Fight

Will You Fight

This morning we are going to talk about fight.

As men fighting is something that is just instinctive.

But this morning it is not about physical fighting, as I am sure we could go around and talk about fight you may have been.

Or maybe you have a favorite fight you have witnesses before— I love the fight at the end of Bloodsport with Jean-Claude Van Damme— The first time a western won the event called bloodsport.

It’s a wild movie and they make 3 more all even more terrible then the first.

But man when he jumps up and lands that final blow it just gets you gasses up.

Or maybe it is the movie Rocky— and honestly 1,2,3,4 are all amazing

Rocky when he is in the ring with Drago— oh man!!

When Drago is in the corner and he tells his people that Rocky is not human— he is like a piece of iron.

and the Russian crowd starts to cheer for Rocky as the fight continues and then when he finally does win it is amazing.

We love a good fight— or we love seeing that athlete training montage that shows them getting ready for the big game.

There is something about a fight or having a bit of grit that we as men get drawn too.

And as men we natural get pulled into this fight mentality.

We literally just rolled around with each other for about an hour and half.

Fight— I don’t know what ZT was doing but we all were fighting.

I think that when we are passionate about something or we are going towards something that we want— we have to be willing to fight for it.

We have to be willing to grit our teeth for it.

And I think when it comes to the Christian faith— it would seem like fighting maybe doesn’t have a place here.

I mean we can’t beat people up to have them follow Jesus.

That would not work out very well.

But there is something about fighting for our faith.

As in there are things that are going to pull us in every which way.

We have different temptations, or things that the world wants to distract as with.

And if we are not willing to fight to strengthen our faith then we give up.

It would be as if you were an athlete the week before a big game you decide to go out and party it up, and not get much sleep, don’t watch game film, skip practice.

How do you think that is going to go for you?

Not well— not at all.

Yet I think at times we treat our faith this way.

We go okay, I’m saved and now I don’t have to do anything or run a race, I just wait til I die or until Jesus comes back.

And We have more work that is to be done after we come into a saving grace with Jesus.

There are lost people that need to hear the truth of the Gospel.

That Jesus came and lived a perfect life, and died on a cross for our sins to then be raised to life three days later.

That is the good news and get a chance to run that race.

And I would encourage you to do that with the same intensity as you would in a fight— Have passion for Chirst.

In the book of Acts, Paul is visiting this place called Lystra.

Acts 14:8–20 ESV

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

Paul got stoned and they believed he was dead— first off why was not Barnabas there with him.

It just talks about Paul— I would have some words with Barnabas about this.

But anyway— they drag him out of the city..

And when Paul wakes up what does he do?

He goes back into the city to proclaim the Gospel.

That is fight and Paul never had to throw a punch.

So at the end of his life he could say

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Paul knew that fighting for Jesus was 100% worth it.

What are some ways that we have to fight for our faith?

Maybe you don’t have a quite time— fight to make that a priority this week.

Maybe you don’t pray— fight to have a time each day where you sit down and pray intentionally.

Maybe you don’t witness to others— fight to share your faith this week— fight the urge to say no— fight the urge to think that this is uncomfortable and they don’t want to hear this.

Maybe you have some sin that is causing you to be doing things that you should be doing— fight against those.

I believe that our faith is worth the fight— it is worth fighting for.

Do you have a faith that has been fought for— not saying that you did something for it, but I am saying that you were willing to fight to keep the faith.

As you go this week— live in a way where you can say I am fighting the good fight.

Let’s pray