Armor Bearers Part One March 9 th, 2014 Eastgate Community Church Pastor Dale Campfield

Transcription

1 1 Armor Bearers Part One March 9 th, 2014 Eastgate Community Church Pastor Dale Campfield The vision of Eastgate Community Church is to Make an IMPACT for the Kingdom of God in our community, city, state, nation and around the world. WE do this by loving, growing and serving. Eastgate Community Church Making an IMPACT by Loving, Growing and Serving. QUESTION: What is an armor bearer? Historically, the armor bearer was a person responsible for the care of a king, officer or other leader. His job was to refresh, protect and assist his officer. Keep in mind that the term Armor Bearer is not a Biblical church office. But it is referring more to the role that one plays in being a support system, a lifter of one s arms, a person who stands beside and assists another in war time and peace, etc. Are Armor Bearers in the sense of the word Biblical In a word, no at least not the modern day armor bearers walking 2 steps ahead of and behind most pastors today, but that doesn t mean that they re un-biblical either. The word armor bearer appears multiple times in the Old Testament, mainly in describing the activity of men charged with protecting a king literally those who bore armor for protection of others (see the entire book of 1 Samuel for reference). Sure, the minstrels will argue up and down that they need an armor bearer, so that I can concentrate on getting a Word from the Lord! Of course, what they really mean is they need someone to carry their bibles, water glasses, briefcases, luggage, children, and more. During certain times of history, another word for Armor Bearers was slave. They were people who did ANTYTHING for those in spiritual authority over them. In this series at Eastgate, this is NOT what we re talking about. This sermon series on being an armor bearer is all about being there for one another; your brother, your sister, etc. It s about fighting the battle on their behalf. It s about supporting those you love, lifting up the arms of those you love, standing in the gap on behalf of those you love. Praying for those you love. It s about serving those you love. Not because you HAVE to, but because you WANT to. Not because someone is requiring you to, but because it s your hearts desire to do so. It s a message for all for every believer. We all need to be Armor Bearers for the people in our lives that God has called us to walk with. The modern day Armor Bearer is one who loves, supports, fights on behalf of, lifts up the arms for, serves along side of, prays on behalf of, and will lay down their lives for those to whom God has Divinely placed in their lives.

2 2 The Duties and Characteristics of an Armor Bearer To strengthen his officer To exalt and uplift his officer Respects his officer Agrees with and submits to his officer Repels any kind of attack against his officer, especially his back Rescues his officer from difficulty and hardship Keeps watch while his officer rests Cares for his belongings Reacts with total intolerance to any false accusations against his officer (rumors, gossip, talking behind his back) Aids his officer in spiritual combat Demonstrate extreme loyalty Throughout this short series, we ll be looking at some of the examples of Armor Bearers throughout Biblical history, what surrounded their stories, and how we can apply certain Truth s of their story to us today as modern day Armor Bearers. Some examples of armor bearers are: Abimelech s armor bearer Judges 9:50-54 Saul s armor bearer 1 Samuel 31:4 David s armor bearer 1 Samuel 16:21-23 Elisha s armor bearer 2 Kings 3:13 Joshua s armor bearer Joshua 1:1-2 Barnabas armor bearer Acts 4:36-37 Stephens armor bearer Acts 6:2-5 Even Goliath had an armor bearer 1 Samuel 17:4-44 Jonathan s armor bearer- 1 Samuel 14:6-7 This is where we ll begin our teaching today Jonathan's Armor Bearer 1 Sam 14:1-14 1) AN ARMOR BEARER NEEDS TO BE TRUSTWORTHY 1 Samuel 14:1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, "Come, let s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side." But he did not tell his father.

