Exodus 23:20
The Christian life is intended to be full, rich, and abundant, and God's principles of conquest, including letting Him go before us and obeying the Spirit's direction, are essential for experiencing this kind of life.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that the Christian life is meant to be full, rich, and abundant, despite the battles we face. He explains that entering the promised land symbolizes a life of continual joy and victory, not the absence of struggles. Smith outlines the principles of conquest, urging believers to let God lead and to obey His voice, rather than rushing into battles on their own. He also highlights God's method of conquest as 'little by little,' revealing areas for victory gradually to ensure we depend on Him. Ultimately, the sermon encourages Christians to trust in God's perfect strategy and timing for their lives.
Text
"THE PRINCIPLES OF CONQUEST
Intro: History of Israel typical history. I Cor. 10. Written for examples that we might
be admonished, lest we also perish in the wilderness. Heb. 4; Admonished to
enter into God's rest.
I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS INTENDED TO BE FULL, RICH AND ABUNDANT.
A. This is not always the image projected by adherents.
1. Some Christians question our joy.
2. Keith was even rebuked by prominent Christian leaders.
B. The promised land is not heaven in O.T typology.
1. Jordan river not physical death.
a. Song writers have sometimes indicated this.
b. Song writers are not always good theologians.
2. When Israel came into promised land they had battles..., defeat....
C. God has promised a life of continual joy and victory.
1. A peace that passes human understanding.
2. Notice he did not say there would not be any battles. "More
than conquers."
II. THE PRINCIPLES OF CONQUEST.
A. Let God go before you. "I wills."
1. One of greatest problems is getting ahead of God.
a. City of Ai.
2. We want to charge right into the enemy.
a. We expend our energies engaging the enemy when had we just
waited he would have fallen.
b. Isn't it God's will that we witness?
B. Let the Spirit direct the battle "obey His voice" v.21.
1. We imagine we see the problem so clearly.
a. League with Gibeonites "they took stock of their victuals and
inquired not of the Lord."
b. They acted before they prayed.
1. Too many times we do this, then pray, "O God, bless my
actions," especially when it becomes apparent we goofed.
2. God has the perfect battle strategy.
a. We may not understand it - Jericho.
b. Not ours to understand but to obey.
III. GOD'S METHOD OF CONQUEST, "LITTLE BY LITTLE."
A. Not the whole territory at once.
1. This is the method we think He should follow.
a. Give me instant perfection.
B. Just one area at a time.
1. The spirit reveals the self life little by little.
a. If He showed it all at once we couldn't take it.
b. Don't try to bring others under your convictions.
1. You can be sending them into battles for which they are
not prepared.
2. He does not lead us beyond our range.
3. He does not reveal to condemn.
a. Only to show which area He wants to give victory in next.
b. I have come to rejoice in His revelations.
1. Oh good He's going to take care of that now.
C. Why just little by little?
1. The area that needs conquering is too great.
2. We must continually depend upon Him.
Sermon Outline
- The Christian Life is Intended to be Full, Rich and Abundant points: - Contrary to the image projected by some Christians - The promised land is not heaven in OT typology - God has promised a life of continual joy and victory
- The Principles of Conquest points: - Let God go before you - Let the Spirit direct the battle
- God's Method of Conquest, 'Little by Little' points: - Not the whole territory at once - Just one area at a time - Why just little by little?
Key Quotes
“God has promised a life of continual joy and victory.” — Chuck Smith
“We may not understand God's battle strategy, but we need to obey.” — Chuck Smith
“He does not reveal to condemn, but to show which area He wants to give victory in next.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We need to wait for God to lead the way and not try to charge into the enemy on our own.
- We need to obey the Spirit's direction and not try to understand God's battle strategy.
- We need to trust in God's method of conquest, which is 'little by little', and not try to bring others under our convictions.