 Power Of Determination Part 1 

 Series

Contributed by Marcel Odimgbe on Nov 13, 2007

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
Denomination: Pentecostal

Summary: Determination is the strength that carries you through the path of success in the
midst of obstacles. The word obstacle is a compound word derived from two words,
obstruction and tackle. Every obstruction in life is to be tackled. Determination is the abi

I am glad that you are here today to hear the word of God. I yield my self totally to Him to
use me in bringing the “rhema” of God to you.

God has created you with a purpose in mind. The purpose is your destiny. It is destiny that
produces dream or vision that you pursue. Dream is the result of discovered destiny. The
fact that you have dream does not necessarily mean that you fulfill your destiny. In order to
fulfill your destiny in life you need more than dream or vision.

There are other elements that make fulfilled destiny possible. These include planning,
determination, dedication or commitment, focus or direction, discipline etc. I will be
speaking to you on one of these elements, which I have titled “The Power of
Determination”.

There are so many challenges that we face in our lives each day but God has given us the
grace and ability to conquer them all. The bible says:

1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world.

It takes determination to be an over-comer. By the virtue of the fact that you’re of God,
you will overcome every opposition and challenges in your life. There is nothing that can
stand between you and God because the greater one is in you. It may seem at the
beginning that you are losing ground but don’t give up for God is on your side.

• I remember the football match between Nigeria and Brazil in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic
games. The match started with a lot of excitement and Brazil was very confident that they
would win the match. The Nigerian side was regarded as the under dog. The Brazilians put
on a good performance and scored first. After a while the Nigerians equalized. At the end
of the first half the game ended in a 2 – 1 against Nigeria. In the second half Brazil scored
another goal, making it 3 – 1. At this time many spectators including me lost hope. About
15 minutes to the end of the match Nigeria scored and the tally came to 3 – 2. Last minute
to the end of the match Nigeria equalized. Brazil was shocked at what was happening. The
game went into extra time. Nigeria eventually won the match with the golden goal scored
some minutes into the extra time making the goal tally 4 – 3 against Brazil. Then the match
ended.

It was then I realized that it is not over until God says it is over. It took determination on the
side of the Nigeria team to come from defeat to winning the match. The spectators and
many Nigerian officials have lost hope that Nigeria will win but it took determination and
courage on the side of the boys to continue fighting knowing that it is not over until the
final whistle is blown.

It is not over until God says it is over. Determination has to do with courage, being strong
and of good cheer. God spoke to Joshua several times and in all those times He kept telling
him to be of good courage and be strong (Joshua 1:6-7).

Determination drives you to continue .It is pathetic that many people do not fulfill the
purpose for which God has made them. The reason is that they give up on the way to
fulfilling their purpose in life. You will see an example in:

2 Timothy 4:10 - For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is
departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Demas was a companion and fellow-labourer of Paul during his first imprisonment at
Rome (Phm 1:24; Col 4:14). Paul called him a fellow laborer. It appears, however, that the
love of the world afterwards mastered him, and he deserted the apostle (2Ti 4:10).

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John Mark could not stand the heat of the spiritual battle and abandoned Paul and
Barnabas in the battle field (Acts 12:25, 13:13, 15:36-40). Paul was determined not to take
him again in the missionary battle and as a result had a sharp disagreement with
Barnabas. Barnabas was an encourager. He was able to motivate and encourage him. Paul
recognized this and requested for him at the time of his death. Look at what he said:

2 Timothy 4:11 - … Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the
ministry.

How did he become profitable? He was profitable because Barnabas gave him another
chance and encouraged him in the ministry. Today we know that he wrote one of the
gospels. I am speaking to motivate you for the battle is on. You have another chance in the
army of the Lord.

Determination is the strength that carries you through the path of success in the
midst of obstacles. The word obstacle is a compound word derived from two words,
obstruction and tackle. Every obstruction in life is to be tackled. Determination is the ability
to tackle obstruction of life. Have you noticed that most river channels do not have a
straight course? Why? They meander from one direction to another in search of less
resistance routes. They cannot breakthrough or withstand obstructions. However a river
channel with a great force can breakthrough or withstand obstructions. An example is the
Tsunami flood disaster. The ocean water came with force and broke through all
obstructions on its way because it has a great force.

What is the driving force that is motivating you? Paul had the driving force of the vision he
received from the Lord when he had a marvelous encounter with him on his way to
persecute the believers in Damascus. This is what he said:

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so
that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord
Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

He said none of these move me because he has a course that is a vision to finish with joy.
He was determined to complete the race no matter what it will cost him. The vision God
have given you will not be terminated prematurely. You will fulfill the purpose of God for
your life.

The bible in several places encouraged us to hold fast to what we have received. We see
some examples in:

In 1Thess.5:21 we are to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

Hebrews 3:6 - …; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of
the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;)

We are admonished constantly to hold fast to the end without wavering.

• I remember a brother giving a testimony in one of the fellowship I co-pastured in my

campus days. When he gave his life to Christ he had a lot of worldly friends and one day he
went to share with his friends of his new salvation experience. They laughed at him and
told him that he won’t last long in his salvation that very soon he will come to join them
again. He vehemently opposed their idea and belief and persuaded them to receive Christ
into their lives. After a long time of argument he finally said, that they are at one end of a
rope and he is at the other end. They are pulling at one end and he is pulling at the other
end to see who will pull the other to their side. He said that he is determined to pull them
to his side. But if he cannot pull them to his side, instead of them to pull him to their side
he will let the rope go because he has made up his mind not to come to their side. That is
the statement of a determined believer concerning his salvation. Too many people easily
give in and go back to their vomit. You are holding on to the rope of salvation. Don’t let go
the rope of salvation. The devil will do all he can to discourage you and pull you down.

If you don’t give up the devil will give in.

• After Tsunami flood disaster, I was watching CNN as they were interviewing and relaying
the news of the disaster. A man gave the story of what happened to him during the flood.
He said that as the carried him and others he suddenly saw a rope hanging out and he held
it. As he was holding the rope he saw dead bodies and debris passing him with great
speed. He said that he was determined not let go on the rope knowing that his survival is
dependent on his holding on to the rope. The difference between him at that moment and
the dead bodies around him was his ability to hold on to the rope. He not only survived the
Tsunami but also was able to save a little child he was carrying while he held the rope. It
took every breath and strength in him to hold on to the rope until the flood subsided.