Flawed Heroes: Shamgar All things are Possible

If God is for you who can be against you

Judges 3:31 (NIV)

31 After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.

Impossible situations

Know What?

Just like Shamgar if God is for us who can be against us?

With God all things are possible

Romans 8:31–39 NIV

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Shamgar saved Israel for a time by doing something that was impossible in his own strength, We are saved by Christ for all time.

Mark 10:26–27 NIV

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Know Why?

There is a battle in our lives - not against flesh and blood

Your life could feel like there are 600 Philistines attacking you right now.

Financial Hardship

Marriage hardship

John 16:33 NIV

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

When it feels like you are alone with 600 soldiers…I mean problems Jesus Christ is your victory.

What to do?

Shamgar used what he had been given a oxgoad…a farming tool

The Philistines invented Iron weapons. Their weapons where better, stronger, Sharper, and more powerful than Shamgar’s, but He chose to trust the God of the impossible

Use the powerful tools that God has given you

Put on the Full armor of God

Ephesians 6:10–20 NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Why should they do it?

When you are equipped for battle you will be able to stand firm against the devil’s schemes.

1 John 4:4 NIV

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The problems in life that we face may be as difficult as an army of 600 soldiers who are better quipped and better trained, but when Christ is you champion you will be able to win like Shamgar.

How to Do I use the Armor for battle?

1. Recognize the real enemy

It is not the people

It is not the sickness

It is not your lack of something

It is the evil in this world.

Shamgar was able to see the 600 who were against him. If we get distracted by the product of the enemy instead of the root of the issue we will only be trying to put out a fire by spraying the flames instead of the coals.

Now not everything is a demon, but often our issues stem from our and others predisposition toward evil or selfishness.

If we are having problems in our family…stop fighting the person about the issue and find the truth causing the problem. (belt of truth)

2. Trust the impossible

Shamgar was one facing 600, but God!

Whenever you have the Holy Spirit fighting with you

to strengthen

to protect

to encourage

to give strategy

You will able to do the impossible

Jesus said with man it is impossible to have salvation, but with God nothing is impossible

Once you have found that impossible salvation you can continue to walk in the impossible with God!

Worship Team

Invite all to the alter

What is it that is holding you back from the victory and freedom Christ has for you?

As the worship team begins singing ask Jesus to reveal what is holding you back and surrender it to Him

Allow God to work in your heart and mind. When you feel you are ready you can join in singing as we close, but take the time to really allow God to work.