Giant Killer

It’s Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to the Dads that are here this morning. The role of father in America has been under attack for decades now. Culture will argue that men are only necessary for procreation and then women will be fine without men. One New York Times columnists writes“Men are so last century,” But we also have decades worth of judicial and prison system data that will tell us otherwise, God fearing Fathers are needed in America.

So in the church especially on this day we’ve brought messages that have been meant to challenge men but many times they’ve really just added to our own inadequacies and insecurities about being the best dad we can be. So today yes I want to challenge our men here today but more than the challenge I want you to be able to see yourself as God has designed you and by encouraging you we can all find out how to achieve victory.

I was 21 years old when I became a father. I wanted to be a good dad but I did not know how. Love for the child and her mom wasn’t the issue, the world would say that’s enough but I knew love all alone wouldn’t pay rent and buy the formula and diapers, I was being called to a higher place, I was being called beyond that of a typical 21 year old. There were obstacles and hindrances out there waiting for methat I was unaware about. When I married Amanda I became provider, protector, handyman, and much more.

Men, there is a war being waged for your soul, the soul of your family and the purposes God had called you to. And you need some weapons. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but Mighty in God for the pulling down of every stronghold. God has provided an armory. We just need to know what our weapons are so we can be qualified. Before we get into the word lets pray.

If we’ve been to Sunday school just few times in your life no doubt you have heard the biblical account of David and Goliath. We’ve heard hundreds of messages, numerous bible studies and lots of Sunday school lessons about this young man who with a rock and a slingshot killed a giant. The content of the story can be applied to our lives in many, many ways. Overcoming adversity, achieving victory when the odds are against you, never underestimate the underdog. All are right and true.

But when we think of this story we have to remember why David fought Goliath in the first place. It wasn’t just that no one else wanted to fight the giant, David was angry. He was righteously indignant.

This uncircumcised Philistine didn’t just come to wage war against Israel he came against the God whom David worshipped and served. God Almighty. This battlefield wasn’t just where David met and defeated his enemy but it was the strategic location of David’s life where preparation met opportunity.

This isn’t just another good vs. evil story or the makings of a summer blockbuster movie. This is where history was made and a kingdom was born and a bloodline was established that would eventually lead to another famous citizen of Bethlehem who will not just make history but all of history would be His-Story, whose Kingdom would come and whose will would be done and whose bloodline would descend all the way from the throne of heaven and he would be crowned the Supreme Authority, King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords.

It doesnt matter your station in life, it doesn’t matter your age, it doesn’t matter skin color or balance in a bank account, we will all will get up in the morning and there will be a giant waiting for us and he will ask us a question. Are you coming out to fight me? One of the frustrating things about fighting giants is that for many of us is we face this giant time and time again.

We will defeat him one day, and the next, lose the battle and then we’ll face him again. We’re going to talk about this in a moment but as we read the story from 1 Samuel we’ll see that the rock he slung at Goliath knocked him down AND killed him. But David was going to be absolutely sure and positive that this giant was never getting up again. God has secured the victory. Total victory. Let’s see the giant fall for the last time. Let’s commit to walking total victory! Let’s see some heads roll! Let’s see the heads thoroughly separated from our giants and they will never be able to rise up against our God or our people ever again. Amen.

It’s a dramatic, violent story. Giant killing is violent business. However giant removal advances the kingdom. Giants have been a problem for us since the beginning. (Caleb & Joshua in ) Giants are inevitable and they should be expected. Men, you and I need to be skilled, fearless Giant exterminators and in order to do that then we need to know what does that looks like, what weapon do we need to possess in order to remove the giants in our life? (Recap David’s reason for being in the story) Read

el 17:23-29

3 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 25 So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.”

26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.”

28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”

29 And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?”

Is There Not A Cause?-Purpose: The first weapon in giant killing, is Purpose. What are we fighting for? David realized that this was bigger than a fight for the nation of Israel. However important that was, there was more at stake than that. This was about showing the Philistines that there was one, true, almighty God. What is our cause? What is our mission? So many of us are on auto-pilot just waiting for the ship to come in, or the other shoe to fall or for the sweet by and by and we’re existing without a mission. Men there is a war going on for yours and your family’s attention and affections, there is a battle for your mind, what you’ll watch on TV, the music you’ll listen to. Will you stand in the light or soak up the darkness of the world. What do have worth fighting for?

