Giant - Killers
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17
Scripture Text: Romans 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Introduction:
The Scriptures teach us that God’s people are in a spiritual warfare, and as in any warfare there is need for a plan of battle so we can effectively fight against our enemy (Satan) and gain the victory over him.
Victory has been assured us!!
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
2 Cor. 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ....
2 Cor. 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
However, this does not negate our need to fight against and resist our enemy.
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Ephes. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Samuel 17 gives us a classic example of victory over a seemingly unconquerable foe. It is the story of David the giant - killer!!
Ephes. 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] 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.
As Christians, we face many “giants” in our walk with Christ, but through the study and application of His Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can learn to be “giant - killers”!!
There were no “giant - killers” in Saul’s army until David came along. The entire army of Israel was cowering in fear of Goliath and his threats. When David, the “giant - killer” arrived, things began to change for the better!
God is still looking for “giant - killers” today! He is still looking for men and women who will serve Him with a whole heart and allow Him to empower them to fight against the “giants” of our day.
You can be a “giant - killer” in the Army of God if you will meet the qualifications as David did. Let’s take a look at the characteristics of a “giant - killer”.........
I. A Giant-Killer is Faithful and Responsible in Little Things.
1 Samuel 17:15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
A. David had been appointed as Saul’s armor bearer, a position of great honor, but he had remained faithful to the menial task of being a shepherd of his father’s sheep.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:
B. Giant - Killers must be faithful in:
Prayer - 1 Thes. 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Bible study - 2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Church support - Psalm 100:2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
C. The reward will be great and glorious.
Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
II. A Giant - Killer Does Not Carry Excess Baggage into Battle.
1 Samuel 17:22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
A. This speaks of commitment, and of leaving all to follow the Lord.
2 Tim. 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
1. A giant - killer must be willing to lay aside everything that would prevent him from being victorious over his enemy.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
III. A Giant - Killer is Consumed with the Glory of God.
1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
A. When David heard Goliath defying the army of God, he was provoked and wanted to vindicate the honor of the Lord’s people. He was seeking to glorify the Lord, not himself.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
1 Cor. 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
IV. A Giant - Killer is not Easily Discouraged by Criticism (even from a brother).
1 Samuel 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.
A. David’s brother slandered his character and misjudged his motives, but David did not allow this to distract him from his God given mission.
B. Nehemiah and the Israelites were scoffed at and ridiculed for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but they built them anyway!!
C. Jesus was criticized and misjudged, but He was obedient even unto death.
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
V. A Giant - Killer is not Fearful of Circumstances.
1 Samuel 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
A. Giant - Killers have this kind of confidence because they serve the all - powerful God, and no circumstance is greater than He.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 Chron. 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight.
B. Some say, “I will serve the Lord if my family (or job, plans, hypocrites) does not get in the way.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
VI. A Giant - Killer is Trained by the Lord While Serving.
1 Samuel 17:34-37 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. [37] David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
A. When Saul objected to David’s fighting Goliath because of his youth, David said, “Don’t worry king. God has been training me ‘for such a time as this’.”
B. To be a giant - killer we must recognize that the Lord is training us each day through seemingly insignificant tasks and events.
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
C. By being faithful to serve the Lord in the “small areas” of life, we are prepared for the “big” job that He has for us (ex., Joshua).
VII. A Giant - Killer Places no Confidence in the Flesh.
1 Samuel 17:38-39 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.
A. The best human weapons and the most advanced technology are no substitute for the Lord’s power and provision.
2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
VIII. A Giant - Killer Knows That His Authority and Confidence are from the Lord.
1 Samuel 17:45-47 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. [46] This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. [47] And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
IX. A Giant - Killer Does Not Hesitate to Fight Against His Enemy.
1 Samuel 17:48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
A. David did not need to take time to “pray about it”. He was already assured of victory because of his faith in the Lord.
Psalm 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalm 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psalm 112:8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his
desire upon his enemies.
Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
X. A Giant - Killer Finishes the Job.
1 Samuel 17:50-51 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.
A. He provides no second opportunity for the enemy to recover and take advantage of him.
Ephes. 4:27 [GW] Don’t give the devil any opportunity {to work}.
1 Peter 5:8 [GW] Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.
Conclusion:
These are some of the characteristics of a “Giant - Killer”. Do they apply to your life? Are you the best “Giant - Killer” you can be for the Lord? Why not call upon Him now, and ask Him to make you a “Giant - Killer” for His glory.
Ephes. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
