Marvin Chapel Free Will Baptist Church

Text: 2 Sam 23:9-10

Introduction:

A.     ELEAZAR was one of David’s mighty men, One of top 3 men.

1)      The Philistines had attacked the Israelite army and it had retreated.

2)      Eleazar, David and two more stood their ground and fought.

3)      Four men against a whole army - They won because God fought on their side.

B.     “Fall Back” cried the Israelite army…

1)      The Philistines began falling back..

2)      The dust was thick - When it settled, ELEAZAR was standing in the midst of dead bodies.

C.     I’ve visualized many times: Men all around ELEAZAR – the Philistines all dead….

1)      He wants to lay down his sword, but his hand is embedded into the hilt of it.

2)      Had fought so hard, gripped his sword so tightly that when he tries to lay it down he cannot.

3)      That s what I call standing for God!

D.     We need more Eleazars Today.

1)      Those willing to fight against the foes of God.

2)      Willing to fight against ALL Odds.

3)      Sin is Rampant today - It is like wildfire…

I)       GET A TIGHT GRIP ON GOD’S WORD.  The Bible Doesn’t Need to Be Re-Written - It Needs To Be Re-read

A)      HOW MEN EXAMINE THE BIBLE.

1)      Examine Bible in the light of History - They ought to Examine History in the light of the bible.

2)      It is right in its doctrine - And in its prophecy.

B)      LOOK AT WHAT MAN DOES.

1)      We sit around examining the Jawbone of an Ass when we ought to be killing the Philistines.

2)      When all the time the whole world needs these simple truths put to their hearts..

(a)    Man is a sinner - Christ is the Saviour of sinners

(b)    If sinners don’t get saved they go to hell..

C)     LOOK AT WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT JESUS. Gal 4:4 

1)      When Jesus came they look for the Messiah - But they looked for Him in palaces and mansions.  They looked for an earthly king To lift them up on high;  But He came a little Baby thing that made a woman cry.

2)      Came when the “Fulness Of Time Was Come”

3)      He Is Coming Again.   1Thes 4:16-17

D)     WHAT CHRISTIANS NEED TO DO.

1)      Take your Bible - Put your thumb around book of Revelation – Wrap your finger around the book of Genesis..

2)      Hold it up to a lost dying world  declare I believe It All “In The Beginning” To The Last “Amen”

E)      3 PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE 

1)      There Is No Contractions; 

2)      There Is Contextual Principle (Read what goes on before & after) 

3)      There Is Ethical Principle.

II)      GET A TIGHT GRIP ON THE GOSPEL.

A)      THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY IS THREEFOLD  Mt 28:19-20 

1)      To Bring Them In 

2)      To Build The Up 

3)      To Send Them Out.

B)      I HOPE MY MINISTRY MAKES A DIFFERENCE 

1)      I don’t want to stray away from the Cross…

2)      I hope to be over on the sweet banks of deliverance - sitting on  my heavenly rainbow - with my feet hanging down - reading my title to my mansion in the sky - with honeydew all over my soul  watching the Devil  take Cobalt treatments for his cancer of sin.

C)     I WANT TO KEEP A TIGHT GRIP ON THE GOSPEL  1 Cor 2:2

III)     GET A TIGHT GRIP ON YOUR GOAL.

A)      ELEAZAR HAD ONE GOAL IN MIND - VICTORY 

1)      Didn’t stand & say “We Are Going To Get Killed”

2)      He Said “We Are Going To Win This Fight The God Of Israel Is On Our Side”

3)      He didn’t care if he lived or died - He just cared about VICTORY

B)      WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE BATTLE WAS OVER?

1)      He Looked to see if the Philistines were stirring.

2)      Only then did he put His Sword down…

3)      He had a Goal In Mind - Kill The Philistines.

C)     WHAT IS MY GOAL?

1)      To STIR up Our People, Not To Pet Them.

2)      Wouldn’t it be exciting if people just did right because they were suppose to?

3)      Wouldn’t it be wonderful is you said “I’m Saved Now, So I’m Going To Give My Tithe”

4)      It would be a true miracle if some of you would go out Soul Winning Willingly.

CONCLUSION:

1.  One day we will all stand before the throne of God

2. And Then Only Can We Lay The Sword Down.  2 Tim 4:8