The Three

“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: ( Josobeth–shebeth) Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time. And next to him among the three mighty men was (El-e-a-sur) Eleazar the son of ( Doda) Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain. And next to him was Shammah, the son of (Aye –G) Agee the (Hay-rah-rite)Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.” (2 Samuel 23:8-12, ESV)

[1]

I want to suggest to you this morning that the only way we will be successful in making it in this life and seeing the next is that we have to be a soldier in the army of God. I want to introduce to you three sets of “The Three” My topic “The Three” Let us pray

I want us to take a look at these three great soldiers in the army of David. These men trained in the nuances of battlefield in a time when David was persecuted by Saul. These three devoted soldiers chronicled here in the second book of Samuel was there love, fealty and devotion to a cause and a man that they believed in. I’m hoping that as we take a quick look we will catch a glimpse of what it means to be devoted to God’s army and be God’s soldier.

The Word of God says that these men were mighty. They accomplished great things for God. Are you with me? The Hebrew word of mighty here is gibbor and is used to denote excellence. It means strong and brave as well. The word is used in the OT to describe superiority and brilliance a quality that surpasses. It is used to describe the excellence of a lion (Prov 30:30) the quality of righteousness, even the quality of wickedness, In Isaiah the prophet uses it to describe God (Is 9:6) But the Bible states the reason why a man or woman is victorious is not because of strength but because of understand, wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.

"The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you." (Psalm 33:16-22, ESV)

[2]

Bruce Lee

Hero

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)

[3]

The first three mighty men were:

1. ( Josobeth–shebeth)Josheb-Basshebeth, also called Adino the Eznite—he slew eight hundred men at one time. (1 Chron. says three hundred, but that number is probably a copyist’s error.)

The bigger they come the harder they fall. And the more they come they more they fall.

Small, medium, huge no matter they are still going down.

The Bible let's us know that as Christians we have a mode of invincibility.

And looking at them Jesus said to them, “aWith people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

[4]

[5]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Mt 19:26). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

13 I can do all things 1through Him who astrengthens me. [6]

[7]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Php 4:13). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for apower is perfected in weakness.” [8]

[9]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (2 Co 12:9). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

You notice the similarities with those texts. The mode of invincibility comes when we unite with Divinity

We learn two things from this passage Christians go through stuff. Lots of stuff but are victorious every time!

aMany are the bafflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord cdelivers him out of them all.

[10]

[11]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Ps 34:19). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Why is it that the Bible says many are the afflictions of the righteous?

Each victory helps you prepare for this life and to make it in the next.

"The very trials that task our faith most severely and make it seem that God has forsaken us, are to lead us closer to Christ, that we may lay all our burdens at His feet and experience the peace which He will give us in exchange" PP. p. 129[12]

[13]Conrad J. White. (2007). Sermons of Conrad J. White.

He will never give you more than you can bear

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and aGod is faithful, who will not allow you to be btempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. [14]

a 1 Cor 1:9

b 2 Pet 2:9

[15]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (1 Co 10:13). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Josobeth–shebeth

Nothing on that line that you won't be able to take care of with the help of God

Eleazar the son of ( Doda) Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain

2. Eleazar—he fought off the Philistines when his fellow soldiers had retreated. They returned only to strip the slain. When the battle was over, his hand was so weary (probably cramped) that he could not unclasp his fingers from the sword.

Listen in this life we will have many battles but you have to keep on fighting. When you do God will give you victory. But remember we will have to experience some pain along the way!

You must not let go of the sword. The sword is the Word of God it must be in your heart!

The Bible said that his hand got weary but he couldn’t let go of his sword even if he wanted to.

Reminds me of the Prophet Daniel . . .

The Bible says that in the heat of the battle most of the soldiers quit! They only came back to get the spoils.

Stand

[Verse]
What do you do
when you've done all you can
And it seems like it's never enough?
And what do you say
when your friends turn away,
you're all alone?
Tell me, what do you give
When you've given your all,
and seems like
you can't make it through?

Stand and be sure
Be not entangled in that bondage again
You just stand, and be sure.
God has a purpose.
Yes, God has a plan.

Tell me what do you do
when you've done all you can
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child you just stand
You just stand
Stand
Don't you give up
Through the storm , through the rain
Through the hurt , through the pain

[Chorus]
Well, you just stand
When there's nothing left to do
You just stand
Watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you've done all you can
You just stand

Don't you bow, don't bend
Don't give up, don't give in
Hold on, just be strong
God will step in and it won't be long
VERSE
Tell me,
how do you handle the guilt of your past?
Tell me, how do you deal with the shame?
And how can you smile
when your heart is broken
and filled with pain?
Tell me what do you give
when you've given your all
Seems like you can't make it through?

