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1.       The year was 1941, Hitler was rolling, cutting through Europe like paper, it appeared that no nation could stop him.  On the 29th day of October then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited the school that he used to attend as a youth, Harrow school to listen again to the traditional songs he had sung there as a youth, as well as speak to the students.  The student body listened intently as this great man began to speak.  The speech contrary to published reports was over 4 minuets long, but there were about 43 words that will be remembered most.  They were:

·         Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty-never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.  Never yield to force.  Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

·         I believe tonight I have a Word from the Lord for this church and that’s this NEVER GIVE IN!  IT’S NOT TIME TO GIVE IN!


1 Timothy 6:12-14

12 Fight the good fight of faith , lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

·          We need to keep fighting tonight.  The LORD’S calling someone back into the fight here tonight.

 
NT:75 agonizomai (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee); from NT:73; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something):

 

·         I wish some of you precious people would realize that prayer is a struggle.

·         We have no victory sometimes because we aren’t willing to fight for it.

·         You’ve got to fight to get the victory, and you’ve got to FIGHT TO KEEP THE VICTORY!

·         Lay hold on eternal life tonight, whereunto thou art also called.  WE’RE CALLED UNTO ETRNAL LIFE TONIGHT.

 

NT:1949 epilambanomai (ep-ee-lam-ban'-om-ahee); middle voice from NT:1909 and NT:2983; to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively):

 

·          SOMEONE NEEDS TO SEIZE WHAT THE LORD HAS FOR THEM TONIGHT!

·          NEVER GIVE IN.  NEVER GIVE IN.  NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER-IN NOTHING, GREAT OR SMALL, LARGE OR PETTY-NEVER GIVE IN.

·          NEVER YIELD TO FORCE!



2 Chronicles 20:15-18

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's .
16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

 

·          It’s not time to give in.  It’s just GETTING GOOD!

·          What’s the difference between a good book and a bad book?  THE END!

·          Why is the devil fighting so much?  HE KNOWS THE END OF THE BOOK!



2 Corinthians 10:3-6

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
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;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
 

·         The greatest weapon we have is OUR WORSHIP

·         Why is it in the midst of the adversity we develop SPIRITUAL AMNESIA?



Matthew 16:5-12

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.


Matthew 16:13-19

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
 

Luke 22:31-34

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
 

Mark 14:70-72

70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

 
Psalms 77:11-15

11 I will remember the works of the LORD : surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.


Acts 12:5-8

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

 
Acts 16:23-26

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

 
·         Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

 

Psalms 20:7-8

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

 

2 Kings 6:15-18

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

 
2 Kings 7:3-9

3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.
6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.
8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.
9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.

 
Galatians 6:9

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

NT:1573 ekkakeo (ek-kak-eh'-o) or egkakeo (eng-kak-eh'-o); from NT:1537 and NT:2556; to be (bad or) weak, i.e. (by implication) to fail (in heart):

 
NT:2325 therizo (ther-id'-zo); from NT:2330 (in the sense of the crop); to harvest:


NT:1590 ekluo (ek-loo'-o); from NT:1537 and NT:3089; to relax (literally or figuratively):

 

 

_
Acts 17:15-17

15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry .
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

 
·          For the city to get stirred, there had to be a Paul in the city to stir!

·          If this city is going to be stirred….There’s Got To Be A Stirring In The CHURCH FIRST!

·          People need to be coming unto us and start saying What is going on at YOUR CHURCH!?

·          God’s moving, lives are being changed and transformed, new lives are being traded for old.  Jesus is MOVING!

·          If there’s going to be a stirring…Let It Begin With ME!

·          We can’t wait until revival starts on Oct. 11for the evangelist to stir us, WE NEED TO STIR THE EVAGELIST!

·          Come on Bro. the waters being troubled and stirred jump in with us!

·          If there is going to be PRAYER in the church…Let It Begin With ME!

·          If there’s going to be fasting in the church…Let It Begin With ME!

·          If there’s going to be worship in the church..Let It Begin With ME!

·          If there’s going to be COMMITMENT in the church…Let It Begin With ME!!

·          If there’s going to be an EXAMPLE in the church…Let It Begin With ME!



