RJ - Don't Let Strife Dictate Your Life
Mind Wars - Leaving the dark side • Sermon • Submitted
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Don’t Let Strife Dictate Your Life
Don’t Let Strife Dictate Your Life
Theme: Mind Wars - Leaving the dark side
Ps Derrin - His agenda is destruction and his strategy is division.
This month
Overcoming Midian
Ps John - Don’t believe everything you think is right / Guard your mind from garbage.
Ps Nathan - Hit the reset button - purposing to renew your mind.
Key Scripture:
1 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,
2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.
3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them.
4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey.
5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it.
6 So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of the Midianites,
8 that the Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage;
9 ‘and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land.
10 ‘Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’ ”
11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
1 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,
2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.
3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them.
4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey.
5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it.
6 So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of the Midianites,
8 that the Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage;
9 ‘and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land.
10 ‘Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’ ”
11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
1 A time came after the death of Joshua when the People of Israel asked God, “Who will take the lead in going up against the Canaanites to fight them?”
2 And God said, “Judah will go. I’ve given the land to him.”
3 The men of Judah said to those of their brother Simeon, “Go up with us to our territory and we’ll fight the Canaanites. Then we’ll go with you to your territory.” And Simeon went with them.
4 So Judah went up. God gave them the Canaanites and the Perizzites. They defeated them at Bezek—ten military units!
5 They caught up with My-Master-Bezek there and fought him. They smashed the Canaanites and the Perizzites. 6 My-Master-Bezek ran, but they gave chase and caught him. They cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 My-Master-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to crawl under my table, scavenging. Now God has done to me what I did to them.”
They brought him to Jerusalem and he died there.
8 The people of Judah attacked and captured Jerusalem, subduing the city by sword and then sending it up in flames. 9 After that they had gone down to fight the Canaanites who were living in the hill country, the Negev, and the foothills. 10 Judah had gone on to the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba) and brought Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai to their knees.
11 From there they had marched against the population of Debir (Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher). 12 Caleb had said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it, I’ll give my daughter Acsah to him as his wife.”
13 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it, so Caleb gave him his daughter Acsah as his wife.
14 When she arrived she got him
to ask for farmland from her father.
As she dismounted from her donkey
Caleb asked her, “What would you like?”
15 She said, “Give me a marriage gift.
You’ve given me desert land;
Now give me pools of water!”
And he gave her the upper and the lower pools.
16 The people of Hobab the Kenite, Moses’ relative, went up with the people of Judah from the City of Palms to the wilderness of Judah at the descent of Arad. They settled down there with the Amalekites.
1 HAVE mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Background:
[Middle English strif, from Anglo-French estrif, estri, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch striden to fight, Old High German strītan to quarrel—more at stride] 13th century
Israel in Apostasy - in oppression - an example to us if we compromise God’s word and be disobedient, we go into bondage.. we place ourselves in the hand of Midian - into misery (bondage is always misery)
Psalm 51:1
1 a: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension 〈political strife〉
b: an act of contention: fight, struggle
Let’s Pray
Let’s Pray
Let’s Pray
Let’s Pray
2: exertion or contention for superiority
Verse 1 - Israel in Apostasy - in oppression because of their unfaithfulness to the covenant.
3 archaic: earnest endeavor synonym see discord—strife•less \ˈstrī-fləs\ adjective
They were weakened by their lack of obedience and devotion to the Lord.
Background: Israel in Apostasy - in oppression - an example to us if we compromise God’s word and be disobedient, we go into bondage.. we place ourselves in the hand of Midian - into misery (bondage is always misery)
Midian, (Midianites) - strife, contention
Israel in Apostasy - in oppression - an example to us if we compromise God’s word and be disobedient, we go into bondage.. we place ourselves in the hand of Midian - into misery (bondage is always misery)
Midian was the son of Abraham and his concubine Keturah strife \ˈstrīf\ noun
strife \ˈstrīf\ noun
2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.
strife \ˈstrīf\ noun
[Middle English strif, from Anglo-French estrif, estri, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch striden to fight, Old High German strītan to quarrel—more at stride] 13th century
They were weakened by their lack of devotion to the Lord - They made themselves dens & strongholds in the dark places
Midian was the son of Abraham and his concubine Keturah
1 a: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension 〈political strife〉
Midian was the son of Abraham and his concubine Keturah
b: an act of contention: fight, struggle
Judges
2: exertion or contention for superiority
3 archaic: earnest endeavor synonym see discord—strife•less \ˈstrī-fləs\ adjective
Midian strives against the truth over our lives. It tries to exert its superiority, in fear, intimidation, trying to dominate and oppress through it’s lies. Thoughts that run contrary to the truth of the word, that try to take us to to the dark side.
