Sunday Rewind 6.25.06

Here's a summary of yesterday's sermon. May God bless you as you consider His Word.

Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 17:1-49

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most well known episodes of the Bible. The conventional spin on the story is the battle between a runt and a giant. But this story isn't about the "size of the dog in the fight". It isn't about the "size of the fight in the dog". And it isn't about skilled use of a slingshot. If you focus on these things, you'll miss the point of the story.

The point of the story is the conflict between a God-fearing person and a God-sneering person. Goliath's insults go beyond the Israelite army. Throughout the story, the issue is the challenge to the God of Israel. So, if David is presented as a model, it's as a model of faith. David ran into battle by faith. He used his sling by faith. And God produced the victory.

I see three lessons in this story:
1. Be who you are. David was a shepherd boy in a warrior's world. He didn't need to become someone else first. God made you just the way He wants you. You are the perfect person to do everything God desires for you to do. You don't need to become someone else. Just be who you are.

2. Use what you have. David had a stick and a sling. That's all he needed. God has given you everything you need to do everything He wants you to do. You don't need anything else. Just use what you have.

3. Act in faith. David charged into battle. The battle had already been won, but someone needed to fight it. God would have been perfectly happy if one of the Hebrew soldiers, armed to the teeth, in full metal jacket, had stepped into the valley to confront Goliath. The same is true of our "Goliaths". The battle has been won, but we need to step out in faith.

In the ancient battle in the valley of Palestine, there were plenty of spectators on the sidelines. Only one showed up to do the job. For the Church in the 21st century, one is not enough.