The Fight Of Faith

The Fight Of Faith

By Rev. Donnie L. Martin

Text: 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Sam. 17:45-47

I. GOD WAS THE OBJECT OF DAVID’S FAITH

A. Notice The Difference Between Faith And Fear.

B. Notice David’s Dependence On God’s Faithfulness.

II. GOLIATH WAS THE OBJECTIVE OF DAVID’S FAITH

A. David’s Confession.

B. Goliath’s Cursing.

C. David’s Confidence.

III. GOD’S GLORY WAS THE OUTCOME OF DAVID’S FAITH

A. David’s God Was Exalted.

B. David’s Faith Was Effective.

Intro: Paul instructed his son in the ministry, Timothy, to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). Though the fight of faith is a good fight, it is not always pleasant. Paul was to later tell Timothy to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3). All soldiers must be willing and prepared to endure hardships in the midst of battle. Otherwise victory will elude them.

Fighting the good fight of faith required Timothy to exercise a dynamic trust and reliance in the Lord Jesus. But the kind of faith we’re talking about here was more than merely some sort of warm fuzzy feeling that everything was going to work out alright. Contrariwise, Timothy’s reliance upon Christ was grounded in the promises of God’s Word. You see; the Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) must always back up the Shield of Faith (Eph. 6:16). They always work in cooperation with one another. By the same token, the Christian warrior of today must have the Word of God as the basis of his faith.

Faith in God will overcome the greatest obstacles of our lives. Even Satan must bow to the faith of the believer. The best example of this truth is found in First Samuel 17. There we find young David, a mere shepherd boy, facing a most formidable foe. Yet his faith in God saw him through to victory.

As David of old fought the giant by faith, the Christian of today must also war and walk by faith. Today’s message will examine the characteristics of David’s dynamic faith. If this type of confidence in God is practiced in our daily lives, we will reap the rewards of a victorious Christian life.

Theme: David’s faith was characterized by the fact that…

I. GOD WAS THE OBJECT OF DAVID’S FAITH

A. Notice The Difference Between Faith And Fear.

1. David was full of optimism.

1 Sam. 17:32 “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him [Goliath]; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

NOTE: Faith in God may seem to be foolhardy to some. But a faith that rests itself in the character and faithfulness of God will always be optimistic.

When Hudson Taylor went to China, he made the voyage on a sailing vessel. As it neared the channel between the southern Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra, the missionary heard an urgent knock on his stateroom door. He opened it, and there stood the captain of the ship.

“Mr. Taylor,” he said, “we have no wind. We are drifting toward an island where the people are heathen, and I fear they are cannibals.”

“What can I do?” asked Taylor.

“I understand that you believe in God. I want you to pray for wind.”

“All right, Captain, I will, but you must set the sail.”

“Why that’s ridiculous! There’s not even the slightest breeze. Besides, the sailors will think I’m crazy.” But finally, because of Taylor’s insistence, he agreed.

Forty-five minutes later he returned and found the missionary still on his knees. “You can stop praying now,” said the captain. “We’ve got more wind than we know what to do with!”1

2. Saul was full of objections and obstacles.

1 Sam. 17:33 “And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

B. Notice David’s Dependence On God’s Faithfulness.

1 Sam. 17:34 “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

37a David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…”

NOTE: David’s confidence wasn’t in his physical strength or ability. His personal confidence rested squarely upon Jehovah God, Who had delivered him in the past. David had learned that God was always faithful.