The War Worth Fighting

THE WAR WORTH FIGHTING

THE CAUSE OF WAR - wars don’t happen without a cause
- The ANZAC’s didn’t go to war because it was a nice day and they had nothing else to do with their lives. There was a cause – their allies, the British and French needed help to break through enemy lines and take the city of Constantinople and keep the seaway open for free trade.

- The battle between David and Goliath came about because the Philistines wanted to take the land of Suchoh which belonged to Judah. Israel came to Judah’s aid and attempted to overcome the Philistines but they had come to a standoff – a stalemate. Then David came on the scene and ‘as they say’ the rest is history. Now we have David’s famous words to inspire us ‘IS THERE NOT A CAUSE’.

2 Samuel 23:8 Three mighty men.
- Josheb – 800 men attacked him – His was a fight for his very life.
- Eleazor – His fight was for his people.
- Shammah – just a field of lentils – His fight was for his inheritance.

WHAT’S YOUR CAUSE?
o WHAT ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR? (Salvation for family, God’s promises, Healing)
o IS IT WORTH FIGHTING FOR? Some things aren’t worth fighting for – take our energies and attention away from the right things.

- Whatever your CAUSE it will cost you something….

THE COST OF WAR
1. IT WILL COST YOU YOUR OWN AGENDAS.
Joshua 5:13 – interesting dialogue between Joshua and a visitor.
God had promised this land to Israel.
- Jesus is the commander of our army.
- LORD – Greek ‘Awdon (Adonai) means ‘to rule, Sovereign ruler, Controller of all
- This war is not about whether I win or you win… That’s a flesh and blood war - But we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers & wickedness in high places.
- Spiritual warfare is about taking dominion for God. Putting God on the throne and seeing his will done and his kingdom come on earth.
- Joshua got it… and immediately bowed down in worship and surrender.

2. IT WILL COST YOU THE WORLD.
- 1 John 2:15 - 17
- In 1 Timothy 6:11 – Paul admonished Timothy to pursue righteousness – chase after it
- In the parable of the sower, it was the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things that choked the word of God and made it unfruitful.

3. IT WILL COST YOU YOUR LIFE.
Luke 14:25 – 33
- You can’t have a foot in both camps There’s no sitting on the fence…. Either you’re in or you’re out..
- Double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)
- Jesus said in MATT 12:30 He who is not with me is against me. - can’t have split loyalties
- God is a jealous God - Bride for himself Marriage is exclusive… God is exclusive.
- One of the reasons we don’t get victory is because of wrong motives…James 4:1-6

CASUALTIES OF WAR
- Unfortunately, every war has casualties
- Young men and women went to war knowing full well that they may die fighting. It is the same with spiritual warfare…
- You may not see the results of your warfare this side of glory.
o HEBREWS 11:13 (These ALL DIED IN FAITH, Not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
- Spiritual warfare is not just about us
- Abraham’s fight of faith meant all nations of the world would be blessed….
- Jesus’ war on sin brought salvation for the world….
- DON’T GIVE UP FIGHTING BECAUSE YOU DON’T SEE RESULTS STRAIGHT AWAY…

- LOSE FAITH - 2 THESS 2:2:3 Some will give up the fight and fall away
- DISCOURAGEMENT , DISAPPOINTMENT the devil can bring discouragement, disappointment.
- Just LOSE STRENGTH from a long battle.. Need others to stand with us. We are called to be a body, to fight together. Lone soldiers are easily picked off..
- Wounded Spirit - PROVERBS 18:14 Who can bear a broken (wounded) spirit?
- God promises to come and bring healing and wholeness to us. PSALM 147 says He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TODAY TO NOT GIVE UP.
I’ve read the end of the book and guess what?? WE WIN….
Even when we think we are losing the battle…. The army of the Lord will triumph….