2ND SAMUEL 10: 6-14

2 Sam 10:6 (NKJV) When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand foot soldiers; and from the king of Maacah one thousand men, and from Ish-Tob twelve thousand men.

2 Sam 10:7 (NKJV) Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.

2 Sam 10:8 (NKJV) Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.

2 Sam 10:9 (NKJV) When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians.

2 Sam 10:10 (NKJV) And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon.

2 Sam 10:11 (NKJV) Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

2 Sam 10:12 (NKJV) "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

2 Sam 10:13 (NKJV) So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.

2 Sam 10:14 (NKJV) When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai, and entered the city. So Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went to Jerusalem.

EPHESIANS 6:4

Eph 6:4 (NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

 COLOSIANS 3:21

Col 3:21 (NKJV) Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

PSALMS- 8TH CHAPTER

Psa 8:1 (NKJV) O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Psa 8:2 (NKJV) Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

Psa 8:3 (NKJV) When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

Psa 8:4 (NKJV) What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

Psa 8:5 (NKJV) For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Psa 8:6 (NKJV) You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

Psa 8:7 (NKJV) All sheep and oxen; Even the beasts of the field,

Psa 8:8 (NKJV) The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.

Psa 8:9 (NKJV) O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

INTRODUCTION:

Men, the world over, march for a cause. Wars are fought, nations rise or fall, systems change because a man, or group of men, feel strongly about some cause. Although it means sacrifice, or even death, the commitment to the cause is often overwhelming.

We need to understand that the greatest cause of all is to become the kind of man God wants you to be. Not what the world wants or tries to formulate. Not self-styled or self made; not a product of our environment; not a clone of Hollywood; not a slob of carelessness; not a male chauvinist or a machismo mentality; not a spineless compromiser with sin; not a coward; not a liar; not impure; and the list goes on.

The question, "What does God want me to be?" and the challenge to discover the answer to the question ought to be a priority in your life.

A. God wants you to be committed to him. To be a real Christian.

1. He wants you to make a decision of surrender which will change and influence everything about your life.

2. God will give you a sense of purpose in your living.

  3. God will anoint your life to bless others.

B. God wants you to be consistent in your Christian living.

1. He wants you to posses what your profess.

2. Do not be a false witness; a deceiver; a pretender.

3. Your testing ground is your family and your home life.

C. God wants you to show tenderness and love and not to be ashamed of doing so.

1. Your relationship with others is a reflection of your surrender to God.

• Blessed are the peacemakers
• If a man seeks to be great let him be the servant of all
• The meek shall inherit the earth
• Husbands love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.
• Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath (vengeance)