It Only Takes A Handful

What are You Holding Onto 3 It only takes a handful 1 Sam. 17:40-51

We have something special tonight so I will go ahead this morning with our evening series. I felt the Lord would have me to preach from that this morning. We have seen that God likes to use things that we hardly give a second thought to. I a trying to encourage you to use what God has entrusted you with, I will get into more specifics at a later date, to help build his kingdom. We seen Moses was holding on to a rod, and it was used to bring the plagues, part the waters and win wars, we’ve looked at Jael who took care of Sisera with a hammer and a tent peg. This morning we want to see how again God uses things that are already available and at hand,

If we look closely at this scripture you will find some stark contrasts. A REALLY BIG MAN and a really small boy. A really well armored champion, and a barely clothed shepherd. A well trained warrior with all the latest weaponry behind him, and a young man with a sling and five smooth stones. A giant of a man depending upon his strengths, talents, skills, and past victories, and a ruddy boy depending on the One True God of Israel, and his promise to help, defend, and care for his own people.

I can see a few truths buried in this scripture that I trust will help us to see that God wants to use US to fulfill His purposes.

1. It only takes a handful - Notice that David only grabbed 5 stones.

A. We can find all thru scripture that God doesn’t need a huge army or massive arsenal just a few people who will trust him.

2. God Can Use Any thing -

A. Not ability but availability

I used to ask God if He would come and help me. Then I asked if I could come and help Him. Finally I ended by asking God to do His own work through me. - J. Hudson Taylor

One Saturday night, a pastor was working late and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.

The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife. The man said, "That's okay. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point, my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!" The church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!

3. God takes ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk.

Abraham was too old.

Isaac was a daydreamer.

Jacob was a liar.

Leah was ugly.

Joseph was abused.

Moses had a stuttering problem.

Gideon was afraid.

Samson had long hair and was a womanizer.

Rahab was a prostitute.

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.

David had an affair and was a murderer.

Elijah was suicidal.

Isaiah preached naked.

Jonah ran from God.

Naomi was a widow.

Job went bankrupt.

John the Baptist ate bugs.

Peter denied Christ.

The Disciples fell asleep while praying.

Martha worried about everything.

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.

Zaccheus was too small. Paul was too religious.

Timothy had an ulcer.

AND... Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential. Besides, you aren't the message; you are just the messenger.

4. God seems to be attracted to weakness

1. Gideon

2. An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. “Pastor,” said the man, “something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There’s been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he’s just a boy.”

The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. “I feel it all,” he replied, “but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.” On that day the minister’s heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign.

After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, “Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?”

Again tears welled up in the minister’s eyes. “Ah, this heals the ache I feel,” he said. “Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher.”

Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish Kirk.

Lord, help us to be faithful. Then give us the grace to leave the results to you.

3. David. if you study numbers and their symbolism in scripture such as 7 meaning perfect or divinity you would know that four 4 stands for man but here we have David getting 5 stones. that is 4+1. Do you get the picture. Man plus One (GOD) is always a majority. But it takes us realizing our utter weakness to his utter strength to accomplish what he wants to do.

Just a handful of stones

1. Prayer

2. Faith

3. Obedience

4. praise

5. Availing ourselves to God

Story of Jim Cymbala and Brooklyn Tabernacle Prayer and Chrissy