2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.
Judges
Because of the Midianites, they made themselves dens & strongholds in the dark places.
When we believe the lies of the enemy, we retreat to the darkroom. We place ourselves in the hand of Midian - into misery (bondage is ALWAYS misery)
3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them.
4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey.
5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it.
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Camped there - take over - dwell in their place of fruitfulness, destroy their fruitfulness (destiny, creativity, growth, reproductive ability)
Midian, Midianites - strife, contention
Camped in their fields - take over - dwell in their place of fruitfulness, destroy their fruitfulness (destiny, creativity, growth, reproductive ability)
Midian, Midianites - strife, contention
Midian was the son of Abraham and his concubine Keturah
Camped in their fields - take over - dwell in their place of fruitfulness, destroy their fruitfulness (destiny, creativity, growth, reproductive ability)
Camped in their fields - take over - dwell in their place of fruitfulness, destroy their fruitfulness (destiny, creativity, growth, reproductive ability)
Come in like a plague of locusts - contending against the truth over your life
The ultimate goal to destroy your life, God purpose, identity and relationship with God.
The enemy comes to ROB, KILL & DESTROY!
6 So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.
Israel was brought very low. Our lives become impoverished, if we give in to the lie.
Judges 6:
The enemy wants to oppress and stop you from becoming all God has intended you to be.
We place ourselves in the hand of Midian - into misery (bondage is always misery)Chap 6 Israel was brought very low - the result
11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.
Chap 6 Israel was brought very low - the result
Chap 6 Israel was brought very low - the result
Gideon was hiding, threshing wheat in the wine press
Gideon was hiding, threshing wheat in the wine press
Usually done on a hill or high place, so the wind could blow the chaff away and the heavier wheat would fall to the ground.
Gideon is threshing in the low dark lace of the wine press - always located in a valley.
Angel of the Lord (visible manifestation of God) came and waited under the terebinth Tree. God is there waiting, present, in our dark places, even when we don’t think anyone is there.
12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Judges 6:
God’s truth - light into the darkroom.
Angel of the Lord (visible manifestation of God) came and waited under the terebinth Tree. God is there waiting, present, in our dark places, even when we don’t think anyone is there.
God spoke into Gideon’s darkness.
God’s truth - light into the darkroom.
The presence of the Lord is what makes us - a mighty man/woman of valour.
His presence enlightens the darkness. It is God in us and through us
We defeat Midian
Gideon participated in a God dialogue
So how do we stop strife dictating our life?
So how do we stop strife dictating our life?
So how do we stop strife dictating our life?
So how do we stop strife dictating our life?
Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:14
Submit to God - Gideon participated in God’s dialogue over his life.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
o change our thinkingPhillipians 4:14
Keep close to the Lord, keep in His word. Be obedient. Make the God purpose over your life speak louder than any lie from the enemy. Obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Stay in His presence. Let God have his way in your life. Walk in repentance.
2. Resist the devil - Gideon did as God instructed and went on the offensive.
Resist the devil
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3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Realise that the you have authority over the enemy and can resist! Take thoughts captive and examine them for legitimacy against the plum line of the word of God.
Personal examples.
2 Corinthians 10
God’s way is the winning way, in the mind war.
Let’s Pray
Let’s Pray
Conclusion
Conclusion
Don’t let strife dictate your life!
Salvation Opportunity / Prayer
Salvation Opportunity / Prayer
Resist the devil
Having someone speak into our life, begins to change our thinking. God spoke into Gideon’s darkness.
The presence of the Lord is what makes us - a mighty man of valour.
His presence enlightens the darkness. It is God in us and through us.
A Psalm of David.
THE Lord is
my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
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