LESSONS FROM AN OLD SOLDIER

TEXT: II Samuel 21:15-22

Introduction

A.        In our text David was engaged in a battle with the Philistines

1.      This battle took place when David was past the prime of his life, and in the battle the old warrior grows weary

2.      David’s enemy sensed the king's vulnerability, and filled with confidence, he presses his advantage

3.      Furious and unrelenting in his assault, David was on the defensive, and only able to block one blow after another

4.      David could not hold out much longer; he was about to die, but then Abishai came to his rescue

B.        God's man is rescued, and we can learn some valuable lessons from the old soldier

I.           we do not lose our value by losing an ability

A.        We may not always be able to serve the Lord in the same way we do now, or the way we used to

1.      It may be a source of frustration and grief, to lose abilities we once had

2.      Our health will not always allow us to do what we so desperately want to do

B.        Verse 17, David’s men said that he could no longer go into battle with them

1.      Here was a man who still had the fight in him, but who could no longer be in the fight

2.      Was it a sign that he had lost his value, or that he could no longer be a contributing member of his nation

3.      The very reason his men insisted that he not return to battle was his value [that thou quench not the light of Israel]

4.      His very presence was such a force among God's people, that it was too precious to lose.

5.      It is wrong to measure our usefulness by only the external measures of activity

C.        Example:  everyone who enters a worship service carries with him a spiritual atmosphere

1.      When a person comes in filled with bitterness and unbelief, they drain the spiritual climate

2.      When a Spirit-filled believer is present, he adds to the service just by his very presence

3.      Any pastor can tell you that it is easier or harder to preach, depending on who is in the service

II.         we should expect the enemy to be constantly on the attack – 15, 18, 19, 20

A.        Just like Israel and the Philistines; we know that there will always be another spiritual battle to be fought

1.      There is no point in Christian maturity that marks the end of the conflict

2.      Battle is part of the Christian life.

B.        There is no blessing without a battle

1.      God uses the battle in our life to teach us stability and faithfulness, along with other things

2.      We should thank God for the battles in our life, rather than complain about them

3.      As long as we are a threat to the devil, he will be attacking

III.       we should realize that the enemy attacks us when and where we are weak – 15-16

A.        When did the giant move in for the kill; when David grew faint

B.        Professional athletes often keep books on the weaknesses and strengths of opposing players

1.      We can be sure that the devil has a "book" on us

2.      He knows when we are growing faint, where we are vulnerable, and to what we are susceptible

3.      None of us has the luxury of an unguarded moment, or an area without growth

IV.      we should be alert to an old enemy with a new weapon – 16 [he being girded with a new sword]

A.        New swords work

1.      Ask Iraq; smart bombs and high-tech weaponry caused them to surrender in droves

2.      Ask Japan; they were prepared to fight a U.S. invasion, until the second atomic bomb was dropped

3.      An ancient Chinese general wrote, "When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics, but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways"

B.        The devil is no less smart

1.      While the temptations are the same, the labels and packaging are changed all the time

2.      The devil never attacks in the same way twice, there is always some variations

V.        we need the help of others in the battle - 17

A.        We would do well to learn, that spiritual warfare is just too heavy a burden to carry alone

Eccles. 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

B.        Even David needed the aid of Abishai

C.        Paul described Epaphroditus as, "my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier" - Phil 2:25

D.        David didn't fight alone, and Paul didn't fight alone, and neither should we

E.        If our situation is not like that of David, then we should be like Abishai, and looking out for those who are

VI.      we should develop the power of a godly influence

A.        In this passage, we see three more servants of David, who were named as giant killers – 18-21

1.      We live in a time when giants roam the earth, killers who devour God's people

2.      Spiritual giants, but giants nevertheless, and giants which must be slain

3.      Sibbechai, Elhanon, and Jonathon were giant killers, and all three were under the influence of that man of God, who pioneered giant killing

B.        It seems that those who were around David caught what he had

1.      These grew up hearing about the victories of David, and aspired to victories of their own

2.      These looked up to David, and wanted to be like him

3.      There is nothing wrong with having heroes, but they need to be the right heroes

C.        Verse 22 is a summarization of what happened

1.      We should notice that is says they fell by the hand of David and his servants

2.      Why does it say that they fell by the hand of David, when he did not kill any of them

3.      David had raised up and influenced a generation of giant killers; their victory was his victory

4.      The giant killer had begotten giant killers

5.      May God enable us to do the same