Four Types of People Needed in our Church
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. 9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: 10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. 11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.
If you read chapters 21-23 of 2 Samuel, you’ll see 4 men whom God used to win some mighty victories. In these 4 we find the type of individuals we need to do God’s work.
You’ll see four types of people that we need in our church! - That’s what I want to preach about for a little while tonight...
God gave David and many of his men some great victories.
Let’s take a look at these four tonight and see what we can learn:
I-Adino
I-Adino
8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
He faced the odds of 800 to 1 – slew them all. He was a mighty man of God who believed in his cause. He was strong because of operating in a strength outside of himself – Gods power...
We will not succeed in being a victorious christian unless you are willing to face the odds.
Many times the odds are against us – must face them as they come: family – work – financial – etc.
If we are to be a winner, we must stand.
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Adino learned from his leader – David that Gods power was available to him and he could overcome the odds in his life.
God would have us to do battle – not quit. Lot could have changed Sodom, had he lived for God. He had a great example, but ruined his testimony!
Adino could have run – faced 800 - we must keep trying – win souls, get involved. We have a God given responsibility.
We can see why he was chief military advisor for David. He not only had great strength, but a man of great wisdom.
God used him because he followed David the man of God. God uses people and we can follow them only as they follow Christ.
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Jesus desires for us to live and enjoy a victorious life.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Faith does nothing, but lets God do it all.
II-Eleazar
II-Eleazar
9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: 10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
He simply lost himself in the battle. No one can win the battle unless they lose themselves in the cause, not to think of ourself. Do not quit until the battle is over.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Watch those who do little remain so, those who are overloaded will volunteer. Don’t worry about the ones doing nothing – keep your eyes on Jesus.
We must, in order to win the battle of life, learn not to quit.
It takes commitment on your part and a sacrifice to win the battle.
The Christian life takes dedication – sacrifice and tenacity to keep going.
We are all brave when the other guy is little, but sometimes God wants us to fight some giants, and be a finisher. God is looking for someone to put a sword in their hand.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
If God’s given you a job – finish the race! God keep’s the record, and encourages us to win the race.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
We need the boldness of Gods saints recorded in the scripture. Peter – John – James and countless others not recorded.
There were 1,000’s who died for their faith.
III-Shammah
III-Shammah
11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.
Left alone in the pea patch, some may have thought it not important. Shammah withstood the whole army. Would not give up to the Philistines, not even a small piece of ground.
If we give in, Satan will prevail...
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
We should learn to stand for our church, rights, privilege to be an American, etc. Always be a gentleman or lady, but stand firm!
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
Shammah did not focus on his leaders, they had made the mistake of leaving. Don’t get your eyes on others!
Shammah knew what his opposition was and we need to focus on that.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
We know our opposition tonight!
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Thoughts, intentions, music, wrong friends, selfishness, any of those things can give place to the devil...Any sin can give Satan a foothold.
We need to watch out for our opposition!
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
If given something from the Lord – cleave to the sword – fight the devil, learn to say no.
IV-David
IV-David
1 And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
David was A FIGHTER AND WARRIOR FOR God – he was a giant killer.
David gathered the people around him who had many needs, troubles or debt.
If you are stressed out, discontented, financially strapped, you qualify for battle also. Davids army of 400 had to fight the Philistines, and nation of Israel. They were considered the misfits of their day.
David took the most unlikely bunch and did a work for God. Why don’t you let go and see what God will do with you.
Preacher, you don’t understand. I have been scarred, and so had David’s men, come on in, divorced, so had David’s men, come on in; some have committed adultery, come on in, you might say, I have sinned; I’ve done it all, hey! come on in. God forgives all sin!
These men were the off scouring of society, but when God gets a hold of ones life, and puts them in His army, they are somebody.
These men did mighty miracles, they lived for God. Living for God and serving Jesus is the most important thing.
We need people that will fight the battles of life.
Where are the Adinos, Eleazars, Shammahs, leaders like David? God has a work for us to do!
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
What are you waiting for? Get in the battle tonight!
Conclusion
Conclusion
All of these men stood for their king in spite of opposition, being out-numbered, out-muscled, exhaustion, or confusion.
They stood for their king. They were fearless, courageous, steadfast, and loved their king.
Their example is a challenge to us to be mighty men and women for Christ. As they were under David’s guidance, we ought to be under God’s guidance in our life.