Sunday Morning Worship Service
by Mark McCool
First Apostolic Church of Knoxville (Knoxville, TN)
Kind: sermon
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Romans 12:17-21, Matthew 20:16, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 9:27, 1 Peter 4:14-16, Proverbs 26:17, Proverbs 6:16-19, 2 Corinthians 2:11, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, 1 Samuel 14:6-14, Ephesians 6:10-13, Judges 7:16-20

Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/mark-mccool--sunday-morning-worship-service-37
Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page.
Free to copy and share with attribution.

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calling your attention this morning to the book of 2 Corinthians the 10th chapter. And as you're finding that in your Bible or or turning in your device that you might be using, I would give honor to uh Bishop and Sister Mcool the founders and uh the head of this great assembly. Uh to all of our pastoral staff and all of the leaders of First Apostolic Church. I also give honor to all the saints. Uh thank you for your faithfulness and your continued uh leading us uh here at First Apostolic Church. 2 Corinthians the 10th chapter, we're going to begin reading at verse number three. 2 Corinthians 10, beginning at verse number three, we read, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. For a few moments this morning, I would speak to you on this subject. This means war. This means war. Let's pray. Savior, we love you. God, I do thank you for this precious congregation that has gathered here today to once again be in your presence and worship together. And now Lord, I pray that your word would reach down and touch our hearts, strengthen us, prepare us to do a good work in your kingdom. Lord, we're thankful and pray prayerful that you would use your word to bring the lost to salvation, to heal the brokenhearted, to mend, and to provide. For all this, we're grateful in Jesus name. Amen. Our current news seems to constantly be filled with talk of conflict and the possibility of war. Nation against nation, internal civil conflicts, regional and worldwide tensions, saber rattling, and threats of a show of force. History reflects that battles and wars were once fought and most usually won by armies with superior overwhelming numbers of soldiers along with superior strategies to win against one's foe. Scripture gives example of battles and wars that God's people had to fight to preserve their very existence. Now with all this in mind, let me say the Bible is not a book of wararmongers to take the examples for necessarily literal battles and justify physical fighting as the first way that a Christian would solve conflict. Old Testament history of conflict was replaced when a new dispensation of grace that dealt with conflict dealt with it this way. Romans 12:17 said, "Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." And notice verse 18. If it be possible, as much as lith in you, live peaceibly with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath. For it is written, vengeance is mine. I will repay, sayeth the Lord. Therefore, if thy enemy hunger, starve him out. No, says feed him. If he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing, doubt shall reap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. So, please understand the figurative and spiritual implications of what this preacher would try to remind us of today. But also know that in a spiritual sense, we are at war with Satan himself. And we must be at war and be vigilant all the time to protect and maintain our own salvation as well as everyone of our family and everyone who we have an influence on. This means war. Pastor Whitley and the choir actually sing a song that is entitled This Means War. And I want to quote you some of the words because I can't sing like Pastor Whitley. But it says, "I've got joy in my soul. God is in control." Aren't you glad to know that? I've got Satan on my trail, but I'm singing all is well. He's attacking every day, but I'm watching while I pray. No matter the attack, I won't turn back. And the course simply says, "This means war." This means war. I want us to understand that though our text said, "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh, but the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." We are spiritually at war. Never mistake the church and the apostolic MOVEMENT, THOSE WHO WOULD SERVE GOD, WE FIND OURSELVES constantly at war and conflict with Satan. THIS IS NOT A POLICE ACTION OR A temporary skirmish. This is war. IT'S BEEN SAID THAT ALL'S FAIR AND LOVE AND WAR. I DON'T LOVE SATAN AND HE DON'T LOVE ME, SO WE'RE AT WAR. >> There's an old course that used to say, "Me and the devil, we