Sermon Tone Analysis

In one of his meetings, D.L. Moody was explaining to his audience the truth that we cannot bring about spiritual changes in our lives by our own strength.

He demonstrated the principal like this: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?”

One man said, “Suck it out with a pump.”

But Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter it.”

Finally after many suggestions, he picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water.

“There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.”

He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing Christ to take full possession.

Victory.

Yes we all love victory.

Webster defines victory: the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist.

Achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties.

We love it.

It defines many of us.

We wear the symbol of it as a swoosh on our shoes.

We do not like defeat.

But when brought into the arena of Christianity we find a whole mess of confusion.

We seek and celebrate victory in Jesus, but what does that mean to us?

Many church leaders will say that our goal is to achieve victory in Jesus, but our struggle today is that this means many different things to many different people.

As pilgrims in the land, citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we find ourselves face to face with a great many giants before us.

Some of them fell, but are still standing.

Lets be honest.

The real problem.

Many of these giants cannot be beat with our efforts.

They can only be defeated by Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The air in the cup cannot come out by our ingenuity, but by the filling of the Spirit.

But when face to face with our giants, we want to slay them ourselves and we are always on the search for the latest and greatest ways to do it.

But when we have tried it all, they are still standing.

We become discouraged and in despair.

These giants will never fall.

I can’t wait for God to drop them any longer.

I think the Lord has abandoned me.

I have problems and no matter what I do they do not go away.

Much of the problem has to do not with what we need to do, but what we need to believe.

Oh the giant of unbelief.

Many of us today could say that we have giants standing before us right now.

Is there hope for us today?

Yes.

I will show you why in our passage today.

2:  achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties

Last week we saw that the Spirit of God was taken from Saul and a tormenting one was given to him.

David filled with the Spirit played music for Saul to relieve him of the torment.

Now we today will explore one of the most beloved stories in the entire Bible.

David and Goliath.

But maybe not in the way you have heard it before.

The Setting, the Drama.

The Philistines gathered their army for battle as did the Israelites.

A stand off.

Then an over 9 foot tall Philistine champion emerged.

He carried pounds and pounds of armor and weapons calling out to Israel.

He offered terms of an agreement to the people… send out your champion and if I beat him you will be our slaves and if he beats me we will be your slaves.

He said, “I defy the armies of Israel.”

He was defying God while Saul and the people shook in terror.

David arrived on the scene simply running back and fourth helping his father.

Goliath came out for 40 days and “strutted” before them.

David ran an errand for his father bringing his brothers gifts and overheard the taunts of Goliath witnessing the armies of Israel running away in fear.

Saul offered a reward of his daughters hand in marriage and not having to pay taxes anymore... nice.

But there were no takers.

David inquired… “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David’s brother got upset.

They asserted that he should be helping dad but he just wants to come and watch the battle.

David volunteered.

Are you crazy Saul said.

You are just a boy and he has been a man of war since he was a youth.

Sire, I killed lions and bears taking care of the flock and I will do the same to this Philistine who defies the armies of the living God.

The Lord will rescue me.

David goes out armed with only a shepherd staff, a slingshot, and 5 smooth stones.

Goliath said… Am I a dog coming out here with a stick?

David replies… you come to me with sword and spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord.

The Lord is going to conquer you and I will cut off your head.

The Lord will rescue his people and everyone will see it.

He shot the Philistine in the forehead killing him.

He cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s sword and the Israelites ran with a shout and routed the Philistines.

Theirs was the victory this day.

1 Samuel 17

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.

Identification

Proof of Assurance

Proof of Insurance

The first thing we will look at today are three characters and find out which one we would identify with.

The last thing, we will see how the victory of Christ is our proof of eternal life and life more abundantly.

Thesis: Though sin and the effects of sin in this world stand like a Goliath taunting us to fear, it is the Lord, our shepherd like David, defeats the enemy by crushing his head without sword and shield, but by His death and resurrection bringing us the victory.

I. Identification

- Which one are you?

A. The People of Israel.

In the face of an apparent impossible situation, the people of Israel along with Saul were terrified and trembling in the fear of failing.

They were also terrified before opposition that would defy the Lord in their face making fun of who they were and what they believe.

Worst of all he showed the unbelief of the people.

You all talk about how you are the people of God and how God fights for you.

If that is the case then come out and fight.

Or do you not believe He will save you?

B. They also coward in fear as the over 9 foot soldier strutted his stuff before the people singing… “Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man: no time to talk.

Staying alive, ah ha ha ha staying alive.”

Humiliating them!

C.

They attempted to face the fight but when the apparent difficulty set fear in gear they took off running.

For 40 days he humiliated them for their unbelief.

Faithless Fear.

D. And how many times last week did we take off running in the face of difficulty in faithless fear?

The reality…the soldiers of Israel knew that this was a fight that they could not win and knew it.

But did they forget who they were?

Forget the truth?