SF271 - CARRY ME FROM THE BATTLE (1 Kings 22 29-34)

            SF271

                                                                                                                           Starke Lake (revival) 04‑91; MVBC 9/91

                                                                                                                                                           Tremont BC 4/27/92

                                                                                      CARRY ME FROM THE BATTLE

1 KINGS 22:29‑34

INTRODUCTION

                                                                                       WHY I DON'T GO TO CHURCH

After he had received a number of replies, he decided to show the weakness of their alibis by inserting the word "movies" wherever "church" appeared in their letters.

"I am out of the habit of going to the movies, that's why I no longer attend."

"I know a man who has gone to the movies for years, and he is no better than I am."

"There are as many good people outside the movies as inside."

"I stay away from the movies because I went when I was a child."

Biblical Background

Unholy Alliance

Undercover Approach

Unexpected Arrow

We are in a Spiritual Battle

(Ephesians 6:12)  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Satan is real and active - Demons are real

A Great Need

The greatest need in the Lord's Church is leadership

MANY HAVE CRIED, CARRY ME FROM THE BATTLE...

FOR I AM SICK!

The Cause

We all have different degrees of sickness

"MORBUS SUNDAYITIS"

The symptoms may vary, but there is never a loss of appetite.  The illness lasts no more than 24 hours, and a physician is never called.  While it always strikes on Sunday morning, its onset is never felt on Saturday night.

The patient sleeps well and wakes the next day feeling in the best of condition.  He'll eat a hearty breakfast, but about church time an attack comes on which keeps him from attending the service. By 12:30 he is greatly relieved and is able to enjoy his dinner.

In the afternoon he is so much better that he'll take a walk or go for a long ride.  Returning, he reads the Sunday newspaper and has a good supper.  Just before the evening service, however, he is hit with another attack, and he thinks it best to stay home.

Surprisingly, on Monday morning he is refreshed and ready to go to work, and none of the symptoms reoccur until the following Sunday.

The Cure

Seek the healing hand of the great physician!

                                                                                                       DAVID RING

FOR I AM TIRED!

The Cause - Burnout or Bum‑out

                                                                               EVIL HEARTS CAUSE LYING TONGUES

After a thorough physical examination, a man said, "Tell me in plain language, Doc, what's really the matter with me?"  "Do you want it straight?  "Yes."  "Well ‑ there isn't a thing in the world wrong with you except that you're just plain lazy!" "Okay," drawled the listless patient, "now give me the medical term for it so I can tell my wife!"

The Cure: Serve Where Gifted

FOR I AM OLD!

The Cause - Retirement Syndrome

The Cure - Life Begins At...

Abraham ‑ 75 (GEN 12:4)

Moses ‑ 80

Apostle John ~80 when he wrote Revelation

                                                                                   "WHAT GIVES WITH MRS. CRAIG?"

A Nashville newspaper carried a story about Mrs.. Lila Craig who hasn't missed attending church in 1,040 Sundays although she is in her eighties.  The editor commented, "It makes one wonder, what's the matter with Mrs.. Craig?

Doesn't she ever have unexpected company?  How is it that she never goes anywhere on Saturday night so that she's too tired to attend the worship service the next morning?  Doesn't she ever 'beg off' to attend picnics or family reunions, or have headaches, colds, nervous spells, or tired feelings?

Doesn't she ever oversleep or need time to read her Sunday newspaper?  Hasn't she ever become angry at the minister or had her feelings hurt by someone and felt justified in staying home to hear a good sermon on the radio or TV?  WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MRS. CRAIG ANYWAY!"

FOR I HAVE SINNED!

The Cause

Sin Will Cause Us To Pause

Sin Does Not Have To Paralyze

The Cure - God specializes in using sinners!

APOSTLE PAUL

FOR I HAVE BEEN OFFENDED!

The Cause

Being offended will not keep you from...

Work - The grocery store - Family - Friends

The Cure

If you have offended someone

(Matthew 5:23‑24)  "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, {24} leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

If you have been offended

(Matthew 18:15)  "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

FOR I AM UN‑PREPARED!

The Cause

"Someone else can do it better."

The Cure

The Real Question - Has God told you to do it?

The Real Problem - Are you willing to prepare?

APPLICATION

Are You Faithfully Serving The Lord?

Or Have You Been Carried From The Battle

Get Back In The Battle There Is Too Much At Stake!