The Under Dog

The Underdog

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:35–37

Introduction

· In this life you are going to face incredible situations. There will be things that are going to challenge your faith.

· Those situations will seem, at times, as though they are defying your God. You will face the ridicule of others.

· It would seem like you are the underdog. God specializes in underdogs.

· In this story we find that the Philistine Army had come out to challenge the children of Israel. With them they brought their champion “Goliath”. Goliath was believed to be 9 feet tall. His armor was believed to be 250 lbs.

· The bible says, the children of Israel (v11) greatly dismayed. This happened for forty days and nights.

· David was a young man, a shepherd. Inspite of his appearance God’s hand was upon Him. Even though God was with him, everyone else didn’t see him as the champion that God did.

o They saw someone inexperienced.

o They saw him as someone too small and insignificant.

BUT UNDERDOGS…

I. Overcome Discouragement from Others

"When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, 'Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.'" - 1 Samuel 17:28

"Saul replied, 'You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.'" - 1 Samuel 17:33

A. Discouragement comes in many forms. When it comes it will come from:

1. Family – Jesus couldn’t perform many miracles because of their familiarity.

2. Friends – Will discourage you not because they care about you, but because they care about themselves.

3. Foes - Your enemies want to see you fail.

B. David faced skepticism and discouragement from his own brother Eliab and King Saul. They doubted his intentions and abilities.

1. There will be times when your own family will say things to you to keep you from stepping into your purpose.

2. Eliab and Saul saw David and thought… They didn’t see when David…

C. David did not let their doubts deter him. He remained focused on his mission and relied on his faith in God rather than the opinions of others.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1

1. When situations that seem impossible come your way…remember who is on your side.

2. If you listen to the negative talk you begin to believe it. If you remember what God says about you, you will begin to walk in it.

II. Trust in God’s Preparation

"The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” - 1 Samuel 17:37

A. When we are in the waters of obscurity we never see how God can use us. Its in the secret times that God is preparing us for the battle.

1. God used the lion and the bear to train David the Giant.

2. Each battle prepares you for your next victory.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2–3

B. David was young and inexperienced in battle, which made others doubt his ability to fight Goliath.

1. They had never seen him fight. So how could they have known he could win.

2. People don’t know that battles you have fought and won. They only see the struggle.

a. It’s the struggle people see, they never seem to recognize the victories.

C. David recalled how God had prepared him through past experiences.

1. His encounters with lions and bears while tending sheep had strengthened his trust in God’s deliverance.

2. He used these experiences as a foundation for his confidence in facing Goliath.

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:17–18

III. Rely on anointing to conquer great odds.

"David said, 'I cannot go in these,' he said to Saul, 'because I am not used to them.' So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine." - 1 Samuel 17:39-40

A. Each of you is gifted to fulfill your Divine Assignment. God will not call you to an assignment and not equip you.

1. Just know that whatever battle you are facing, God has a victory assigned to you.

2. Whatever trouble you are facing. God has a plan for you to succeed.

B. Saul offered David his armor to fight Goliath, but it was too cumbersome and unfamiliar for David.

1. David understood that he could not effectively fight Goliath using someone else's armor. Instead, he chose to rely on his own skills and experiences.

2. David had confidence that God would deliver him using the tools and skills he was familiar with, rather than relying on conventional means.

3. David recognized that the unfamiliar armor would hinder rather than help him, demonstrating the importance of practicality and self-awareness in facing challenges.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

C. David chose to use his own gifts and tools—a sling and five smooth stones. He trusted in the abilities God had given him rather than relying on conventional weapons and armor.

1. When you face your situation, just know that God has anointed you to conquer.

2. It’s not the size of your weapon that brings great victory, but the size of your faith.

IV. Courage Comes from Faith in God

"David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'" - 1 Samuel 17:45

A. Whenever the enemy comes against you it is steal kill and destroy.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.John 10:10

B. The Giant came against David with every physical means to destroy Him. David know that God was greater.

Describe Goliaths armor

C. Despite the fear that paralyzed the Israelite army, David’s faith in God gave him the courage to confront Goliath. He believed that God would deliver him from the giant, just as He had delivered him from the lion and the bear.

1. David’s confidence didn’t come from His weapons, but from faith in God.

2. The reason so many people have such little faith is because they don’t realize what God can do.

And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Mark 11:22–23

3. Let me tell you what my God can do (optional):

· He spoke the world into existence - Genesis 1:1

· He can Part the Sea -Exodus 14:21

· He can Provide Manna from Heaven - Exodus 16:4

· He can Give Strength to the Weak - Isaiah 40:29

· He can Heal the Sick -Isaiah 53:5

· He can Perform Miracles - John 2:1-11

· He can Raise the Dead -John 11:43-44

· He can Forgive Sins -Mark 2:5

· He can Calm the Storm -Mark 4:39

· He can Provide Eternal Life - John 3:16

· He can Change Hearts -Ezekiel 36:26

· He can Guide and Direct - Proverbs 3:5-6

· He can Comfort the Mourning - Matthew 5:4

· He can Supply Every Need- Philippians 4:19

· He can Strengthen the Faithful - Philippians 4:13

· He can Save the Lost - Luke 19:10

· He can Answer Prayers - 1 John 5:14-15

· He can Cast Out Demons - Matthew 8:16

· He can Redeem the World - Ephesians 1:7

· He can Reconcile All Things - Colossians 1:20

· He can Work All Things for Good - Romans 8:28

· They tried to kill him… but He rose from the grave…

· They said his body was stolen… but he soon every eye will see…

V. Underdogs Declare God’s Victory

"This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel." - 1 Samuel 17:46

A. Sometimes you must declare victory before you see it!

1. Everyone saw an impossible foe. David saw a victory.

2. Stop looking at your giant as a situation too hard for God.

B. Goliath was a formidable opponent, boasting of his strength and cursing David by his gods.

1. Goliath was intimidating. He was larger than anyone had ever seen or attempted to battle.

2. Giants are going to come into your life. You can look at them and declare your defeat or their defeat.

C. David boldly declared God’s victory over Goliath before the battle even began. His declaration of faith was a testament to his trust in God’s power and sovereignty.

but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

1. You are more than a conqueror! You can go from being the underdog to being the top dog.

2. Stop declaring your defeat and start declaring your victory!

CONCLUSION