had a tussle, but I won." ME AND THE DEVIL, WE HAD A TUSSLE and I won. >> Amen. ME AND THE DEVIL, WE AGREE. I hate him and he hates me. ME AND THE DEVIL HAD A TUSSLE and I won. I want the enemy to know today from everybody in this house, everybody that's serving Jesus, we are at war WITH THE ENEMY. WE ARE AT war for the VERY THINGS THAT CHRIST HAS CALLED US TO DO THAT THE ENEMY WOULD TRY TO stop and have conflict with. Oh, preacher, that sounds just a little bit too aggressive. Well, I began doing a little study. One of the things that you hear whispered and talked about in the natural with the United States and the defense of our country is something called special operations group, special ops. And among our special ops, there are different groups. And there's one group in particular that is referred to as the 160th Nightstalkers, special ops. I found their creed and I want to read to you their creed in the natural. And I hope you can find just a little bit of spiritual application for waring with Satan. The 160th Nightstalkers say this. When the impossible has been accomplished, the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. As a member of the Nightstalkers, I am a tested volunteer. Nobody made me do this. I chose to do it, seeking only to safeguard the honor and the prestige of my country by serving the elite special operations soldiers of the United States. I pledge to maintain my body, my mind, and equipment in a constant state of readiness. For I am a member of the fastest deployed task force in the world. I guard my unit's mission with secrecy. For my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. My manner is that of the special operations. Quiet, professional, secrecy is my way of life. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy, for I volunteered to be upfront where the fighting is hard. I fear no fo's ability and I do not underestimate his will to fight. The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. And then the last three was in all caps. I will never surrender. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy. and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country. And then later on it stated, I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they love to loved to fight, fought to win, and would rather die than quit. If the US special forces can have such a creed for a natural war group, I tell you, we who have spiritual battle taking place in our lives must have some ideas, some scriptural reference that we live by to be victorious over the enemy. We must be organized and prepared by the word. Matthew 20-16 said Jesus said this so the last shall be first and the first last for many be called BUT FEW CHOSEN. YOU ARE A CHOSEN PEOPLE when God called you out when you felt that tug at your heart and you repented of your sins. You took on his name in baptism. You were filled with the spirit. YOU BECAME PART OF A CHOSEN BUNCH OF CHRISTIAN WARRIORS THAT'S WARING against the enemy that would destroy the souls of your family and those around you. Second Timothy 2:3 says, "Thou therefore endure hardness as a so good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. In other words, we're not going to let the cares of life supersede our walk with God. And then just as the nightstalkers mentioned that they keep their body and their mind and their equipment in good order. 1 Corinthians 9:27 gives the Christians discipline of the flesh. It says, "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 cast away." We have a responsibility to keep ourselves clean from the vices and devices of this world that would interfere with our testimony and our ability to war against the things that Satan would fight with. And then it made this statement. They guard with secrecy and a manner of quiet professionalism. Let me speak to we who are children of God. Scripture gives us some ways that we should behave as children of God. First Peter 4:14 says this. Now listen carefully. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. That's one of those old Christians. That's one of those folks. I know what kind of morals they have. I know. But if you be reproached for the name of Jesus, happy are ye. For the spirit of glory and God resteth upon you. On their part, he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified. All right, that's verse 14. This is we're talking about spiritual professionalism and quietness. We're not in your face, but we live as an example. But verse 15 said this, now stay with me. But let none of you, he's speaking to believers now in the soldiers in the army of the Lord. