Jesus's banner

Ooh ooo say can you see
by the dawns early light
my savior on his knees
in the garden of gethsemane

His broad shoulders taking on all sin
he is praying for you and me
His empty cross give hope for eternity
that we are washed by the blood of Him

Ooh ooo say can you see
by the dawns early light
my savior on his knees

in the garden of gethsemane

　

Then conquer we must

when our cause is just
And this be our motto

in God is our trust
        

                  Whos banner will you march under?

Merry Christmas my LORD

The Kings of the earth are men of might,
And cities are burned for their delight,
And the skies rain death in the silent night,
But the King of Heaven, Who made them all,
Is fair and gentle, and very small;
He lies in the straw, by the oxen's stall

JESUS plan for man



Watch:
Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak.1 Corinthians 16:13



Love your wife:Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as
Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;



 
Love Your Family
Exodus 21:5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master,
my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: (in that order)




 
Utterly destroy sin:
Deut 7:2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee;
thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them,
nor show mercy unto them;


Deut 7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house,
lest thou be a cursed hing like it: but thou shalt utterly

detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it;
for it is a cursed thing.

1 Sam 15:18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said,
Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites,
and fight against them until they be consumed.

 

Live Right:Ezekiel 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath
committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and
right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

 

Masculinity:
1Corinthians 11:8 For the man is not of the woman:
but the woman of the man.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood
be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Deuteronmony 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth
unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that
do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Not a dani lion



 
Transformed:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also
be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be
according to their works.


Perfecting:

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God.
Ephesians 4:2 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:



Love each other:
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when
we love God, and keep his commandments.


Love your enemys:
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good,
and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and
ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful
and to the evil.
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on
the just and on the unjust.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.


Sons of God:

John 1:13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:14 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of
the will of man, but of God.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Galations 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh;
not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;




Spirital Warfare:
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2 Corinthians 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Corinthians 10:5 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;
2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience,
when your obedience is fulfilled.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.




Judge:
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my
judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the
Father which hath sent me.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
John 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
1 Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?
and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1 Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things
that pertain to this life.
1 Corinthians 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them
to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with
what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
　1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

When I met Jesus

 
Coming back from a (tent crusade Leroy Jenkins) on arriving back home I felt such great hatrad from someone or something from one of the homes I was cartaker of so I told my family to go ahead and I entered the home because I knew it was suppost to be empty, on entering the bathroom where workers had been working I seen two dark spirals of smoke, I closed my eyes and began to pray loudly as I moved forward with my hands exstended before me I opened my eyes and watched to spirals disappear through the wall.
I ran around to the back of the house and began to pray even louder casting the spirits from this place and bindding them from returning... In my prayer I yelled Lord give me the power to smite the devil about the face, thats when it happened

....... i could hear a loud and rushing wind screaming through the woods, but not a single leaf was disturbed this rushing wind came before me and stopped I stood there wide eyed and than it entered me! I was so freaked out I turned and ran
I went into my wife and opened my mouth and the words yada ada ada siem came out I stood back and regain my composure and told her what had happened. Later I was baptised in Jesus name and came up out of the water speaking in tongues again and haven't stopped since

I had pulled in to a convence store and seen this black man sitting in front he wore a cross and the Lord lead me I believe to give him some money so I gave him five dollars and went my way I met him several times he was maimed and walked with a sever limp normally pushing a shopping cart that he would gather citrus from the local trees and Items he picked out of the trash and offered to sell these items for money he never actually asked for a hand out
My wife and I were seperated at the time and I had came home and begun to speak in tongues willing her to come back to no avail he lead me to watch that movie called bruce all mighty and after words I came home and repented of my actions and went inside I kneeled down and began to speak in tongues with the eye shut it was as if a bright light was being shown in them instead of darkness with my eyes shut there was a warm red glow. as I continued to pray the light got brighter and brighter till it was almost blinding with my eyes shut I thought to my self Ooh My God God is coming

just as I thought that someone knocked on the door I wiped the snot from my nose and dried my tears and answered the door and there was this black man, there was such warmth coming from him I couldn't help my self as I smiled back at him. He began to tell me how when he first came everyone thought he was a drunk and I just stood there as J E S U S spoke to me Robert he said I never had told this man my real name he said I want to visit with you come and spend some time with you when would be a good time for you I said thursday at four
After speaking with J E S U S in side this black man he said I have to go there are some children playing in a intersection a couple roads over I have some debbie cakes that I want to give to them and I watched Jesus walk away down the road
That thursday I went out into the back yard and sat out by the cross (another testimonie) and waited it was a beautiful day not a cloud in the sky and finally I watched a cloud form across the river and move over my home it turned into a awesome storm I stood with my arms stretched up words and spoke in tongues and I heard God ask me what it is that I want

I am soooooooooo ashamed because he had given my late wife and I a ministry and there was so many things that I had already asked God for that was inline with his will Like a son to leave a legacy to and carry my name on through and my marriage so many rightoues things that I could have asked for and instead I said I just want to have fun........

