GOLIATH’S BROTHERS ARE COMING
2 Sam. 21:15-22
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: 3,000 Year Old Mummy
1. An archaeologist was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy. After examining it, he called the curator of a prestigious natural-history museum.
2. "I've just discovered a 3,000 year-old mummy of a man who died of heart failure!" the excited scientist exclaimed. The curator replied, "Bring him in. We'll check it out."
3. A week later, the amazed curator called the archaeologist. "You were right about the mummy's age and cause of death. How in the world did you know?"
4. "Easy. There was a piece of paper in his hand that said, '10,000 Shekels on Goliath'." Unknown
B. TEXT
15 When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. 16 Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant… thought he could kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” 18 Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant. 19 Elhanan …killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 20 At Gath there was a man of great stature, who had 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot…he also was born to the giant. 21 Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him. 22 These 4 were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
C. THESIS
1. When you're younger and get into a conflict, it's often advantageous to have a brother.
2. DAVID‘S FIRST GIANT. When David prepared to fight Goliath, he gathered FIVE smooth stones to defeat one giant. Why?
3. One possible reason: Goliath had brothers, four of them!
4. When David fought Goliath he was just a teenager, untrained in battle, facing a seasoned warrior.
5. He had just simple faith in a BIG God. The God who had helped him defeat the lion and the bear would help him defeat that Philistine.
6. The next thing he knew, that giant was lying at his feet. It seems like new Christians, untrained in combat, can knock those great giants down.
7. DAVID’S SECOND GIANT. "… The Philistines had yet war again." Christian experience is full of battles.
8. David was now a mature man; he’d fought many battles. He’d defeated many opponents, but that didn't mean he was immune. One almost took him down!
9. Here’s a parallel to spiritual life. You & I don't fight literal giants, but temptations, discouragements, setbacks.
10. You may have taken down your Goliath – those BIG SINS, early in your life – but Goliath has some brother ‘trials,’ just waiting for their chance.
11. This morning I want us to look at some "Other Giants" you may not be expecting, but better watch out for. Title: “Goliath’s Brothers are Coming!”
I. THE OTHER GIANT OF APATHY
A. TEXT
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord….[When Jonah saw God didn’t destroy the Ninevites], 4:1 Jonah… became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 1:1-3; 4:1-2.
HUMOR. A Sunday School teacher taught about Jonah. When she had finished, she asked her class, “Okay class, what did we learn today from the story of Jonah and the big fish?” A bright little 8 year old girl said, “Always travel by air.”
B. JONAH: THE PROPHET WHO DIDN’T CARE
1. Years before, Jonah had known the seriousness of sin and the danger of hell. He’d sought God for forgiveness and at some altar of repentance, had been set free.
2. Yet here is Jonah, years later, not caring if the Ninevites died and went to hell. He felt no concern for the lost and their desperate plight.
3. Apathy is: “no emotion.” This giant attacks many Christians who been saved a long time. Have you lost your excitement, fervor, enthusiasm?
C. ILLUSTRATION: MAN OVERBOARD
1. One day Hudson Taylor was traveling on a Chinese junk from Shanghai to Ningpo. He’d been witnessing to a man named Peter who rejected the gospel but was under deep conviction.
2. In the course of events, Peter fell overboard, but no one made any effort to save him. Taylor jumped overboard in hopes of finding his friend.
3. Even nearby fishing boats refused to help, unless paid money. They were too busy fishing to care about saving a drowning man. (Kenneth Cole)
4. Statistics show that only 10% of Christians who are in a hurry will stop to assist a person in dire need!
5. Are we too busy with our jobs and other activities to take the time to rescue those who are perishing without Christ?
6. Has the giant of apathy attacked you? Do you believe that all men & women are lost? That without Christ they’re headed for hell?
7. Pray! God can restore your loving concern!
II. THE OTHER GIANT OF PRIDE
A. TEXT
16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord….18 confronted King Uzziah….19 Uzziah… became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.” 2 Chron. 26:16-19.
B. ORIGINS OF HIS PRIDE
1. It’s pride that makes us think of ourselves as better than others because of our skills, wealth, beauty, intelligence, attainments, etc.
2. It was pride that brought down Satan, who was a Guardian cherub. Pride is a serious business.
3. The apostle Paul had to be given a thorn in the flesh to save him from pride. Pride caused Moses’ sister Miriam to rise up and challenge Moses.
4. Pride is so dangerous because it's not easily recognized or forsaken. Pride can live very well in religious circles.
5. Uzziah didn't have this problem while he was young, but as time passed, he began to make a name for himself and gain respect.
C. PRIDE CREPT INTO HIS SPIRITUAL LIFE
1. He gained respect as a warrior, builder, inventor of weapons, and as a leader. The Bible says, "His name spread abroad."
2. He amassed considerable wealth, and even became known as a very spiritual person. We can get a name as a church leader, as spiritual, or as having spiritual gifts.
3. How does the Giant of Pride effect mature Christians?
a. The Holy Spirit pricks your heart about some sin, but you excuse it because you’re otherwise a good Christian.
b. The Holy Spirit prompts you to respond to an altar call, but you won't do it. Why? Because “What will people think?” “I have a name as someone spiritual.”
c. The Holy Spirit moves on you to do something that’ll make you look foolish for Christ, but you won't do it, because you’re more concerned about what people think, than what God thinks.
4. HUMOR. A poor man wanted to go to a certain church. The usher looked him over disapprovingly and suggested the man better pray about it. The next time the man came, the usher asked, "Did you pray about?"