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or as a thief or as an evildoer or as a busy body in other men's matters. Oh, Brother Mcool, I would never murder anyone. Absolutely not. Oh, I'm not a thief. I BELIEVE IN HONESTY. I WOULDN'T TAKE from anybody. I I would never knowingly do evil in any way. I I'm not a murderer. I'm not a thief or an evildoer. Boy, that's some pretty rough company. But the fourth one says, "Or a busy body in other men's matters. Yet if you suffer as a Christian, let him be not ashamed, but let him glory go glorif glorify God on this behalf. You know what that the simple this is the uh uh abridged version of that statement. Keep your nose out of other people's business. >> Everybody settle down. You can be seated. BOY, GET ON THOSE MURDERERS. Get on those thieves. And get ON THOSE EVILDOERS. HOW ABOUT KEEPING YOUR NOSE TO YOURSELF and minding your own business. >> There's some stuff you shouldn't interject yourself into. It ain't NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. LET GOD WORK IT OUT. PRAY FOR THEM. DON'T BE TEXTING THEM. DON'T BE CALLING THEM. DON'T GO ON A WHISPERING CAMPAIGN TO TRY TO GET SOME INFO. LET ME TELL YOU, THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF YOU DON'T KNOW AND YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW. >> I am still preaching today. >> SCRIPTURE PUTS A BUSY BODY WHO'S ALWAYS in other folks BUSINESS IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS A MURDERER, A THIEF, and an evildoer. Oh, inquiring minds just want to know. You're not the inquirer. Let God work it out. Stay out of other FOLKS STUFF. PRAY FOR THEM. YOU DON'T NEED THE DETAILS. Do you know WHY WHEN THERE'S AN accident on the interstate, TRAFFIC BACKS UP ON BOTH sides cuz it's all the nosy folks on the other side going the other way want to see what happened. The the truck drivers affectionately call I don't know if it's affectionately, call them rubberneckers. They'll cause a wreck ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TRYING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT SIDE OF the interstate. Proverbs 26:17 also addresses the same ideology. It said, "He that passeth by and meddleth with strife, belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." All you dog lovers in the house, as sweet as they are, as cuddly and warm, TRY TO PICK THEM UP by the ears. What you think's going to happen? You going to get bits. What's going to happen? And when you get in other folks business, when you get in things that don't belong TO YOU, DO PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH HAVE PROBLEMS? YOU BETTER know they do. They're flesh and blood. Are there issues THAT HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME? YES, THERE WILL BE. JUST LIKE IT'S OUT IN THE WORLD, FOR ALL IS FLESH AND BLOOD. BUT LET ME TELL YOU, if you want to DO SOME WORK FOR SOMEBODY, PRAY FOR THEM. YOU DON'T NEED THE SORTED DETAILS, YOU DON'T NEED TO INTERJECT YOURSELF AND THEN GO BE A TATTLETAIL. I am still preaching today. >> I'm in the army of the Lord and I'M GOING TO CONDUCT MYSELF AS A WORTHY SOLDIER IN HIS KINGDOM. >> In fact, Proverbs 6 said it this way. Notice the company that that kind of ideology keeps. It said, "These six things doth the Lord hate." This is Proverbs 6:16. "These six things do the LORD HATE. YAY, SEVEN are an abomination to him." Now, please hear me. Scripture is not laid out by accident. Everything was intentional. This didn't say these six these seven things does the Lord hate. But scripture specifically lays it out this way. It says these six things that the Lord hate. Yay. Seven are an abomination. In other words, number seven is just a little bit worse. If you want to know what abomination means, if you look it up, the word abomination means things that are hated and disgusting. In other words, God hates the first six, BUT THE SEVENTH ONE, NOT only does he hate it, he's disgusted with it. >> So, let's see what it says. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devisth wicked imaginations. Let me come up with a new way to be wicked. feet that are swift in running to mischief. That's five. NUMBER SIX, A FALSE WITNESS THAT speaks lies. And number seven, and he that sweth discord among the brethren. Not only does God hate it, it disgusts him. I don't want God to be disgusted with me. But if I find myself among the brethren, NOW THIS WASN'T EVEN TALKING about out in the world. BUT IF I FIND MYSELF CONSTANTLY INVOLVED, now whisper this. I want to tell you about this. Let let me tell you what I heard. Oh, you know what she did? You know what he did? Oh, somebody said, "Boy, I wish he'd preach about shouting and dance and all that." It's coming. But you better hear me. If we're going to be good soldiers in the kingdom of God and we're going to be able to war AGAINST THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL, WE BETTER HAVE our creed and our disciplines in our life so WE CAN SERVE CHRIST TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY. THE GREATEST WEAPONS THAT we have is to be on our knees and the WORD OF GOD HELPING US WAR, NOT TRYING TO FIND SOME KIND OF DIRT ON SOMEBODY. 