“Step Up and Serve the Lord With What You Have"
I Samuel 17:40-50
One of my favorite Old Testament stories is about David and Goliath. I tend to be for the under dog. Even in the business world when a small business takes on a corporation they talk about David taking on Goliath.
This morning I want us to focus on the theme that David was willing to step up and serve the Lord with what he had experience with, a slingshot.
Have you ever tried using a slingshot? When growing up in I made a sling shot out of leather and used marbles rather than rocks. With practice a slingshot can be used as a lethal weapon.
Young David had undoubtedly practiced many hours with his homemade slingshot and had used it against animals that tried to attack his flock of sheep.
Because of many factors David was not afraid to face Goliath a 9 foot plus giant with a sword nearly as tall as he was.
This giant Goliath had Saul and his army shaking with fear. Goliath had given the challenge, “Pick your best fighter and pit him against me. If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you’ll all become our slaves and serve us.” I Samuel 17:8-9
When Saul’s troops heard the challenge they were terrified and lost all hope. Saul and his troops saw a giant and failed to focus on the power of God.
For 40 days Goliath would appear each morning and give the same challenge. For 40 days no one stepped up to face Goliath.
What giants are you facing in your life?
Deep debts?
A bank account that is under deposited?
Frustrations at work?
A past you can’t seem to forget?
A secret addiction?
Uncontrollable stress that comes with living in the
Silicon Valley?
Whatever the giants are we face we can learn how to conquer our giants and gain victory by observing the life of David.
David Used What He Had – A Slingshot
On the day David heard about the challenge given by Goliath he had no idea that on that very day he would face off with a nearly ten foot tall giant.
David’s Father had sent him to find his brothers and take them food and supplies. When David came upon the scene of battle he in no way was looking for a fight. As he gave his brothers the supplies he heard the giant shout out the challenge he had been giving for the past 40 days.
What was it that motivated David to take on the giant? Was it what some of the other soldiers told him that the one who killed the giant would receive a special rewards from King Saul: the King’s daughter in marriage and exempted from paying taxes?
As we approach 2009 some of you might take on a giant Goliath for the second reward – “No more taxes.” All twelve months of your income would be for you and your family.
Getting a wife and no taxes are not what motivated David. The question that David asked those standing a round him gives his main reason to step up and face Goliath. “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God.” I Samuel 17:26 b
When King Saul heard about the question that David asked, Saul sent for him. David told Saul that he would go fight the Philistine.
Past Experience
David was ready to fight the giant because of his past experiences. David told Saul why he felt confident to face the giant. He told Saul that when he tended his flock of sheep and “A lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I’ve done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!” I Samuel 17:34-36
Saul tried to get David to wear his armor, but David refused and “Picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherds staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath.” I Samuel 17:40
David stepped up to fight because he believed he was not just fighting a giant, he was defending the name of the Lord. No giant should mock the God of all creation. Goliath represented Godzilla in Satan’s clothes. He was anti God, boastful and vile. David was thinking: “Who is this giant like a vile breathing Hulk cannot compare to the almighty God power of God?”
David ran onto the battlefield to face Goliath. The giant roared out curses at David by the name of his gods. David shouted out in reply: “I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty – the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” I Samuel 17:45
David took one of his smooth stones and with lightening speed flung the stone at the giant and imbedded the stone in his forehead knocking him unconscious. He then took the sword of Goliath and cut off the head of the giant’s head.
What ever your giant might be, the Lord will help you face your giant. You do not face your giant alone. You face your giant in the power of the Lord. Just as God helped David conquer Goliath He will help you conquer yours.
Focus on your giants and you fail. Focus on the Lord and you succeed.
Deep Faith in the Lord
For the greater part of his life David sustained victory. He did fall short from time to time, but he always came back to a vital faith in the Lord. The scripture states “David was a man after the heart of God.” David had a deep faith in the Lord.
When you build a strong foundation of faith with deep roots in God’s Word you sustain the continual attacks of giants that come toward you from time to time. You are prepared to face your giants when you first of all “Love God with all you “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all our mind and all your strength.” And second, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30-31
Young David like a tree with deep roots had his faith grounded in the Lord and was prepared to step up and serve the Lord by taking on a giant.
I read recently that Oklahoma City has a sacred tree, an eighty-year-old American elm. People go out of their way to travel to see this tree.
You see, this tree endured the Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh on April 19, 1995. His yellow Ryder Rental Truck was parked close to this tree. The bomb-laden truck blew up and shattered one-third of the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building along with 168 lives that were killed.
No one paid much attention to the branch stripped tree. But then the tree began to bud. The tree came to life and people noticed and gave the tree a new name, the Survivor Tree.
The tree with deep roots withstood the shock of the bomb blast.
The winds and giants of evil may blow against you but when you plant deep roots of faith you will stand firm.
The Psalmist sang out that all who are committed to honoring the Lord and doing God’s will are “like a tree planted along riverbanks, bearing fruit each season without fail.” Psalm 1:3
Why do you suppose David picked up five smooth stones? He was prepared not only to fight Goliath, but also the four relatives of Goliath fighting in the Philistine army.
“Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants.” II Samuel
21:16
“Saph, another descendant of the giants.” II Samuel
21:18
A brother of Goliath is mentioned in II Samuel 21:19
A fourth relative was a giant with six fingers on
each hand and six toes on each foot. 2 Samuel 21:20
Goliath and his 4 giant relatives were all from Gath. David killed Goliath in the Valley of Elah. (I Samuel 17) The other four giants were killed by David and his men at Gob. (II Samuel 21)
David Stepped Up To Serve the Lord
When Saul with his great armor and all his soldiers failed, David brought out his slingshot. David stepped up and served the Lord with what he had.