Jesus Name

John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Matthew 28:19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 3:15
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Acts 10:45
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:2
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Spiritual Warfare: Knowing & Understanding Our Enemy

Spiritual Warfare

Knowing & Understanding Our Enemy

Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

I. Introductory Remarks.

Colossians 1:13

us into the kingdom of the Son of His love...

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated

Ephesians 6:12

principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against

As people who have been born again of God's Spirit, we have been delivered

from the power of darkness. There was a time when all of us were under the

influence and the jurisdiction of Satan's kingdom and domain. Now that we have

been born again and translated into the kingdom of God, we should not take

lightly that we still have an enemy who wants to bring harm to us and render us

ineffective as ambassadors of God's kingdom.

I believe it is important for us to understand the tactics and cunning devices of

God's arch enemy. Therefore, in this message today I want to talk about Satan,

who he is, his origin and fall and how he seeks to work in our lives. The Bible

says we are not to be ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:11

ignorant of his devices.

...lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not

I believe many Christians are walking around in defeat and even in backslidden

conditions, simply because they have not been aware of the enemy's cunning

devices in their lives. We need to understand that Satan is the arch enemy of

God and the church. That means he is your arch enemy as well, if you belong to

God. His intent is to destroy the work of God in your life by any means possible.

Therefore we should understand just who this enemy is and how he works.

In warfare many victories are won by those who understand and know the moves

of their enemy. In spiritual warfare it is much the same way, the more we know

and understand the tactics of our enemy the more on guard we will be, as well as

being able to thwart his attacks.

1 Peter 5:8

like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Spiritual Warfare Page 2

II. Satan's Origin And Fall.

Who is Satan and where did he come from? This is a question of great

importance. The answer to this question gives us insight into his characteristics

and how he tries to operate in our lives.

1. He Was One Of God's Created Beings – An Archangel.

Ezekiel 28:13-14

was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper,

sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels

and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. "You were the

anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain

of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone

Before his fall he was one of the most powerful angelic beings in the universe,

being of great beauty. His name was Lucifer and he had a high position in

heaven before he became Satan. Lucifer used his position and brought

destruction upon himself. He was perfect in every way.

Ezekiel 28:15

iniquity was found in you.

You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till

2. He Was Cast Out Of Heaven Because Of Sin.

Ezekiel 28:16

violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the

mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the

fiery stones.

"By the abundance of your trading you became filled with

Ezekiel 28:17

your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you

before kings, that they might gaze at you.

"Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted

3. Lucifer's Five "I Wills" Cause His Fall.

Pride enters into the heart of one of God's mightiest creatures and causes his

destruction and made Lucifer into the devil.

Isaiah 14:13-14

exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the

congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of

For you have said in your heart: `I will ascend into heaven, I will

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Spiritual Warfare Page 3

the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'

1. I will ascend into heaven...

2. I will exalt my throne above the

stars of God...

3. I will sit upon the mount of the

congregation...

4. I will ascend above the heights of

the clouds...

5. I will be like the Most High...

Lucifer wanted to sit where God is and wanted his throne to be in heaven, not on

earth. The name "Most High" in the Bible is the word "El Eloim" which not only

means "most high," but also means "the possessor of heaven and earth."

Imagine, that a creature, a created angel, wanted to be possessor of heaven and

earth. This is why he failed and became the devil.

Lucifer did not want to get closer to God because of love. He wanted to get

closer because of jealousy. He was not satisfied with just getting closer, he

wanted to sit on the throne.

When Lucifer fell and was cast out of heaven, he was thrown out of the third

heaven. The Lord Jesus saw Satan fall from heaven like lightening.

Luke 10:18

And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Jesus simply meant He saw Satan fall from the third heaven as lightning. Right

now the devil is still in the heavenlies. His place today is in the second heaven.

He dwells there as much as he dwells in the earth. He rules from his place of

authority, the heavenlies. This is the place we wrestle against spiritual hosts of

wickedness in the heavenly places. Eventually Satan will be thrown out of this

realm of heaven as well. This happens just prior to the great tribulation.