David showed up at the battlefield without any intention of joining the fight until he heard Goliath and his big ol’ mouth. And as everyone ran away David took responsibility. Taking a stand, having a mission, living with a purpose is hard and there will be people who will criticize and challenge your motives. David’s biggest critics were those closest to him.

His brother thought he only came to watch the show, he had to get past him before he could even get to Goliath. Define your purpose. Define your cause. Is it I want to be a soul winner? Great. Make a plan to lead one person to the Lord this year. How will you do it? Make a plan and then do it. You want to be a better dad? Show up in your kids life everyday. Make a plan and do it.The exchange that David has with his big brother begins to circulate around the camp until it finally gets to King Saul. King Saul must be intrigued enough to call for the boy.

Remember Saul knows this young man. He has actually become a trusted person to the King. Because Saul did not have a genuine relationship with the Lord we know from previous chapters in 1 Samuel. We know that he suffered from these terrible bouts of tormenting spirits and David, who had a reputation as a good musician, had been recruited to come into the court and play music. Because of the anointing that was on David’s life when he played before King Saul the evil spirits would leave. That is a whole other message but it gives us a little background to the relationship with Saul and David up to this point.

Saul really likes this kid and he really doesn’t want him to go and fight but let’s pick up in verse 36-39...........6 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.

Saul clothed David in his armor-Identity.............Saul is concerned for David’s safety. He’s genuine. Hey David I don’t want you to go but if you do you need to wear my armor, my helmet, my shield and my sword. This is what warriors wear so even though you don’t stand a chance at least this could help you out. I love David’s response. (read 39) 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. One of the heaviest burdens for us to bear is that of comparison. We can’t carry it. We will be crushed under it’s weight.

We live in a performance based society. Comparison determines value. Athletes are great example of this. We constantly compare the statisics of one great athlete to another. Parents if we’re not careful we’ll compare our children to one another. It’s unfair and it is wrong. You have a God-given, Holy Ghost designed plan for your life. I do too and it doesn’t look a thing like yours. Thank God. Some of you have yet to tap into Gods plan for your life because your too busy comparing yourself to someone else. Saul and David wanted to accomplish the same thing. Kill Goliath.

David had to do it how he was called to do it. This is our next weapon we need to use and that’s identity. He had his own identity and it didn’t look a thing like Saul’s. Your mission and method isn’t and shouldn’t look like anybody else’s. I can’t pastor like Brandon Laudell at Oak Grove or James Taylor at Pauline Baptist. Great men of God. We have the same desire to help build the kingdom of God but different identities. I can’t preach like Keith Butler or Adrian Rogers oh I wish I could but if I try to I will fail miserably because God has already created a Keith Butler, he had already created, used and called home his Adrian Rogers. I have to be who I was created to be.

If your identity is not based solely on Christ in you the hope of Glory, then we will be subject to whatever mood we’re in at the time. But when I know who I am in Christ and certain that he has called me for such a time as this, in this place whether it’s in the paper mill, the hospital, in the schools, or in the home. Then I won't pretend to be someone I’m not or who you want me to be. You have to be you and I have to be me. If you aren’t you, who will be your supposed to be? Who will accomplish what God has destined you to accomplish? Don’t compare yourself. It’s like apples and oranges. We can all fit in the same basket but we all will look and taste different. .......................(read vs. 40) 40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.

Five Smooth Stones-Gifting: David could have used all the technology and armament that the Israelite army had to offer. Yet he chose to go with what he knew. The next weapon David had at his disposal was his gifting. He went with what he had used before. What he had with him. I know this is true in ministry and it applies in the rest of life as well we think if we just had this or that life would be better. If we had a bigger sound system or LED stage lights or if we just had a bigger budget to work with we would be more successful or we would attract more people. If I just made more money or had a nicer car I know things would turn around.

I have learned and still learning in my own life through experience that if we are not good stewards with what we have, what we have right now, time, talent and resources God will not trust us with anymore.

If we don’t wash and iron the clothes we have, no more. If we don’t change the oil and clean out the car we have, no more. If we can’t manage the money we have now why on earth should God bless us with more. If I just had a little more money I could tithe then. If you don’t tithe on what little you have why would you tithe on more? It’s not preacher talk it’s just not good business.