2 Corinthians 2:11 said, "Lest Satan should get an advantage advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices." Don't be Oh, could I quote a general and you not be offended? General Henry, when the flooding took place in New Orleans seven years ago, I guess it's indelibly placed in my memory, he was telling folks what to do and not to do. He said, "Don't get stuck on stupid." I'm just quoting the general now. Scripture said it a little nicer. He said, "For we are not ignorant of his devices." Don't fall into the traps that the enemy would set to destroy your soul as a believer. Find yourself being able to avoid those things that the enemy would place in your way. Our text said, "Casting down imaginations and everything that exaltth itself against the knowledge of God." Some folks feel like they have the gift of discernment when really and truly all they have is a spirit of imagination. They can imagine every evil things going on. I don't know, but I just got a feeling maybe you've been feeling in the wrong place. Let God take care of the business. >> You don't know more than God. Don't exalt yourself above the knowledge of God. God will bring something to light if it needs to come to light. He's not needing your help. He's not needing your direction. >> You see, our society, our nation in particular, has displayed what happens when the powers that be try to exalt itself against the knowledge of God. What do you mean, preacher? When we said we don't want kids praying in school, what's happened to our education system? We have good teachers whose hands are tied many time in our public education system. The absolute anti-God, anti-country doctrines that are coming out of our public education systems and our higher education systems. Many schools, if you look at the history of many of the public education and private higher learning schools, started out started by a denominal movement. Without being too specific, go check out where many of the Ivy League schools started. But now you'll find that many of those very schools that were started on the premise of elevating Christ have now become godless, lawless, anti-God, anti-American, antirist. You see, that's what happens when you exalt yourself above the knowledge of God. Don't pray in school. Don't have a national day of prayer anymore. Don't put the ten commandments on government buildings. Uh have organizations that we la and elevate call freedom from religion. Uh have a movement TO TRY TO EVEN TAKE THE term in God we trust off of our currency. You see what happens is we lose the war to Satan when we start believing and trusting in man's knowledge above God's wisdom. And I don't mind telling you when you're in the army of the Lord, the enemy sometimes appears to have the numbers. In fact, scripture bears that out. Deuteronomy 7:6 said, speaking of God's chosen people, for thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God. The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people. Here's your special forces. He's chosen thee to be a special people UNTO HIMSELF. ABOVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people. For ye were the fewest of all people. But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he hath sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out of out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of the bondman, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. JUST AS HE CALLED GOD'S people out of Egypt, we are the chosen people of God. Now the size of our force will not determine our success nor our resolve. We do not determine oh brother Makool the the world is just too great. Their their numbers are too much. They they have too many resources. 1st Samuel 14 gives an example of the way the Lord likes to move when the numbers by man's standards do not look like they're on his side. 1st Samuel 14:6 says, "And Jonathan said unto the young man that bear his armor bear, come let us go over under the garrison of these uncircumcised, the garrison of the Philistines." Now, you'll find by definition a garrison is referred to as at least dozens of men up to a group of at least 300 men. Now, there's two of these guys, Jonathan and his armor bearer. And notice Jonathan doesn't make an outlandish definitive statement, but he makes a statement of faith. He said, "It may be that the Lord will work for us. For there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or few." He said, "Quit counting their numbers and start