The man replied, "Yes. I told the Lord that they don't want me in that church and the Lord said, 'Don't worry about it son; I've been trying to get into that church for years and haven't made it yet.’"
5. Have we lost the Spirit of Pentecost and become so dry and scripted in our Christianity that it’s hollow?
6. Have we lost our enthusiasm? Have we lost our joy in Jesus?
III. THE OTHER GIANT OF HYPOCRISY
A. TEXT
“5 Now a man named Ananias…also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
B. THE GREATEST DANGER -- INSIDE
1. How is it that a couple who a). actually heard the Lord Jesus Christ, who b). saw the fire come down on the day of Pentecost, and c). saw the miracles performed at the hands of the Apostles, could think they could fake God out?
2. This was a precarious moment for the church. It was so small and new that there was a real danger of its outward destruction by the Jews.
3. Yet the MOST DANGEROUS problem was INTERNAL! If the Church, at its inception, became hypocritical, it would lose its spiritual power (like Samson did).
4. Only a pure, sincere Church could -- turn the world upside down; …could -- wield God’s power.
5. God would rather have a small church that’s sincere, than a big church that’s doing all the right things – without HEART!
6. The stronger God manifests Himself, the more humility He requires in the people He uses.
C. ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA DIDN’T ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE MOVED
1. If ever there was revival, it was in the early Church.
a. 3,000 saved at Pentecost.
b. 4:31; Place shaken by the power of God, all were filled with the Holy Spirit.
c. Miracles, gifts, manifestations!
2. But here’s a couple, who’re living right in the middle of Holy Ghost revival, but were unaffected by it. How frightening!
3. Ananias and Sapphira didn't realize what they had. They took "revival" and God for granted.
4. It's a terrible danger to linger around the fringes of revival without entering into it; it breeds numbness, indifference, no fear of God!
5. God save us from Indifference! Think how the Israelites became accustomed to the CLOUD and FIRE.
They lost their fear of God and sinned in the presence of God, even fashioning a golden calf.
6. Do we think we can go to God’s House and then go right out and sin? Do we think God is blind? Have we lost all fear of God? Is there any sincerity in our hearts?
7. We must slay the Giant of Hypocrisy! Repent!
IV. THE OTHER GIANT OF PRAYERLESSNESS
“Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” Mk. 14:37-38.
A. PETER DIDN’T “PRAY”
1. This was the most critical hour of Jesus' life. The salvation of all mankind hung in the balance. Jesus’ arrest was only an hour away! He was one hour from torture and death.
2. Not only would Jesus face trials that night, but so would all the disciples, especially Peter. At the Last Supper Jesus warned Peter, “Simon…Satan has desired to have you, to sift you as wheat….Before the rooster crows, you will disown Me 3 times!” Lk. 22:31,61.
3. When you don't pray, this leaves the door open to fall. Backsliding can happen while you’re sitting on a church pew!
4. Somebody told me, "Pastor, if I’d been with Jesus, I would’ve prayed." No you wouldn't! If you won't pray with air-conditioning, padded pews, and carpet -- you wouldn't have prayed then either.
5. Peter thought he was immune to weakness. Peter thought it couldn’t happen to him, but it did. And it can happen to us if we don’t pray!
6. Jesus is still saying, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?” Mt. 26:40, KJV.
B. HE PROCRASTINATED!
1. To “Procrastinate” is to “postpone taking action.” Peter probably intended to pray some time, but put it off.
2. Many people today intend to get right w/ God.
a. Attend Churches, listen to serious preaching...
b. The Word is preached powerfully. It impacts them. They feel the Holy Spirit in the service and He is wooing them to answer the call to Christ.
c. They may even shed a tear, or sense the presence of Angels in the place.
d. YET AS CLOSE AS THAT IS, THEY AREN’T SAVED!
3. If you don’t take action, if you don’t surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you won't be saved!
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: GOD’S PERSEVERANCE
1. In 1989, an earthquake 8.2 on the Richter scale almost flattened Armenia, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes.
2. In the midst of chaos and destruction, a father rushed to his son’s school. But instead of a school, he found a shapeless heap of rubble.
3. The sight of rubble made him spring into action. He ran to the back corner of the building where his son’s class used to be and began to dig.
4. Why? What real hope did he have? All he knew was that he had made a promise to always be there for his boy.
5. As he began to dig, well-meaning parents tried to pull him out of the rubble saying: "It’s too late!" "They’re dead!" "You can’t help!" "Go home!" "There’s nothing you can do!"
6. Then the fire chief tried to pull him off the rubble by saying, "Fires and explosions are happening everywhere. You’re in danger. Go home!"
7. Finally, the police came and said, "It’s over. You’re endangering others. Go home. We’ll handle it!"
8. But this father continued to dig for eight ... 12 ... 24 ... 36 hours. Then, in the 38th hour, he pulled back a boulder and heard his son's voice.
9. Immediately, he screamed, "ARMAND!" Back came the words, "Dad!? I told them! I told the other kids that if you were still alive, you’d save me! You promised me you’d always be here for me! You did it, Dad!" (Taken from Max Lucado’s book, "He Still Moves Stones")
10. God, like this father, has never given up on you! If you’ve been knocked down by the Giant of Apathy, Pride, Hypocrisy, or Prayerlessness, God has come to rescue you this morning.
B. THE CALL
1. The first step to renewal is acknowledgement. How many would acknowledge that you need God’s help? Raise your hand.
2. Altar call & prayer for the lost, the backslidden, and the discouraged.
