David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 17

Intro. – Picking a fight with a linebacker from Penn State

Profile what Goliath looked like.
A Goliath is anything that is huge, an obstacle, whether real or imaginary that causes you to fear, worry, or fret. It’s overwhelming.
A Goliath is an intimidating force.
I remember in my playing days, we would use any means to intimidate our opponents.
This Goliath in our story stood 9’6″ tall, weighed over 400 lbs. He was big and was a seasoned, mighty warrior; he is battle-tested.
Goliath wore over 125 lbs. of armor.
Looking at him, you would have been intimidated.

The Goliaths (the giants) in our lives may be put there by Satan to tempt us to sin.
To keep us from doing what God has called us to do.
The Goliaths will pound on you every day. Goliath in our story taunts Israel for 40 days.

What you bring to the battlefield, will determine how you come out of the battle.

Battle at the Valley of Elah. Tell the story of the battle
Philistines v. Israel
Taunting for 40 days.
Israel had the promises of God but Goliath was standing in their way.

David had more in his arsenal than 5 rocks and a slingshot.
It’s not the 5 rocks he found in the valley, it’s what he took to the valley that gave him the victory.

Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual.
Ephesians 6:12 – For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in the dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

4 Conversations giving him 4 weapons that guaranteed him victory. Weapons that, no matter what you may be going through, you can use to help give you the victory.
v. 26 Soldiers
1.> What shall be given to the man that kills him?
a. David had a vision of victory in his life that the others did not share. A vision of victory. His attitude. David wasn’t going to the battle, but through the battle.
We go through the tough times.
v. 29 Eliab, his brother
2.> Negative
a. Whenever God gives you a vision, the devil will always send someone to discourage you. Your closest friends, perhaps your own family.
b. You must be selective about who you allow to speak to your spirit.
b.1. Eliab was envious of David (not chosen by Samuel).
b.2. Eliab was intimidated by David. (They’re not fighting). David was willing to do what Eliab was not willing to do.
b.3. Eliab was ignorant of David’s assignment (David was sent by Daddy). Be care of those who don’t have the discernment to know. Stay focused on what God wants you to do.
V. 32 Saul
If Satan can’t discourage you, he will try to intimidate you, cause you to fear and will use any and every means to do so. The enemy will try to convince you that the experience of others will set limitations on you.
David, though, had evidence of God in his life. The lion, the bear. David was anointed. He had physical evidence that the Spirit of the Lord is working in your life.
Because I am anointed, I can claim victory in this battle.
You must go in the power of prayer.
Don’t let the size of the battle alter the strategy for success. (Prayer)
Call on the name of the Lord
v. 45 Goliath
David came in the name of the Living God of Israel. The God of Heaven’s Armies.

So, what killed Goliath?
David put it in God’s hands.

Covenant – a divinely ordained agreement between God and his people.

Israel was in the covenant but not under the covenant
David was under the covenant
Goliath was not. While Israel looked up at Goliath and looked at the physical, David looked through Goliath and looked at the spiritual.
Goliath was uncircumcised. David recognized Goliath was not to the doctor. He was not cut.

Live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

That’s all there is and there ain’t no more.