The Young David

David was anointed King- Yet he didn’t immediately step into the call.

How many know that God calls you before He equips you?

So David was called. He was a mighty worshipper, yet there were trials and things the Lord had prepared for him that would prepare the way for his kingship.

Before we read - context: The Philistine army was up against Israel.

Goliath the philistine giant was beckoning for a warrior to come fight him 1 on 1, winner would win the war for the other side.

The Israelite army was trembling in fear. For Goliath was twice the size and strength of any man in their army.

Your trials will always look bigger than God sees them.

Let’s pray before we read the scripture: What we don’t know, teach us. What we don’t have give us, and what we aren’t make us Holy Spirit. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Read scripture.

I want to focus on 3 things today:

1. When you are called, The Lord will test your courage. It takes great risk and lack of self love to fulfill the call has placed on your life.

David could not stand God being mocked by God’s enemy.

Who will go? I will! I will do what others are unwilling to do. Not according to my abilities but according to God’s favor and God’s anointing.

David could ave rested on his call: I am the future king. I need to self preserve.

Saul- A coward. Insecure. Was happy to send a boy to do a man’s job.

His cowardice had already become his demise. - fear of man.(Story) Jesus said do not fear men who can destroy your body but fear God who can destroy both body and soul.

Do not allow fear to rule you. Perfect love casts out all fear.

Our stories- Scott living off of faith. Andrew leaving schooling and being my first ever intern- he didn’t know me. God asking me to defy my parents and leave school to go preach the word.

This doesn’t end with the beginning of your call. You must be ready to take life and death risks the rest of your life!

Cowards will not inherit the kingdom of God- rev: 21:8 You can read later on your own. Puts cowardice in the same category as murderers and sexually immoral.

So David takes courage and sets to kill Goliath.

Saul offers him his battle wear: It doesn’t fit him.

It was too big and too heavy. He couldn’t move in another man’s armor it wasn’t made for him.

2. God gives you the gifts- He will use your gifts to promote you, not another mans.

We don’t need another Pastor Mose, or another Shawn. God has made you uniquely! And he will gift you uniquely.

Scott, Andrew and I are very different. Different gifts.

But God knows how to use different gifts together.

Don’t wear another mans armor! God has armor for you! God has gifts for you!

So many times I have been tempted to carry another man’s armor. To try to recreate their ministry, instead of being myself.

Not talking about imitating a man.

Paul said imitate me as I imitate Christ.

Jewish Rabbi discipleship- Did everything the way their mentor did.

But there is a time to step out into your own giftedness!

Be uniquely you!

So David sheds the armor, goes out in his own clothing and grabs 5 smooth stones as his weapon.

Last point today- To be useful to the King , you must be like those smooth stones.

If a stone is jagged or rough, it would have caught in the sling and flew to the left or to the right, missing the target.

The King of Kings would send you to a specific target! He doesn’t miss. But he needs smooth stones.

This begs the question: How do rocks become smooth?

I used to be a stone mason by day when I was a youth pastor many years ago.

I learned You find smooth stones in river beds.

The combination of 3 things:

1. sand running over the edges of the rocks, grinding it down- Like trials and worries in life-

I have never met a man or a woman who was called by God who did not begin to suffer various trials.

This causes us to become more grounded and patient.

This produces maturity!

2. Rocks banging into eachother-

As believers we often face the biggest trials in trying to live in peace with one another

God allows our jagged edges to bump into eachother- forcing us to deal with the things about us that aren’t like Jesus.

We are told in scripture- if we have offended anyone- go to them. If anyone has offended us- go to them.

In america- they leave and go to another church.

Don’t be like that! Deal with the offenses and therefore allow God remove the jagged edges on you.

3. Water running over the rock. When the jagged edges are broken off, and then the sides are ground down, then the water is needed to smooth and cleanse.

The water is the spirit of God.

Ezekiel the water flowing from the altar-

ankle, waist, chest, over your head…

Everything in that water comes alive.

Who needs this water today?!