3 3 Sometimes you will get privileged information, just because of the position you are in as you stand with your fellow soldier. Learn how to keep your mouth closed. When a fellow soldier confides in you, keep it private. Be trustworthy to not share the information you are given. Once you break a confidence with the one you are serving and being an Armor Bearer to, it s very difficult to gain that trust back again. Hold what is said to you in complete confidence. 2) AN ARMOR BEARER NEEDS TO MAKE HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS NEEDS A HIGH PRIORITY 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "come, and let s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. An Armor bearer couldn t say, just after I ve finished cutting my toe-nails then we can go. You drop whatever you are doing. A true Armor Bearer will put their fellow soldiers needs and desires a high priority in their lives. Remembering their needs above yours can be difficult at times, but it s of utmost importance. Hopefully, you will have people in your lives that are your Armor Bearers, so that when you are being an Armor Bearer to someone else, your needs and desires are still being met by someone. Here s a good lesson to learn, if you want to have Armor Bearers, be an Armor Bearer. The law of sewing and reaping comes into play here. And as you are that Armor Bearer, make sure that their needs and desires have a high priority in your life. Which means you will probably have to lay down your own desires at times to see their come to pass. 3) AN ARMOR BEARER NEEDS TO BE STRONG SPIRITUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY 1 Samuel 14:7 "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." This was not the time for Jonathan s armor bearer to break down in tears and request prayer for inner healing because one of the elder s told him that the music was too loud. Being an armor bearer is not for Wimps. It s not for the faint at heart. There is a battle going on, and it can get ugly. Therefore, you had better be prepared for what surrounds a war scene. It s not a pretty sight. Remember as well, that your strength to be an Armor Bearer and stay strong spiritually

4 4 and emotionally can only come out of the relationship that you have with God. That is where you must draw your strength. As the enemy rages, you must be in tune with the anointed presence of God Almighty as you move forward. Without this, you may experience the breakdown of your own emotions and heart. Illus: Dad and son and sledding accident. I ll never forget going to Children s Hospital to visit with, pray for and show my support to a family that went through a tragedy. During the winter season, it had snowed. The father of the home backed his car down the drive way, not knowing that his small son was on a sled and had met directly with the back tire as the father was backing down. He tragically and accidently ran over the head of his child. It was devastating to say the least. When I was at the hospital, I literally felt myself almost passed out at the sight of the child. I knew I had to be strong, but it was tough. I had to dismiss myself for a couple of minutes to gain my composure. My job that day was to be an Armor Bearer for this family. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit granted me the strength that I needed, but it wasn t easy at all. 4) AN ARMOR BEARER PAYS ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS 1 Samuel 14:8-10 Jonathan said, "Come, then; we will cross over toward the men and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, `Wait there until we come to you, we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, `Come up to us, we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands." Jonathan could have done it the other way around. It would have been easier. Don t read of the armor bearer saying; Excuse me Sir, but have you considered that if we did it like this... If you are going to be an effective armor bearer, you must pay attention to the details of your fellow soldier. This can only happen when you have a deep respect for the person you are serving. Have you ever noticed that there are some people in life that just happen to know what you need just as you need it? They are there in what sometimes seems like a freaky timely manor. Why is this? Because they are paying attention to the details in your life. They are in tune with the Holy Spirit and their discernment is high when it comes to the details of your life and are there when needed. Pay attention to the details of the lives to whom you are serving.

5 5 5) AN ARMOR BEARER WILL TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HIS FELLOW SOLDIER IS THINKING (to anticipate what he is going to ask next) 1 Samuel 14:13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. When in the heat of the battle, it is not the time to ask for orders from your fellow soldier to home you are trying to protect. Will you always get it right? No. Yes, you will get it wrong now and then. Apologize, and try again. 6) AN ARMOR BEARER IS SUCCESSFUL NOT BEING IN THE LIME LIGHT 1 Samuel 167:99 Wait a minute, there is no such scripture! No verse because we don t read of him again! He was nameless. Don t misrepresent your fellow soldier so that you look good. As armor bearer, it's not about you it's about your fellow soldier. It is not about people seeing you; it is about people seeing them. It is not about what you do for them but about them themselves. Armor Bearers are willing to take the back seat. They are willing to not get the attention. They are willing to be looked over. They are willing to make the one to whom they are serving look good, even though they are never seen. It s a non-glamorous job, but it s a job designed for them from God Almighty! They may not receive their just rewards for what they do right now but they will. God will reward them someday in ways that will totally blow them away! Conclusion: Question: To whom are you an Armor Bearer for? Do they know it? Can they count on you? Do you have the type of relationship that they know you personally and know that they can count on you no matter what happens? Question: To whom do you have as an Armor Bearer? Who is it in your life that is laying down their lives for you? Is there someone? If so, who is it? If not, why? Do you think it s important? Are you willing to seek someone out throughout your relationships, are do you think you can do it on your own? We all need Armor Bearers, and we all need to be an Armor Bearer! And as you walk this out You watch you wait you ll see!