WHERE ARE THEY?
1 SAMUEL 17:32-52
Introduction:
1. As a small boy, I can remember all of the noises and shadows I saw at night.
a. I would be laying in bed and the tree outside my window would brush
upon my window and the shadow of that tree would look as if someone
was coming in.
b. I would very softly and quietly sneak out of bed and crawl to my
parents room where I would report to my father that someone was
coming in.
c. Each night my father would get up and carry me back to my room and
patiently show me and prove to me that there was no one there, it was
just the tree.
d. This routine went on for several years, but dad was always faithful to
take me back to bed and calm my fears.
2. One night, the sound was a little different, and I again went to my dad and
made a report.
a. To his surprise, someone was trying to come in and he quickly called
the police, put his shoes on (only his shoes), called the neighbor (which
was the church music minister), and preceded to try to chase this man
down.
b. Why do I tell you this story this morning, not to tell you so much about
my father’s bravery, but to tell you of his faithfulness and patience.
c. My father’s faithfulness to me is what helped build that lack of fear and
comfort for me to go to bed each night.
3. I too now make trips to check out noises and shadows each night and I will be
honest, my children think I am very brave because I always get up and check it
out, but many times, just the thought of someone being there to break in just
scares me to death.
4. Our Christian lives are very similar to this story in many ways, because so
often when the giants of life seem to be looming and I am afraid and don’t
know what to do, my Heavenly Father is right there comforting me.
a. Men, there are many battles today that we must face.
b. Our world is falling apart all around us and is only getting worse each
day.
c. What God needs is some men that will lead out in their families,
churches, and workplaces so that we will see revival and be victorious
in our daily lives.
5. It has been said that if the church is to have revival it will most likely start
with the women, because the men are no longer the spiritual leaders in our
homes, communities, and churches.
a. Not only are they not the leaders, but many times they are not even
present.
b. Who leads out in prayer?
c. Bible study?
d. Church attendance?
6. God is looking for men that are not afraid to go to battle for Him against those
giants that loom around every corner.
7. What are the giants?
Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders,
drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have
also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God."
8. Men, we are called to lead out in our families, churches, and community; are
you willing?
9. Our text this morning shows us that this is not a new problem.
a. The Israelite army had been given a challenge for 40 days by a man
named Goliath.
b. Goliath wanted someone to come down and fight him, but Goliath was
9 foot 9 inches tall and no one had the courage to take this challenge.
c. God was waiting for someone in His army to defend the people of God
but no one could be found to take this challenge.
d. But God is always in control, don’t forget that, and He did have
someone, that someone was David.
e. Look with me at verses 26-31.
10. Notice that David realizes who is on his side.
a. There is a progression here that you need to notice in this all familiar
passage.
b. This progression is no different today in the battles of life.
I. Two Paths 1 Samuel 17:32-37
A. Man’s Path (vs. 32-33)
The New Living Translation reads: "Don’t worry about a thing," David told
Saul. "I’ll go fight this Philistine!"
"Don’t be ridiculous!" Saul replied. "There is no way you can go against this
Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!"
1. Here we see man doing what he does best, and that is telling someone
else what they cannot do.
2. When we look at these giants in our lives and the giants around us, we
realize how small and helpless we really are and I promise you we are
very quick to point this out to other people.
a. "I can’t" is an indicator of who we rely upon.
b. "I can’t" has been a barrier to God’s work for far too long.
c. "I can’t" is what delayed the Israelites from taking the Promised
Land for 40 years.
d. God’s Word clearly tells us that the statement "I can’t" is true, but is not an excuse because Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
3. Men we are also very quick to forget God’s promises.
a. Instead of relying upon God to do what He says He will do, we
try to figure it out on our own.
b. It is kind of like putting something together.
1. If you are like I am, I start putting it together and only
when I have no other option, I look at the instructions.
2. Use the instructions that God gave you first, then act.
c. David knew God’s protection would be with him.
Deuteronomy 20:1-4: "WHEN thou goest out to battle against thine enemies,
and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of
them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land
of Egypt.
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto battle, that the priest shall approach
and speak unto the people,
And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against
your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be
ye terrified because of them;
For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your
enemies, to save you."
Acts 18:9-10: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not
afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much
people in this city."
d. God is your strength.
e. He has given you His Holy Spirit, stop running in fear.
