1. Breaking the Cauldrons and Sinking the Boats; Achieving More with Less

Our theme today is: Victory comes from Jehovah, not from the size of the army.

There are numerous historical instances in ancient China where a smaller force triumphed over a larger one.

In 207 BC, General Zhang Han of the Qin army defeated the rebel forces of Chu led by Xiang Liang. Zhang Han, believing no one in Chu could rise in rebellion again, led an army of 200,000 north to attack the Zhao kingdom. He also dispatched his subordinate, Wang Li, with another 200,000 soldiers to besiege the Zhao king in Julu. The Zhao king sought aid from Chu. Xiang Yu, Xiang Liang's nephew, volunteered to assist the Zhao kingdom to avenge his uncle. He led 60,000 soldiers to fight Wang Li, but upon reaching Julu, only 20,000 crossed the river to engage in a decisive battle. Xiang Yu ordered his troops to break their cauldrons, sink their boats, and carry only three days' worth of rations, demonstrating their resolve to fight to the death. Before the battle, Xiang Yu declared: We advance towards Julu with no retreat. Within three days, we either live or die. We must defeat the Qin army within three days. Consequently, the Chu soldiers were highly motivated and fought bravely, winning nine consecutive battles and defeating the Qin army. This victory, achieved against the odds, laid the foundation for the downfall of the Qin dynasty.

The Bible also records many instances of smaller forces defeating larger ones, such as Gideon, who defeated the Philistine army with only 300 men, and Nehemiah, who, despite strong enemy opposition, rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with a small number of people. Therefore, we must understand that God grants victory, not based on the size of the army, but on unity. A united elite force can win spiritual battles. There is a saying: Eventually, all of Qin will belong to Chu; three thousand elite troops of Yue can conquer Wu. A mountain is famous not for its height but for the immortals residing there; a battle is won not by numbers but by victory. The key is to achieve victory, as without it, the promise cannot be obtained. Our God is searching throughout the land for vessels of honour, gathering them together to win battles against the odds, to win spiritual battles.

Jack Ma often says: Small is beautiful. Being small is not a problem; the key is to be exquisitely small. The team we are building today is not a massive one but an elite one, capable of defeating the devil and the enemy. Our service, shepherding, and ministry must be more refined, demonstrating a professional attitude and skills. Although we may not be perfect today, we press on towards the goal, determined to build such a team.

Today, we will examine what the keys to victory are, what defines an elite soldier, and how to train such soldiers for God. This is what we will explore today.

2. Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:6-7

Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” His armour-bearer said to him, “Do all that you have in mind,” go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” (1 Samuel 14:6-7)

3. Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank you. In this generation, you are determined to build a team of elite soldiers, raising up a group of people to follow you wholeheartedly. Lord, you do not need a large crowd, but a small number who serve you with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lord, may you begin to work in our thoughts and minds, enabling us to accept and serve one another, and become an elite team. May we each fulfill our roles in the church, having a clear understanding of ourselves and each other, working together to build an elite church. Lord Jesus, may you use this small group of people, inspire us to keep moving forward, and open our spiritual eyes so that we may know you more and more. May you also unite us from top to bottom, constantly stirring us up within, uniting us in vision and mission, determining to build a holy, united, glorious, spotless church, adhering to the truth and winning battles. Lord Jesus, may your Spirit greatly move, release, and inspire each one of us. Thank you and praise you, Lord Jesus. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

4. Victory Requires a Powerful Leader

Whether the force is large or small, battle requires a leader. Jonathan did something very interesting. 1 Samuel chapter 13 records that at that time, there were no blacksmiths in Israel. In times of war, the Israelites had no weapons, except for Saul, Jonathan, and their armour-bearers. When the Philistine garrison was at the pass of Michmash, Jonathan had a sudden idea: I will go over to the Philistines' side and scout out their situation. Jonathan had character. He was one of the few Israelites who had a sword. He did not want to waste this resource, believing, Since I have a weapon, I have a responsibility to fight the Philistines. If those with swords cannot solve this problem, how can we expect those without swords to do so? This was Jonathan's character.

Everyone needs a leader; people need to be inspired and led by a leader. The most crucial thing is whether the leader possesses Jonathan's character, capable of taking on responsibilities. Since I have a sword, I must go up. The theme of the book of Nehemiah is: Build while fighting. It says in Nehemiah:

Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us! So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn until the stars came out. (Nehemiah 4:20-21)

At that time, the people were building the walls of Jerusalem, having to build while fighting. They had no time to rest, taking turns building and fighting. These were very difficult days, but Nehemiah led everyone to rebuild Jerusalem. There were many difficulties, and we must understand that whether a team is large or small is not important. What matters is raising up such leaders. If the leader is not clear-headed, the people below will suffer. A leader will guide those below to break through and achieve victory.

