9.21.2019
If you were in the scene of Braveheart the battle of Sterling- where Mel Gibson- William Wallace gives that pre battle speech…
And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!!!
The warriors in the scene—respond.
Here is my question does only William Wallace run out to battle? —NO that is NOT what the speech was for— it wasn’t for just his resolve it was for the resolve of all. Excellency in battle demanded all. His speech was for every single warrior to defeat the fear within, determine who they were fighting for, and face the battle ahead. They had to know their allegiance, who and what they are fighting for. You and I are the same. What and who are you fighting for? Is it your children? Your grandchildren? Your city? Your country? A land you are called to defend? The most prized value God fights for is for his sons and daughters. Of all the riches on earth there is nothing more valuable than a human being. We must fight too.
Whatever the case when the battle or the ball is in my zone I will be aggressive. I will dominate and use all my skill, might, and abilities. I will train with discipline and strength. I will live with honor and humility. I am a force of excellence in passion, communication, and pure resolve because of Christ in me. Today I will show up and contribute to the superior quality and “characteristics” of my team (my family, my community) and my God and I will act with determination towards the win. I will experience this next victory from the grace and overcoming power of Christ in me.
Char? What are these characteristics?
This next one is super deep. Take note.
A warrior eats. You don’t go to battle on nothing. A biblical example of this is when David ate the showbread. You must take the word of God combined with the power of the Holy Spirit and eat daily. Get a daily touch. Daily encounter.
My kids are not babies they are teenagers and above. Yes I love to prepare awesome meals, however if they don’t know where the fridge is in my house there is a problem. If they don’t know how to wrap a burrito or make a sandwich or pour milk on cereal Houston we have a problem. Do you hear me?
It’s not why aren’t they (the local church) feeding me each week? It’s more why aren’t we in the word. Why aren’t we eating?
The word of God is an all you can eat buffet! Open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Anytime you have hunger it is open to you. Eat.
There is a time when you need to know Exodus 14:14 the battle is the Lord’s. There is a time when you need to know Romans 8:18 and Romans 8:28 suffering and glory can’t be compared and all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to HIS purpose. Jer. 29:11 And his plans are good.
A warrior has mental strength for the battle!
David‘s example of mental strength to fight Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIRV)
45 David said to Goliath, “You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I’m coming against you in the name of the Lord who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He’s the one you have dared to fight against.
HE DECLARES WHOSE BATTLE THIS FIGHT IS. AND THEN HEAR THE MENTAL RESOLVE. Years before the world would casually reference market comparison phrases like “David vs. Goliath” he declared it. HE didn’t just have the mental strength (5 smooth stones for Goliath’s brothers) he had it for destroying the entire Philistine army. He also had a God graced and God empowered mental strength to declare that the whole world will know the God of Israel. People know. People who don’t ever read the word of God know about David and Goliath.
“This very day the Lord will hand you over to me. I’ll strike you down. I’ll cut your head off. This very day I’ll feed the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air. I’ll feed them to the wild animals. Then the whole world will know there is a God in Israel. “The Lord doesn’t save by using a sword or a spear. And everyone who is here will know it. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us.”
His mental strength is astounding. A warrior feeds on the word of God and has a prepared mental strength regardless of the odds or circumstances. David walked with God and declared this victory prior to the first stone slung.
Freedom. Can you hear it in his tone? David has the mental strength and courage to declare victory by faith. This is our pre-battle strategy! You and I must win the battle first in thought and speech.
Tell your neighbor Your thoughts matter.
In your thought life is where you find courage despite your circumstances.
Let’s apply this to our most intimidating battle. The war within. Paul knows it. Romans 7 you are waging the war within before you wage the war without. A war with temptation and our forever death on the line.
“For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.” Romans 7:11 NIV
Sin is born by our desires. Warriors beware when desire meets opportunity plus temptation. Desire isn’t wrong until it’s contrary to God’s word. When in temptation, if you haven’t fed your hunger on God’s word you will eat anything.
In that moment you must have the mind of Christ.
