1 Samuel 17:31-48

Facing the Giants (Part 2)

Sermon Purpose :

I want us to see that our God is our strong deliverer and He uses people who are ALIGNED to His HEART and WILL to accomplish His purpose of delivering people from the giant enemies -sin and death.

You see, God’s grand redemptive plan includes the CALLING and raising up of a young man named David to deliver the nation of Israel from the oppression of their enemies that surrounds them. Later on, the prophesied Messiah, King Jesus came out from the line of David who’s mission and work is to deliver/save people from their sin and the punishment of sin through His death on the cross.

In this narrative we find that Israel’s army was afraid of fighting a very experienced and giant warrior named Goliath who mocked God. By God’s providence, David came at the right time to hear Goliath insulting God. So a young man who loves God named David stepped up and by faith in God fought Goliath using the best weapon he could find and ended up victorious and delivered Israel from shame and defeat.

In this narrative we find that God who called David, was at work in David’s life in preparing Him for a bigger battle - to deliver Israel from a giant enemy.

We have our calling from God. God is calling us for a greater purpose in life, more than just living and surviving - a greater purpose because it is a heavenly purpose - the proclamation of the Gospel for the glorification of God!

In the proclamation of the Gospel and the glorification of God, there will be challenges and hindrances.

You and I will be facing GIANTS - giant oppositions, giant problems, giant disappointments, giant failures, giant debt, giant obstacles, giant health concerns…and in facing this giant, you will feel small and lowly.

But take heart Christians, we have an infinitely greater God who will protect, defend, and sustain us.

3 Keys to victory against the giants that you may face as you live out God’s calling:

I. Passion for God

II. Preparedness for Battle

III. Persevering faith in God

I. Passion for God

A. David’s Passion for God (vv.31-37)

He can’t stand hearing God’s name mocked by Goliath (v.26; v.36)) (ang gugma ni David sa Ginoo murag nagbaga nga kalayo nga perti ka init)

He volunteered to fight Goliath because no one dared to fight the giant (v.31-32).

Even if he was told by Saul “you will not win” (v.33) because he is not a soldier and his experience is no match with Goliath, still he did not back down. His passion for God deminishis his fear for Goliath.

“When your passion for God is great, your fear of man will diminish.”

David reasoned out why he would fight Goliath - He is an experienced and skillful protector and savior of his sheep from strong and big predators like Goliath (vv.34-36).

“Courage comes when we focus on God’s strength and enablement, not on the strength of the enemy.”

David’s passion for God was born out of what God has done for him in the past -saving David from the the bears and lions. David experienced God’s deliverance in the past and he is confident that will deliver him from the hands of Goliath (v.37).

“The same God who saved him in the past in the same God who will save him in the future. For our God is an unchanging God.”

Illustrate: Jesus Christ was passionate for the Father’s Name and for the Father’s Will. His passion for the Father was seen in His obedience, even to the point of death. His death on the cross delivered us from the power and punishment of sin.

Reflect:

How is your passion for God and His Name?

You will know if you have passion for God. How?

How would you react when people dishonor the name of God?

What if I don’t feel passionate for God?

Application:

Rekindle your passion for God by continually remembering what the Lord has done for you in the past - The Salvation you have freely received through faith in Christ.

It is important to recall God’s mighty work in the past to encourage us to face any obstacles in the present.

“When we remember daily that we have a living God who actively intervenes for the good of His people, it will rekindle the passion to live and to strive for God and to serve God with passion.”

“Passion for God will lead one to live in service to God.”

II. Preparedness for Battle

A. David’s Preparation (using wisdom) to Use the Suitable Weapon (vv.38-40)

Saul Agreed and gave his battle armor to David to wear for the battle (vv.37b-38)

David declined from using the Armor because he has not proven its effectiveness (vv.38-39).

David sought a weapon that would suit him (v.40)

Faith in God is accompanied by carefully thought action.

In times of battle, use the weapon that is proven and tested. In spiritual warfare, use the proven and tested weapons - prayer and the armor of God!

Ephesians 6:11–12 “11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Illustrate: Jesus Christ was prepared to endure the cross to be the ransom for many. He prayed and prayed so he can overcome the temptations from Satan.

Reflect:

Am I prepared to fulfill God’s calling for me?

Am I prepared when temptation comes?

Application:

To be prepared, make it a habit to pray, read, and meditate upon God’s Word.

Plan and make them part of your daily schedule.

III. Persevering faith in God

A. David’s Persevering Faith in God (not blind faith, real and working faith) (vv.41-51)

Goliath looked down on David and intimidated him (vv.41-44) (pagtamay)

David responded by lifting up the name of God whom he believes who will give Him victory (vv.45-47)

The Lord of Hosts / The Lord Almighty - One of the title of God in the OT, it describes Yahweh as both Divine Warrior and Divine King who commands all the cosmic forces in heaven (angels)and on earth (the Israelites)

David’s confidence in God: The Battle is the Lords and He gives deliverance to His people (vv.46-47) (cf 7:3; 14:23) (deliver 30x)

David believes that God is infinitely stronger, bigger, and mightier than Goliath.

“What Faith does is it allows to see the veiled reality that God is mighty and God is in control and He is on our side!”

David and Goliath clashed that resulted to David’s victory (vv.48-51)

The Israelites pursued the Philistines (vv.52-54)

Saul inquired about David (vv.55-58)

The event allowed David to be in the position to slowly but surely fulfill his greater calling to become the King of Israel and lead Israel back to God.

David persevered at the end not only because of his faith but also because of the object of His faith which is God. You may have faith on the person you trust the most but you can’t guarantee that they will help you nor be with you at all times.

It is important to ask “to whom do you put your faith?”

I exhort you to put your faith in Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2 NASB95

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus Christ showed unwavering faith during the course of his life on earth.

Reflect:

Application:

Deepen your knowledge and of experience of God through the daily communion with God in Word and Prayer. That is the best way to develop a persevering faith.

Exercise your faith by applying the truth of God’s Word in your life.

Believe that in Christ, you are loved. 1 John 4:16 “16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

Believe that you are not alone. Isaiah 41:10 “10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

Conclusion:

As you live out God’s calling for your life, you will have to face giants.

The God who called you will also equip you so that you will overcome these giants.

So Christian, keep that Passion for God burning in your hearts.

Maintain that Preparedness for battle, and deepen that Persevering faith in God.

Take heart Christian, you have an infinitely greater God who will protect, defend, and sustain you.

Benediction:

Jude 24–25 (NIV)

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.