Five Smooth Stones

1 Samuel 16-18

Intro:

1. Three kings…Saul, David, Solomon
2. This story is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. Even unbelievers know it.

What I want to say: In daily life, what determines the difference between victory and defeat? David modeled the way we can meet and overcome overwhelming obstacles. What were David’s secrets for victory? Here are 5 smooth stones for victory in life.

I.      Understand God’s priorities (Chapter 16)

A.    His glory

“I am the Lord, that is My name;

I will not give My glory to another,

Nor My praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8 NASB95

B.    His kingdom

1.    cp. “Your kingdom come…”

C.   Holiness

1.    this is holiness in daily living “You shall be holy for I am holy”  (1 Peter 1:16)

II.    Align yourself with God’s priorities

A.    God is not concerned with outward appearances (16:6-7)

1.    Even Samuel was swayed by outward appearance (16:6)

2.    Saul was physically impressive but spiritually shallow

3.    outward appearance does not matter to God.

a)    In America there is a whole industry built on those who follow blindly after outwardly beautiful people in Hollywood even though their lives are morally bankrupt and spiritually shallow. They are morally bankrupt and spiritually shallow because they are lost. Don’t follow those who are lost!

4.    The real leaders in our world are those who are the salt and light – God’s people. You are the reason this world is not rotting in moral corruption.

“You are the salt of the earth; Matthew 5:13 NASB95

B.    God chooses those whose hearts are committed to Him

1.    He chose Saul before David – what was the difference?

a)    Choices - Saul continued to live in fear and pride rather than dependence upon God.

2.    He chose David when Saul would not rely on Him

3.    David was the youngest of 8 brothers – he wasn’t even invited to the meeting with Samuel. (:11)

4.    He was (and is) looking for any man or woman whose heart is wholly committed to Him.

5.    God chose you

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 NIV

In him we were also chosen… in order that we … might be for the praise of his glory Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV

C.   God arranges your “coincidences”

1.    Saul struggled with depression from demonic influence

2.    When help was sought, someone thought of David and he was brought to comfort Saul with his music

3.    Do you understand that with God there are no coincidences? Rather He arranges divine appointments.

a)    You say, “How interesting that I was on the bus and this fellow sat down next to me and he was reading a Bible.” No! God did it – He wanted to meet with you.

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…  John 6:44 NASB95

III.   Cultivate the habit of trusting God alone (Chapter 17)

A.    Who is your champion? (:4-7)

1.    we now move about 10 years into Saul’s reign – Philistia is challenging Israel again.

2.    The Philistines chose a champion named Goliath.

a)    At over 9’ tall he would tower over Shaquille O’Neill’s 7’1” or Yao Mings’ puny 7’6”; scale armor of 125 lbs.; the point of his spear weighed 15 lbs.

3.    Israel had no champion (although Saul should have been) except a 15 year-old boy named David.

a)    He was armed with a sling, 5 stones and unshakeable confidence in the Living God.

4.    With what weapons do you meet the “giants” in your life?

a)    Cleverness; Money; Education

5.    If God is your champion you are an overwhelming force

B.    Do not look at the obstacle, look at God

1.    40 days of intimidation – 2x a day (:16)

2.    (:26) “the armies of God”  David understood that to challenge God’s people is to challenge God.

a)    There is a telling line in the book, “The Hiding Place” in which Corrie Ten Boom tells of her family’s involvement in sheltering Jews from Hitler’s minions and their arrest and imprisonment in concentration camps. Her father says, “I pity the Nazis for they have touched the apple of God’s eye.

For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.

Zechariah 2:8 NASB95

b)    Literally this word is “pupil” – What it means is that the Jews are the center of God’s attention.

3.    When someone despises the Church they are taking on God Himself (:45)

ILLUS> Recently, NBC decided to try to pump their ratings by portraying Christians as morally corrupt and our God as bumbling and inept with their show, “The Book of Daniel”. They have challenged every Christian saying in effect, “Here’s what we think of your God. Now what can you do about it?”

NBC is a corporate giant with millions of dollars in resources – how can you take on NBC? They have demeaned those beloved by God. They have taken on God – and they will lose. Just as David took on Goliath: the resources at hand and unshakeable confidence in God.

IV.  Depend upon God when the opposition is overwhelming

A.    What’s your excuse?

1.    “Now what have I done?” (:29) – doesn’t that sound like the youngest child? Of course what he had done was to make his older brothers ashamed of themselves.

2.    “you are only a boy” – with God neither age nor wealth nor stature nor education (:33)

3.    What do you let hold you back? Other people’s criticism? Your own fears?

4.    David remained faithful to God’s calling.

B.    God is your armor

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.

I am your shield,

your very great reward.”  Genesis 15:1 NIV

1.    22x in the Psalms David calls God his shield

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NASB95

But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,

My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Psalm 3:3 NASB95

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart exults,

And with my song I shall thank Him. Psalm 28:7

Our soul waits for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20 NASB95

2.    God is your shield!

3.    You cannot fight a spiritual battle without God’s protection (:38-40)

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NASB95

4.    David hit an unprotected area with his first shot

C.   Use what God has given you – 5 smooth stones (:40)

1.    His Holy Spirit – spiritual gifts

2.    Natural talents

3.    Your body

V.    Trust God’s promises

A.    God does not make promises He does not keep.

1.    David had been anointed king by God’s command.

2.    David’s confidence was not in his own abilities but in God’s commitment to fulfill His promises.

a)    God told Abraham that he would be a great nation and His 91 year-old wife gave birth.

b)    God later told Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.

c)    Abraham obeyed at once. Why? Because he had God’s promise that through Isaac he would become a great nation.

3.    Do you ever ask “What is God doing?” That is the right perspective. The answer is not always immediately clear, but God is fulfilling His plan.

B.    Three great lessons (17:45-47)

1.    The battle is the Lord’s (:45) READ this!

2.    There is a God in Israel (:46)

3.    God does not need weapons to save (:47)

Concl:

A. When life challenges you, how do you face those challenges? Is God your Champion?