1. We love the Underdog stories
In February, 1980, the US Olympic Hockey team took the ice in Lake Placid, NY to face the toughest hockey team in the world – the USSR. Two weeks before in Olympic competition, the Russians beat the Americans, 12-2. That night, however, proved to be different. The US defeated the USSR 4-2 in one of the most stunning upsets in sports history. Most of us remember the film clip as the clock winds down and our players raced on the ice to celebrate. Al Michaels was the announcer for ABC Sports and shouted, “Do you believe in miracles?”
2. David and Goliath –1 Samuel 17.1-11; 31-40; 41-50
3. David was “out of the box” in his approach to fighting Goliath – and won; 2 Strategies:
I. David Had an Innovative Solution
A. Traditional Warfare – “Toe to Toe”
1. Offensive Posture – advance the Army; take the field (Matthew 16:18)
[Armor of God – mainly for offense in Ephesians 6:10-20
2. Shield and Sword Used for Offense and Defense
3. Saul wanted David to use his traditional armor
B. Non-Traditional Tactics
1. Sling and Stone
2. [David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell tells of the 3 kinds of warriors in ancient armies. Cavalry (horseback and chariots); Infantry (foot soldiers with swords, shields, armor); “Artillery” (Projectiles of archers and slingers)
3. In the same book, the author explains that political scientists have discovered when large and small countries go to war, the smaller nation will win about 1/3 of the time; use of guerrilla warfare and non-traditional battle tactics increases smaller countries victories to about 2/3 of the time – Vietnam; US v. Great Britain
C. Our Creativity?
1. Our culture has run off and left us – once we blended in to a “Christian Nation” – no more
2. To reach our culture we have to be innovative – they do not think with Christian minds
3. Personally – is there a way to think “out of the box” in your walk with God? Is there something unique about you that can be different but effective?
4. As a Family – is there a way to be “out of the traditional box” to increase your effectiveness as a family walking with Jesus? WHAT IF your family did a prayer walk through your neighborhood and you took prayer request cards to each of the families for whom you are praying through blesseveryhome.com?
5. As a congregation, how can we be “out of the box,” not for the sake of being non-traditional but to reach the lost? Yet, stay in the template of scripture.
II. David Played to His Strength
[Vivek Ranadive decided to coach his 12 year old daughter’s basketball team. He knew very little about basketball, he had grown up in Mumbai playing cricket and soccer. He observed that in basketball Team A would score and then retreat to its end of the court. Team B would pass the ball in, dribble down the court to where Team A would be waiting patiently. Then the process would reverse. He decided that his team would change the method of attack. His players were small, not very skilled, but quick. So, he implemented a full court press for the whole game. To make a long story short, his team became the champions by innovative activity.
A. When David Went into the Valley of Elah, He “Saw” Goliath for What He Was, Vulnerable
1. Others (even Saul) feared the Giant Warrior
2. David Saw Weaknesses – CONJECTURE
a. Poor Eyesight
b. Slow, weighed down; traditional approach to battle
B. David Knew His Own Strength
1. Speed and agility – no armor in the way
2. The sling – deadly force
[At 35 meters it was as effective as a .44 Magnum; it would have taken about 1 second for David to kill him.
C. When YOU Face the Giants, What Do You See? [Giants of SIN (ours and others); ADDICTION; GRIEF & LOSS; DESPERATION; MOVING; BEST FOR CHILDREN
[For some, Goliath was too big to fight; for David he was too big to miss – Our Giants?
[PRAYER: LORD, be with me as a face the giant of _________________ for your glory.
1. Do you see opportunities in obstacles? James 1:2 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
2. God wants to be THE part of our Solutions – Malachi 3:6-10
6 “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
a. Opportunity to glorify God
b. Opportunity to develop our faith – James 1:3-4 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
c. Small victories now = big victories later – Luke 16:10
3. What Strengths do you see:
a. As Individual Disciples of Jesus? (Spiritual Gifts)
b. As Families Following Jesus in the Word and Prayer?
c. As a Congregation Devoted to Jesus? [I see a huge heart to love people in hard times; generous spirit to give in true needs – EEM; Hurricane relief, etc.
1. On May 18th 1941, Hitler had Germany launch the ship, Bismark to destroy everything in its path. It could fire a shot over two and a half miles. Bismark came in contact with the British war ship named the Hood. In a final attack, almost in darkness at around 11:00pm, a "miracle" hit by a single torpedo (launched by a British plane) jammed the Bismarck’s rudder and steering gear. Which ultimately rendered her virtually un-maneuverable. All she could do was move in a continuous circle. It didn’t take long for the British war ships to take advantage of the opportunity and sank the Bismark.
2. When we see the GIANTS, why assume he/it will win? God is unconventional and can accomplish great things – Ephesians 3:20-21
3. Size up opportunities; obstacles; trials – be creative and play to strengths
4. PRAYUKON and Beyond?
