1501 - 2 Sam 21.15-21- Giant Problems - Part II @ 3-18-07
2 Samuel 21:15-22
Giant Problems – Part II Sun, Mar 18th 2007
Title of today’s message – Giant Problems…part II
· Part 2? Yes…this is a sequel
· Sequel to what?
· For us – a year ago – 1 Sam 17. Early on in our study of David – Message called Giant Problems
o Then – looked at David face Goliath
o One of most well known Bible encounters
o By the way – past messages on web
· For David – almost 50 years ago
o Then a young man – a teenager
o Now…in his 60’s and final days of life
The two accounts are linked in many ways
· That was David’s first battle in Scripture
· This is David’s last battle in Scripture
· Then David faced a giant – Goliath
· Here faces 4 giants related to Goliath
I. Understand the Enemy: Philistines
1. Encroaching Enemy
a. Key in understanding who Philistines are 1Sam 17:1
b. They occupy other’s territory–when they are weak
2. Consistent Enemy
a. Follow history of battles with Philistines in 1-2 Sam
b. See that David battled them his whole career
c. Beating them once did not seal the deal - constant
3. What are the Philistines in your life today?
a. Every life has– Heb 12 – sin that so easily stumbles
b. Things that Encroach on territory in your life
i) Don’t belong in life, in Christian life….
c. Things that are a Constant battle
i) Want you to see this – in its Biblical honesty
ii) Are battles we face our whole life
A. Enemy constant reasserts itself
B. Sorry if that is discouraging – is honest
iii) Yet I hope, for some, this is encouraging
A. Some thing something wrong – thought done
B. Perhaps had moving experience like Goliath
C. Then enemy reasserts self–What wrong? Nothing
4. What are the Philistines facing the church today?
a. Helpful to consider your heart – may find guidance into what God has you hear for
b. Burden for elderly? – enemy of loneliness, despair
c. Burden for kids? – enemies lurking for
d. Burden for youth? – see Philistines taking ground
e. Burden for those in prison? – see despair, fear
5. Problem….Philistines often have Giants!
II. What are Giants?
1. Meet our Giants
a. 1 Sam 17 – Goliath
b. 2Sam 22:16 –Ishbi-Benob
c. 2Sam 22:18 – Saph
d. 2Sam 22:19 – Lahmi (2Ch 20:5)
e. 2Sam 22:20 – Unnamed Giant
2. Heb word: רָפָה rephaim
a. Also called Anakim, Emim, Zamzummim Dt 2:10-11, 20-21
b. Gen 6:4 – Nephilim, her in 2Sam Rephiam
3. Question – was this natural or demonic?
a. Some see it as natural – genetic abnormality
b. Some see it as demonic, Gen 6 and more
c. Good Bible teachers are split on this, not clear
d. Leave it as a question in the text
i) Like it, true often in life in giants we face – question whether natural or demonic behind
4. Notice what we can know about Giants
a. Big! - Goliath over 9 feet tall – picture it
b. Strong! – emphasizes weight of armaments
c. Well equipped –new sword-idea of cutting edge technology
d. Well trained
e. Defiant against God
5. God likes to arrange such odds in life
a. A David against Goliath, Moses against Pharoah
b. Gideon against Midiantes, Elijah against prophets
c. Why? – Causes us to be dependant on Him
i) When we are weak, He is strong
d. Brings Him the most glory
III. How do you Defeat Giants?
1. Can be said in one word – Faith
a. Life God has for us is always this, salvation, works
2. Must be willing to face – defeat the fear (opposite faith)
a. Again, know the power of Giants is creating fear
i) 1Sam 17:11, 16
ii) Fear immobilizes, hinders and robs
b. Must to be said for overcoming fear – stepping out
c. See in the young David 1Sam 17:32
d. See willingness in 17:40 – five smooth stones
i) Why five? Could it be because five giants?
e. In 2Sam 21 – David is still willing, going against
3. Must depend on God – Walk, War by Faith
a. 1Sam 17:37 – trust in God
b. 1Sam 17:39 – refuses Saul’s armor
c. 1 Sam 17:41-47 – see boast, dependence
d. Again…know this is where God is trying to bring you
i) 2 Cor – no sufficiency in self
ii) John 15 – without Him, nothing
e. Again note what David wanted – two things
i) One – all would know God is real
ii) Two – God’s people would trust Him…
4. Others discover God’s power with David
a. Notice again – before Goliath – no one will face
i) Not Saul, not his soldiers or men
ii) Saul even tries carnal motivation – no avail
b. David is a different man entirely
i) Willing at beginning of life and near end
ii) Yet, in our text find him physically unable
iii) See as more than age – time to pass on faith
c. Under David – we find four Giant Killers
i) David well known as giant killer, but not alone
ii) Under him, his life – others find same faith
iii) Like David, his servants weren’t “giants”
A. Just men…normal guys
B. Yet, by divine assistance take down giants
C. They saw in David something they could do
d. I long to inspire such in others
i) Others to see in me – live it for themselves
e. Long to not hinder such men…like Saul did
i) Under Saul–jealousy, fear of others success
A. Whether Jonathan or David
ii) Long for others to trust and do greater things
A. Hear of Christ…you will do greater things
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Conclusion
Today, I wonder if you see this
· Seeing David’s Battles and victories
· God wants to do the same today, in you
· God does not show partiality
o What He is to one – would be to you
· God’s eyes looking to and fro – show strong
o Sad context…one who turned away
What is in your life today that God wants to bring down
· 2 Cor 10:4-5
That was David’s 2nd desire – 1st –all know God is God
· Maybe you are here and don’t know yet
· Long that you would see in this passage
· Long that you would see in our lives