Fact # 3
Opening Song: To God be the Glory!
Text: Zechariah 4:6 & 7
I. There are many great leaders in Israel’s history. But there are two that seem to stand out. Both respected and revered because of the great things God did through them. Two men God handpicked, trained and molded to lead God’s people. Two men of Giant faith. Two men who were not perfect. They made some very big mistakes.
A. But we don’t want to focus on their mistakes here today but instead we want to focus on their victories.
B. We can learn a lot from their victories and their training.
C. You see God took both of these men and trained them.
II. Moses, should have died. He should have died moments after he came out of his mother’s womb. That was the decree. But God spared his life. Because he had big things planned for him.
A. First 12 years of his life he had a God centered upbringing
B. Then he received an Egyptian upbringing
1. As a prince in Egypt he would be required to participate in the religions of Egypt. The worship of Ra, Anubis, and Maat to name a few.
2. This worship would be his first test and in the book of Hebrews we get to glimpse Moses’ Test and we see how he responded Heb. 11:24-26
3. In the courts of Egypt he would have learned about leadership, politics, and ruling from the best teachers available. But that wasn’t enough.
C. After receiving the best education Egypt could offer, Moses graduated and went on to what I like to call, God’s pasture of higher learning. Sheep herding 40yrs. Where he may take such classes as:
1. Patience 101
2. Long suffering 320
3. Humility 405
D. Graduation day came and THE I AM sent him to work. And what a final exam he had to face there. Biggest challenge, to face god on earth. Pharaoh
1. Pharaoh was seen and believed to be a god. Pharaoh had no knowledge of God. Exodus 5:1,2
2. Didn?t come with sword spear or shield, but came in the spirit of the Lord. In the name of the Lord, "I AM THAT I AM." For the battle belongs to the Lord.
3. Moses had some troubles but he had something Pharaoh did not have. And that was Fact #3.
4. Fact #1 The People of Israel were slaves just like you and I today are slaves of sin.
5. Fact #2 The people of God must be set Free
6. It seemed impossible but he had Fact #3 the I AM. The important thing to remember here is that he is the I AM today as well. And when we know that and believe in the I AM in our lives today, Fact #1 and Fact #2 become insignificant.
7. And When Moses came to Egypt, against Pharaoh, there was no chance for Pharaoh. God’s people were freed from slavery. We must never forget the power of God to free us from our own slavery.
III. David, born and raised in Bethlehem Judah. Raised by a God fearing father.
A. Also attended God?s pastures of higher learning. There is something about a shepherd that God likes. Patience, humility and courage classes.
B. The current Ruler Saul had rejected God’s leading, discipline and reprimands. I Samuel 15:22,23 Stubborn, self-centered and proud
C. Saul was a mountain of a man but he was not a true servant of God willing to receive God’s Guidance. It’s not about strong will or hulking biceps. For the battle belongs to the Lord. He was not a man grounded in Fact #3.
D. God had rejected Saul I Sam. 16:1-5,10-13. 1. Vs 1. I have provided! I have to move on. Complete rejection of God and the Holy Spirit.
2. When Samuel came to select the new king from among Jesse’s son’s he saw a second Saul. Vs 5 Eliab = Saul. But God judges the Heart.
3. Vs 10-11. Is this all? No but the pansy musician shepherd couldn’t be the anointed of God.
Illustration: Some people are good looking and that is fine and acceptable in male dominated culture. But David was a sensitive and emotional man who was also good looking. And men like that get bad labels in male dominated cultures. David wasn’t a pansy he just looked and acted like one. He was a mighty man of valor because he was a man grounded in God.
5. Vs 12-13 David. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
E. His schooling wasn’t over. David got sent home because of the war. I Sam 17:15 He returned home to tend sheep. But had some challenges to face. Some tests to take.
1. Vs 37. Killing the bear and the Lion with only a sling and a staff.
a. Bear Stories.
b. Not by might but by my Spirit
2. Overcoming Physical adversity Vs Moses temptations and peer pressure
E. Training in the palace begins. As Saul’s court musician.
1. Got a look at the troubles and difficulties in Court.
2. Saw how Saul had left God.
3. Got some good lessons I’m sure on what not to do.
F. Jesse sent him to see that his brothers were ok and take them some food and a gift to their captain.
G. Meanwhile in the camp of Israel things were not good..
1. The soldiers of the army saw Goliath. They were depressed and spiritually defeated.
a. He had been taunting and profaning and defying the armies of Israel for 40 days. This giant man, this hulking man.
b. All that the People of Israel could see, was his size. 12 feet tall! Dressed in full chain armor and bronze plates. The chain weighing 110lbs. The Spear-head alone weighing 13lbs.
c. If they went out with their sword and spear and shield they could do nothing against him and would be slaughtered. They didn’t want to be the one to die.
H. When David arrived at the camp they were arrayed for battle and ready to go.
1. Then here came Goliath.
2. Unlike the whole army of Israel, unlike King Saul, unlike his brothers, David looked just at the facts and all the Facts.
a. Fact #1 There was a man profaning, taunting, defying and threatening Israel. Wanting to put the people of Israel back into slavery.
b. Fact #2 that man had to be stopped.
c. Fact #3 this is God’s army. These are God’s People. And there is a God in Israel.
3. When he had fact #3 fact one and two were mere formality.
4. When people heard what David planned.
5. David went before Saul and said I’m gonna kill him. Saul tried to change his mind. Saul knew he would be killed. But David’s passion and dedication and faith in God were too much for Saul to quench. And he gave in. But first gave him his armor and weapon. I Sam 17:38 He put it on and began to march out towards the battlefield. Only to stop turn around and walk back into the King. The watching soldiers believed their thoughts were confirmed. "I knew he was all talk. I knew he wasn’t any braver or better then us. See he is chickening out and going back to the king." But they were silenced a short while later when David returned. This time not with the weapon’s and armor of a warrior but the staff and sling of a Shepherd and he had one more weapon they couldn’t see. Fact #3.
6. Finish story up to where Goliath Falls.
7. After Goliath fell David did not break stride but ran and leapt onto the Giant’s back. Only to realize he was unarmed and had no weapons to finish the Job. He was so caught up and zealous he didn’t even realize he was unarmed and helpless until he had already one the battle through the power of the I AM. If we will put our focus on God and put him first in our lives, above everything else, we can be the same way. We need to stop looking at all the problems. We need to stop focusing on our own power, and our own solutions. The battle has been already won. For it is not by might now by power but by My Spirit declares the Lord.
IV. For the battle belongs to the Lord!
A. When we trust not in strength and in might but trust in the power of the Lord those Giant sins will fall and we will be led out of Egypt. We will be set free from slavery!
Closing Hymn: He lives!
