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New Sermon Notes: Pastor Joseph Prince encouraged us to rely on God’s ways rather than the ways of the world. With God’s power backing you up, even simple things will produce mighty results!
Praise and Worship Song Performed:
1. Cornerstone – Hillsong Worship
2. Lavish Love – New Creation Worship
3. I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever – Martin Smith
1 Samuel 13:5-7 – Saul was the first king of Israel. People followed him while trembling with fear.
“The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven. When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in tombs, and in pits. Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.” (1 Samuel 13:5-7 WEB)
1 Samuel 13:11 – Saul was a fleshly man who lived by sight. He offered up a sacrifice that he was not allowed to. Samuel should have been the one to do it.
“Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn’t come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;” (1 Samuel 13:11 WEB)
2 Corinthians 5:7 – We are to walk by faith, not by sight.
“for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 WEB)
1 Samuel 13:14 – The flesh does not want to wait upon the Lord.
“But now your kingdom will not continue. Yahweh has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which Yahweh commanded you.”” (1 Samuel 13:14 WEB)
Exodus 14:13 – We are to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, instead of acting upon the impulses of the flesh.
“Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which he will work for you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again.” (Exodus 14:13 WEB)
In leadership, we operate by the Lord’s leading, not to please the people.
1 Samuel 13:15-16 – The Philistines came so close to the capital of the territory of Benjamin, Gibeah where Saul ruled from.
“Samuel arose, and went from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul counted the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.” (1 Samuel 13:15-16 WEB)
1 Samuel 13:17-18 – Some of the Israelites were fearful and defecting to the Philistines.
A part of the body of Christ today have this mindset of expecting to be oppressed by the enemy instead of expecting the God-kind or overcoming victory.
“The raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual; another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.” (1 Samuel 13:17-18 WEB)
Zechariah 4:6 – We cannot fight the devil with his own fleshly weapons. It is only possible by the Holy Spirit.
“Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is Yahweh’s word to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Yahweh of Armies.” (Zechariah 4:6 WEB)
The River Jordan speaks of death. The children of Israel crossing that river from the wilderness represents going from death to life in Christ.
Genesis 8:4 – The children of Israel crossed the river Jordan on the same date as when the ark rested on Mount Ararat. Ararat means “curse reversed”. In Christ, we stand on resurrection ground, not cursed ground.
“The ship rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on Ararat’s mountains.” (Genesis 8:4 WEB)
Judges 3:16 – Many inventions that have blessed mankind throughout history were created by believers. For example, the Wright brothers who invented the airplane, and Gutenberg who made the Gutenberg printing press.
“Ehud made himself a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he wore it under his clothing on his right thigh.” (Judges 3:16 WEB)
1 Samuel 13:20 – It was humiliating for the Israelites to have to go to the enemy to sharpen their tools.
“but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, each man to sharpen his own plowshare, mattock, ax, and sickle.” (1 Samuel 13:20 WEB)
1 Samuel 13:21 – When you depend on the world, you will have to keep doing so and pay a high cost.
“The price was one payim each to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.” (1 Samuel 13:21 WEB)
Judges 3:31 – This man Shamgar killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. Having the Lord is much better than depending on the ways of the world.
“After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad. He also saved Israel.” (Judges 3:31 WEB)
Judges 15:15 – A thousand men came against Samson, but he slew them with just a jawbone of a donkey. We do not need the implements of the world. God’s way is better.
“He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, put out his hand, took it, and struck a thousand men with it.” (Judges 15:15 WEB)
1 John 2:15-16 – We are in the world but not of the world. When the church tries to adopt the ways of the world, she always falls below the world.
“Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.” (1 John 2:15-16 WEB)
Galatians 6:14 – God’s victory comes by God’s ways. This world is passing away. We are called out from the world’s ideology, to be set apart as unto God.
Usually these manifest as sexual immorality or greed for wealth.
“But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14 WEB)
1 Peter 5:6 – As we humble ourselves under God’s hand, He will exalt us in due time.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;” (1 Peter 5:6 WEB)
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 – Before all the blessings come and overtake you, God sets you on high with Christ.
“It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that Yahweh your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Yahweh your God’s voice.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 WEB)
Ephesians 1:3 – These spiritual blessings translate into material blessings as well.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;” (Ephesians 1:3 WEB)
Deuteronomy 8:18 – God does not give us wealth directly, but the power to get it.
“But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today.” (Deuteronomy 8:18 WEB)
God allowed the Philistines to transport the Ark of the Covenant on a bullock cart. However, when David tried to do the same, death occurred. David was not ignorant of the Scriptures, that the Ark must be carried by the Levites.
1 Corinthians 10:11 – The word translated as “example” is “tupos” in Greek, which means “type”. What happened in the Old Testament are types for us to learn from.
“Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 WEB)
The Philistines represent the world system. They are trying to infiltrate the church and make the body of Christ like the church of Laodicea.
Galatians 3:29 – We are the offspring of Abraham and heirs of the promise.
“If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:29 WEB)
Genesis 26:2, 12-14 – God told Isaac not to go down to Egypt. This is a picture of how God’s children are meant to live by God’s ways and not by the ways of the world.
