How To Face Your Giants Series

Series: David - A Man After God¡¦s Own Heart: Part 4: How To Face Your Giants (1, 2, 3)

1 Samuel 17: 40 And David took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. 52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. 53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent.

INTRODUCTION: A Man After God¡¦s Own Heart: Pt. 4 How To Face Your Giants (Part 3)

Illustration: Story of Benny Hinn: In 2015 he had heart attack and was taken to the hospital for heart surgery. While in the hospital he had a dream and found himself in a long queue at the gate of heaven and everyone was dressed in white garment. At the gate was Jesus dressed in a shiny sparkling white garment different from everyone. Beside him Pastor Benny Hinn saw a woman that was playing a piano. Jesus would nod his head in signal as to whether a person was accepted or denied to enter. If it was a yes, the pianist would play glorious melodies and the gates would automatically open. But if it was a denial the pianist would play horrible melodies and demons would come to take the person away to hell. He says, out of the whole queue only 20% entered but 80 percent were denied. They were all Christians and full of pastors. He says everyone was trembling as they were waiting in the queue. Eventually his turn came and the pianist knew Pastor Benny and smiled at him in admiration of his record on earth. But when Jesus looked at Benny Hinn, his look could tell that he was not impressed with Benny Hinn. Pastor Hinn says his trembling and fear increased knowing that he would not make it through that gate. When Jesus was about to make his decision, then he woke up and God said to him: "Don't blow up this time, this is your second chance." Pastor Benny Hinn then explained something that every long-serving Christian needs to take note of. He said all through his ministry he had two ministry duties: First, was to serve the people with the gift that God has given him - preaching and performing miracles. The second was his personal walk with God on a daily basis. He says, but from 2010 as he passed through a divorce, his relationship with God became dead and God was far away. He says through the divorce he lost about 7 million dollars and his house and his relationship with God was gone totally. The amazing thing is that when he knew that he was no longer with God that was when he saw many miracles in his ministry. He says that, because he is a great pretender, so he pretended before the people as if he was with God and yet he was not. (Remember the gifts of God are without repentance - that is to say whether you are with God or not, the gift will still work. But to enter the Heaven will be your relationship and right standing with God through Jesus Christ)." Not Benny Hinn alone, but many long serving Christians are living on pretense ¡V relationships with God is non-existent. Pastor Benny Hinn now condemns the selling of anointing oils and holy waters and anything of God that contemporary pastors sell in churches to make money. He says since God has given him a second chance, his focus is no longer on the crowds and their opinions but on his personal relationship with God. If Pastor Benny Hinn was trembling and sweating at the gate in fear that he would not make it, what about you or us? Philippians 2:12: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. God has not given Pastor Benny Hinn alone this second chance but the whole body of Christ. Let¡¦s seek repentance before God. Stop seeking man¡¦s recognition and seek God's mercy.