KILLING GIANTS

TEXT: I Samuel 17:1-11

INTRODUCTION: This Book is the Word of God. There are parts of this Bible that we have become so familiar with that we might not remember that it is the message of Almighty God given to you and I today for our benefit. If we aren’t careful, we will forget that truth. Most of us could probably tell this story without ever needing to look at the account in Scripture. Our children have heard it time and time again. It is the account of David and Goliath. But this is not a fairy tale; it is not like the story of Jack and Beanstalk! This is an actual account of real people in the history of the nation of Israel. In this passage we read how that the enemies of God and His people sought to destroy them. As we read this account I am sure that we can identify with the armies of King Saul. They didn’t know what to do, and they were scared to death of the giant that stood before them.

In the New Testament, we are reminded that we are in a spiritual battle. This battle continues on while most of the people in the world remain in ignorance.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The enemy is all around us today. We are faced with giants from every angle. And like the Israelites in our passage, often we do not know what to do. I want us to take a look at this familiar passage and see what David did when he stepped up to face Goliath on that day. There are several principles that we should take note of here. They will help each of us as we face the giants that stand in our way.

I.          HE LOOKED FOR A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

A.        We See David as He Comes to Give His Brothers Who Are in the Army Some Food.

1.      When he arrives, the whole army is completely frightened by Goliath. Not one soldier was willing to confront the giant.

2.      David’s first words concerning the giant or problem were in regards to what the solution might be

a)      It was not: “Oh, this is a big problem; I can see why you’re all afraid.”

b)      It was more like: “Okay boys, I see the problem, now what solution have you come up with in order to solve the problem?”

3.      It’s interesting that his oldest brother, Eliab becomes angry because David wants to know the solution.

4.      David finally says, “I’ve got the solution, I’ll go fight him”.

B.        The first step when confronted with a problem is to look for a solution.

1.      It’s interesting how many times people fail to solve their problems simply because they never look for a solution.

2.      Usually, people know deep down inside what the solution is, but they don’t want to come to grips with it because it’s not an easy solution.

a)      The Israelites knew the solution, but it was a tough one.

b)      Don’t shun the tough solution; it may be the only one.

c)      People are usually looking for the easy way out.

C.        When there’s a problem, remember that the solution usually means that we’ve got to do something about it.

1.      David didn’t wait on the rest of the army.

2.      Sometimes people are saying, “Well God, I’m waiting on You to solve this one.” And God is saying, “Well, I’m waiting on you to do what you’re supposed to do.

II.       HE GOT RID OF THE “I CAN’T DO IT” ATTITUDE 1 Samuel 17:33

A.        Saul tells David that he is unable to go against this Philistine.

1.      Here someone (David) finally says, “I’ll go fight him!” and Saul gives these “great words of encouragement.”

a)      That’s just how the devil operates.

b)      You finally come up with a God‑given solution and he says, “That’s not going to work.”

2.      David though, gives himself a bit of a pep talk. 1 Samuel 17:34‑37

3.      David had the “I CAN DO IT” attitude.

B.        We need to get rid of the attitude that we can’t get rid of our problems.

1.      Sometimes we simply need to give ourselves that pep talk.

a)      Here’s a great verse to memorize and quote: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

b)      If you’ll think about it, there are things in your life which you have accomplished.

c)      They may seem small compared to what you may be facing now, but a problem is a problem and a solution is a solution.

2.      Believing we can do it means ignoring those who say we can’t.

a)      This doesn’t mean ignoring sound counsel, but rather, ignoring sowers of doubt.

b)      There will always be doubters in our midst.

3.      People who are winners in life have a winning attitude. Their whole thinking revolves around success and not failure.

C.         Begin to see yourself as a winner.

III.    HE WAS STRENGTHENED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD

A.        The Spirit Of The Lord Came Upon David.

1.      In the previous chapter we are told that Samuel anointed David to be the future king of Israel, “and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward”

2.      In the O.T. the Spirit of God did not indwell believers as He does today.

3.      He would come upon them to empower and enable them to accomplish the will of the Lord.

4.      Today the Spirit of God indwells every believer from the moment of salvation to basically do the same thing to empower and enable us to do His will.