The mind of Christ in the garden before the battle says not my will be done but your will be done.
Christ is there trusting that there’s nothing better than what God wants to give you.
Christ is there trusting God, that your good is worth his pain and death. Christ is there trading his life for yours.
Christ has already taken the sour so that you can have the sweet.
I need this mental strength in me. I must have a thought life like Christ.
How do I get there? Psalms 100 says we enter his gates is thanksgiving. In the hard place I must think upon the good report, the good news, the good gospel, a good conversation, a good meal, where is the good. Find it and thank him. This is the marrow and the heart of Phil. 4:8
“Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things. Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 NIRV
Char why does it matter my thoughts? I can’t possibly control them.
Well!!! Let me tell you why. The word of God says, “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” It all starts in our thoughts, to apply the concept to really think on things that are excellent!
I must always remember Jesus has the game winning strategy, (James 1 if any man lack wisdom let him as of God) think of excellence in craft, in passion, in faithfulness, in your field. Strive towards the excellence in you. Don’t just show up, and meh your way through it. Show up, dressed up, ready position, value-pack your life, get the most out of every day.
If you are gonna shower, make it the best shower you have ever had, put that playlist on that says dang I’m gonna dominate this morning. God says if you are gonna praise him! Shout! Shout for joy. Like get pumped about it.
Give God glory. Really give him your all!
Live with excellence. Train for this! A warrior trains. Not to earn anything in Christ. It has been freely given. We must however respond to that gift! Respond to the ultimate warrior’s sacrament. His body and blood require a response.
A warrior responds! Jacy soccer story. (if you missed this story bummer)
If you are waiting for something more in order to respond. Stop that line of thinking.
My dad sent me this talking chicken clucking for Jesus saying, “If we are waiting to be with the Lord when we die we aren’t never gonna be with the Lord when we die! You’ve gotta be with the Lord now!”
Today! I have to experience God. Today I chose. Chose with me to respond today. Right now come before him. Here on this Saturday in September.
Hey team even doubting Thomas saw him, and responded, but Jesus says blessed are you who haven’t seen and still respond! To those who believe they find freedom in their faith. I want that blessing. I want that freedom from circumstances dictating to me my perception and faith. I want a mental attitude like we read in Hebrews 11.
Lastly a warrior shows ultimate humility in his or her willingness to die.
David died. Jesus died. BUT only Jesus rose.
Somethings you need to be willing to let die that last for passion that addiction that former way of thinking that isolating depression. That bitter jealousy rivalry competition and comparison. Let that die.
And there are other things that you need to come to life. Your marriage your children your grandchildren your workplace. Call Jesus there. Christ in you, team! Christ in me!
He showed us the way in the garden.
His pre-battle prayer.
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed. He said, “Father, the time has come. Bring glory to your Son. Then your Son will bring glory to you. You gave him authority over all people. He gives eternal life to all those you have given him. “And what is eternal life? It is knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth. I have finished the work you gave me to do. So now, Father, give glory to me in heaven where your throne is. Give me the glory I had with you before the world began.
“I do not pray only for them. I pray also for those who will believe in me because of their message. Father, I pray that all of them will be one, just as you are in me and I am in you. I want them also to be in us. Then the world will believe that you have sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me. I did this so they would be one, just as we are one. I will be in them, just as you are in me. I want them to be brought together perfectly as one. This will let the world know that you sent me. It will also show the world that you have loved those you gave me, just as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am. I want them to see my glory, the glory you have given me. You gave it to me because you loved me before the world was created. “Father, you are holy. The world does not know you, but I know you. Those you have given me know you have sent me. I have shown you to them. And I will continue to show you to them. Then the love you have for me will be in them. I myself will be in them.””
John 17:1-5, 20-26 NIRV
When you hit your knees we rise.
Warrior NEVER GIVE UP. Fall 7 times get up 8.
Some of you today are like my facial sponge when it dries out I have to run it under the hot water for more than a hot second, some of you need to worship again after lunch and hear the next message. You are beginning to soften you just need more connection to Jesus today.
