Bring the Ark into your Battle
Pastor Roy DeLaGarza –
Window of Heaven Sanger, Ca.
June 7, 2009
1 Samuel 4:2-7 (read:5-7)
Intro:
The Israelites were under heavy attack from their enemies, the Philistines: (Vs.2)
they lost 4,000 soldiers. The Bible says they were smitten. They lost the battle badly. Have you ever felt like you are losing
your battle too? Are you suffering loss, getting slaughtered at work, home, finances, etc? The Israelites took a toll to see
what they were doing wrong so they could begin to win. Here’s what they discovered that turned them from losers to winners.
You need to do implement what they did into your battles too.
1.
Why did God allow this?
a. The elders asked. They were the spiritual heads. It was their job to understand
what was going on the spirit.
b. The Ark had been left out of their battle. The Ark of the Covenant
represents, and is God’s presence in the midst o His people.
c. Leave
it out of your battles, you lose! Put the Ark (God’s presence) into your battles, you win!
2. We need what the Presence of God does:
a. We cannot do it on our own.
b. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
c. He will help you in
areas you know little or nothing about.Here is what the Ark
of the Covenant (God’s presence does in the lives o His people.
3. It creates changes: 2 Cor. 5:17- I any man be in
Christ he is a new creature
a. The ark stolen
by the Philistines 1 Sam. 5:1= changed the temple of Dagon.
b. Our
bodies (temples) are changed too. 1 Cor. 3:16
4. It frightens Your Enemies:
a. The enemy cried out with fear. That’s what he’ll do too when he realizes
you now have the presence of God in your life too.
b. He knows that means you are not the same. You are different when God’s presence is with you. Rom 8:31, “If
God be for us, who can be against us?”
c. The enemy cannot dwell where God dwells. He must flee!
5. It Brings great Joy:
a. In 2 Sam. 6:14 David danced before the Lord with ALL his might. He put his strength
into it.
b. His wife,
Michael got angry and criticized. She became sterile. Ministries, churches etc that criticize will also be sterile= no giving
of birth.
c. God’s
joy gives you a reason to celebrate
Conclusion: How do we
bring his presence? Into our lives, homes, church, etc. Is it by invitation? Yes! When we get saved? Yes! We really bring
in the Ark of His presence when we Praise and Worship.
·
Psalm 76:2; Psalm 9:11
· With
singing and Praises. (Paul & Silas in prison)
· Acts 16:25
