A Disciple's Mental Toughness

Recorded 01/27/19 Pastor Mike Guarnieri The Father's House 4061 Wadsworth Rd Norton, OH 44203 ============ *Not everyone who is saved is a Disciple. *Some Christians are Followers and others are Disciples 1 Kings 2 (NLT) David’s Final Instructions to Solomon 2 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: 2 “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. 5 You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me…. 6 Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace. 8 “And remember Shimei… He cursed me with a terrible curse…. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.” 30 Benaiah went to the sacred tent of the Lord and said to Joab, “The king orders you to come out!” But Joab answered, “No, I will die here.” 34 So Benaiah son of Jehoiada returned to the sacred tent and killed Joab 44 The king also said to Shimei, “You certainly remember all the wicked things you did to my father, David. 46 Then, at the king’s command, Benaiah son of Jehoiada took Shimei outside and killed him. So the kingdom was now firmly in Solomon’s grip. King David was soft before God, but tough as nails in the affairs of life. Do we really have to always be emotionally exuberant all the time in order to serve the Lord? To make it, you have to be tough with: 1. Habits- pet sins that trip you up, 2. People that trip you up, and 3. The Enemy who trips you up. 1. We all have Pet Sins in our life that trip us up & cause us to stumble. *Just like David told Solomon to EXECUTE those two troublemakers, You have to KILL those things that ruin your effectiveness for God! BE RUTHLESS. *Like a relentless bully, pet sins don’t understand diplomacy. 2. We often have People in our lives who are plants of the enemy, sent to trip us up. *If we can’t get them saved and radically serving God, we have to let them go! *If you don’t bring them UP, they will drag you DOWN. 3. Yes, we have an enemy who wants to harm us. 1 Peter 5:8 (VOICE) Most importantly, be disciplined and stay on guard. Your enemy the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone. *One of the dumbest things I hear preached is “The devil is not a roaring lion. This verse says he only goes about AS or LIKE a roaring lion. Jesus is the REAL lion.” *If you come out from under the Grace of God and the covering of the Church, you become fodder from the enemy. *Noah’s Ark represents the Church, and the Flood represents the tide of evil, the spirit of Antichrist, which is increasing as the end draws near. John 10:10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT) 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.