trusting in me." People of God, don't worry about the world's numbers. Just do what God's called you to do. Each one reach one and we double our number. If each one reaches one and suddenly an exponential increase can take place if then each one of those reaches one and each one of those reaches one. and his armor bearer said unto him, "Do all that is in thine heart. Turn thee. Behold, I am with thee according to thy heart." There was unity. There wasn't disunityity or disloyalty. There was agreement between Jonathan and the armor bearer. One of the greatest divisive things that the enemy would use against the church is if he can find disunityity in the church. If he can divide our minds, if he can divide our purpose, if he can divide our cause, if he can find someone with personal agendas wanting to be exalted above others, then said Jonathan, behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves to them. If they say thus unto us, tarry until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, come unto us, then we will go, for the Lord hath delivered them into our hands, and this shall be a sign unto us. Jonathan was sensitive. Jonathan knew what he thought was supposed to happen, but he waited and was sensitive to a sign from the Lord. God will give you direction if you'll observe carefully. He didn't make the decision on his own. He said, "This is what we're going to do. But if God opens up this door, this is what's GOING TO HAPPEN." WE'LL HAVE confirmation that the Lord's going to be on our side. He said in verse 11, "And both of them discovered themselves or revealed themselves under the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves." You know, maybe it's time for some of us to rediscover some things in our lives. Some of us might need to rediscover a consistent prayer life, a dis a consistent praise and worship habit in our lives. And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan said and his armor bearer and said, "Come up to us and we will show you a thing." When the Lord starts confirming things, the enemy will try to defy and the enemy will try to intimidate. Come up to us and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armor bearer, I love the language, come up after me, for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. It was a good number. It was 300 at least, versus two. And God, the numbers suddenly were on Jonathan and his armor bearer side. And noticed it says, "And Jonathan climbed upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armor bear after him, and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bear slew after him. And the first slaughter, you know what? I've decided if you have a first slaughter, that must mean there must be a second slaughter coming." AND THAT FIRST SLAUGHTER WHICH JONATHAN AND HIS ARMOR bear made was about 20 men within as it WERE A HALF ACRE of land which a yolk of oxen might plow. He took DOWN THE FIRST 25. The rest of you your beaten coming. He cleaned up the GROUND WITH THEM. WHY? BECAUSE THEY WERE FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF THE LORD. DON'T EVER LET THE ENEMY'S numbers intimidate you. DON'T EVER FEEL LIKE YOU'RE OUTNUMBERED. IF IT'S YOU AND GOD, YOU'RE IN THE MAJORITY. YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS IF YOU'LL BE SENSITIVE TO HIS CALL and his direction.   Ephesians tells how we're equipped. And I hasten. Ephesians 6:10 said, "Finally, my brother, be strong in the Lord." He didn't say, "Get strong." He said, "Be strong and in the power OF HIS MIGHT, PUT ON THE WHOLE armor of God that you may be able to stand against the ws of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood." I repeat, we're talking about spiritual warfare today, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand. Sometimes it is not always moving forward. It's taking a stand right where you are. once heard a story of a yacht race. They have these America's Cup races and all those those yacht races and I once heard a story of a yacht race that was taking place and these ships were doing their turn and their tax and all those things that they do and it seemed that everybody was just staying side by side. But one of the captains of one of the yachts noticed how the wind was blowing contrary. So he told his crew, he said, "Drop the sails and dropped the anchor." He dropped the sails and dropped the anchor. In just a few minutes, standing still put him way ahead in the race. Sometimes it may feel like you're not going anywhere. Just stand. SOMETIMES IT MAY FEEL LIKE YOUR LIFE IS GOING NOWHERE. IF YOU'RE IN GOD'S WILL, JUST TAKE A stand right where you are, KNOWING THE TIME'S GOING TO COME. HE'S GOING TO ADVANCE YOU. HE'S going to bring victory in YOUR