In the past, we have encountered many challenges in shepherding. Yesterday, Sister LS was frustrated in her shepherding. She was shepherding a brother whose situation was very complex, facing many obstacles. Many tasks assigned were not completed well. LS was very discouraged, being young and lacking social experience. But thank God, in the church, we have such a platform that allows our brothers and sisters to practice their abilities, enabling them to become powerful leaders. I told LS that she could lead this person out of this situation, as long as she was willing, God would greatly raise her up, freeing people from bondage. When Jonathan led a sword-bearing young man into the Philistine camp and triumphed, and Nehemiah led these freed Jews to rebuild the walls, the enemy did not take Nehemiah's life.

You must be determined to make a choice to lead those below. I face a very challenging situation. Jehovah grants victory regardless of the size of the army. Today, many children are in bondage. Yesterday, I listed the names of the children in my pastoral area who were in bondage and distributed them to the leaders in our pastoral area, assigning about 2-3 people to each troubled child. I encourage the brothers and sisters among us who are doing pastoral work to improve their abilities. When this happens, our God will lead us. All cases of achieving more with less rely on courage and wisdom. Therefore, the swift do not always win. Today, if God is determined to give us victory, we will surely achieve it.

As long as you are willing, God will use you to become a leader, leading those in need out of their situations. This is witnessing God's glory, just like leaders like Jonathan and Nehemiah, who won battles and built walls under their leadership. This is God's glory. Our lives are in God's hands, and the success or failure of things is also in God's book. Therefore, we must know that our service is to witness God's glory, and God will surely give us victory. Jehovah grants victory regardless of the size of the army. Those being served must also have this determination: Jehovah grants victory regardless of the size of the army.

If Jonathan could defeat the enemy with just one person, then with so many leaders today guiding those in need, we will surely be able to help them break free from bondage. When God is with you, no one can stop you from winning, and the miracle of achieving more with less will happen.

All cases of achieving more with less rely on courage and wisdom. The swift do not always win; your determination and wisdom can make one person equal to ten thousand. Today, God wants to give us victory, and we will surely achieve it.

5. It is God Who Gives Us Victory

Jonathan and Nehemiah both said that it is God who gives us victory, which is a very important key. God will create an environment that we can handle to mold us. Exodus 13:17 describes how God led the Israelites into the wilderness to train them. Today, we must know that God has a rod and a staff in His hand, one to protect us and one to train us. God is actually very considerate of the Israelites, not abandoning them to the enemy Philistines. We must know that the environment God gives us is one that we can handle, with the purpose of molding us.

But today, the traditional education system gives us a one-shot deal, like the college entrance examination. But there is never a lack of opportunities with God. God does not want to crush us with burdens, but to train us. God occasionally creates an environment without water or food to see how the Israelites react. When they cannot bear it anymore, God gives them water and food, and a pillar of cloud follows them along the way. This is a refined form of shepherding by God.

Today, the educational system we want to build must also be refined. The schooling system must be shortened. A child must have an independent personality by the age of ten, knowing what they want to do in the future and what their direction is. People trained in this way will surely be full of competitiveness in society. We must do things like God. God does not do things arbitrarily; God only cares about one thing: whether the Israelites can be molded into God's army. Today, we must also have a clear understanding that we must grasp the essence of education: to enable a person to have the ability to survive, the sooner the better.

Today, we are doing just that. God is determined to mold the Israelites, and we are determined to mold the character of young people. Even with such refined shepherding, God only molded Joshua and Caleb from that generation. It was the second generation of Israelites who entered the land of Canaan. This illustrates that people need to choose for themselves whether to deal with the bad habits within themselves.

Do not think that children are too young to understand. Sister JR's child, TA, even at just 1 year old, understands if you discipline her. Today, we must know that all of this is a matter of the spirit. No matter how young a child is, their spirit is clear. This is a spiritual law.

If a person's character is not molded early, it will be difficult to change when they develop bad habits. God's shepherding of the Israelites was very meticulous, but because they did not change their bad habits, they died in the wilderness. It was not until the second generation of children began to be molded before they reached adulthood that they entered the land of Canaan. Do not think that children are too young to understand; that is not the case. Sister TX, who is just over 1 year old, yesterday wanted to touch an electrical wire. When the pastor hummed, she did not dare to touch it. When she tried again, her hand retracted as soon as the pastor hummed. Does she understand? As long as you discipline her, she knows. Although the child is young, they have a spirit, and their spirit knows. We must look at material concepts from a spiritual perspective.

