26/04/2026
Sunday 26 April 2026
Preacher : Mrs Zata
Title: Being elevated for excellence & impact
Scriptures 1 Samuel 13 and 14
Matthew 8 vs 31-32
God elevates and wins battles when we have nothing but Him, not when we rely on our own weapons or resources.
1. The enemy’s strategy is disarm you before the battle like what the Philistines did when they took away Israel’s swords, spears, and armor. They left only plowshares and farming tools, forcing Israelites to go to Philistine blacksmiths and pay high prices to sharpen even basic tools.
Parallel to our lives now,Satan tries to disarm you spiritually. He steals your “sword” — the Word of God, prayer, faith — so that you feel powerless, unproductive, and dependent on things that don’t love you. This shows up as debt, dependence, family chaos, illness, or failed business.
2.Satan makes you misplace your trust like what Saul did when he trusted in ritual sacrifice but disobeyed God. Israel had 600 men and only two swords — Saul and Jonathan’s. Humanly speaking, they should have surrendered. This teaches us not to trust in visible “swords” like money, connections, abilities, or plans. Jesus is the only true “Elevator” when you have nothing else.
3. Faith over resources: Jonathan’s example,Jonathan didn’t focus on the lack of swords. He said, “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few” (1 Sam 14:6). He acted in faith while Saul waited passively. The point here is God isn’t asking about your ability or what you have. He’s asking for your availability and willingness to trust Him. God allowed Israel to be in a position with no options so they would learn to rely on Him.
4.The real victory is spiritual.The Philistines won the mental battle first by disarming Israel. Satan does the same by making you pray less, doubt yourself, and feel like you can’t win. But God elevates you when you depend on Him alone. Like Israel, we’re a “peculiar nation” that God leads even when we have nothing left but two swords or less.
In conclusion we're encouraged to pick up faith again ,to come back to Jesus, who sets us free indeed (John 8:32). The truth of God’s Word is the sword that sets you free. We also have to stop measuring God’s power by what we have or don’t have. Say like Jonathan: “Perhaps the Lord will act.”
If you’ve been living disarmed because Satan convinced you to lay down your sword, pick it back up. Nothing you’re facing today can take Jesus away from you.