During the months of November and the first part of December we begin our planning for various ministries in the coming year 2009. Will you step up and serve the Lord as a spiritual leader in your family, as a salt and light at work and in your community, and in your church?
Help us prepare for company in the coming months. Will you give of your best to the Master?
Serve as a welcoming committee of one. We may not have five star facilities yet, but we can treat new comers like they are five star guests. Everything we do from the parking lot, to the bathrooms, nursery, children’s ministry, greeters, ushers, worship all speak to first-time guests.
Have you been to a five star hotel lately? Once you get near the hotel entrance you are greeted with a smile and asked if you are checking in? If you are you are directed to the registration counter. While you are registering a well-dressed person takes your suitcases to your room. When you get to your room you find flowers on the table and a booklet of information about the hotel.
As you walk around the hotel all the hotel staff greet you with a smile and a cheery greeting.
Serve by using your home or apartment. The first point of entry for many non-Christians is often a non-church meeting place like your home or a restaurant.
Jesus spent a lot of time in homes. He went to the home of Levi-Mathew a new convert and had dinner with Matthew and many of hic non Christ following friends.
Jesus invited himself to the home of Zacchaeus. Over a meal Jesus discussed the truths of God’s love and Zacchaeus experienced a transformed life.
Remember people don’t come to inspect your furniture they come for friendship and fellowship.
Every Christ Follower Has a Slingshot
The Bible teaches that every person who has become a follower of Jesus has something they can use in serving the Lord. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms,” (I Peter 4:10)
The Bible teaches that every member of God’s family is a minister. As a committed follower of Jesus we don’t ask, “Who’s going to meet my needs?” We do ask, “Whose needs can I meet?” The Apostle Paul taught, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Ephesians 2:10
God does not measure our success in life by our titles or positions, but by how well we use what He has given us in serving Him.
The call of Jesus is a demanding call. Jesus expects no less than 100%. We need to remember that following Jesus is not about “Wall Street, but it’s about “Will Street.”
Jesus calls us to follow Him and we answer, “Lord, I’m busy now, I’ll put you on hold and text you back when I’m ready.” Are you keeping Jesus on hold?
Ted Engstrom once said, “On the beach of hesitation, bleach the bones of countless millions who sat down to wait, and waiting, died.”
Will you step up and get in SHAPE to serve the Lord? When finding your place of service Pastor Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life, suggests using the acrostic SHAPE.
S - Spiritual gifts are given to different people to build up the body of Christ. Some are given the gift of teaching, others the gift of helps, others the gift of leadership, others the gift of mercy, others the gift of encouraging others, and others the gift of giving financially. Romans 12:6-8
H – Heart. The Bible uses the term “Heart” to describe your desires, hopes, ambitions, dreams and things that motivate you. Your heart determines what you say and do.
Another word for “Heart” is “Passion.” Your goal should be to serve the Lord where your passion leads you. Your passion is often lived out when you feel excited about what you are doing or when you sense that what you’re doing will make a difference.
A – Abilities. Your abilities are what make you, you. Everyone is born with certain abilities and natural talents. God gave us certain abilities at birth and the Lord wants us to use every ability we have for the Glory of God. There are all kinds of abilities that can be used to serve the Lord:
Artistic ability, hospitality, leading, managing, planting, carpentry, selling, teaching, writing, etc. “There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service.” I Cor. 12:6 (Today’s English Version) Whatever you are able to do, God wants you to do.
P – Personality. When you understand your personality style you know better where you would enjoy serving. Most people are either dominates as a people person or as a task-oriented person. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, a thinker or feeler, you can find a place to serve the Lord. “God works through different people in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purpose through them all.” (I Cor. 12:6 Phillips)
E – Experience. All of us have had different kinds of experiences that prepare us to serve the Lord. God can use all our experiences for the common good. Our family experiences, our education, our vocational, our spiritual, our ministry experiences and even painful experiences all help prepare us for service.
In the Thursday Daily Bread this week (November 6,2008) Philip Yancey tells the story given to him by Dr. Paul Brand about a Frenchman named Pierre, who had served in Parliament until he became disillusioned with the slow pace of political change. During a harsh winter, many beggars in Paris froze to death. In desperation, Pierre became a friar to work among them and organize the beggars themselves.
They divided into teams to scour the city for bottles. Next, he led them to build a warehouse out of discarded bricks and start a business processing the bottles. Finally, he gave each beggar responsibility to help someone poorer than himself. The project caught on. In a few years he founded the charitable organization Emmaus.
Eventually, there were few beggars to be found in Paris. So Pierre went to India. “If I don’t find people worse off than my beggars,” he said, “this movement could turn inward. They’ll become a powerful, rich organization, and the whole spiritual impact will be lost. They’ll have no one to serve.”
At a leprosy colony in India, Pierre met patients worse off than his former beggars. Returning to France, he mobilized the beggars to build a leprosy ward at a hospital in India.
“It is you who have saved us,” he told the grateful patients. “We must serve or we die.” — Philip Yancey “Daily Bread”, Nov. 7, 2008
In the worship folder today you will find a ministry opportunity sheet that allows you to step us and serve the Lord in an area you have passion, interest and a sense of calling. A booklet is on the Welcome Table that gives a description of most of the opportunities for ministry listed on the sheet.
When all else fails, step us like David, and use your slingshot to serve the Lord. Don’t let any giant of feeling inadequate, fearful, or indifferent stand in the way. (Some ideas taken from Max Lucado, Facing Your Giants.
