Text:
(1 Sam 17:50) So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
Title:
“Five giants David had to overcome before he defeated Goliath”
Introduction: Before David went against Goliath, he choose five smooth stones. There were other giants that he had to face. No wonder many Christian never defeat Goliath. They are not prepared for the fight. This message takes a look at the five giants that David had to overcome before he slew Goliath.
1. The Giant of Debt
(1 Sam 17:20) And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
The reason why David was not on the battle field was simply because he had a responsibility that took him elsewhere. He had to take care of his "sheep" first. So many young people graduate from high school and think that they "have" to go to college. They have no money, so they borrow twenty-thousand dollars a year until they graduate and marry another college graduated equally in debt. Of course they have to have a house which cost them another one hundred thousand dollars. They buy cars and furniture. The bottom line is that at twenty-four years of age they are three hundred thousand dollars in debt. Add on the interest, and they are one million dollars in debt! How is God supposed to call them into the "mission field?" Think about it.
Before David could go to the battle field, he had to take care of his "sheep" responsibility. God can help you.
You can overcome the lion and the bear
(1 Sam 17:34) And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
2. The Giant of Apathy
(1 Sam 17:16) And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
Not much happening in the way of a battle! Many churches are likened unto this "battle field." The people gather around and sing their campfire songs. Then they all talk about how bad the Devil has been to them, but nobody does anything about it! David had to overcome the giant of apathy.
3. The Giant of Unbelief
(1 Sam 17:11) When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
Unbelief not only stops the love of God from reaching the sinners heart, it also stops the power of God from operating in the life of the Christian. David was not concerned about the weight of Goliath’s sword. As far as he was concerned this "uncircumcised philistine" was no match for the power of God!
4. The Giant of Ridicule
(1 Sam 17:28) And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness?
I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
The older brother of David felt embarrassed by his brother’s faith. If you let "talk" stop you, you will never accomplished the will of God for your life. The "talk" that you should let motivate you, is God’s Word!
5. The Giant of Complacency
(1 Sam 17:38) And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
When David was finally permitted to go against Goliath, King Saul placed David into his own armour. That wasn’t going to work. Not only was it too big for him to carry, he had "not proved it." In essence, David said, "I don’t know anything about shields and swords, but I do know something about sling shots!"
Everyone has their own gifts and callings with God.
I do not know what your particular gift and calling is, but I do know that God doesn’t want us sitting around the camp fire while the Devil is harassing the Church! Somebody better stand up and say, "Is there not a cause!" Somebody had better do something, or our families will fall into bondage!
Conclusion:
Are you ready to take on Goliath?
