Complete Sermon Notes
Do Not Be Dismayed!
Dismayed takes discouragement to a new level.
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We say, “If I could just…”
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There is dismay in this room – there are battles going on.
It’s not hard to find rest on the battlefield if you know where to sleep.
2 Chronicles 20:15 [NKJV] – Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them……17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
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Insurmountable odds are not insurmountable: “I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” – Hudson Taylor
“We never test the resources of God until we attempt the IMPOSSIBLE.” – F.B. Meyer
When we are forewarned we are forearmed.
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The battle is not yours: 17 You will not need to fight in this battle.
BUT it says, “16 Tomorrow go down against them.”
The fight is not mine, the outcome is not mine, and the victory is not mine. BUT I PARTICIPATE!
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“Position yourself” with the battle gear on:
EPHESIANS 6:14 PARAPHRASE Stand with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace – taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…
Examples: I’m so dismayed…
A] …my kids are not walking with the LORD
B] …my marriage is failing:
POSITION: Close your mouth and open your heart; stop the nagging and get on your knees; stop making excuses and start taking responsibility. PUT ON THE ARMOUR!
C] …my health is declining
D] …I can’t overcome this habit
POSITION: Stop opening the door when it knocks! Start resisting instead of making excuses. GOD may not remove the desire – “His grace is sufficient.”
E] …this isn’t working – Sometimes we lose the battle to win the war.
Defeat reveals the true character of the warrior.
STAND STILL!! ⇨ Standing Is fighting
My flesh wants to sit down, cry, and give up.
The devil wants me to walk away.
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“The Lord is with you”: It doesn’t “feel” like it.
God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
I feel so inadequate. GOOD…
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Your children are a gift – you’re not only qualified, God called you!
We Often Lose Because We Look to the Wrong Source for Encouragement:
Just about everything that is important to God is devalued by the world.
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“If it feels good do it!”
Common Distractions:
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WORLD: the influence – How we view success? Job, schooling [education], sports, looks
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OTHERS: Nehemiah
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ENEMY: fiery darts
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OURSELVES: the main focus of today: Strengthen Yourself! Position Yourself!
Isaiah 40 [NKJV]: 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.
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He’s not tired, burned out, nor dismayed –
MATTHEW 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall…
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I don’t understand!
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Position yourself in weakness
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Everyone fails without God – even the young
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
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He gives us deliverance from our enemies ‘Til all our fears are gone – we’re no longer slaves to fear – we are children of God