LIFE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. WHEN YOU'VE DONE ALL TO STAND, STAND AND LET THE HOLY GHOST DO THE WORK. LET HIM DO THE WAR. LET HIM DO THE FIGHTING. I could read all of Ephesians 6:14, but we'll paraphrase a bit. It talks about when you stand, have your loins girded about in truth, HAVING A BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, HAVING your feet shaw with a preparation of peace, taking on the shield of faith. And it says to put on the helmet of salvation. Now, please hear the analogy, the helmet of salvation. In the natural, the helmet is intended to protect your skull, your noggin, your brain, if you will. Your reasoning and thinking capacity. Let me tell you, obedience to the salvation message will make you think right. And you need salvation in your life TO GET YOUR HEAD PROTECTED FROM ALL THE GARBAGE THAT THE ENEMY is throwing at your mind AND THROWING AT YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS. THE ENEMY IS TELLING YOU ALL KIND OF THINGS. Some of us, if we OPEN UP THAT DEVICE that we carry around for communication, two clicks, you can find every kind of evil, EVERY KIND OF GARBAGE, every kind of AI created IDEA THAT'S NOT EVEN TRUTH. AND IT CAN TROUBLE YOUR MIND. It can take you down. It can make you think you're nothing. And sometimes we just need THE HELMET OF SALVATIONS PROTECTING US FROM ALL THAT STINKING THINKING THAT THE ENEMY'S ATTACKING US WITH. >> HEAR ME TODAY. YOU NEED THE SALVATION MESSAGE ACTIVE IN YOUR LIFE. JUST LIKE MY LITTLE ELANOR SAID, YOU NEED TO REPENT. YOU NEED TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS, THE WASHING AWAY OF YOUR SINS, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE Holy Ghost. >> We have winning strategy and the other thing that it mentioned it was said the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. Salvation protects the way we think. The word arms us with direction against the enemy. When that old flesh starts rising up in you and start you start getting mad and angry and want to do something you ought not to do. Don't say, "Man, I wish I could lay my Holy Ghost down." Instead, say the word says, "Be angry and sin not. Let not the son go down on thy wrath. Let the word be armed with the word. How do you get armed with the word and maintain your equipment? You read your Bible. You commit it to to your heart. You study. You memorize. I get worried when our grandbabies can name all the turtles but can't remember who the disciples are. I get worried when we can keep up with the statistics of all of our athletic teams, but we can't find ourselves understanding the importance of faithful attendance to the house of God and the statistics of keeping our family in the house of God. Talk about equipment. How well are we equipped? And finally, we have a winning strategy. All the warriors and all the weapons will not make you successful if you don't have a winning strategy because this means war. And you folks that are going to get ready for baptism, y'all go ahead because we're going we're going to go there in just a minute. The book of Judges, the 7th chapter. Again, I will paraphrase rather than reading all of this. The book of Judges, the 7th chapter, we read that the people of God were about to go to war with the Midianites. And there was a a call for every warrior among God's people get together. And you've studied it. 32,000 warriors showed up, soldiers, wannabes. Anyway, and God whispered in Gideon's ear. You know, I I I can use my own imagination that Gideon probably was feeling pretty good about it. said, "Man, I am a recruiter. Look at our number. We I made one call. We got 32,000 showed up. We going to take care of these Medianites." And God whispered ear said, "No, you got too many." He said, "Too many? You know, what?" God said, "Here's what you need to do." He said, "Just make an announcement to your 32,000. Anybody that showed up, but you're fearful and afraid, you can go back home. I can imagine Gideon was expecting a couple of hundred maybe to head out. You know, the wimps in the bunch, but to his shock and surprise, 22,000 left. I felt that way a few times. If we're not careful, we'll we'll think that we've got to have superior numbers for God to give victory. But there was a strategy going on here. So Gideon said, you know, well, I guess we can do it with 10. We thank God. Now, I'm again paraphrasing and using my imagination a bit, but the story is true. God said, "Nope. still got too many. He said, "We need to put them to the water test." Do you know that's where a lot of folks don't make it. They can't get by the water test. They want to go with traditions of this world rather than being baptized the biblical way in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. That's