“Winners Never Quit”
(Adapted from John Maxwell’s Characteristic of a Giant Killer)
October 2010 Series: NEVER GIVE UP
October 3, 2010
By: Rev. Rey T. Bechayda
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword and spear, and a javelin,
but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts…This day the Lord will deliver you
into my hands…and all the earth will know there is a God in Israel…’”
(I Samuel 17:45-46)
Introduction:
Last Sunday’s worship service is an overwhelming experience for me. Seeing a growing number of MMIM people form everywhere is really encouraging to everyone. I believe all of us have received a fresh challenge to press on even when the situation becomes tough.
Today, we are starting a new series “NEVER GIVE UP” this series is a good follow up on our past series… it is helpful to us in becoming more consistent in our Christian walk. Always remember that you and I are destined to be victors in Christ. All of us are winners because of Jesus.
As an introductory message, let’s go back to the famous story of David and Goliath in the book of 1 Samuel.
Here are the 10 characteristics of a winner (1 Sam. 17)…
I. Winners Don't BEGIN as Winners. (vv. 14-24)
When war broke out between the Philistines and the Israelites, David was young. He was a musician and he was a shepherd. While his brothers served as soldiers, David became an errand boy for his dad, carrying food and checking up on them. He found the soldiers dressed for battle, but never engaging the enemy. Goliath wouldn't go away; for forty days, he kept coming back saying the same thing.
Observations on David and the soldiers:
- David was faithful in every one of his small tasks.
- The army was unfaithful in their very large task.
II. Winners See the Potential REWARD if They Defeat the Giant. (vv. 25-27)
The majority of the crowd sees the obstacles; only a few see the objectives. What separates the winner from the other one is this: winners see the impact and reward for taking a risk-and they take it. For others, the risk seems too high.
On the day David faced Goliath, everyone had the same opportunity:
- The army saw Goliath.
- David saw God.
- The army saw the problem.
- David saw the potential.
We cannot evaluate a situation in terms of what we see. What is observable is real, but it is not the ultimate reality. Behind what we see is an all-powerful, loving God, and we must remind ourselves of this reality.
III. Winners Don't Listen to Doubting CRITICS. (vv. 28-33, 41-44)
You can easily determine the caliber of a person by the amount of opposition it takes to discourage him. Like David, we must do three things to handle critics:
- We must get by our Eliabs. (They intimidate us emotionally.)
- We must get by our Sauls. (They intimidate us with their position.)
- We must get by our Goliaths. (They intimidate us with their ability.)
David's critics said things like: “You don't belong here.” “You're too young.” “You are full of pride.” “You are inexperienced.” It was tough because the criticism was continual. It came from respectable people in his life; they questioned his motives and abilities. Remember: everyone who has never killed a giant will tell you it is impossible.
IV. Winners Are Not Overwhelmed by the CHALLENGE. (v. 32)
The Israelite army cowered in fear. They had legitimate reasons for their anxiety. Goliath was the fiercest and most powerful opponent they had ever seen. But David wanted to know who it was that defied the armies of the living God. The army saw Goliath as too big to hit. David saw him as too big to miss. We can get overwhelmed when we get in David's situation:
ยง Our giants have a reputation.
- Our giants continually confront us.
- Our giants keep defeating us psychologically.
- Others on our side are afraid.
- We come together and never deal with the giant.
- Our leader is afraid of the giant.
Why wasn't David overwhelmed?
- His passion was for God to be honored.
- His desire was for the reward.
- His confidence was in God to be his strength.
V. Winners Build upon Past SUCCESSES. (vv. 34-37)
David's confidence was based on God's protection in successful encounters with a lion and a bear. He reminded himself and the people of the faithfulness of God.
After the challenge is over, we often forget the initial self-doubt we felt, but when we remind ourselves of God's faithfulness we can defeat self-doubt in the future.
VI. Winners CONVINCE Others They Will Be Successful. (v. 37)
What you believe means more than anything else in tough situations: more than what you earn, more than where you live, more than your social position, and more than what anyone else may think about you. Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” (Matthew 9:29)
Self-confidence causes others to believe in you. God-confidence causes others to believe in God. Saul eventually said to David, “Go and may the Lord be with you.”
VII. Winners Don't Try To Be SOMEONE ELSE. (vv. 38-40)
King Saul offered David his armor and weapons. David tried them on out of courtesy, but realized they didn't fit who he was.
Often you will find yourself in this same kind of situation:
- During a crisis, people will try to make you like them.
- You will never defeat the giants in your life with fleshly weapons.
- God only expects us to use what we have to overcome our giants.
VIII. Winners Face the Challenge with a Higher PURPOSE. (vv. 45-47)
David saw this challenge as being more than just a battle with a nine-foot tall guy. He faced it with a higher purpose. David ran to the battle so that the world would know the Lord of hosts. He saw it as an enemy without a covenant with the living God versus a man who did have a covenant and who represented Him. It was a statement of things to come of God's great power.
“The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him.” (Bob Buford)
The Power of a Higher Purpose…
- Noah could overcome the scoffing of people because he had a purpose.
- Abraham could leave his home for a new land because he had a purpose.
- Joseph had strength to endure a dark prison because he had a dream.
- Daniel could sleep in a lions' den because he clung to a higher purpose.
- The three Hebrew men could enter a furnace because they had a purpose.
- John the Baptist could decrease in popularity because he had a purpose.
- Stephen preached and died for an unpopular Gospel because of purpose.
- Paul endured torture, slander and shipwreck because he had a purpose.
- Jesus, our example, endured the cross…because of His higher purpose: to seek
and to save the lost!
IX. Winners Are Always Eager to WIN. (v. 48)
The first step to solving any problem is to begin. Overcomers are inspired by a challenge and are passionate to win the victory. David didn't walk toward Goliath…he ran! You can judge the size of a person by the size of the problem they are willing to face.
X. Winners Take Those Around Them to a HIGHER Level. (vv. 49-52)
The first sign of a crisis is when you have a major problem and no one tries to help you solve it. Once David solved the problem of Goliath, the armies of Israel ran to chase down the rest of the Philistine army. They won the battle that day-but was able to win only because David paved the way for them.
“Winners keep on winning because they never quit”
