Is there NOT a CAUSE?

Opening- Turn to 1 Sam Chapter 17

I’m so honored that Pastor LARRY has asked me to fill in for him once again. I do not take this task lightly. Lets all continue to pray for Bro Larry and complete healing!

I would like to open the message this morning with a quote that has radically impacted my life since the day I first heard it!

“Many in the world today believe that we are human beings having a temporary spiritual experience, BUT ACTUALLY we are spiritual beings having a temporary human experience.”

This statement is critical and essential to the individual believer in Christ and the Church that Jesus Christ established.

This temporary human experience we call LIFE is very short and full of trouble!

In Job 14:1 we read this:

“Man who is born of woman

Is of few days and full of trouble.

I have a few questions for you:

Do you ever get overwhelmed in your journey?

Do you ever think the battle is being lost and not worth the fight?

Are you still in the fight or are you on the sidelines?

Today I have a message of encouragement, a challenge and one of Hope!

Our text I Sam 17 we see the account of the epic battle between David and Goliath.

The stage is about the Philistine army coming to the land that belonged to Judah, God’s people. The Philistines were ruthless people who captured nations and enslaved their captives. (A PICTURE OF THE FALLEN WORLD SYSTEM AND SATAN ATTEMPTING TO STEAL, KILL AND ENSLAVE GOD’S CHILDREN TODAY)

Lets pick up the story in verse 4-9

Here we see a very intimidating picture of the enemy:

1. Huge army with a well known evil reputation

2. A champion of death and destruction “Goliath”

3. A bold, arrogant and cocky challenge!

*Goliath did this for forty days twice a day! verse 16

Verses 10-11

Goliath Defies the armies of Isreal-God

Defy- means to profanely taunt, mock, ridicule and slander

David-BACKGROUND

We are told that David is the youngest of 8 son’s. His father is Jesse. And David had a history over this battle to go and take provisions and get a report from the battlefield for his Father. David had 3 of his older brothers in the King Saul’s army.

Verse 17-26 Jesse tells his son David to take food to his brothers and for the army.

David gives the duties of keeping the sheep to a Keeper.

David arrives at the camp and learns of what has been going on! He learns that the men are all afraid of Goliath!!

Let’s pick up in verse 26-29

* is there Not a Cause!

I’M GOING TO TRY TO GIVE AN ILLUSTRATION USING THE TIME IN WHICH WE LIVE......

Our Cause- The glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!

David was accused by his own brother of just meddling and sticking his nose where it did not belong. His brother became angry towards David-People will get angry with you when your engaged in the battle!

Most believers today are like those soldiers in God’s army-shacking in their boots scared to death.

I want you to understand a very inportant fact of confidence!

1. You are exactly were God wants you!

*David was sent by his father and was obediant! A picture of us being sent by our heavenly Father!

verse 17

2. Saltillo Baptist Church is His Church with a mission!

we need to be like David! Confident in the finished work of Christ, knowing we have the power of almighty God inside of us! And take a stand to push back against the darkness so others can see the light! THERE IS A CAUSE!!

It breaks my heart to see the church mostly full of soldiers of God that have retreated inside the walls of their church building, acting like everything is alright by singing, saying amen and patting each other on the back......but living in defeat and fear on the battlefield of life outside!!

What describes you? What describes this church?

Are you in the battle fighting the darkness? Is this church in the battle fighting the darkness? How are your friends and acquaintances and co-workers ever going to see the light of Christ if you don’t fight!?

If you are in the fight, FANTASTIC! BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE AROUND YOU TO JOIN YOU!

Some of you may say, Preacher I’M just to tiered, I’m to afraid, It’s no use for me!

I have great news found in Colossians 1:19-23

Get off the sideline and get back into the battle! Repent, ask forgiveness and saddle back up!

Time is getting shorter and lets all be like Paul and be able to proclaim what he said in 2 Tim 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!!

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