If we choose to not give out of the gifts we already have received and if every good gift is from God why would he give us more? It’s a natural principal. If I plant a bean seed in a pot and I leave it in the dark and do not water it and don’t give it any plant food why on earth would I wonder why it’s not growing. We have to use what we got? David couldn’t have used a shield and armor if he tried. He didn’t have the education or the training or the experience that the army guys had.

We can worry about that and use it as an excuse but the reality is David didn’t need it. David was thinking you know God has helped me do some pretty amazing things with this slingshot and a rock. I believe Ill do just fine thank you. He had all the equipment that he needed. Let me challenge us today. Instead of thinking in terms of a wish list of we’d like to have, why don’t we take inventory of what we do have. I heard a Marine Corp slogan many years ago and I’ve never forgotten it. It goes “We have done so much for so long with so little that now we can do anything out of nothing”, Let’s use all we got. (read vs. 44-47)

44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

Boldness : Wow. He’s almost laughing at Goliath. You come here with a sword and a spear? Is that all you got? I come in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. Here’s what’s happening today big boy I’m going to strike you square between your eyes and then I’m going to separate your head from your body. Who is this kid? Can you imagine this?

The fourth weapon that you and I have to have is this. Boldness. Oh my goodness the boldness that David possesses here just inspires me. He’s 15 years old. He’s the youngest, he’s a sheepherder, he’s insignificant, he’s nobody right? . He tells Goliath I’m going to cut off your head, he didn’t have a sword! You know what faith can do? Faith can move mountains. Faith can tumble walls. Faith can kill giants.

David had seen God work on his behalf over and over. It’s cold and lonely tending sheep at night, God was there. It’s dangerous tending sheep, God was there. It was tough when he knew his own father didn’t think much of him, and brothers despised him, God was there. Now he stands in front of a nine-foot tall unbelieving warrior who makes entire armies run away in fear. His voice never quivered, his words never stuttered. His confidence came from his faith in David’s own words, the living God. This is not a misplaced confidence or arrogance David has no doubt that it has nothing to do with abilities or his own bravery. Read 47...........Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

This proves to me that it doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are how long you have been saved, doesn’t matter, if we truly will walk by faith believing :31that If God is for us who could be against us we can get up in the face of any giant that dares to defy the army of the living God. Fathers, this is the army that you and I serve in! The world will try and tell you that you are insignificant, inexperienced and uneducated and you will fail and be a statistic. The word of God right here tells us that we can categorically deny and reject that and stand up straight, lift our chin and say, “you come to me with a spear and a sword? I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts and I will strike you and take your head from you”!

(Read 48-49) 48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

Courage : As soon as he realized the enemy was advancing David ran toward him. This is so counter-intuitive. Our natural instinct is that when an enemy begins to advance toward us we want to run…the other way. Not David. He wasn’t about to let the enemy get the upper hand or get into position to strike he was going to go on the offensive. He wants to kill Goliath. This is going to end today. Church we have to come to a point where we can no longer side step the giant in our lives anymore. We can’t run away scared any longer. The verse says he ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Up until this point the nation of Israel only had a track record of running away from giants. This is the last weapon we can use courage.

Who runs towards giants? Crazy people? Only the bravest people, only the strongest and fiercest people? Only the green beret and navy seals? No, it’s the fearless. Fearless only because their life is so firm in their faith, belief and relationship with Jesus Christ they know they’re purpose.

They know the mission. It’s not the person riding someone else’s coat tails or trying to imitate someone else’s accomplishments no they understand that God called me before I was formed in my mothers womb and because he designed me he equipped me.

I can run into battle knowing I have all that I need because all I have came from him. One slingshot from God in the hands of the faithful trumps all the swords and spears and all the armies of the enemy. It’s because of this preparation that this person walks in a confidence founded on faith in Jesus Christ and the Cross and it drives us to run after the enemy.

(read 50-51) 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.

And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled

Who’s ready to be a giant killer.? Whose ready? This isn’t just for the men today. it’s time to rise up and become a giant killer salvation

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the Earth

And all these blessings shall overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways

Amen