TAKING IT TO THE MAT (4 OF 4)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
This content is part of a series.
Taking it to the Mat (4 of 4)
Series: Fight Club
Jeff Strite
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
When Joe Louis was in his prime he fought ''Two-Ton'' Tony Galento. Louis was favored to win because 2 Ton Tony loved to fight… but he hated to train. At the first part of the fight, Galento threw his Sunday punch and sent Louis sprawling to the mat. Louis was more surprised than hurt and jumped to his feet without waiting for the count.
But at the end of the round his manager scolded him saying: ''You know you're supposed to take the full count when you go down. Why didn't you stay down for nine?''
Louis responded ''What, and give him a chance to rest?''
Joe Louis was annoyed.
He KNEW he was better than Galento but he'd been sucker punched and got knocked down to the mat. It so frustrated him, he jumped right back up…and got back into the fight.
What I find intriguing about this morning's text is that we're told we are better than our opposition. In fact, if we fight the way we should we cannot lose against our enemy.
Paul tells us we have weapons that have ''divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'' II Corinthians 10:4-5
What Paul's saying is: we have the advantage over our opponent! We have the ability to take our opponent to the mat and win the fight.
And that's great news…
But, the thing is - it doesn't always feel like we have the advantage.
Especially when we find people making fun of our faith, or attacking the church, or questioning Scripture, or putting Jesus down.
At times like that we tend to feel… inadequate.
But Paul says: Not only are you NOT inadequate… you are VERY adequate.
You have the weapons to take the enemy down.
Let me repeat something I said just a moment ago:
If we fight the way we should…we can NOT LOSE against our enemy.
Now, who is our enemy? (SATAN)
In fact, t ...
Series: Fight Club
Jeff Strite
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
When Joe Louis was in his prime he fought ''Two-Ton'' Tony Galento. Louis was favored to win because 2 Ton Tony loved to fight… but he hated to train. At the first part of the fight, Galento threw his Sunday punch and sent Louis sprawling to the mat. Louis was more surprised than hurt and jumped to his feet without waiting for the count.
But at the end of the round his manager scolded him saying: ''You know you're supposed to take the full count when you go down. Why didn't you stay down for nine?''
Louis responded ''What, and give him a chance to rest?''
Joe Louis was annoyed.
He KNEW he was better than Galento but he'd been sucker punched and got knocked down to the mat. It so frustrated him, he jumped right back up…and got back into the fight.
What I find intriguing about this morning's text is that we're told we are better than our opposition. In fact, if we fight the way we should we cannot lose against our enemy.
Paul tells us we have weapons that have ''divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'' II Corinthians 10:4-5
What Paul's saying is: we have the advantage over our opponent! We have the ability to take our opponent to the mat and win the fight.
And that's great news…
But, the thing is - it doesn't always feel like we have the advantage.
Especially when we find people making fun of our faith, or attacking the church, or questioning Scripture, or putting Jesus down.
At times like that we tend to feel… inadequate.
But Paul says: Not only are you NOT inadequate… you are VERY adequate.
You have the weapons to take the enemy down.
Let me repeat something I said just a moment ago:
If we fight the way we should…we can NOT LOSE against our enemy.
Now, who is our enemy? (SATAN)
In fact, t ...
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