Revelation 12:7-8

against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not

prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought

III. Who Is Satan Today.

1. He Is A Powerful Angelic Being With Power To Deceive.

Let's remember that he is still a powerful angelic being of great beauty and is still

able to transform himself into an angel of light and to even transform his

ministers into ministers of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

& Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Spiritual Warfare Page 4

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transUnderstanding

forming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself

transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his

ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end

will be according to their works.

Matthew 24:24

signs and wonders, so as to deceive if possible, even the elect.

"For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great

2. He is the god or the Prince of this World.

John 14:30

coming, and he has nothing in Me.

"I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is

2 Corinthians 4:4

believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of

God, should shine on them.

...whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not

1 John 5:19

[sway] of the wicked one.

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the

IV. Satan's Major Tactics and Works.

1. He Works through Deception and Subtlety.

2 Corinthians 11:3

craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his

In writing about America's problems with our own national security, Jim Banford,

author of "The Puzzle Palace", said, "Once you've sold one secret you're usually

hooked. They don't start by asking to get a top secret document. They usually

ask for something innocuous, like a telephone directory. Once a person starts,

they're hooked at that point." Isn't that the way Satan operates? He tempts us

to make little compromises that seem so insignificant and end up ensnaring us in

sin.

His deception often times comes through the word of God itself. He will take

God's word and either question it, take away or add to it. He will try to wrest the

scriptures to our destruction as well as his. This is how he was able to deceive

Eve.

•

He caused Eve to question God's Word.

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Spiritual Warfare Page 5

which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed

said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

•

He Quoted Half Truths to Jesus.

Matthew 4:6

down. For it is written: `He shall give His angels charge concerning you,' and, `In

their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

...and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself

•

He twists or Wrests the Scriptures.

2 Peter 3:16

are some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable

twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which

John 8:44

want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the

truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his

own resources, for he is a [liar] and the father of it.

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you

Our victory over this kind of an attack is by knowing and understanding the Word

of God, being like David who said, "I have hid the word in my heart that I might

not sin against You."

•

He Transforms Himself into an Angel of Light

His deception also comes about because of his ability to be transformed into an

angel of light. This is one of the major ways in which Christians shall be deceived

in the last days. The Bible says there is a strong delusion that is coming with

false signs and wonders being done by Satan's own ministers.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15

into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform

themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their

works.

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself

2. He Purposes to Stumble Us and Lay Snares In our Paths.

Psalms 140:4-5

from violent men, who have purposed to make my steps stumble. The proud

have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside;

they have set traps for me. Selah

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me

Understanding & Knowing Our Enemy Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Spiritual Warfare Page 6

He waits for those vulnerable times in our lives when we are most susceptible to

temptation and then springs the trap. This was exactly how he worked in the life

of Jesus.

Luke 4:13

Him until an opportune time.

Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from

Our victory over this Satan in this area is to continually keep our eyes on Jesus,

because when our eyes are on Jesus, He will steer us around the traps and help

us to strengthen those areas of vulnerability. He will be our guard.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

you from the evil one.

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard

3. He Opposes And Exalts Himself Above All That Is God.

The very thing that got Satan into trouble in the first place is still the major

characteristic that he has imbedded into our society -- the antichrist spirit.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the

son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or

that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself

that he is God.

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will

V. Other Tactics and Devices.

1. He afflicts the righteous.

2. Claims authority over the world.

3. Blinds the minds of unbelievers.

4. Slanders and accuses saints.

5. He opposes the righteous - tries to

keep us in our place.

6. Instigates us to sin or tempts us.

7. Contends with us in heavenly

realms.

8. He places his people in the church

to defraud it.

9. He steals, kills and destroys.

It is important for us to understand that our enemy is already defeated in every

sense of the word. Jesus defeated Him once and for all at the cross. All we

have to do is call on Jesus and defeat him by the blood of His testimony.

1 John 4:4

who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He

Armor Bearer

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor Bearer Are You?

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits

Men’s Retreat 2007

I. Introductory Remarks.

I want to share a concept with you that should revolutionize the way you think

about ministry and God fulfilling His call and destiny in your lives. It’s an attitude

that must be in place in our lives if we are to properly motivate one another to

great exploits in Jesus.

We are living in an age that will demand more and more of us as Christians. If

Christianity is to become more of a force to be reckoned with, it will demand that

we as Christians are more involved in great exploits for our King. We need to be

men who provoke one another to great exploits in God.

Daniel 11:32

corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry

out great exploits.

(NKJV) "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall

God’s desire is for all of us to be people who know our God and thus doing great

exploits for Him. The focus of this message is about encouraging others and

esteeming others as more important than yourself. It’s about being an armorbearer.

It about perceiving the grace and anointing in others so that you can

properly encourage them to great exploits in God.