5.      Without God’s Spirit, man is helpless in his own strength.

6.      The power of the Spirit is a must for any work of God.

7.      The reason for most of our spiritual defeats is that we face our giants in the energy of the flesh, and that will always result in defeat.

B.        The Biggest Problem We Have, Is That We Try to Do God’s Work in the Power of the Flesh.

1.      We want to see folks saved and the church grow in membership, but we cannot see that accomplished in our own strength and power.

2.      Jesus promised that He would supply the power needed to accomplish the task that He set before us.

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

3.      Why are we not witnesses for the Lord?

4.      I believe it is because we are trying to do it in our own power instead of His!

5.      When we attempt to serve God in the energy of the flesh defeat comes and then we give up!

6.      Now we can fill in the blank with whatever we want here

a)      Being faithful to the services of the church

b)      Being witnesses to others of the grace of God in salvation

c)      Taking the time to reach out to others

d)      Just living a consistent Christian life we will never be successful as long as we are trying to do it in the power of the flesh.

C.        Being Empowered by God’s Spirit.

1.      It really isn’t that hard to understand.

2.      To be filled with His power is to yield ourselves to Him.

3.      John the Baptist told his followers in reference to Christ, “He must increase and I must decrease”.

4.      We will never be filled with His power until we desire it.

IV.    HE WAS STRENGTHENED BY HIS PAST EXPERIENCES Vs. 32-37

A.        He Was Not Fearful of the Weapons or of the Size of Goliath.

a)      He had faced giant-sized enemies before, and God had not failed to deliver him.

b)      David had proven the power of God in his past life.

2.      Too often when we see the giants before us, we forget who God is we forget that He is Almighty God!

B.        Remember the Victories.

1.      Many of us here have seen great victories in the past, but today we may be on the brink of defeat.

2.      We need to remember and consider what God has done in the past and be strengthened for what giant we face right now.

3.      God is still God He can supply all our need!

4.      Not only can He meet our need, He has promised to do so and God is not a liar!

V.       DAVID WAS STRENGTHENED BY THE WORD OF GOD Vs. 45-47

A.        Where Do You Suppose That David Got this Confidence?

1.      On a hillside while caring for the sheep, he spent plenty of time alone with God meditating upon His Word.

Psalm 119:97-98 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

2.      David’s statement to Goliath was not one of self-pride, but confidence in the promises of God.

3.      He claimed victory in the name of God.

B.        The Answer to Our Perplexities Is Found in the Word of God.

1.      How many of us are unable to live the Christian life simply because we do not know enough Bible?

2.      Paul instructed Timothy to study the Word of God.

3.      It is the Word that will tell us what is not right, tell us how to get it right, and tell us how to keep it right.

4.      But we cannot stand on the promises if we don’t know what they are!

5.      David was strengthened by the Word of God.

VI.    DAVID SAW A GREAT VICTORY BECAUSE HE VENTURED SOMETHING BIG FOR GOD v47-48

A.        Don’t Allow the Giants to Intimidate Us.

1.      Saul and the rest of the army was intimidated by the size of Goliath.

2.      That kept them from even trying to do battle with him.

3.      What do you suppose was discussed in the camp of the Israelites?

4.      From the passage it seems they had no idea what to do or where to go from there.

5.      Too often, when we don’t know where to go, we wind up not going anywhere!

6.      God never intended for us to be satisfied with where we are and stop moving forward for Him.

B.        We must Catch a Vision for What God Can Do Through Us as We Are Empowered by Him.

1.      We must continue on attempting big things for God.

2.      We need to move forward in reaching our community for Christ.

3.      We need to move forward in every area of our ministry here.

4.      How can we do that? Only in His power!

VII. HE CALLED THAT PROBLEM “DEAD” 1 Samuel 17:46

A.        David begins to speak to the giant and puts things in their proper perspective with his own words.

1.      In the previous verse he notes that Goliath is coming with great weapons, but he is coming in the name of the Lord.

a)      In other words, he’s saying that because God is on his side, he is bigger and tougher than Goliath.

b)      David was going to fight this battle under the authority of God.

