SHAMGAR - ONE GREAT LITTLE MAN
Text: Judges 3:31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: & he also delivered Israel
Introduction:
A) God's work is often done by the weak And little known 1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
B) Sham-gar is only mentioned twice in Bible. Judges 3:31 and 5:6
1) His name means "Destroyer"
2) Sham-Gar is not one of the Bible Greats
3) You wouldn't mention him in the same breath with Abraham - Isaac or Jacob.
4) He is not mentioned in Hebrews 11
5) Wasn’t a Sampson - Elijah Or John Baptist
C) This fellow was the third Judge of Israel after JOSHUA.
1) SHAM-GAR Served in a very difficult time. Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
2) Word Of God was not proclaimed Like Today 1 Sam 3:1 "There was no open Vision"
3) It was a time of Spiritual Darkness.
D) We Live In Very Dark Days Today.
1) Men have sold out for money in Politics - Sports - Even in Churches.
2) A preacher who lets someone other than God Rule Him has Prostituted The Gospel.
3) If he SOFT-PEDALS God's Judgement…
4) If he sells out God for security.
E) What Can I Do About The Worlds Condition "I Am just one person"
1) SHAM-GAR was just one insignificant man
2) However this one man delivered the entire nation of Israel with an OX GOAD
I) SHAM-GAR WAS ONE MAN.
A) HE WAS NOT AN ARMY.
1) Just one person in a dark time.
2) What can I do?
(a) The world is going to the devil.
(b) You can be as influential as SHAMGAR.
B) HERE IS A GREAT PRINCIPLE.
1) In days of darkness God delivers his people through individuals.
(a) Not through organizations.
(b) Not through Presidents or Congress
2) God looks for dedicated Christians who will "LIFT UP HOLY HANDS" Unto Him.
3) God Used A Man Called SAM JONES - The Fiery Methodist Preacher. Illus: SAM JONES was in a revival preaching his usual hard hitting messages and they were digging into the hearts and tearing up sin…He was preaching against smoking - drinking - cursing and dancing…Calling them by name…All over town people were getting stirred…Finally the ministerial association declared an early morning prayer meeting to stop SAM JONES…One Preacher said "Lord We Pray You Will Help Old Sam To Calm Down"… Another said "Dear Lord We Pray Sam Will Not Offend Our Members"… Next one said "Lord Sam Is Stirring Up A Hornets Nest"…They prayed on and on not realizing that Old SAM JONES had walked in….When they stood as they finished praying SAM Said.."Hold It, It's My Turn To Pray"…"Dear Lord, Don't Make Me Like These Lazy Devils, Send A Revival To This Town." - {THEY HAD A REVIVAL}
C) WHAT MADE SAM JONES DIFFERENT?
1) When he was a circuit-riding Methodist preacher he heard one brother testify… "Brethren, The Preacher Is A King, And The Pulpit Is A Throne."
2) SAM JONES left that meeting and shook up the pulpits of America 3. This was One man making a difference
D) WILL YOU GIVE GOD WHAT YOU HAVE.
1) JONAH - One Man - One Sermon - "Yet 40 Days And Nineveh Shall Be Overthrown."
2) PETER - 1 Man -Preached with such power that 3,000 got saved there at Pentecost.
3) PAUL -1 Man - Established Church’s throughout Asia - Rome - Spain - Etc.
4) D.L MOODY - An uneducated shoe clerk shook 2 continents as God used him.
E) SHAMGAR USED ALL HE HAD FOR GOD
1) God saw SHAM-GAR "What Have You Got In Your Hand SHAM-GAR?" - An OX GOAD, Lord..
2) Use It For Me SHAM-GAR.
3) The trouble with America today is not Secularism or Liberalism..
(a) Trouble with America today is You & Me
(b) We are trying to save society…
(c) We ought to be leading individual to Jesus
4) We need to put GOD and HIS WORD first.
(a) Many attend Church once a week don't Tithe - Don’t Get Involved…
(b) Then Wonder why Church is not on Fire
II) SHAM-GAR WAS ALONE.
A) WHAT DID ONE MAN DO ALONE?
1) Took an OX GOAD and slew 600 Philistines Destroying the enemy saving God's people
2) He was ONE MAN Alone….
3) Sometime you have to stand alone if you are going to be a SHAM-GAR.
4) Of Course - Maybe You Don't Want God To Have Your OX GOAD
5) You Don't Want To Lift Up HOLY HANDS
B) GOD'S GREATEST MEN WALKED ALONE.
1) STEPHEN - Crowd is about to Stone Him
(a) They just hit him on the head with a rock
(b) They Knocked him down - He is kneeling
(c) He saying something LISTEN…. Acts 7:56 Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God
2) JOHN - On Patmos - All alone - Wait A Minute - What is that God is showing Him
3) Poor ELIJAH - A fanatic living on desert by a little brook – depending on the ravens
(a) At Mt CARMEL face false prophets of Baal.
(b) How many preachers are standing with you Elijah? - N0 One, I'm Alone.
(c) How Many On Jezebel’s Side - 850
(d) But He Said "BUT I GOT THE FIRE"
4) DAVID - just had the Armor of God…
(a) One little slingshot - One man…
(b) Delivered ISRAEL from the Giant's Army
C) WHAT CAN I DO PREACHER?
1) Student can witness in school.
2) Factory worker can witness for Christ
3) One man can stand in the gap. Ezek 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
III) SHAM-GAR GAVE WHAT HE HAD.
A) WHAT'S IN YOUR HAND SHAM-GAR?
1) Its Just and old OX GOAD - A Stick Lord.
2) Will You Give It To Me? - Sure Lord
3) And he slew 600 Philistines with it.
B) MOSES WHAT DO YOU HAVE.
1) A Rod to Kill Snakes And Guide Sheep.
2) Will you give it to God MOSES? - SURE
3) And he used to lead ISRAEl out of Slavery
C) LITTLE BOY - WHAT DO YOU HAVE ?
1) I Just Have My Lunch.
2) Will You Give It To Jesus - SURE
3) with It JESUS Fed 5,000 Hungry People
CONCLUSION:
1. God Doesn't Want A Lot From You - Just What You Have.
2. You can't Give Him More Than You Have - But If It's Only An OX GOAD He Will Use It
3. Will You Give To God What You Have…
a. Maybe your holding back on your money
b. Maybe your holding back on your SHOUT
c. Even You Can Raise Holy Hands To Jesus