A MIGHTY MAN
Text: 2 Samuel 23:11-12.
Delivered on: March 2, 2008. Streetsboro.
2 Samuel 23:11-12. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the Lord brought about a great victory.
Introduction.
Soldiers of Christ Arise.
I’m in the Lord’s Army.
Onward Christian Soldiers.
We sing songs about being soldiers all the time.
But there are good soldiers and bad soldiers.
Which are we?
Lets look at one of David’s Mighty Men of Valor for an example of a good soldier.
He name was Shammah.
Body.
SHAMMAH WAS A SOLDIER.
He is described as one of David’s mighty men.
He is listed with Adino, who killed 800 men in one battle. (v.8).
He is listed with Eleazar who fought alone against the enemy and after the battle, he could not let go of his sword. (v.10).
He is in the company of Abishai who killed 300 men with his spear. (v.18).
He is in the company of Banaiah who killed two of Moab’s champions, a lion, and a great Ethiopian warrior. (vv. 20-21).
Altogether, 37 men are mentioned in this chapter.
We too are soldiers in a different kind of army.
Not a physical army.
John 18:36. Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
Ephesians 6:10-13. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We belong to Jesus’ army.
2 Timothy 2:3-4. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
These mighty men listed in 2 Samuel 23, truly loved David. They fought for David because they loved him. 2 Samuel 23:15-16. And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.
We serve Christ out of love.
With men like:
Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:25. Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;
Archippus. Philemon 1:2. To the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
Do we realize that we are soldiers???
SHAMMAH WAS WILLING TO FIGHT WHEN OTHERS FLED.
He was a brave man. He possessed courage.
We don’t know exactly how many men he faced here.
But the odds were definitely against him.
It takes special courage to stand when all others flee.
There are going to be times when we have to stand up and fight alone.
It will take courage and faith. 2 Timothy 1:6-8. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
It will take determination. Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
There will be times when we are discouraged by our brothers’ and sisters’ lack of courage.
But we cannot allow that to stop us.
We cannot allow the cowardice of others to cause us to falter.
Let us have the courage and resolve of Joshua and Caleb. Numbers 14:6-9. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them."
SHAMMAH WAS NOT WILLING TO GIVE ANY GROUND TO THE ENEMIES OF GOD’S PEOPLE.
Shammah was not willing to give ANY ground.
Some might have said, “It’s only a field.”
“It’s not worth risking your life over.”
There was no compromise in Shammah.
In our present day society many would say that that is not an admirable quality.
However, when it comes to our service to God, we have no right to compromise.
Most of the problems the church is facing today come from Christians who aren’t willing to station themselves in the middle of the field and fight for what is right.
They don’t feel like fighting.
They would rather give in than cause ripples.
They justify their lack of backbone by saying, “It’s just not worth the trouble.”
They might say, “It’s such a little thing.”
They don’t realize that no church falls away overnight. It comes in little steps. “One field at a time.”
Such an attitude shows a lack of courage and a lack of respect and love for God.
Romans 12:2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 Corinthians 6:11-17. O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
Ephesians 5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
There is an old saying among soldiers, “Our is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die.”
In many ways, this is true for the Christian.
We have no right to question or change our orders from God.
Our job is to do our utmost, up to the point of death, in obedience to our orders. Revelation 2:10. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
It is our responsibility to stand up and fight against religious error.
Even if we have to do it alone.
Even if our others feel that it is unimportant.
THROUGH SHAMMAH, GOD BROUGHT ABOUT A GREAT VICTORY.
I would submit to you that Shammah had a little help.
We are told that God brought about a great victory.
Because of his courage and devotion, God used him.
God will use us if we possess that kind of faith and courage.
Look what He did with Peter, formerly a fisherman.
Look was He did with Paul, formerly a blasphemer.
Ephesians 3:20. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
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