Isaac prospered by sowing (a picture of tithing). The Philistines envied him, not the other way around. The Gutenberg printing press was an invention made to print Bibles. You can see the fingerprints of God, showing that it is a God-inspired idea.
“Yahweh appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about…Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. Yahweh blessed him. The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great. He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him.” (Genesis 26:2, 12-14 WEB)
We cannot bring the presence of God through worldly methods. That only brings death.
Colossians 3:23 – We labor as unto the Lord, not in order to become rich.
“And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,” (Colossians 3:23 WEB)
Proverbs 23:4 – Laboring to be rich is a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction.
“Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.” (Proverbs 23:4 WEB)
Ecclesiastes 12:11 – Do not despise a word of exhortation or warning that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is precious wisdom.
“The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.” (Ecclesiastes 12:11 WEB)
1 King 1:6 – David never corrected Adonijah at any time. Adonijah went on to try and usurp the throne but was killed in the end.
Do not despise simple things that are from the Lord—they can destroy the work of the enemy and cause you to prosper.
As a parent, just simple words as led by God can have the power to turn your children around from danger or mistakes. They are like ox goads that guide in the right direction. The word “goad” comes from the Hebrew word “lamed” which also means to teach.
“His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.” (1 Kings 1:6 WEB)
Judges 4:21 – Jael killed the mighty general of the enemy forces just with a simple hammer and nail/pin.
“Then Jael Heber’s wife took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him, and struck the pin into his temples, and it pierced through into the ground; for he was in a deep sleep; so he fainted and died.” (Judges 4:21 WEB)
Exodus 4:1-2 – God asks for the simple things in your hand, within your reach. With His power, the simple things can do mighty works.
“Moses answered, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice; for they will say, ‘Yahweh has not appeared to you.’” Yahweh said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”” (Exodus 4:1-2 WEB)
Do not rely on the latest breakthroughs of the world, but on the blessing of God.
2 Kings 4:1-2 – Elisha asked what the woman had in her house. God will bless what you have in your hand, your house, and within your reach.
“Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.” Elisha said to her, “What should I do for you? Tell me: what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.”” (2 Kings 4:1-2 WEB)
2 Kings 4:6 – God’s supply always exceeds the demand. God cannot be limited.
“When the containers were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” He said to her, “There isn’t another container.” Then the oil stopped flowing.” (2 Kings 4:6 WEB)
1 Kings 17:12-13 – The woman despised the little that she had, but when she gave it to Elijah, the power of God manifested in a powerful way.
“She said, “As Yahweh your God lives, I don’t have a cake, but a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jar. Behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do as you have said; but make me a little cake from it first, and bring it out to me, and afterward make some for you and for your son.” (1 Kings 17:12-13 WEB)
1 Corinthians 1:21 – Preaching the Gospel is powerful because of God’s power that is released.
Just a simple act of eating a piece of bread and drinking a small cup of juice (the Lord’s Supper) can destroy sickness and disease.
“For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21 WEB)
Stop comparing yourself with the highlight reels on social media. People only showing their best sides there and it is not a good representation of the truth. It is not worth feeling bad or self-condemned because of social media.
1 Samuel 14:1 – God is looking for young people to work mighty exploits through.
“Now it fell on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side.” But he didn’t tell his father.” (1 Samuel 14:1 WEB)
1 Samuel 14:6-7 – It is not a question of many or few. The Lord can save you in any way—He is not restrained.
A leader who is flowing with God will have the support of people as they can see his heart.
The armor-bearer had full confidence in Jonathan.
“Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that Yahweh will work for us; for there is no restraint on Yahweh to save by many or by few.” His armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Turn and, behold, I am with you according to your heart.”” (1 Samuel 14:6-7 WEB)
1 Samuel 14:36 – The people did not have confidence here. They were told to do what seems good to them.
“Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take plunder among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.” They said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” Then the priest said, “Let us draw near here to God.”” (1 Samuel 14:36 WEB)
1 Samuel 14:11-12 – In the art of war, usually the one with higher elevation has the advantage. But this case, with God, the opposite can be true because it is His power that gives the victory.
“Both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, “Behold, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they had hidden themselves!” The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something!” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me; for Yahweh has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”” (1 Samuel 14:11-12 WEB)
1 Samuel 14:13-16 – Just Jonathan and his armor-bearer were able to cause fear in the camp of the Philistines.
“Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him. That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land. There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the raiders, also trembled; and the earth quaked, so there was an exceedingly great trembling. The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away and scattered.” (1 Samuel 14:13-16 WEB)
1 Samuel 14:17-23 – Saul was not set on seeking the Lord. He kept wavering. All it took was two men of faith to gain the victory over the Philistines. God is just waiting for those who will trust in Him.
“Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count now, and see who is missing from us.” When they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring God’s ark here.” For God’s ark was with the children of Israel at that time. While Saul talked to the priest, the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand!” Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle; and behold, they were all striking each other with their swords in very great confusion. Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before, and who went up with them into the camp, from all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. So Yahweh saved Israel that day; and the battle passed over by Beth Aven.” (1 Samuel 14:17-23 WEB)
Matthew 18:20 – Just two or three believers can do mighty things in Jesus’ name.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”” (Matthew 18:20 WEB)
Hebrews 10:25 – Come to church service to receive grace and your inheritance in Christ as you hear the preached Gospel.
“not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25 WEB)
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