Message Title: What Kind of an Armor Bearer Are You?

Definition of an Armor-bearer:

because of his bravery, not only to bear their armor, but also to stand by them in

the time of danger.

An officer selected by kings and generals— Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

II. Illustration: The Story of Jonathan and Armor bearer – 1 Samuel 14

This is a powerful story of someone who knew his God and what God was

capable of and how Jonathan’s armor-bearer encouraged him to take a risk of

faith that brought forth a great exploit and victory for the nation of Israel. This

passage of scripture truly shows how we must work together to do great exploits

for Jesus.

Background of Story:

because the Philistines are operating from a stronghold and terrorizing the

Saul and his army are reduced to about 600 men

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 2

Israelites to the degree that most of the army has deserted and is hiding in

caves, thickets, rocks, holes and pits. Of the 600 men only Saul and Jonathan

have weapons, because the Philistines took away all their blacksmiths.

Similar to where Christianity is today:

before the enemy with our entire spiritual arsenal stripped from us because we

have compromised ourselves before our enemies of the faith.

What is needed today are new heroes of the faith who are willing to do great

exploits by taking great risks in faith to insure the victories that are needed.

Much of Christianity today is cowering

1 Samuel 14:1-2

the young man who bore his armor,

garrison that is on the other side." But he did not tell his father.

was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in

Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men.

Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to"Come, let us go over to the Philistines'2And Saul

•

laughed at him and destroyed his faith.

Why didn’t Jonathan tell his father? His father probably would have

•

visions, goals and calling with without being ridiculed.

He goes to his armor-bearer and begins to share his plan.

We need to know who the people are in our lives that we can share ourJonathan knew.

•

Do you know who your trusted armor-bearers are?

1 Samuel 14:6

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor,

"Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be

that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving

by many or by few."

•

God was able to do.

Many of us are afraid to step out in faith unless we have a sure word from the

Lord. At this point in the story, Jonathan did not have a sure word. All he had

was what he knew God was able to do.

Later on in the story He had a faith that was invincible, because as he began to

move forward in what He knew God was able to do, his faith was personalized

Jonathan’s confession of faith – He stepped out in faith in what He knew

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 3

and is confession turned from one of

LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel."

“it might be” to "Come up after me, for the

The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith – Romans 10:17.

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The Armor-bearer’s response.

1 Samuel 14:7

then; here I am with you, according to your heart."

"Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them.

So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go8Then Jonathan said,

9

place and not go up to them.

"If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our

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in his life

His armor bearer said,

nation of Israel reaped a great blessing and victory because the armor-bearer

encouraged Jonathan in this process.

This was to be one of Jonathan’s greatest and most successful exploits.“Do all that is in your heart, I am with you.” The whole

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attacking from every side.

Saul and his army were literally stuck in discouragement with the enemy

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and his armor-bearer.

Now the balance of war is about to change because of the exploits of one man

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Lord works with him to win a great battle in which the enemies of Israel are in

such a state of confusion, that they begin to kill one another.

As the story goes on, Jonathan becomes invincible in his faith and the

1 Samuel 14:12b

the L

Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, forORD has delivered them in the hand of Israel.

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been scattered and were in hiding.

Saul and all the people eventually join him in the battle with all those who had

1 Samuel 14:22-23

mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also

followed hard after them in the battle.

the battle shifted to Beth Aven.

Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the23So the LORD saved Israel that day, and

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 4

The point I want to focus on here is, how important the armor-bearer was to

Jonathan and his great exploit and victory that ensued.

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then; here I am with you, according to your heart."

He encouraged Jonathan greatly by saying "Do all that is in your heart. Go

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Jonathan did.

He stood with him in the battle and risked his life in the same way that

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battle, I don’t believe Jonathan would have had the courage to go it alone.

Without his encouragement and willingness to stand with Jonathan in the

III. What Does It Take to Be a Good Armor-Bearer?

We find some of these attitudes later on in the life of Jonathan in his friendship to

David. Even though Jonathan had has his great moments in battle, he was

perceiving the grace of God in David and that God had truly called David. He

must decrease while David increases.

In the same way that his armor-bearer laid his life down for him, he must now do

the same for David. Jonathan and David were both kingdom men. They saw

beyond the natural circumstances and into the kingdom perspective.

1. We Must See Our Lives Through A Kingdom Perspective

.

1 Samuel 20:4

do it for you."

So Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you yourself desire, I will

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most or do you see your life through an eternal perspective?

Are you seeing your life through the here and now and what benefits you the

2. We Must Be Willing To Lay Our Lives Down For The Benefit of Others

and the Kingdom.

