.  Living Hope Fellowship Church....Sermons by the Pastor

PROVEN CHURCH

by Brother Sam Bowles, associate pastor     (01/16/05 p.m.)

             Jesus existed in a human body identical to ours!  He was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God to prove that He was worthy to do the work God had called Him to do. 

            God is testing us.  Quit resisting this proving period.  When you flunk a test, you must take it again until you pass it.  Have we been through the fire and been found faithful? 

            1 Samuel 17:38-39 says, “And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.  And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” 

            Saul tried to give David armor to match what the giant was wearing.  Many times the devil wants us to play even with him, but the devil is no match for God!  You won’t defeat the devil on his playing ground, using his rules, instruments, and armory.  You have to find a place of prayer, get in the Spirit, rebuke the evil thing, and pull down the strongholds.  Then you’ll see the victory through Almighty God!

             2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”  Prayer works!  It is the most effective thing that we have, so let us not question it, but use it!

            1 Samuel 17:40 tells us that David chose five smooth stones out of the brook, and had his sling in his hand.  Anybody should have enough sense to know that this wouldn’t be an even fight, but David killed a lion and a bear, and this was how he did it.  The same God that helped him kill the lion and the bear was going to deliver them from the Philistine giant that day!

            Verse 48 says, “And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”  Don’t run from the devil.  Fear is one of the devil’s weapons.  Instead, say, I am full of the Holy Ghost, and I know that my God is going to deliver me.  I’m coming after you, devil.  You might as well back up, because I’m chasing you!

            Verse 49 says, “And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.  So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. ” 

            He decided not to take what man offered him.  He didn’t need it.  Sometimes what man offers you seems to make more sense than what God  tells you, but did not God frame this whole world in six days?  Did He not make everything that exists?  Shouldn’t we follow His direction?  If God tells me to go south to get north, then I’m going to go south!  You will stand in front of Jesus Christ one day, and you will be glad you obeyed God, not taking the easier route.

            1 Peter 4:12-14 says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you. . . .”  The devil fears a Christian with a motive to come after him to destroy him!  Jesus Christ is on your side, but prepare for the battle! 

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