Three Mighty Men

THREE MIGHTY MEN

TEXT: 2 Sam 23:8 These be the names of the mighty menwhom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the samewas Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
2 Sam 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistinesthat were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
2 Sam 23:10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil
2 Sam 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite.And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was apiece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
2 Sam 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it,and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

Introduction: Our instructions are;
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Sometimes we have a little trouble with trying to figure out how to stand, how long we should stand and what should we take a stand on? These three men and their exploits go a long way toward answering many of our questions.

I.Adino the Eznite. [Adino= spear, Eznite = sharp, Tachmonite= sagacious]
A. He faced incredible odds, yet persevered. In this he set the tone for those who would follow. In God's cause, odds are meaningless!

1.Gideon's band.
Judg 7:7 And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every manunto his place.
a. Against a mighty force.
Judg 6:33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together,and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.

2.Elisha and the army of the king of Syria.
2 Ki 6:15 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?
2 Ki 6:16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
2 Ki 6:17 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.

3. The impossible task set for the little band of disciples which was the Lord's Church.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

4. The impossible IS possible because of the truth of the previous verse;
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

5.He has NEVER set an impossible task for his people.
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

II. Eleazar, the son of Dodo, the Ahohite. [Eleazar = God is my helper,the name of 7 Israelites, Son of Dodo,=Love, The Ahohite= Fraternity, brotherhood.]
A. His hand clave to his sword. He found it impossible to lay down his sword. Thus, he could not surrender and could only fight on. God gave him the victory!.

1.Job expressed these same sentiments.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

2. This characteristic was present in Abraham as he sacrificed Isaac. Faith would allow him no other course of action.

3. Peter expressed it in answer to the question of Jesus.
John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

4.It MUST be present in the lives of all victorious Christians.
Eccl 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
The truly committed child of God cannot find it in himself to abandon, or lay down his sword, the Word of God!

III.Shammah, son of Agee, the Hararite. [ Shammah = Consternation, Son of Agee = son of 'flame' {?} the Hararite = a mountain man

A. He continued the fight even when he was the only one left!

1.Consider the Apostle Paul;
2 Tim 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
2 Tim 4:17 Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2.Churches have been preserved because one man refused to give up.

3.Many have been saved because someone just kept on praying and witnessing.

4.Victory has been gained in prayer because of not quitting.
Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
Luke 11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
[importunity = perseverance, impudence, hutzpah]

B. He was risking his life for a PEA PATCH! There are many 'pea patches'not considered worth defending by some .

1. Some will not make an issue of alien baptism or the Lord's supper.

2.The truths of the Lord's church are not insignificant!

3. There are those who would tell us that the plan of salvation is 'just a pea patch'

C. If it is God's pea patch, the size of it is not relevant. It must be defended and He will give us the victory!

comment: Pat Gilbert of Cleveland, Ohio
As a retired man. according to your Bio., I see that even in your leisure you are practicing what you preach here and not quitting the service to the Master. May the will of the lord continue to work through you.