There's Gotta Be More

I want to preach to someone here tonight who has found themselves in some type of cave…

(NLT) — 1 So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.....

KEY- The cave represents a place of seclusion, a place where nothing grows, a place where there is no light, a place that feels and looks hopeless. It is symbolic of a hideout of retreat of seclusion.

Sometimes even with all our knowledge of victory that is ours we find ourselves backed into a cave…

When our worries become weighty we often find ourselves in a cave…

When our struggle become significant we find ourselves retreating to a cave…

When our frustrations become our focus we desire a new change of scenery and thats often in a cave…

(NLT) — . ....Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there......

QUESTION- I wonder what soon was???

Sometimes we just read the bible and we so quickly run over key words…

...2 Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

KEY- David did not meet his brothers in the cave, David did not stumble upon some great army upon entering a cave. David walked into a cave alone.

***DAVID WALKED INTO A CAVE ALONE***

KEY- Some of you are still at, “soon.” Soon you will see what you’ve been waiting for, soon you will see your answer to prayer, soon you will know the next step.

KEY POINT- There will be times you will walk into a cave alone, but if God is involved you won’t walk out alone.

3 Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab, where he asked the king, “Please allow my father and mother to live here with you until I know what God is going to do for me.”

POINT- David had no idea what the next step was.

CHALLENGE- When you don’t know what God is doing don’t give up, just keep doing what he last told you.

4 So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his stronghold.

KEY- What was once a lonely cave became a great stronghold.

KEY- Caves also represent throughout God’s word a place of devotion, rest, protection, and planning.

It was in a cave that God protected Moses as his glory passed by.

It was in a cave that God protected Moses as his glory passed by.

It was in a cave God spoke to David.

It was in a cave God spoke to Elijah.

5 One day the prophet Gad told David, “Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah.” So David went to the forest of Hereth. 6 The news of his arrival in Judah soon reached Saul. At the time, the king was sitting beneath the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, holding his spear and surrounded by his officers.

KEY- Caves also represent throughout God’s word a place of devotion, rest, protection, and planning.

ILLUSTRATION- Finding a cave during a thunderstorm in Arizona.

It was in a cave that God protected Moses as his glory passed by.

ILLUSTRATION- Finding a cave during a thunderstorm in Arizona.

It was in a cave God spoke to David.

It was in a cave God spoke to Elijah.

KEY POINT- It is not unusual for a believer to enter a cave but it is a tragedy when they stay there.

Some of you may have entered a cave in your life for protection, for retreat, for peace and you fear that those things will never be present outside of the cave…

POINT- God has never intended you to stay in your cave.

Tonight I want this to burn in your heart - “There has got to be more” for everyone who has found themselves like David, backed into a cave, “There has got to be more” I pray that these words I share with you tonight bring about such a passion in your heart “There has got to be more”

I have titled the message tonight - “There’s Gotta Be More”

When David arrives on the scene he is counted out, but the prophet Samuel said, “There’s gotta be more.”

When David squared off with Goliath all that was seen in his hands was a leather strap and a rock, “There’s gotta be more”

When David finds himself alone in a cave, “There’s gotta be more”

I know that there are some of you here tonight and you are wondering, Is there more???

Maybe you are hearing me preach this and you are screaming in your heart, How do you know there is more for me???

KEY- David did not know what God was doing, he had every reason to believe that, that was it.

How do I know???

(NLT) — 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

MAIN POINT- There was more for David not because he was anything special but because he walked like a man who said, “There’s gotta be more.” Your actions and your choices will open up something more.

There is more for those who…

1. Know their testimony.

(NLT) — 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

KEY POINT- Your testimony is more than just an inspirational story.

An inspirational story is all about sharing an amazing story that is not able to be easily duplicated with the purpose of inspiring some to do their thing

A persons testimony is almost just the opposite, it is the pattern of God’s love. My testimony has way less to do with me than it does about God.

QUESTION- What does what happened in the past have to do with my question, is this it or is there more?? -allow me to show you…

When David entered the cave of Adullam he entered it with the sword of Goliath the giant advisory that he killed.

(NLT) — 9 “I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah,” the priest replied. “It is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here.” “There is nothing like it!” David replied. “Give it to me!”

The cave of Adullam was located right in the middle of the battleground where David killed Goliath.

Adullam when broken down in the Hebrew means, “Their testimony”j

CHALLENGE- When you find yourself in a cave name it Adullam. Why? Because that is what a cave should be for a believer!!

POINT- When you remember everything God has done for you it will simply show you everything he will do for you.

(NLT) — 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.

Adullam is where you go to add chapters to your testimony.

How do you know there is more??? Because there is still breath in my lungs to worship!

2. Depend on the Lord

(NLT) — 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!

CHALLENGE- Depending on the Lord requires your obedience

3. Have the spirit of God.

(NLT) — 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

(NLT) — 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ ”

Conclusion…

How do you know that there is more??? Do you know what I am up against???

(NLT) — 5 One day the prophet Gad told David, “Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah.” So David went to the forest of Hereth. 6 The news of his arrival in Judah soon reached Saul. At the time, the king was sitting beneath the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, holding his spear and surrounded by his officers.

For those who are obedient there is more

David is the midst of a forest - This word means exactly how it sounds, it was a place covered in thick growth of trees and shrubs, a place known for its growth

Saul was under a Tamarisk tree.

KEY- Saul was under a Tamarisk tree because they had very bright flowers and was a good spot to be an outpost. If someone needed to get a message to Saul they just say he is at THE Tamarisk tree. The problem is that Tamarisk trees grow by themselves and only in the desert.