A change agent that can bring victory and joy to the lives of other. The cause of Christ is worthy of our involvement. Spiritual conflicts are won, not by our own strength or ability alone, but by our faith in God and our dependence on His help.
I. What's today's cause? The cause is always greater than the individual. David was willing to rish his life for his people Israel. Though there is evidence of great faith on David's part, he was still human and willingly risk his life for the Cause. Why risk? The answer was the cause. God's people were challenged by the enemy & were bringing them into a corner with so much fear. Someone needs to stand in the gap & challenge the enemy. David didn't go alone against Goliath, for he took the Name of the Lord of host as a shield & buckler. Thus he won great victory for the Cause.
A. The conflict. (1 Samuel 7:8-10).
1. The challenge of Goliath. Goliath represent enemy, sin, carnality, or the worldliness.
a) David was moved. When David heard the challenged, something moved him so strong, seeing the cause as Saul and his armies saw a giant.
b) The cause. Not only the armies of the living God defiled but also the Name of God was being desecrated by the wicked.
2. The Fear of the Israelites. (1 Sam 17:11) when Saul & all Israel heard those words of the philistines they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
A) Fear of men. Saul and his armies were dismayed and greatly afraid. All of them, except David.
B) David was the one to stand in the gap. It took to turn the death of a Nation around.
II. The cause. Discredit or disgrace God (1 Sam. 17:26)
1. The reproach to God
A) what was the reproach to God? Not only was the enemy not conquered, but he was also not even challenged by King Saul and his men.
B) This is an insult to Jehovah. Who proven himself so many times to Israel. In Heb 11:6, but without faith, it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
2. The threat to Israel. Servitude. (1 Sam 17:9) If he be able to fight with me and to kill me, then will we be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then shall ye be our servants and serve us.
A) One on one. This is not armies against armies. But one man against one to determine the winning nation, then shall be the servant.
B) Giant of faith. Israel is no match in physical size, but David, is a giant in faith & experience.
C) The saving Name. Even thou David did not know the Name of Jesus, he knows the revealed Name of Yahweh (JHVH), the God as their Savior.
a) David's motive was misinterpreted. He was sent to check & take some foods for his brothers. His brother gets angry and accused him falsely. People might not know us But God knew us, as a future kings and priests.
b) King Saul doubted and compared David to Goliath. Goliath is a man of war from his youth. But David tells him his experience & make two strong statements. First, enemy will be defeated. Next, he gave credit to God for the deliverance he had experience.
2. David's Preparation for the Battle (1 Sam
17:38-40)
a) King Saul equips David. (v.38) "and Saul armed David with his armour and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. But David prefers to use a slingshot and 5 stone.
b) Whole armour of God. The king of kings can equip us with whole armour of God, much better than an earthly king. (Eph 6:11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be.
3. David's 3 Dimensions of faith in God. (1 Sam 17:45-47)
a) Great Faith (v 45) But I come to thee in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defiled. David came in the Name of the Lord to vindicate the defiance of the armies of the living God.
b) Greater Faith. (v.46) This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand, and I will smite thee, and take thine hear from there. He came with faith that the Lord would give victory even to the foretelling the removal of Goliath's head. His purpose was to let the world know that there was a God in Israel.
c) Greatest Faith. (v. 47) and all this assembly shall know that the Lord save not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands. He affirmed that the battle is the Lord's. David became the aggressor and approached the enemy.
4. David's victory (1Sam 17:48-54)
a) Stone of Faith (v50-51). So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling & with a stone, and smote the Philistine & slew him. As David releases the stone of Faith & hit Goliath, he reaches his own sword to cut his head.
b) What a victory (v54) and David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem. But he put his armour in his tent. David took the head of Goliath back to Jerusalem as evidence and kept his armour for souvenir. Even though God helped us in our struggle, we often are exposed to danger in order that the miracle may be more evident.
5. Israel Celebration (1 Sam. 18:6) When David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing. To meet King Saul, with Tabrets, with joy and with instruments of music"
A) the faith and bravery of one. The whole nation knew victory and it was then easy for them to pursue the Philistine. They were even blessed with the spoils that had been left in tent.
B) the celebration. David back with Saul and all the women came out of their houses and dance.
Conclusion:
There are many giants in the world around us that defy the church and hurl insults toward God. They come in different forms but as just as the threatening as was Goliath of old. One of the biggest giants of our day is the spirit of humanism that is in schools, churches, courts and manu other segment of society. For Christianity, it is a lukewarm.age, being neither hot nor cold. In other words, it is not a time of strong convictions in matters pertaining to God and to the church.
Challenge:
However, there's also the spirit of David in the hearts of God's people today. The challenge by the world won't go unanswered or undefeated. With the help of God, the true church is more than a match for any satanic force that might emerge. We are designed and destined for victory. When Jesus returns, he will find a church without spot or wrinkle, a church clotjed with His glory and power.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!