Jonathan sacrificed his position for the throne in light of the grace he

perceived in David

to David and knew in his heart David was the man – not him.

fully supported David and helped David to become the great man of God that he

was.

. I believe he took an inventory of his life in comparisonAs a result he

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 5

1 Samuel 20:30-31

said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you

have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your

mother's nakedness?

you shall not be established, nor your kingdom

bring him to me, for he shall surely die."

Then Saul's anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he31"For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth,. Now therefore, send and

Jonathan’s willingness to help David escape his father shows that he was willing

to lay down his own dreams and aspirations to see David succeed. He was

willingly giving up his position as the future king of Israel because he perceived

the grace and anointing was on David.

You will never be able to properly encourage and provoke others to great exploits

until you are truly willing to lose your life.

Luke 17:33

will preserve it.

"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life

1 John 3:16 – Lay our lives down for one another. We must learn how to throw

the lifeline to others no matter what the cost to our own lives maybe.

How many of us are willing to lay down our own dreams and aspirations to see

others succeed in our stead when we perceive there is a grace and an anointing

that may be greater than our own?

Personal testimony of resigning as Sr. Pastor

:

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moved in.

My wife and I pastored in the Bonita Building for 12 years before the Rock

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the church forward from a state of decline.

Took an inventory of my life and grace – did not feel I had the grace to move

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kingdom difference in our community.

Our prayer was that the building could be sold to someone who could make a

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I was led to Pastor Francis, knowing he wanted to start a church in Roseville.

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knew he was a man of vision and excellence.

I had been to his evangelism seminars and gifts of the spirit seminars and

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Became an armor-bearer to Pastor Francis.

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hard because we were just being obedient to God’s will and to the integrity of

the man God had called us to serve.

People always said to us, “Wasn’t that hard to do? Honestly it wasn’t that

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Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 6

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delivering newspapers while we were figuring out what to do next.

How did this attitude come about? Was it something that was just developed

over night? No! There were previous trials and responses that led to this being

worked out in our lives.

We went from being senior pastors to becoming the church janitors and

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bearer.

Example of former pastor rejecting me and continuing to serve as his armor

3. We Must Develop An Attitude Of Honoring And Preferring One Another.

This really is the attitude adjustment that needs to take place in all of our lives if

we are to successfully encourage one another to great exploits.

Romans 12:10

honor giving preference to one another;

Philippians 2:3-4

lowliness of mind

look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, inLet nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but inlet each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you

This is really the primary attitude and concept that allows us to become all that

God has ordained for our lives and that properly motivates us to encourage

others to great exploits in Jesus.

Selfish ambition and conceit will only produce wood, hay and stubble in your

lives. You may have some exploits, but they won’t be the exploits that are born

out of the heart of God.

God wants to lead you into exploits that produce gold, silver and precious stones.

It really takes having an attitude of preferring others as more important than

yourself to produce the qualities that true armor bearers have.

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must decrease.”

John the Baptist understood this when he said, “Jesus must increase and he

John 3:30

and less.

(NLT) He must become greater and greater, and I must become less

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We have to guard our hearts from jealousies and selfish ambitions.

Life Guard – What Kind of an Armor-Bearer Are You? Ken Birks, Pastor/Teacher

Provoking One Another to Great Exploits Page 7

4. We Must Recognize The Season We Are In And Build Our Lives Within

The Balance.

Jonathan recognized both seasons he was in. He knew when it was time to step

out in faith to perform great exploits and he also recognized the season of being

a great encourager to David. Kingdom people have a sense of where they are at

and what they have been commissioned to do and build accordingly. Do you?

Joel 2 gives us a vivid picture of the church functioning perfectly – Everyone

knew their place and position. This is what is going to make the church in the

last days become the beautiful and glorious church going forth doing the great

exploits that it has been purposed for.

Joel 2:7-8,11

Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks.

one another; every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between

the weapons, they are not cut down.

For His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word.

They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war;8They do not push11The LORD gives voice before His army,

Ephesians 4:16

every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does

its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love

At The Rock there are so many areas we can serve as armor-bearers such as

small groups, prayer team, care-giving, greeting, ushering and serving in the

many different areas. If you see a hole, figure out how you can plug it up.

I believe it’s time for the balance of power to change in our spiritual warfare. Just

as Jonathan and his armor bearer were able to change the balance of power for

the nation of Israel, I believe we can do the same for the church as we link

together with those we are serving with. Especially now, as we are positioned at

the gates of the city, let us go forth in the position God has ordained for this

season of our lives.

Let us march in step with each other, no one pushing or shoving for position, but

rather united together to hear the voice of God as He gives voice to his great

army in this hour of our destiny!from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what.