IN THE LAND OF GIANTS: THE BATTLE FOR SANCTIFICATION

INTRODUCTION

Good morning – glad to be back in the pulpit.

Today our topic is,

LIVING IN THE LAND OF GIANTS: THE BATTLE FOR SANCTIFICATION.

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STORY OF DAVID AND GOLIATH

Tell the story!

I want us to understand this story as a type for how we gain victory over the giants of temptation and recurring sins.

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HOW DO WE LIVE VICTORIOUSLY OVER THE GIANTS OF TEMPTATION AND RECURRING SIN?

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LET JESUS FIGHT YOUR BATTLE!

2 Chronicles 20:15 NASB95

and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

We often think we are the hero of our life story. That we are David slaying the giants.

We are not the hero of the story

Colossians 2:14–15 NET

He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

David is a type and shadow of Jesus.

You and I are Saul and the Israelite soldiers.

We are utterly incapable of saving ourselves much less taking victory from the Giant of sin.

Jesus defeated temptation, lived sinlessly, carried our sin on the cross, defeated Satan, the principalities, and death.

Jesus is the giant slayer.

AND IT IS JESUS WHO CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR US.

Philippians 2:12–13 NET

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.

LAY DOWN YOUR SWORD AND CRY OUT TO JESUS TO GO TO WAR FOR YOU. ———————————————————————————

BEFORE WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW TO LET JESUS FIGHT OUR BATTLE, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE BATTLEFIELD AND WHAT THIS WAR IS ABOUT!

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THE MOUNTAIN OF SANCTIFICATION - IMAGE

This is our journey / as we move up the mountain and closer to Christ we become more like Him.

This is the point of the Christian life - to be more like Jesus to move closer to Him.

Romans 8:29 NET

because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

2 Peter 1:3–4 NET

I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.

THE ENEMY DESIRES TO STOP OUR ACENT, REVERSE OUR ACENT, OR EVEN PLACE US ON A FALSE MOUNTAIN - FAME, RICHES, POWER, GLUTTONY - ANY MOUNTAIN OTHER THAN SANCTIFICATION.

THIS BATTLE IS WAGED IN OUR MINDS AND HEART!

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NET

for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down argumentsand every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.

How temptation turns to sin

James 1:14–15 NET

But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

Enticed by our own lusts

lust gives birth to sin

Sin brings death

Genesis 4:6–7 NET

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.”

It is not a temptation if your heart does not lust for it.

Cain would not have been tempted by the sin of murder if he did not lust for revenge on his brother.

Our heart and mind are dark -

Yet, the very thing our heart and mind believe will bring remedy and joy, will often only bring death.

Like a possessed dog outside our door, it desires to dominate our lives.

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HOW DO WE LET JESUS, OUR CHAMPION FIGHT THE GIANTS FOR US?

RELY ON HIS GRACE AND NOT OUR OWN WILL POWER!

It is not by might nor by power but my Spirit..says the Lord.

ACTIVELY RESIST THE VOICE OF THE ENEMY IN YOUR MIND AND THE DARK LUSTS OF YORU HEART!

James 4:7 NASB95

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

WE DO THIS BY FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE JESUS LAID OUT DURING HIS TEMPTATION.

Identify the voice -

Is it yours? Then submit your will to Jesus.

Is it the voice of the enemy? - Defy it!

Through prayer begin to submit your will to God rather than to the temptation.

Begin to subjection the voice and thoughts to the Word of God - Speak God’s word out loud.

SEEK THE GRACE OF GOD TO HATE THE TEMPTATION AND THE SIN!

Proverbs 8:13 NET

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride and the evil way and perverse utterances.

We need to become a people who hate our own sins.

How many of you are tempted to eat poop? Why? Not tempting.

When we start hating the very things God hates, temptations will leave.

Ask God to replace your love for sin for love with Jesus.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart…..

Remember that temptation is a possessed animal that desires to dominate you and destroy your life.

FINALLY, REST FULLY IN THE GRACE OF GOD!

1 John 1:9–10 NET

But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

There is more grace in God than sin in you!

Do not let the enemy convince you that you have exhausted the love and grace of God in Jesus.

YOU CAN BE FREE AND YOU CAN CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN OF SANCTIFICATION.

JESUS IS YOUR CHAMPION LET HIM FIGHT AND YOU AND I SUBMIT TO HIS WILL AND REST IN HIS GRACE.

Resist the voice of the enemy by following the example of Jesus.

Seek the Grace of God to hate the temptation and recurring sin.

Rest fully in the grace of God.