a denominational thing. We'll we talked about that Wednesday night. Um he said, "We're going to go to the water." And he said, "Here's here's the litmus test, if you will. Every one of those guys that just throw down their armor and fall down their on their knees and start laughing like a dog," he said, "Set them to one side. And every one that kneels by the water and they drink the water from their hand, put them to the other side." Now, the whole point was this. Those that fell down and just begin to lap like a dog. They weren't bad people, but they weren't aware and vigilant. They didn't keep their guard up. God was dividing those who were vigilant away thor. It didn't mean that they were bad people, but they WEREN'T VIGILANT. THE BIBLE SAYS, "Be strong. Be vigilant, for your adversary, the devil, walketh it about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Just as soon as you drop your guard and lay your weapon aside, that's when the enemy wants to attack. But those who were vigilant knelt down and they they were watching as they were drinking and the numbers were reduced to 300 men. I got to say Gideon was probably fairly nervous about his chances now. But God said, "Now we got the numbers in our favor." You see, when it looks like you're outnumbered, God's getting ready to do a work for you. God's getting ready to make something happen. He's getting ready to do a miraculous victory. See, God also knew that if he allowed the 32,000, God could have allowed that 32,000 to be victorious in battle. But he told Gideon, "If if I allow that to be the victorious army, you'll think it was your might." What did the praise team sing? Not by power, nor by might, but by my spirit, saith the Lord. It's not my battle. It's not my fight. I'm a soldier, but let me tell you, it's the Lord's victory. GOD SAID, "HERE, HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO NOW." AND he began to give a strategy for victory. And when he gave the strategy for victory, HERE'S WHAT THE STRATEGY WAS. He said, "Take your force of 300 and divide them into three companies." Now we're down to a hundred of each. God, you're going to divide us more. But God started revealing to Gideon what should happen. And the three divisions of 100 men were divided equally and encamped around the Midianites. And here's what the Lord told him to do. And this is what Gideon did. He said in verse 16 of Judges 7, he divided the 300 men into three companies. And he put a trumpet in every man's hand and with an empty pitcher and lamps within the p the pitcher. He put fire inside the pitcher. And he put a trumpet in their hands. Okay, we're going to war. All you folks that have any idea about war, you got a trumpet in one hand and a picture covering their fire in the other. What's missing? A sword. You mean you're GOING TO SEND THESE GUYS INTO BATTLE and they don't even have a sword? But Gideon said, "Do this." Verse 17, he said unto them, "Look on me and do likewise, and behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that as I do, so shall ye do." Gideon was an example as a leader. Don't ever plan to be a leader if you don't practice what you preach. >> I can't preach to you folks if I don't live it myself. He was going to be the example. He said, "When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow YE THE TRUMPET ALSO ON EVERY side of all THE CAMP AND SAY, THE SWORD of the Lord and of Gideon." Well, the sword of the Lord. Y'all remember what the sword of the Lord was? We talked about a few minutes ago was the word. They didn't have to draw A NATURAL SWORD. THEY HAD THE WORD in their mouth. LET ME TELL YOU, IF YOU'LL GET THE word in YOUR MOUTH, YOU ARE ARMED TO THE HILT AND GOD HAS A VICTORY FOR YOU. IF YOU'LL stand with me, I hope YOU CAN SEE WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. FOR HERE'S WHAT THE BIBLE TELLS US TOOK PLACE. They broke their pictures. They blew their trumpets. And they begin to yell THE SWORD OF THE LORD. NOW, I I PERSONALLY have an opinion that they might have been quoting scripture. They might have been quoting the word. I'm not sure. They were just saying the sword of the Lord. The sword OF THE LORD. I GOT A FEELING there was some depth TO IT CUZ SCRIPTURE TOLD US THAT WE WOULD BE ARMED WITH THE SWORD OF THE LORD. