Be sure that you have
1. The Lord’s arms
2. The Lord’s armor
3. The Lord’s ammunition
C. We need to wait in prayer
D. We need to wait with the precepts of God – Acts 20:32
E. We need to wait in our planning
1. Don’t move an INCH out of the will of God!
2. Don’t disobey, disregard, or distrust the orders of your Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ!
III. PREPARE TO WIN
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
1 Samuel 17:45-47 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.
In order to win the war:
A. We must enter the conflict
B. We must engage the enemy
C. We must endure hardship
D. We need to expect to win
1. 1 John 4:4
2. Phil. 4:13
3. David expected to win over Goliath, because he trusted in God!
E. We will enjoy the fruits of victory
1. A good testimony for many years
2. Children who will grow up and serve God
3. New converts and growing converts