Introduction

Good morning, family! It's so good to see each and every one of you here today. We've got a real treat in store for us, a look into a story that we all know and love, but with a fresh perspective that I hope will touch your hearts and minds in a new way.

You know, A.W. Tozer once said, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." Such a powerful reminder, isn't it? That we serve a God who doesn't just work within our limitations, but far, far beyond them.

We're going to be looking at a story today that perfectly encapsulates this idea. It's a story about a young shepherd boy, a giant warrior, and a battle that seemed impossible to win. Let's read together from 1 Samuel 17.

Embracing the Power of Surrender

When we think about David, we often picture this brave young man, fearlessly stepping up to fight Goliath. But let's take a moment to consider what was happening before that. David was a shepherd, not a soldier. He was young, inexperienced, and by all accounts, completely unqualified for the task at hand. But he didn't let that stop him. He didn't let his own limitations or the doubts of others deter him. Instead, he surrendered. He surrendered his fears, his doubts, his inadequacies. He surrendered his own plans and expectations. He surrendered everything to God.

Wasn't a passive surrender: It wasn't a resignation or a giving up. This was an active, intentional surrender. It was a choice. David chose to trust God, to rely on Him, to let Him take control. He chose to step out in faith, to take a risk, to do something that seemed impossible. And in doing so, he demonstrated a profound understanding of God's power and sovereignty.

Is surrender weak?: We often think of surrender as a sign of weakness, but in reality, it's a sign of strength. It takes courage to admit that we can't do everything on our own, that we need help, that we need God. It takes humility to acknowledge our limitations and to trust in God's unlimited power. It takes faith to let go of our own plans and to submit to God's plans. And it's in this surrender, in this letting go, that we find true freedom and victory.

Not a one-time event: It was a lifestyle. It was a daily choice to trust God, to rely on Him, to let Him take control. And it's this same kind of surrender that we're called to as followers of Christ. We're called to surrender our fears, our doubts, our insecurities. We're called to surrender our plans, our expectations, our desires. We're called to surrender our lives to God, to let Him take control, to let Him do the impossible through us.

What does this look like in practice?: How do we live a life of surrender? Well, it starts with trust. Trusting that God is who He says He is, that He can do what He says He can do. Trusting that He is good, that He is loving, that He is faithful. Trusting that He has a plan for our lives, a plan to prosper us and not to harm us, a plan to give us hope and a future.

Humility: Recognizing that we are not the center of the universe, that we don't have all the answers, that we can't do everything on our own. Recognizing that we are dependent on God, that we need Him, that we can't live without Him. Recognizing that He is God and we are not.

Faith: Believing in God, even when we can't see Him. Believing in His promises, even when we can't feel them. Believing in His power, even when we can't understand it. Believing in His love, even when we don't deserve it. Believing in His grace, even when we can't earn it.

Action: Surrender isn't just about what we believe or what we say. It's about what we do. It's about how we live. It's about the choices we make, the risks we take, the sacrifices we make. It's about stepping out in faith, stepping up to the plate, stepping into the unknown. It's about letting go of our own plans and embracing God's plans. It's about letting go of our own strength and embracing God's strength. It's about letting go of our own control and embracing God's control.

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

As we continue to examine the story of David and Goliath, we see a young shepherd boy who, despite his apparent physical limitations, was ready to face a giant ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO