Precious Stones

“Precious Stones”

11/26/2006 – Marsing, ID, 10/27/2007 – Caldwell, ID

Ricardo Rodriguez – pastor_rr@yahoo.com

I Sam 17:40

“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’ bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.”

“40Tomó su cayado en su mano, y escogióse cinco piedras lisas del arroyo, y púsolas en el saco pastoril y en el zurrón que traía, y con su honda en su mano vase hacia el Filisteo.”

I Pet 3:3-4

“3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

“3El adorno de las cuales no sea exterior con encrespamiento del cabello, y atavío de oro, ni en compostura de ropas; 4Sino el hombre del corazón que está encubierto, en incorruptible ornato de espíritu agradable y pacífico, lo cual es de grande estima delante de Dios.”

Introduction:("Five Smooth Stones" by Jerry DePoy )

What David did not choose?

David was to do battle with the giant. He was not a soldier, he was a shepherd boy. How was a “shepherd boy” going to be victorious over a Goliath?

Every day we face a new Goliath in our own lives. Fortunately, God has equipped his saints with the “whole armor of God!” (Read Ephesians 6)

David did not have a fancy sword in this battle. He did not even have a shield to deflect a sword. He used what he had. He had his sling shot and he choose five smooth stones. And that is the outline for today’s message: “Five Smooth Stones!”

Why “Five?”

Here is our meditation and our speculation.

First of all, we are to have “no confidence in the flesh."

(Phil 3:3 KJV) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

What if he should miss? David must have thought, I had better have a back up plan. My flesh may fail me!

Secondly, David had no confidence in man. What if Goliath’s four brethren enter into the fray? The Devil never keeps his promise. He took an extra four stones to ensure the victory.

Thirdly, perhaps these five stones symbolized the first five books of the Bible, there were only five books of the Bible that the nation of Israel had available for them to read at this time! David certainly had placed his confidence in God! Stone one: Genesis, Stone Two: Exodus, Stone Three... etc.

2. Why “Smooth?”

David was careful in his selection of the stones. His life, and the life of the nation of Israel was on the line. He did not choose just any piece of rock from the river. They had to be smooth stones. Why smooth? Here is a powerful truth!

1.) A jagged crooked rock wouldn’t go in the right direction.

2.) A jagged crooked rock wouldn’t go the distance.

3.) A jagged crooked rock wouldn’t hit the mark.

As a Pastor, I have to dip into the brook. As a Church, how are we going to overcome the Goliath’s that face us? The answer: with SMOOTH stones. Not just any old stone in the river will do. Our Church life, and the eternal souls of men are on the line!

How does a jagged rock become a smooth stone? It has got to be hewn out of the greater rock and rolled down the river of life. The harsh elements of nature come against it. It becomes smooth as the water (Word) flows over it… over and over again!

Many times people will “volunteer” to do a work in the Church. They have not yet become “smooth” stones. Often they go in the wrong direction, they fall short, and they miss the mark. Why? THEY ARE NOT SMOOTH!

Here is a good verse for us to consider:

(2 Tim 2:21 KJV) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Are you “sanctified” yet? How “smooth” are you? Are you a yield ed vessel in the hands of the Potter?

3. Why “Stones?”

God does not want you to be a vacillating Christian. He wants you to be a stone!

(1 Pet 2:5 KJV) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.