The kingdom of God must be revived and needs more elite soldiers. If our church wants to have a future, it must transform these children. Their state of growth determines the direction of the church. Some parents hand their children over to the church and do not care anymore, which is a very bad habit. Parents must also take on responsibilities. God gives us victory by molding us through environments that we can bear. If you encounter such things in your shepherding or ministry, it is the beginning of God's molding. Welcome it with joy, choose to be molded, and you will be victorious, becoming an elite soldier of God.

6. The Degree of Paying the Price is Key to Becoming an Elite Force

In the future, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors. (Exodus 13:11) Nehemiah also rebuked the nobles who were charging interest to the poor, who felt great pressure, having to fight battles, build city walls, and pay interest. Nehemiah stepped forward and said, we have a common vision, to build the walls of Jerusalem. Are we not a team? The officials also agreed to return the interest, and the team was very united, and they conquered that place.

The degree to which a person pays the price determines whether he becomes an elite soldier. In our church in the past, there was a sister pastor we served day and night. Whenever she needed us, no matter what time, we would serve her. But when it came time for her to rise up and serve, she said it was not possible, she could only serve until 11 o'clock. What was the problem? Because she had a small life mentality, she did not have the mentality of bearing the price. Yesterday, a sister in our pastoral district had a headache, she cried out, and the brothers and sisters came to serve her. Thank God for giving me such a determination, a determination to give ourselves.

If you are still living in a small life, living in the trivialities of daily life, I encourage you to rise up and be a person who pays the price, be an elite soldier. Today, Jeremiah was able to build the walls of Jerusalem because there was this small group of people willing to pay the price. Those nobles and officials also gave up some things, although not much, they were a group of elite soldiers who fortified the walls and defeated the enemy. Today, the same situation is true. Why did Xiang Yu lead 20,000 people to kill 200,000 people? Because they had the determination to break the cauldrons and sink the boats, they laid down their lives. Even two million could be defeated. The devil is afraid of this kind of determination to pay the price.

Today, I encourage brothers and sisters, if you are still living in a small life, rise up and be an elite soldier, be a person who pays the price. Today, Jeremiah was able to build the walls of Jerusalem because there was a small group of people who paid the price, the curators and others. In short, in that era, everyone worked together and paid the price they could serve, they were a group of elite soldiers. Although it was a small group, they strengthened the thousands of Jerusalem and repelled the enemy.

Today, the same situation is true. Why did Xiang Yu lead 20,000 people to kill 200,000 people? This group of people had the determination to break the cauldrons and sink the boats, they laid down their lives and the devil was afraid of their determination to pay the price.

Nehemiah inspires me greatly. This person is also very powerful. When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. (Nehemiah 4:15)

The enemy is afraid of those who pay the price. When you see through everything, the enemy is afraid. Paying the price can recognize the devil's tricks, the devil is very stupid. I have been practicing something recently. When I am doing healing and deliverance, and I feel confused, and I feel that there are many things I have not done, praying at this time will not make the devil retreat. In this case, I thank the Lord, and the church rises up with a group of people to serve. I will let other brothers and sisters serve, and after the end, I will follow up and ask how it went; but usually, in most cases, I usually make a decision, I will do one thing today, I pray that I will solve this matter. I have tried it many times and it works every time, and I can quickly kill the devil.

The key to seeing through the devil's intentions is to pay the price, the devil shivers when he sees it, and prayer must bring healing. Why do many people lead prayer but say they have not received healing? That is because you do not have enough determination to pay the price. We all need to work hard to improve. If this person is in my hands, I am determined to release this person, no matter what the cost. When you are determined, things will be accomplished; when you hesitate and are distracted, you will not be able to overcome.
The Lord gives victory, it does not matter how many people there are. But this small group of people must be willing to pay the price, only this group of people can bring victory.

7. Our Unity is the Key to Victory

Finally, when we are united, the battle will surely be won. Unity is key. Jonathan and the young man were united, and they were able to bring great energy. This matter is very divine. Jonathan and the sword-bearer, the whole situation is very divine. At that time, only Jonathan and his father had swords, but Jonathan gave the sword to the young man. Jonathan had absolute trust in him, and the young man was the same to Jonathan.

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” (1 Samuel 14:6-7)

After Jonathan finished speaking, the young man's response was very strong. If it were me, I don't think my response would be very good. The pastor said that we should go into the house ourselves, build the wooden planks and cement boards ourselves, so that the brothers and sisters who come can have a comfortable and independent space, and also have the maximum carrying capacity. We will design it ourselves. I thought in my heart: this is a bit difficult, this mentality is not good, it is a manifestation of lack of faith.

We should imitate the young man's response. This young man said, Do all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul. It was so divine that they won the battle. How did they win? I don't know. The Philistines killed each other and won the battle. Our God often does such things, and Jesus often criticizes those with little faith. We are determined to be people of faith.

