Turning Deficiencies Into Victory

By Pastor Simon Eng

28 August 2011

Judges 20:14-16 “From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites. At once the Benjamites mobilised twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred chosen men from those living in Gibeah. Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”

1. Turn Liabilities into Abilities

Ø      The Benjamites were right-handed but they converted to use their left hand.

Ø      We should turn our weaknesses into our strengths.

Ø      We won’t know our strength until we face the test.

Ø      We need to turn discouragement into courage.

Ø      1 Samuel 30:6 – ⁶David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

Ø      Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is your courage to continue that counts.”

Ø      Strength and courage are not gifts, they are character traits built in the battles.

Ø      The moment we stop making excuses, that’s when we begin to win.

Ø      1 Chronicles 4:9-10 – ⁹Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” ¹⁰Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

2. Decide to Advance, No Excuses to Retreat

Ø      Our decisions define us.

Ø      Our choices reveal who we really are on the inside.

Ø      Our ultimate victory depends on our choices today.

Ø      John 6:60-71 talks about Many Disciples Desert Jesus.

Ø      We should not waste our experiences.

Ø      Grow through our pains and scars.

Ø      Once beaten, try again, try harder.

Ø      Our troubles will not crush us, it shall complete us.

Ø      The wounded way is the way of Christ.

Ø      Isaiah 53:5 – ⁵But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Memory verses:

a) Judges 20:14-16

b) 1 Samuel 30:6

c) 1 Chronicle 4:9-10

d) John 6:60-71

e) Isaiah 53:5