Introduction
I want to take you back in time to a scene of dread and despair. The Israelites and the Philistines are facing off in the Valley of Elah. For forty days, a giant named Goliath has been walking out, challenging the Israelites to a one-on-one battle. And for forty days, the entire army of Israel—including the king—has been paralyzed by fear. The Bible says they were "dismayed and greatly afraid."
You can imagine the scene: the bravest soldiers, the most seasoned warriors, all cowering behind their shields, listening to this giant mock their God and their nation. The military machine was at a standstill, and the spiritual life of a nation was on hold. They had experience. They had training. They had numbers. But they lacked courage. They lacked faith. They lacked a spark.
But then, an unexpected hero arrives on the scene. Not a battle-hardened veteran, but a shepherd boy, a teenager named David. He wasn't there for war; he was there with a lunchbox, sent by his father to check on his older brothers.
And it’s in this moment that David—this young, seemingly insignificant boy—becomes a powerful vessel of revival. The story of David and Goliath isn’t just a children's story; it's a powerful lesson about how God can use the most unlikely people to awaken His church and His people.
Point 1: The World Needs a Fresh Perspective
David walked into a situation that everyone had already given up on. The soldiers saw Goliath as an invincible giant. They saw a problem that was too big to solve. But what did David see? He saw something completely different. He wasn't bogged down by the military protocols or the years of experience that told everyone this was a no-win situation.
Instead, David saw a spiritual insult. He heard Goliath mocking "the armies of the living God." He was outraged on God's behalf. His perspective wasn't about the size of the giant; it was about the size of his God.
This is the power of youth. They are often unburdened by the traditions and the "how we've always done it" mentality that can stifle a church or an organization. They see the world with fresh eyes and a faith that is pure and uncomplicated. They are not impressed by the giants of this world because they are more focused on the greatness of God.
We need to make space for the youthful perspective in our churches. We need to listen to their hearts and their outrage for God. They may not have the years of experience, but they often have the faith that we’ve lost along the way.
Point 2: Revival Requires Unconventional Faith
When David announced he would fight Goliath, everyone laughed at him. His own brother, Eliab, sneered, “Why have you come down here? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle!” King Saul tried to help by giving David his own armor, but it was too heavy and cumbersome. It didn't fit him. It was the "safe" and "traditional" way of fighting, and it would have led to a quick defeat.
So David took it all off. He stripped away the expectations of man and went with what he knew and what God had given him. He had his shepherd’s staff, his sling, and five smooth stones he picked from a stream. These were not the tools of a warrior; they were the tools of a shepherd. They were unconventional.
Revival rarely happens through the conventional methods. It doesn't come from just doing what we've always done. It comes when we are willing to put aside the "armor of man" and step out in the simple, yet powerful, tools God has given us: a courageous heart, a faith-filled word, and the unique skills and gifts He has placed in our hands.
Young people, God has given you a sling and stones that are unique to you. Don't let anyone convince you that you need to be something you're not. Your simple faith, your boldness, your skills in technology, your passion for justice—these are the very tools God wants to use to bring down the giants in our society and our church.
10 Reasons Why Killing Goliath Was a Revival
* It Was a Defeat of Spiritual Strongholds: Goliath was not just a physical threat; he was a spiritual stronghold, a representative of the enemy's taunts against God. His defeat was a victory over spiritual oppression.
* It Restored National Honor: The Israelites were no longer ridiculed; their honor was restored, proving that their God was indeed mighty.
* It Re-established Trust in God: The nation saw that God fights for His people, which brought a deep restoration of trust.
* It Showcased a New Kind of Leader: David's leadership was faith-based, not power-based, heralding a new era for Israel.
* It Was a Testimony to Other Nations: The Philistines were put to flight, and the surrounding nations would hear that Israel's God had delivered them.
* It Unified the Nation: The army, previously divided by fear, was now united in a pursuit of their enemies.
* It Brought Hope to the Hopeless: Where there was no hope, David's victory brought a powerful message of divine intervention.
* It Confirmed God’s Covenant: It reminded the Israelites of their covenant with God and His promises to protect them.
* It Challenged the Status Quo: The old way of war and leadership was challenged and replaced with a new, faith-centered approach.
* It Broke the Spirit of Fear: Fear is the greatest enemy of revival. David's victory over Goliath broke that spirit, liberating the nation.
Point 3: Youthful Courage Ignites a Movement
David’s victory was not just a personal one. When he killed Goliath, the Bible says the Philistines "saw that their hero was dead, and they turned and ran." But then, "the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines."
David's courage was contagious. His single act of faith ignited a movement. The fear that had paralyzed an entire army for forty days was broken in an instant. They went from hiding in a cave to charging forward with a victorious battle cry.
This is the very essence of revival. It begins with one person, one act of faith, one "yes" to God. That courage becomes contagious. It breaks the chains of fear and apathy that have held a community captive. It causes others to rise up and join the charge.
We, as the church, need to be open to how God is using the younger generation to ignite our passion and our purpose. We need to see them not as the church of tomorrow, but as the vessels of revival for today.
Types of Revival Needed in the Church Today
The church today faces its own giants. We need revival in these areas:
* Revival of Prayer: We need a deep, passionate return to prayer, where the church is not just talking about God but talking to Him.
* Revival of Evangelism: We need a renewed boldness to share the Gospel, seeing the lost not as a project but as a mission.
* Revival of Worship: We need to move beyond routine and return to authentic, spirit-led worship that is transformative.
* Revival of Community: We need a return to genuine, transparent, and loving community that models Christ to the world.
* Revival of Purity and Holiness: We need to be a church that is set apart, living holy lives in a corrupt world.
5 Ways Youth Can Be Agents of Revival
* Through Radical Faith: Youth can challenge the cynicism of the older generation by demonstrating an unshakeable, childlike faith that believes God can do anything.
* Through Unconventional Ministry: They can use their skills in technology, art, and social media to reach people in ways that the traditional church may not be able to.
* Through Passionate Worship: Their energy and passion can bring a new level of sincerity and intensity to corporate worship.
* Through Bold Evangelism: They are often less inhibited by social norms and can be bold witnesses for Christ in their schools, workplaces, and social circles.
* Through Authentic Relationships: Youth often value authenticity and transparency, which can lead to the formation of genuine community that attracts others to Christ.
Conclusion:
So, what giant is our church facing today? What spiritual apathy, what fear, what social injustice has paralyzed us?
I believe God is calling the "slingshot generation" to step forward. He is calling the young people in this room and across the world to say, "The God I serve is bigger than this problem." He is calling them to use the unconventional tools in their hands to bring down the giants that are mocking His name.
And to the older generation, let us not stand on the sidelines in judgment or fear. Let us give them space. Let us encourage their faith. Let us cheer them on as they go out to fight the battles we have been too afraid to face.
Let's remember David's victory and the revival it brought. Let’s pray that God would raise up a new generation of Davids, a generation of vessels of revival, to bring down the giants of our day and awaken a sleeping church.
Amen.