These two people were a united team, and then the two of them defeated a group of Philistines. Encourage brothers and sisters to rise up and move forward with the church with one heart and one mind. If someone asks: if there is only one person, who should I unite with? In fact, the young man was very brave. The 《Bible》 recorded the names of David's warriors, but why did it not record the name of the young man? The Spirit of God gave me revelation that if you are a person of faith, a person who does not care about how many people there are, I tell you, the same thing will happen to you, like Abraham. Abraham met three people in front of his tent, without names, because those three people were angels. The Spirit of God revealed to me that if you have the determination of Jonathan, no matter what, God will give me victory, even if I am alone, I will win, and God will specially arrange one or even several people to unite with you, no matter how many people there are, God will make you unite with many people.

Today, it is God who reigns and governs the destiny of the church. Now we need to raise up more people and more leaders to be united with the vision of the church, so that we can fight a battle with one heart and one mind and win a battle with few against many. Today, there are still many people who are controlled by the devil and have not been transformed. When I was ministering, there was a sister who was stuck there because of a word I said, and she struggled with it for a long time, and the situation became very bad. But thank God, I made two choices. First, I chose to believe that she was a person who was willing to serve God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. Second, I chose to be uncompromising and bluntly pointed out to her that her approach would corrupt the unity of the church and even corrupt many people, and she had to change. Then she went back to consider it, and later called me and said that she understood she was wrong. It turned out that the devil's trick was to corrupt unity, and to corrupt the church by corrupting the relationship between brothers and sisters. As long as you begin to be dissatisfied with your leaders, as long as there is one thought, it is enough to begin to corrupt unity, and many, many problems will arise.

Thank God that in the past God led us out of this, and we have a very clear understanding of the devil's tricks. So when we face these things, we are no longer flustered. We have grasped the essence of the matter, which is that the devil wants to corrupt unity through the knowledge of good and evil, and we only need to run forward with all our strength. We choose not to get entangled with people on the battlefield of knowing good and evil: I can choose to believe in you, but you must change this point no matter what. Later, things took a turn for the better, and she continued to assist me and became my very capable assistant.

Today, we must raise up more people who follow unconditionally, like this young man, and say to your leader: Do all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul. Such a team, the energy released is very strong, and it can defeat the devil's enemies and transform people's lives. There can never be too many or too few of such people. The church we are determined to build is not a church with a large number of people, but a church with many elite soldiers and a high degree of unity. Brothers and sisters, we must be determined to choose to be such people, to be followers.

Some people say: Loyalty is equal to faith. I believe this is true. A person of faith is a person of loyalty and will be a person who follows unconditionally. If there is a group of such people in the church, the church will be united and will be able to strike the devil's enemies with great force and transform more people.

So even though there was only Jonathan, only the young man who carried the weapons, two people united, they were still able to defeat the Philistine outpost, and the whole of Israel followed behind and were blessed together. Because of the unity of two people, they won the battle and blessed the entire nation. Can you imagine that?

So the more people who are united in the church, the better, so that more people can be blessed. Today I encourage our brothers and sisters to have a Mingding Destiny and be a blessing to all nations and peoples. You must first become an elite soldier of the Lord God, first become a person who dares to pay the price, and become a person who is united.

8. Conclusion

It doesn't matter how many people there are. But whether you and I are determined to choose to be elite soldiers of the Lord God is very important. Today, there are many different kinds of Christians and non-Christians. Some people say: Look at that Christian, he is not living well! Then I often say: There is counterfeit money in the world, but you can't stop spending real money because of it; there is gutter oil in the world, but you can't stop eating because of it. In this generation, there is a group of Christians who are not elite soldiers, do not pay the price, are unwilling to unite with the church, and are picky but do not do practical things, but what does it matter? In order to solve this problem, you can't say: Well, then I won't be a Christian anymore. Today, the way to solve this problem is this: although there is a group of people who do not pay the price, I am determined to be the one who pays the price; although there is a group of people who have no faith, I am determined to be the one who has faith; although there is a group of people who are picky, I am determined to choose to unite with the church. When we are determined to choose in this way, God is with us, God dwells in our relationships, unites us, and enables us to win this spiritual battle.

Today, do we want to become a blessing to more people? To become a blessing to all nations and peoples? If you and I have the same vision, if you are also willing to become such a person, then there is only one way, which is to become a person who pays the price, to be an elite soldier of the Lord God, to unite with your leaders, and to build a united team.

The Lord gives victory, whether by many or by few. Today, you are the same, it does not matter how great your personal ability is, nor does it matter how good or bad your environment is, it only matters one thing, that is, whether we are this kind of people with character, whether we choose to be elite soldiers of the Lord. When we are determined to choose to be, in the course of your life, you will be victorious. Amen!