The Art of War (2)

The War of Perception

When the soldiers of Israel saw Goliath, they thought to themselves, “He is so big that we can never kill him.” When David saw Goliath, he thought to himself, “He is so big that I cannot miss him.”

It’s interesting how we perceive things to be either as though they are or as though they are not.

A study was done where 85 percent of things we worry about never happened , and the 15 percent that did happen 79 percent of the subjects discovered either they could handle the difficulty better then expected or the difficulty taught them a lesson worth learning.

This means that 97 percent of what you worry over is not much more than a fearful mind punishing you with exaggerations and misperceptions.

1 Samuel 17:45–47 NLT

45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

1 Samuel 17:45-47

but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel.

Before you face your giant head on, point to who your conquer is - Jesus.

Are you coming to your giant with your own strength or the the Lords strength? As believers we need to be totally dependent on God’s ability through us. God says you go left, you go left. God says you go right, you go right. God Loves to Show off! So let Him show off!

Are you coming to your giant with your own strength or the the Lords strength? As believers we need to be totally dependent on God’s ability through us. God says you go left, you go left. God says you go right, you go right. God Loves to Show off! So let Him show off!

This is what David is saying here to Goliath, look man all your little weapons are futile against God! He made the material of the weapons that your holding! Silly Giant!

Your dependence is dependent on God’s ability. When has He ever let you down.

Hebrews 13:21 NLT

21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

It’s never about us, but always about our test in our testimony to proclaim God’s goodness to the world.

Today the Lord will conquer you - First statement of faith by David.

David has established with the giant that this is God’s fight.

and I will kill you and cut off your head. - The second statement of faith by David is that “he” David will work through his faith.

2. You can’t just have faith alone - you must have action with your faith.

James 2:19–24 NLT

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1492 Pulling on Both Oars

An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the good old man had carved on one oar the word “Faith,” and on the other oar the word “Works.” Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man, being a well-balanced Christian and glad of the opportunity for testimony, said, “I will show you.”

So saying, he dropped one oar and plied the other called Works, and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and began to ply the oar called Faith, and the little boat just went around in circles again—this time the other way around, but still in a circle.

After this demonstration the old man picked up Faith and Works and plying both oars together, sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger, “You see, that is the way it is in the Christian life. Dead works without faith are useless, and “faith without works is dead” also, getting you nowhere. But faith and works pulling together make for safety, progress, and blessing.”

And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear.

3. Your test is your testimony, to impact the world for God’s glory and your benefit.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 5857 Various Channels God Used

In a late publication, Dr. Basil Miller says that Dr. Reuben A. Torrey was won to Christ through the witnessing of a godly mother; Sam Jones, by his own father; George Mueller, by a friend; John R. Mott, by a teacher; George Whitefield, by a book; and Count Zinzendorf, through a certain picture. There is no prescribed type of testimony except that it be Christ-centered and Spirit-directed. Are we in the place where God can use our testimony? Are we making the most of our opportunities of witnessing for Him?

Give my testimony about the studio and Mr. T’s house - If I’m lead by the Holy Spirit.

This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

This is the third statement of faith by David to indicate his confidence in God.

Confidence without God is a questionable thing… Arrogance. Confidence with God is a guaranteed thing..... Faith.

Perspective with God is a guaranteed thing.....

4. Despite your surroundings and circumstances, allow God to influence your outcome through your faith.

Allow God to

Romans 4:20–22 NLT

20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

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Give my testimony about the studio and Mr. T’s house - If I’m lead by the Holy Spirit.