After you've done all you can
After you've gone through the hurt
After you've gone through the pain
After you've gone through the storm
After you've gone through the rain
Prayed and cried,you've prayed and cried
Prayed and cried, prayed and cried
After you've done all you can, you just stand.

Child you just stand,
when there's nothing left to do
You just stand
Watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you've done all you can
You just stand.

And next to him was Shammah, the son of (Aye –G) Agee the (Hay-rah-rite)Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.” (2 Samuel 23:8-12, ESV)

Sometimes you have to stand alone

Self-righteousness

Shammah met with a party of the enemy, that were foraging, and routed them, v. 11, 12. But observe, both concerning this exploit and the former, it is here said, The Lord wrought a great victory. Note, How great soever the bravery of the instruments is, the praise of the achievement must be given to God. These fought the battles, but God wrought the victory. Let not the strong man then glory in his strength, nor in any of his military operations, but let him that glories glory in the Lord.

Thus says the Lord, “aLet not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the bmighty man boast of his might, let not a crich man boast of his riches;

24 but let him who boasts aboast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who bexercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I cdelight in these things,” declares the Lord.

[16]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Je 9:23-24). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Message of the 3 Angels

Revelation 14:6

Righteousness by Faith

Invest and Invite

Revelation 12:9

Victory guaranteed if we are soldiers

One of the reasons why we are not successful is because we are playing the wrong role. We position ourselves and see ourselves in the wrong light

You ever notice certain similarities with nightmares.

Boogeyman, Frankenstein, Jason (from Friday the 13th) or that other guy Freddy Cruger the madman who can only get you in your dreams or that new movie that was out recently called Saw III

Do you know the simularities in these nightmares that make it frightening? You're the victim!

Perfect love cast out all fear

Dracular

Scenario of a black man being accosted by Dracular

Reason why we think we are victims is because we are not in the solider mode of thinking we are in victim mode!

We are living in fear mode! But when you live in the fear of God you are in soldier mode!

You need to get in soldier mode you need to put on your armor

Which mode you in this morning?

Through divine strength the weakest saint is more than a match for him and all his angels, and if brought to the test he would be able to prove his superior power.[17]

[18]Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5. 1855; 2002 (293). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

There's a difference between the victory and the battle. The victory comes at the end but right now the battle rages!

How many of you play dominoes? Well if you knew you were going to win every time you played how assuring would that be?

To be a conqueror you have to endure the battle scars. Sometimes the pain is fierce, sometimes the scars are long and deep. But guess what there's a healing process if you wait long enough

Being a conqueror doesn't mean you don't go through pain. My God never said you would never cry as a Christian, Jesus wept!

He never said there would not be any casualities in war, He never said everyone would always be faithful. He never said everyone would hold on to Him and be your prefect example.

He never said you would never lose love ones while going on the way!

He never said you wouldn't grieve. Life is tough but what He did say was He would never leave you nor forsake you!

When you are playing the game of life and things get a little rough for ya! Times get a little hard for ya! Then take that sword open it up and remember that God promised the victory!

Sometimes you might forget!

But when you take up that sword and remember who it was who brought you and who is going to lead you in the end.

You remember that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and you remember that no matter how rough things may be now. No matter how much you might be getting hammered in the trenches under the battle that eventually your journey is going to be spelled V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Final Three

Father, Son and Holy Ghost

With God all things . . .

Which mode are you are in today?

10 Finally, abe strong in the Lord and in bthe strength of His might.

11 aPut on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the bschemes of the devil.

12 For our astruggle is not against 1bflesh and blood, but cagainst the rulers, against the powers, against the dworld forces of this edarkness, against the fspiritual forces of wickedness in gthe heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up athe full armor of God, so that you will be able to bresist in cthe evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, ahaving girded your loins with truth, and having bput on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having ashod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 1in addition to all, taking up the ashield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the bflaming arrows of cthe evil one.

17 And take athe helmet of salvation, and the bsword of the Spirit, which is cthe word of God.

18 1With all aprayer and petition 2bpray at all times cin the Spirit, and with this in view, 3dbe on the alert with all eperseverance and fpetition for all the saints,

19 and apray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me bin the opening of my mouth, to make known with cboldness dthe mystery of the gospel, [19]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Eph 6:10-19). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

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[1] The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

[2] The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

[3] The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.