NOTHING CAN HINDER THE LORD
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 14:1–15
TEXT: “For nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few” (1 Sam. 14:6c).
INTRODUCTION: Jonathan was a man of faith and action inspired by faith in the Lord. David, likewise. Therefore “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David” (1 Sam. 18:1).
I. Jonathan’s faith (1 Sam. 14:6).
A. “The Lord will work for us.”
B. “Nothing can hinder the Lord.”
C. “Come, let us go.”
II. Jonathan and his armor bearer.
A. His armor bearer’s faith (1 Sam. 14:7).
“Behold, I am with you, as is your mind, so is mine.”
B. Jonathan’s test (1 Sam. 14:9–12).
“If they [the Philistines] say ‘Wait …’ then we will stand still in our place and we will not go up to them.”
“If they say, ‘Come up …’ we will go up; for the Lord has given them into our hand.”
“The Philistines said, ‘… Come up to us and we will show a thing.’ ”
“Jonathan said to his armor bearer, ‘Come up after me; for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.’ ”
III. Faith is the victory.
A. Jonathan and his man climbed up on their hands and feet.
B. There were twenty Philistines. “They fell before Jonathan” and his armor bearer “finished them off.”
C. The Philistine defeat in this fortified spot created panic throughout the whole Philistine army.
CONCLUSION: God wrought a great victory with two men of faith. He still does so today with men who put their faith into action.
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