2.      Then David calls the giant dead. He literally prophesies over Goliath.

a)      Notice the words, “This day” Not tomorrow or next week, but today David says, You’re dead!

b)      His words were undoubtedly anointed of the Lord.

3.      David is emphasizing in verses 45‑47 that the reason all these things are about to happen is so that God may be glorified.

a)      Verse 45: “…I will come in the name of the Lord”.

b)      Verse 46: “…the Lord will deliver you into my hands that all the earth may know there is a God”.

c)      Verse 47: “…for the battle is the Lord’s”.

B.        In order to conquer problems in our lives, we need to begin to speak to those problems and declare them as dead.

1.      As Christians, we’ve been given the authority to speak to mountains and they shall be removed. Matthew 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

2.      Let’s also take a look at the centurion who understood the power of speaking when under authority. Matthew 8:5‑8  And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

a)      The centurion tells Jesus just say the word.

b)      Because of his understanding and faith, the centurion’s servant was healed.

3.      David had come to face Goliath in name or authority of God.

a)      As Christians, we are to be Christ‑like. Christ was sent into the world with authority.

b)      Jesus said to the Father in John 17:18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”

c)      How does he send us? He sends us with authority over demons, sickness and problems.

d)      With the authority of God upon us we are to speak to those problems and call them dead.

4.      What is sad is that many times people speak life into their problems and cause them to become bigger.

a)      David didn’t say, “Goliath you’ll probably kill me today”

b)      And we shouldn’t say, “Problem you’ll probably overwhelm me.”

C.        The other principle when calling the problems dead is to declare the glory of God.

1.      We need to make the declaration: “Problem, you’re dead and God will be glorified.”

a)       If you’re trying to call your problems dead so that people will be in awe of you, you’re destined for failure.

b)      God will not share His glory with anyone. We can bask in His glory, but He is to be glorified.

2.      Understand that God is to be glorified when a miracle takes place.

VIII.       HE KILLED THE PROBLEM AND CUT IT’S HEAD OFF 1 Samuel 17:49‑51

A.        David takes a stone from his bag and slings it, nailing Goliath in the head.

1.      David had gone beyond just speaking to the giant, he did something about it.

a)      He had to be involved. He had to be obedient to God and follow through, knowing that he was God’s tool in solving this big problem.

b)      He didn’t wait for fire to fall out of heaven the way Elijah did. Sometimes those things do happen.

2.      Notice also that he didn’t play games like Elijah. He had a job to do and he did it.

3.      Once Goliath is dead, David cuts off his head.

4.      The result is that the rest of the Philistines take off.

B.        As Christians, God often places upon us the responsibility of killing the problem.

1.      This is where some people have a difficult time. They’re willing to call the problem dead, but unwilling to do anything about it.

2.      It’s exciting to be personally involved in the miracles of God.

3.      God is into the supernatural, not necessarily the super‑spectacular.

4.      We’re the ones who often make the mistake of waiting for the fire to fall.

5.      Instead, we need to recognize God’s provision when it comes.

6.      Also, when it comes time to kill the problem, we don’t mess around playing games with it.

a)      It’s amazing how many times people have been facing the same problem for years.

b)       God’s provided them with the wisdom and ability to kill it. He’s provided them with the material and people to help them do it, but they keep playing around with it.

c)      If you play around with a problem for too long, eventually it will overwhelm you.

C.        Finally, once we’ve killed the problem, we’ve got to cut it’s head off.

1.      It’s important to note that David used a sword to cut off Goliath’s head.

2.      God has provided us with a sword. It’s called the Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17 and it is the Word of God.

3.      Once you’ve killed a problem, you’ve got to begin to use the Word, confessing relevant scriptures in order to render it completely dead.

4.       Scriptures which cut off the head of problems:

a)      Problems with life? (Col. 3:2; Phil. 4:8; 1 Cor. 2:16)

b)      Problems with anxiety? (Matt.6:33‑34)

c)      Financial difficulty? Marital problems? Addictions? Drunkenness? You name it; the Word of God contains scriptures to help cut the head off of each one.

D.        The result of killing a big problem and cutting it’s head off? Smaller problems begin to flee.

CONCLUSION: How can we face the giants before us? God has given us a great example from His Word.