B. God’s Path (vs.34-37)
1. Here we see the testimony of David telling Saul how God had
protected and provided for him.
a. David’s testimony is telling of the past, just as my testimony and
yours.
b. Thank God for what He has done in your life.
c. Thank God that He sent His only Son to die for your sins, all of
your sins.
d. Thank God that through Jesus Christ we can all be victorious if
we surrender our lives to Him.
2. In verse 36 David tells Saul that the same God that has protected him
in the past is the same God in the present and will give him the victory.
a. God will give the victory when we give Him control.
b. When God gives us the victory, never forget who gave it.
3. The God of the past and the present is also the God of the future.
a. In verse 37 David says God again will give me the victory.
b. God is faithful to us, are we faithful to Him?
1 John 5:4: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
c. Do you have the faith to know that God has, is, and will
continue to give His children the victory.
4. At this point in the sermon, you must ask yourself, who’s path have you
been taking, man or God’s?
5. Once you decide which path you are going to take, then you must
decide who’s weapons you are going to use.
II. Two Provisions 1 Samuel 17:38-40
A. Man’s Provisions (vs.38-39)
1. Imagine for a moment this boy, David, trying to wear this huge heavy
armor and this helmet that slid back and forth as David tried to move.
2. That helmet which slid back and forth was sure to reduce David’s
vision and that is exactly what happens when we try to go out and do
things as the world does them.
a. We are blinded at times by man’s methods.
b. The armor which was too heavy was weighing him down, just
as do the ways of the world.
1. Follow the world’s direction and see if you are not
weighed down with guilt, depression, anxiety, worry,
etc....
2. Jesus carried the weight of the world upon Himself at
the cross because you are not able to.
3. David realized that with this armor on there was no chance.
a. He was not use to this armor, he had never used it, it was not
his.
b. God has equipped each one of us with a spiritual gift and
talents, but when we try to do something that God has not
called us to do we will surely fail.
1. There are too many man called preachers and man
called teachers today.
2. If God calls you to do something you better do it, but if
it is man doing the calling stay away.
4. David also realized that God always gives you all you need.
a. David took his sling, his staff, his shepherd’s bag, and five
rocks.
1. You may be thinking that’s it!
2. Did he forget what he is up against?
b. You may say I don’t know much about the Bible or I don’t know
how to witness, or I don’t know....
c. Get the I out of it and realize that you have chosen God’s path
and therefore God promises that He will give you all you need.
Philippians 4:19: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus".
d. This verse leads us to the second choice of provision.
B. God’s Provisions (vs.40).
1. You see in this verse what God provided for David to use in this battle.
2. Why would God send this boy out with just this?
a. David was trained to use these weapons, not Saul’s.
b. Why five rocks?
1. Many think that David had five rocks in case he missed,
but that is not true.
2. David had five rocks because Goliath had four brothers
and David knew that the brothers might come to defend
Goliath.
c. David had no doubt about hitting Goliath the first time because
he knew God was in control.
d. Men have faith that God will take care of the results.
3. I do need to stop for just a moment and make sure you understand that
your battle is not physical but it is spiritual and God has equipped us
with all the armor you will ever need.
Ephesians 6:10-18: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
4. Take this armor, no more, no less and you will be victorious.
III. Two Powers 1 Samuel 17:41-47
A. Man’s Power (vs.42-44)
1. Do you notice Goliath’s reaction.
2. Goliath thought this was a joke.
a. Surely the Israelites could do better.
3. Man many times looks upon who God has called and laughs and
ridicules.
a. Don’t let that bother you, because they are not laughing at you
as much as they are laughing at God.
b. The people laughed at Noah and look at what happened to
them.
c. They were destroyed!
B. God’s Power (vs.45-47)
1. If you are not going out in God’s power you better make some serious
changes.
2. God is all powerful and God is a just God and when the "hammer falls"
and God says that’s it, you better be on the right side, the Lord’s Side.
Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap."
3. What side are you on?
a. If you are not for Him then you are against Him and you better
be prepared for the wrath of God.
Conclusion:
1. You know the results of this fight, but let’s read it together. (vs.48-51).
2. There is one last thought I must leave you with.
a. In verse 52 notice what the men of Israel did.
b. When they saw that David was victorious they pursued the Philistines.
3. Men, when your families, your church, your community see that you are for
the Lord and you are going to follow Him, fight for Him, and live for Him they
too will follow.
4. This Baptist Men’s Day, make it count for something.
5. Decide right now that you are going to be the godly example that God has
called you to be and God will give you the victory over the giants in your life.
