Preacher: Pastor Ken | Series: Seal Training
Victors! We are not anchored to our past/mistakes
Have you ever felt like: God cannot use me, I’ve messed up too many times; I’m too broken!?
Remember the “Devil’s threat” 1 Peter 5:8-98 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Contrast between the Devil’s mission and Jesus’ mission:  John 10:10 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.
Practically, how does Jesus’ accomplish His mission?
Let’s consider King David and consider our lives in context with his.
Psalm 51
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. (Repent and ask for forgiveness)
For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight — That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. (Recognize my own personal idolatry – I violated God before I did others.  Put myself above God) …
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise. (Repentance and taking personal responsibility)
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Philippians 4:6-9
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   (Prayer with Thanksgiving leads to Peace)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.  (Choose wisely what you think about…day dream about, meditate on, fill  your mind with, dwell on…)
The Value of a Friend: (Stay in meaningful/intimate relationship/fellowship with other men who are believers following Jesus)
 Ecclesiastics  4:9-12
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
1 John 1:9-10
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Take personal responsibility for my actions/sins; Repent and ask for forgiveness
Prayer with Thanksgiving leads to Peace
Choose wisely what you think about…day dream about, meditate on, fill  your mind with, dwell on…
Stay in meaningful/intimate relationship/fellowship with other men who are believers following Jesus