RESET 5: FINDING THE AX HEAD
Sunday, April 2, 2021
Pastor Troy Brewer, OpenDoor Church, Burleson, TX

The Loss of the USS Huron
I want to take you back in time to November 23, 1877.
The last of the great steam naval ships, the USS Huron, leaves port and heads south toward
Cuba. THE LAST BUILT WITH IRON before the new steel hulls came out. The Huron’s captain
represented the brightest of his day and he had actually taught navigation at West Point Naval
Academy. Because he knew he had all the answers, he ignored warning after warning of
approaching storms, confident his compass and his knowledge could weather any storm. What
he didn’t know was that there was a tiny 1-degree error in the ship’s compass. The farther they
headed south, the closer the ship would edge toward the reefs of the east coast. In fact, within
24-hours, the Huron would sink just 200 yards off the coast of Virginia and 98 men would lose
their lives to the waves and the current.


The warning bells rang and the Captain saw the rocks of the reef directly ahead. When he saw
that, there was no way they could stop in time. He commanded his men to brace themselves.
His last recorded words were

“MY GOD! HOW DID WE GET HERE?”
When it comes to experiencing great loss, none of us are the exception. But some losses we
experience happen on our watch and we desperately need to find the things that have been
stolen from us.
We had a good marriage, but we lost it. Now we are just in survival mode.
I had a job and a career, but I lost it…
I had the joy of the Lord, but I lost it….
I had a great prayer life and zeal for the Lord, but I lost it…..
RESET part five is called “Finding the Ax Head.”
Finding the ax head:
2 Kings 6:5-7

But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and
said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.” 6 So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he
showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. 7
Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
(1) Where did it fall?
WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?
WHERE DID YOU LOOSE IT?
FOR VICTIMS, THIS PLACE IS ALL ABOUT THE FORCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL,
THOSE WHO HAVE MORE AND THE BIG GUY PICKING ON THE LITTLE GUY.
Accept the responsibility. Own it.

Revelation 2:5 (NKJV)
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will
come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place—unless you repent.
(2) The power of displacement
THROW WHAT DOES WORK INTO THE SITUATION.
Apply the Cross. Apply the Word (PROCLAIM).
Look at what does work.
WHAT YOU BEHOLD, YOU BECOME
Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
But we all, with open face beholding as in a
glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the
Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (CWR)
Our faces are no longer covered, and as we look at the glory of the Lord, we’re changed. We
reflect more and more of His image by the power of the Spirit working on our hearts.
Everyone must find the strength to go to their places of loss and accept the responsibility of
moving forward into certain victory.
SCRIPTURES ON STRENGTH
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame
scorch you.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory,
Isaiah 30:21
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn
to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
Psalm 37:23-24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall,
he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 4:7
You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalm 43:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I
shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in
all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Zechariah 4:6
So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor
by power, but by My Spirit,’says the LORD of hosts.”
Mark 9:23
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make
the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Hebrews 2:18
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Psalm 20:1-2
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion.
Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing will be impossible.

(3) Reach out and get it
GO AFTER IT. PUT YOUR HANDS ON IT AND TAKE IT INTO YOUR LIFE.
POSSESS THE LAND.
IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO SEE THE PROMISED LAND. YOU MUST POSESS IT.
If God offers you peace. you have to possess it.

  1. LOCATE WHERE YOU LOST IT.
  2. FOCUS ON WHAT DOES WORK IN THAT PLACE (The Word, His Spirit).
  3. REACH OUT AND TAKE IT WHEN IT IT’S OFFERED.