CALLED TO BE EAGLES

(Isaiah 40:31) But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)

INTRODUCTION:

· Illustration of the chicken & the eagle

· Characteristics of an eagle vs. buzzard

(Psalms 103:5) Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (NKJV)

How do we live like eagles? How do we walk in faith in victory?

I. RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE OF OPPOSITION AS SATAN

(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. (NKJV)

II. BE SURE YOU ARE STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD’S WORD

(Romans 10:17) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

· Illustration of the fellow who announced he was getting married

· Suppose you were to ask for prayer and I would ask you, “What Scripture are you standing on as the basis for your faith?

III. DO NOT WALK IN SIN

· Sin is not to be the lifestyle of a child of God

· Unforgiveness hinders our prayers

(Matthew 6:15) "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (NKJV)

(Hebrews 12:1) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (NKJV)

IV. BANISH UNBELIEF AND DOUBT

· Daniel’s 21 day fast

· Paul—the storm at sea

(Acts 27:25) "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. (NKJV)

· The Good Fight

(1 Timothy 6:12) Fight the good fight of faith…. (NKJV)

· 10 of the spies Moses sent out brought a “bad report.” “We can’t take the land; we’re grasshoppers in their sight.”

· 2 of the spies, Joshua & Caleb brought a “faith report.” “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)

· Feed your faith, and you’ll starve your doubts to death!

(James 4:7) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJV)

V. SINCERELY DESIRE WHAT YOU’RE ASKING GOD FOR

(Mark 11:24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV)

(Matthew 18:19) "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (NKJV)

VI. BELIEVE & THANKGOD EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T SEE THE ANSWER IMMEDIATELY

(Romans 4:17) (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; (NKJV)

(2 Corinthians 5:7) For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NKJV)

(Romans 10:9-10) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (NKJV)

(Hebrews 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJV)

(Romans 4:19-21) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (NKJV)

(Philippians 4:6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (NKJV)