1 Corinthians 11:1-2

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.


Philippians 4:9

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

·          If it’s got to begin somewhere…Let It Begin With ME!

·          This has got to move beyond this pulpit TO THE PEW!

·          If this has got to move to the Pew…LET IT BEGIN WITH ME!

 

3.       It’s Time That You Start Looking At Yourself a Little Differently

·         You are NOT JUST SAINTS IN THE CHURCH…You’re God’s BUILDING BLOCKS FOR REVIVAL!  Your God’s FOOT SOLDIERS!

·         In every city where there wasn’t a move of God the reason was that there wasn’t someone to let it BEGIN WITH!

 

Acts 26:26-29

26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost , and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

 

·         ALMOST? Why? Because you refused to let it begin with you!

·         Could it be possible that the entire book of Acts would have come out COMPLETELY DIFFERENT if Agrippa would have let it begin with HIM?

 

Philippians 3:5-10

5 Circumcised the eighth day , of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;


4.       Paul wrote over half the New Testament Because He allowed IT TO BEGIN WITH HIM!!

·          Someone in this house needs to realize tonight that their entire family lineage or tree could be rewritten tonight…IF THEY WOULD JUST ALLOW GOD TO MOVE IN THEM!

·          Everything we have in the world today, we have because SOMEONE TOOK THE INICITIVE TO START & NOT QUIT!

 

2 Peter 1:21

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

·          For this book we have tonight..SOMEONE HAD TO LET IT BEGIN WITH THEM!

·          The entire complexion of our church could change tonight, family’s could change tonight…IF SOMEONE WOULD JUST BE WILLING TO LET IT BEGIN WITH THEM!!

·          The entire complexion of our youth group could change tonight but someone’s got to be willing….TO LET IT BEGIN WITH THEM!!

·          The greatest soul winner in the city could emerge tonight…BUT IT’S GOT TO BEGIN WITH YOU!

·          The greatest prayer warrior could emerge tonight..BUT IT’S GOT TO BEGIN WITH YOU!!

 

 Matthew 5:6

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

·         If hunger has to start somewhere tonight…LET IT BEGIN W/ ME!

_I Want To Preach Tonight About Some Things I’ve Learned Along The Road.

 
Acts 14:22  

22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.


Tribulation In The Greek Means-Pressure. 

The devil’s Not Going To Make It Easy For You To Make Heaven.  You Can’t Ever Think I’m In Church Now It’s Going To Be Okay Now No More Problems, Headaches, Worries, & Troubles Right?  I Wish.

 
John 16:33  

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


2 Timothy 3:12

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 
Romans 8:16-18

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.



He Never Promised That The Cross Would Not Get Heavy, That The Hill Would Not Be Hard To Climb.  He Never Promised Victory With Out Fighting.  He Just Promised Us That He Would Be With Us Always Even Unto The End Of The Age.


1 Corinthians 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.


There Are Some Things I’ve Learned Along The Road, & One Of Them Is God Is Faithful.


Psalms 62:2  

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.


Psalms 102:2  

2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.

 

He Is Faithful, He Will Never Let You Down.  There Is A Friend That Sticketh Closer Than A Brother.

 
Psalm 118 Is The Middle Chapter Of The Entire Bible

Psalm 117, Before Psalm 118 Is The Shortest Chapter In The Bible

Psalm 119, After Psalm 118 Is The Longest Chapter In The Bible

 

The Bible Has 594 Chapters Before Psalm 118 & 594 Chapters After Psalm 118.

What Is The Central Verse In The Entire Bible


Psalms 118:8  

8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

 
We’ve Got To Trust Someone ….Why Not Trust The Lord?

We’ve Got To Trust Something….Why Not Trust His Word?

 

Psalms 40:4  

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.


Psalms 62:8

8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.


Jeremiah 17:5-8
5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.


Proverbs 3:5-8

5 Trust in the LORD  with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.


Psalms 115:1-10
115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD : he is their help and their shield.
11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD : he is their help and their shield.


I’ve Preached Tonight About Some Things I’ve Learned Along The Road.


God Is Faithful, You Can Trust In Him.


He’s Looking Tonight For Someone Who Is Willing To Trust Him.  What Will You Trust Him With?