ARE YOU WILLING TO STAND IN THE GAP? (2 OF 6)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21
This content is part of a series.
Are You Willing to Stand in the Gap? (2 of 6)
Series: Who Are You?
Jeff Strite
Galatians 2:1-21
OPEN: About 500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a famous battle took place in mountain pass called Thermopylae in Greece. The Persians invaded Greece with approximately 150,000 soldiers, and King Leonidas of Sparta led a small force of soldiers to oppose them.
The Spartan strategy was to force the Persians to funnel huge army through a small pass and hold them off until the other Greek cities could get their own army ready.
It's said that the Persians sent a messenger to King Leonidas saying how futile their fight was: ''Our archers are so numerous that the flight of their arrows darkens the sun.''
But the Spartan King was not intimidated: ''So much the better. For we shall fight in the shade.''
You have to admire courage like that. This small Spartan army died in that pass, but their courageous stand delayed the Persians long enough for the rest of Greece to prepare their armies, and later defeat the Persians.
They stood in the gap and ultimately, Spartans helped save Greece. By refusing to yield, King Leonidas was declaring: ''You shall not pass. As long as I live, I will stand in your way!!!''
Now intriguingly, there are times when God calls for us (His people) ''stand in the way.''
In Ezekiel 22:30 God declared: ''I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land....''
And in Proverbs 25:26 God warns us ''Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.''
God's people - at our best - are willing to stand in the gap and resist evil. There will come times when the church will be threatened, both from OUTSIDE and from INSIDE, and how strong the church is will depend on who stands in the gap.
But now, the question is - how exactly are we supposed to do that? How exactly do we ''stand in the gap''?
Well, A couple things come ...
Series: Who Are You?
Jeff Strite
Galatians 2:1-21
OPEN: About 500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a famous battle took place in mountain pass called Thermopylae in Greece. The Persians invaded Greece with approximately 150,000 soldiers, and King Leonidas of Sparta led a small force of soldiers to oppose them.
The Spartan strategy was to force the Persians to funnel huge army through a small pass and hold them off until the other Greek cities could get their own army ready.
It's said that the Persians sent a messenger to King Leonidas saying how futile their fight was: ''Our archers are so numerous that the flight of their arrows darkens the sun.''
But the Spartan King was not intimidated: ''So much the better. For we shall fight in the shade.''
You have to admire courage like that. This small Spartan army died in that pass, but their courageous stand delayed the Persians long enough for the rest of Greece to prepare their armies, and later defeat the Persians.
They stood in the gap and ultimately, Spartans helped save Greece. By refusing to yield, King Leonidas was declaring: ''You shall not pass. As long as I live, I will stand in your way!!!''
Now intriguingly, there are times when God calls for us (His people) ''stand in the way.''
In Ezekiel 22:30 God declared: ''I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land....''
And in Proverbs 25:26 God warns us ''Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.''
God's people - at our best - are willing to stand in the gap and resist evil. There will come times when the church will be threatened, both from OUTSIDE and from INSIDE, and how strong the church is will depend on who stands in the gap.
But now, the question is - how exactly are we supposed to do that? How exactly do we ''stand in the gap''?
Well, A couple things come ...
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