Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Notes
Transcript
David the Shepherd, Accepts the Risk
David the Shepherd, Accepts the Risk
As David is speaking boldly among the soldiers they decide to take him to the king.
It is in his conversation with Saul that we see David become before our eyes, the shepherd of the people of Israel, as he was meant to be.
The Forerunner and Type of Christ
The Forerunner and Type of Christ
Look at how similar David is to Jesus.
“ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Chosen by God to be the shepherd of His people
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Has compassion on the people in their weakened state and lacking leadership
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
David is going to put his own life in peril for the sake of the sheep, just he like he always has.
The Words of the Enemy - Satan’s Quiet Ventriloquist Roar
The Words of the Enemy - Satan’s Quiet Ventriloquist Roar
When Saul goes to answer young David, where does his opinion come from?
God has left him, so where does it come from?
This is the opinion of the faithless and godless.
What is Satan’s goal?
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
We have to be sober and watch, because he doesn’t show up in his Halloween approved red suit with horns and tail.
He doesn’t even reveal himself.
He speaks through the faithless.
And what is God’s instruction through the Apostle Peter? Resist him, firm in your faith!
Oh that God would raise up a generation of Saints with courage to resist the temptations of Satan to be afraid and faithless.
What we hear from the false shepherd or those without faith is the echos of the roaring lion.
Listen to the generic version of what Saul says.
You are not able
++You are but a...
++Your opponent has been a … from their youth
You are not able - to do whatever God has laid on your heart to do.
You are but a - youth in context, but basically unqualified.
You are but a High School drop out, you are but a blue collar worker, you are but a mid-western hick, or any other limiting title.
You are not good enough because of what you are
Your opponent is so much better, bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, experienced, able to handle themselves.
And we believe all three.
Why do we believe them all?
++Because they are true
You are not able, because you are but a …, and your opponent has all the advantage.
For all practical purposes you should not engage in the battle. Period!
David Handles the Lion
David Handles the Lion
Look at what he says to Saul in his opening remarks “Let no man’s heart fail because of him.”
Let me rephrase it - “Fear not”, “Do not be afraid”
David brings forward the words of two mighty warriors, Joshua and Caleb.
And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.
If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.
Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
It had been commanded
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Jesus repeats it over and over again, as a plea to have faith and please God.
All Great People in Scripture Had Faith
All Great People in Scripture Had Faith
David becomes a great King because of his heart for God and his unwavering faith.
It is this faith that makes people great.
Not their physical stature or mental acuity.
Paul laid claim to being the chief of sinners and the least of the Apostles, but his faith…his faith made him a giant!
He was crazy enough to believe that the Messiah, that he had been persecuting through His people, would forgive him and give him a place in the kingdom.
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
What Can God Possibly Do With You?
What Can God Possibly Do With You?
Let’s be honest, you all are not much, are you?
If you are like me, when you think about yourself you begin to self-deprecate, you list your faults first.
I know all to well who I am, and what I am not.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What Can God Possibly Do With You?
What Did He say He could do with a mustard seed of faith?
Just the smallest portion.
The faith to take one step forward, to acknowledge God is able to do something great even for you.
Sinner, repent, and then as you put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation, be sure and pick up your shield of faith.
For with that faith shield you can repel every fiery arrow of doubt Satan hurls at you.
You are not able can be met with the shout “I am not able, but the one who saved me and inhabits me is!”
Who Can’t Defeat the Giant Enemy?
Who Can’t Defeat the Giant Enemy?
Saul.
Saul who ran from God.
Who refused to trust God with his life.
Who constantly believed his eyes and never let God into his heart.
You who are listening who have never given your life fully and completely to Jesus, trusting Him enough to follow after Him.
It is not walking an isle, saying a prayer, or being baptized that brings the Grace of God into your life, but faith.
A belief that starts in the mind and settles in the heart.
A faith that is willing to walk the path regardless of circumstance or discomfort.
A faith that says “I am wrong, I am unloving and selfish, and I desire to follow the Better Way of Jesus until He calls me home.”
Have faith in the saving power of Jesus, who has overcome the world, sin and death on your behalf.
Acknowledge your sinfulness and give your whole life to Him and be saved from the wrath to come.
Today is the day of salvation!
The kingdom is near you today.
Acknowledge Him before men that He might acknowledge you in heaven.
If you have received Christ by faith today, will you raise your hand, in this room or online?