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE YELLING, BUT THEY GOT LOUD. Verse 20 says, "And the three COMPANIES BLEW THE TRUMPET, BREAK THE PICTURES, and held the lamp in their left hand, and the trumpets in their RIGHT HAND TO BLOWETH ALL, AND THEY REQUIRE THEY CRIED THE SWORD OF THE LORD OF GIDEON." And they stood every man in his place round about. They didn't even have to attack. And the 300 blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man sword against his fellow, EVEN THROUGHOUT ALL THE HOST. And the hosts fled. What happened? They didn't have to fight. Not my battle, not my fight, but by the power of the living God. We are not a defense force. We're an attack force against Satan. But sometimes when we just take a stand. Isn't it amazing WHAT A LITTLE FIRE AND A little music and a little shouting will accomplish. >> Let me tell you, we've got to keep the fire of the Holy Ghost in the church. We've got to KEEP THE MUSIC LOUD. WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THE SHOUT OF THE WORD STRONG AND TAKE A STAND. GOD'S GOING TO GIVE US VICTORIES. SPECIAL FORCES SAID, "I WILL NOT SURRENDER. I WILL NOT LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE. I WILL NOT EMBARRASS MY COUNTRY. I'D RATHER DIE than quit. When the praise team sings this means war, they go under a bridge that says, I plead. I plead the blood. Let me tell you, pleading the blood means, God, I'm putting this in your hands, God, I don't have the answer. I don't know what what's going to work out, but God, I plead the blood. I've been faithful. I've been a faithful soldier in your in your army. And the scripture goes, or rather the song goes on to say, it proclaims, "You can't have my family." Can somebody declare that to the enemy today? You can't have my family. >> You can't have my increase. You're not going TO ROB ME OF THE THINGS OF THE BLESSINGS THAT I KNOW YOU'VE PROMISED ME. YOU CAN'T HAVE MY BREAKTHROUGH. I AM GOING TO BREAK THROUGH VICTORIOUS in Jesus name. If you HADN'T WON YOUR BATTLE YET, THE BATTLE'S NOT OVER. Take a stand. BREAK YOUR PICTURE. BLOW YOUR TRUMPET. SHOUT UNTO THE LORD WITH A VOICE OF TRIUMPH. That bridge goes on. I do listen when y'all sing. I promise. >> Brother Whitley, he'll say, "You can't. You can't. You can't." He's not stuttering. I personally praise him. Come on out here. Get ready. When he says you can't, you can't. You can't. What that song is saying to the devil, you can't have anything. >> YOU NAME IT. IF I'VE GOT IT, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT. >> GOD BLESSED ME WITH IT. He promised it to me and you can't have it. Don't you give an inch to the enemy today. Don't you make any treaties. Don't you back up. We're at war. We're at war. GOD'S GIVEN US VICTORY. GOD'S GIVEN us victory. And I finally say this. You can read in 2 Coronicles the way they fought battles. God's people that was different than anybody else. In 2 Coronicles, you can read it for yourself. When they were under attack, Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord. And the Lord gave him this battle of strategy. He said, "Put the singers out front." He appointed singers. Hey, if you're going to be involved in praise and worship, you're on the front line. Y'all hear me? If you're going to play music, you're on the front line. And it said if you're going to be a a singer, a leader, it said you should sing and give worship to the beauty of holiness. You need to exemplify holiness if you're going to be a leader. Leaders ought to be holy before God. That's part of your dress, but it has no means all of your dress. It's everything you do. You need to have a holy spirit. You need to have a holy walk. You need to have a holy way about you. And the Bible says when they begin to sing and to praise the Lord, he set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which had come against Judah, and they were smitten. God will fight your battles if you'll do your part. Here's what I want us to do today. I don't know what battle you may have been fighting in your life. I promise you there's folks fighting battles because the devil attacks every day. I don't know what battle you have been in. You may feel like you're all alone. I came to tell you today, you are victorious. It's time to take a stand. But today is not the day to come to an altar with your head down and taking a defeist posture. Now, there's times that we reverence ourselves before the Lord, but today is a day of a positive, victorious posture and battle that we're going to fight. Here's what I want everybody in the house that's a believer, I want you to by faith step out on the island. I want you to come with your shoulders squared, your head raised. If you want to lift your hands, you see, in our army, that's not a sign of surrender to the enemy. That's a sign of victory because I've surrendered to the Lord. If you want to throw your hands up and claim victory, BUT COME PRAISE HIM. PRAISE THE LORD LOUD enough that you CAN HEAR YOURSELF BECAUSE IF if you can hear yourself, the devil can hear you praising too. And it scares him to death. Come on. Would you lift your voices and praise? Praise team. Bless us in song. Lift your hands and praise and worship.