Why Should You Fight The Battle? I Samuel 17:26-31 Intro: David came out to the field to feed his brothers at battle. He never came out to fight, but when the situation of the Monster from Phillistia mocking the God of Israel and his people arose, David knew that he must fight this battle. David s brother Eliab asked David in so many words in verse 28, Why did you even come down here to battle? Why should you fight the battle? David declared that there is a cause, and I wish to deal with that subject this morning. Why should you fight the battle? In this day many say that it is no use. There is no need to fight a loosing battle. There will be no real revival. They see no cause, but David determined that the cause was worth fighting for. Why should you fight? I. Fight the Battle Because It Is Right: Some would criticize the warriors, but know from the Bible it is right! 1. It is right to fight the sin that hinders your home. David s brothers were frightened at this man Goliath, so David knew he must fight.1 SAM.17: 2. It is right to fight the sin that hinders your heart. That doubt and fear that had to grip the heart of David before battle had to be defeated before the giant could be defeated. LUKE 12.32 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (KJV) 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and
chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 2 Kings 6:15-16 (KJV) 3. It is right to fight the sin that hinders at the house of God. Fight that giant that keeps God s people sitting in the pew/foxholes of fear rather than rejoicing on the battlefield of victory. I. Fight the Battle Because It Is Right: II. Fight the Battle Because It Is Real: I Corinthians 9:25-27 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Cor 9:25-27 (KJV) Shadow boxing, but this is not pretend. It is a real fight. 1. The enemy is invisible sometimes, but the battle is just as real: JOSHUAH 10.25
25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. Josh 10:25 (KJV) Eph 6:10-17 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Eph 6:10-17 (KJV) 1 Tim 6:12 (KJV) 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:12 (KJV) 2 Tim 4:7-8 (KJV) 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim 4:7-8 (KJV)
The enemy is invisible sometimes, but the battle is just as real: 2. The weapons are often invisible, but the fight is just as real: II Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 2 Cor 6:7 (KJV) 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:12 (KJV) 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thess 5:8-9 (KJV) 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 1 Tim 1:18 (KJV) 1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Tim 2:1-3 (KJV) The enemy is invisible sometimes, but the battle is just as real: The weapons are often invisible, but the fight is just as real: 3. The reinforcements are often invisible, but the help that they give is just as real:
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 (KJV) Hebrews 13:2 (Angels unaware), 2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Heb 13:2 (KJV) John 3:8 (the wind and the spirit), 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:7-8 (KJV) Acts 2:2 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1-2 (KJV) I. Fight the Battle Because It Is Right: II. Fight the Battle Because It Is Real: III. Fight the Battle Because It Is Rewarding: fight the fight of faith- II Tim 4:6-8, 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim 4:6-8 (KJV) I Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1. There is a reward for your Steadfastness: I Corinthians 15:57-58, 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:57-58 (KJV) It may seem that it is in vain, but God sees it all! It is rewarding. There is a reward for your Steadfastness: 2. There is a reward for your Sacrifice: Mark 12, 41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:41-44 (KJV)
the widow s mite, Gave of her want. When the devil comes by with a big check that will require you to sacrifice your church... There is a reward for your Steadfastness: There is a reward for your Sacrifice: 3. There is a reward for your Suffering: II Tim 2:12, 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2 Tim 2:12 (KJV) 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 (KJV) 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:17 (KJV) 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thess 1:7-8 (KJV) Matthew 5:11-12 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matt 5:11-12 (KJV) I. Fight the Battle Because It Is Right: II. Fight the Battle Because It Is Real: III. Fight the Battle Because It Is Rewarding: IV. Fight The Battle Because It Is Reassuring:
1.Your fight is Inspiring to others. Judges 4, Deborah s faith inspired Barak. 2. Your fight is a blessing to the Father: He said he was well pleased with the Son. If you fight, He can say of you that he is well pleased. 3.Your fight is an example to the younger ones watching: II Samuel 21:15, Ishbibenob, the son of Goliath, sought to kill David. Abashai, the nephew of David, succored him and killed him. He knew he could, because he had watched Uncle David do the same thing years before. Someone is watching your life, and be certain that you are inspiring others to fight or cower down!