Summary: A young boys affection for Western Pictures turns into an illustration of the showdown between David and Goliath. Our Churches are following the scripts of the old serial western films and the characters are identified!

My Father grew up in the early Fifties and like most youngsters Saturday afternoons found him at the theater for the matinee which usually consisted of the great westerns of the time. These westerns have been a part my growing up as well.

My Father’s terminology for a good western movie is a “Barn-Burner.” Now his grandchildren have been exposed to the great “Barn-Burners” and have grown to like them as well. The thing about a good “Barn-Burner” is that they all essentially follow the same plot: The qualities mention below are essential for a good western:

 There is the Hero (The one who stands against evil at all costs)

 The Villain (This one is out to steal away what rightfully belongs to others)

 A cause worth fighting for

 And a clear sense of what is wrong and what is right.

 The good guy, after a hard fought battle, always wins in the end

Now, what I’m leading up to is that a lot of Church’s are following the same plot as the old western movies except the excitement, the suspense, and the play-acting is not welcomed. The Bible provides the clear sense of right and wrong according to the great God of all. The good guys should all be on the same team and not fighting against each other with the things of God as the setting.

We are going to use some characters that are found in the westerns and show how the church is filled with the same type of characters. Though these roles need to be filled in the westerns, they have no place in the House of God. There is coming a showdown, where the good and the wicked will face off, the outcome though has already been decided. God will be the final Judge that all men will have to stand and face one–on one, and no one will be able to stand against Him.

I suppose that my following statement will spark much controversy and I suppose arguments could be made to the contrary. The best of all the Westerns is the classic “High Noon.” Here stood the outgoing Sheriff against the Miller boys who had come to claim vengeance on the town that sent them to prison. He went the town over, even into the Church, to ask for help against the evil that was coming and not a one came to his aid. At the stroke of Noon evil came to Hadleyville, and only one stood against it. The movie won award after award for it’s writing but it was taken directly out of the Bible! Let us read 1 Samuel 17:

The Sidekicks, Scalawags, Sidewinders, and Skunks:1 Samuel 17:11

Those who play bit parts but are important to the plot. Good or bad they must fulfill their roles to make the story complete.

 Sidekicks: Those who are the comic relief to the good guy. Most often they are a source of hindrance to the hero and get in more trouble than they can get out of by themselves. (Gehazi) 2 Kings 5:20

 Low Down Back shooters: Those who talk about the Church and its people behind their backs and are cowards in the service of Satan, and a detriment to the work of God. If you are not glorifying God you are in the service of Satan, there is no middle ground. James 4:11

11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

 Nasty Skunks (Varmints): They look pretty but they sure stink when they are confronted. The skunks of the Church show up on Sunday and praise the Lord, Teach in the Sunday schools, Lead the choirs, and even preach from the pulpits. They sure look pretty but if the truth were told and if you could see their lives outside of the House of God they stink to high heaven. The only white part of a skunk is the streak running down it’s back, while the main body is black as night. The Spiritual skunk shows a white (pure) streak, but in truth and deed they are as black hearted as any of the world. Judas looked right, walked right, talked right, but when the time came his true colors came through

 No-Account Bushwhackers: These characters lie in wait in the passes and crossroads and then ambush the heroes at a critical time in the plot. The bushwhackers of the church lie in wait for the passes and crossroads of decisions in the lives of the child of God and ambush and derail the new convert with their poisoned attitudes and selfish behavior.2 Sam 13:3 Jonadab

 Sidewinders (Snakes): These people are the lowest form of humans. They crawl around on their bellies and then ball up and strike unexpectedly. Satan took the form of the serpent in the garden and those who serve him are just as low.

 Hired Guns: These men hired out their talents to the highest bidder and without a conscience they carried out their work at the costs of others lives. There are those who accept the Pastoral of a church for nothing other than the “paycheck”, the “pension”, and the “parsonage.” These men are carryout the job of Pastor without a conscience and at the cost of the lives of the sheep they have been entrusted to feed. Without the inspiration of the Holy Ghost they deliver powerless messages that leave the flock starving for the Word of God and the spiritual deaths, at the hands of the wolves, of the congregation does not bother their consciences at all. John 10 (Hirelings) But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

The Sinister: 1 Samuel 17:4

4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

The villains always wanted to steal what rightfully belonged to the weak and unprotected. Goliath succeeded in stealing the dignity, the pride, the valor, and the confidence of the Israelite army. Today Satan’s sinister seek to steal from the children of God the joy, the victory, the assurance, and the lives of God’s people. I am afraid that we, like those who hid behind the rocks, are allowing Satan to steal from us without a fight.

 They seek to destroy the saved: 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 They seek to shame the children of God: 1 Sam. 17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

 They Shake in fear of Jesus Christ: Luke 8 (The demons trembled)

The Sheriff: The Hero of the story

1 Samuel 17:26

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?

Starring in the roll of the sheriff is David, the future king of Israel. The whole army of Israel hid themselves behind the rocks in the mountain while the giant called them out into the street, so to speak. David hid himself behind the badge of faith in the almighty God. In the Body of Christ there are types of Lawmen:

 The Deputy sheriff: (The Parishioner)

The deputy’s duty is to support their local sheriff and to back him up everyday, everywhere, and anyhow the sheriff sees fit. As Barney Fife so boldly put it, “This badge stands for a whole lot of people” the badge comes with much responsibility. So the roll of deputy falls to every born-again believer who attends the local church. We are the support of the Local Sheriff (Pastor) and we must back him up with all of our abilities. We are instructed to pray for him both physically and spiritually. We should pray for his family, for the must suffer without him when he is ministering to the church. Every member of the church has some ability, some talent, which can be used in support of the Pastor.

 The Local Sheriff: (The Preacher)

The local sheriff is the appointed representative of Law. He is entrusted to uphold the law and to warn those who would break it of the resulting penalty. The Pastor of the church fills this role to a tee. He is appointed by the Lord and is His representative to the people. The Bible that is his badge stands as a symbol of his power and authority and is to be respected by all. The sheriff’s manner of speech should be the truth so as not to cast any doubt on his authority. The Pastor (Preacher) is also bound by the truth of God’s Word. 1 Timothy 2:7

1 Timothy 2:7

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

 The High Sheriff: (The Holy Ghost)

. The High Sheriff had the final authority in local disputes. His word was final. His power to uphold the law was not confined to any city limits but contrary wise, he was able to arrest anyone regardless of their location or circumstance. The High Sheriff of God is the Holy Ghost. Through Him is man called into repentance and you heart arrested and brought before the great Judge. Through the in-dwelling Holy Spirit, your sins made know to you. Through the Holy Spirit are you comforted. John 14: 15-21

The Showdown:

No Western worth its weight in pop corn and milk duds would be complete without the final showdown. Throughout the entire picture the battle has raged and the bad guys always seemed to have the upper hand. In the end there must be a showdown between good and evil. This usually constitutes the hero standing alone, face to face, in the middle of the street, facing the foe with nothing but what he knows to be right and true as his only friend.

Here we have the original showdown, David is called out by Goliath and with the only the power of God on his side David transforms from a little shepherd boy into giant killer. The only thing strong about this little boy, our hero, is that he is full of faith in his God and David has turned the battle over to the One strong enough to fight and to win.

1 Samuel 17:40-51

There shall also be showdowns in the lives of the children of God. Those times when you will stand alone and face the adversary, in whatever guise he should come to you, the only hope of victory lies in your faith in God:

 Showdown with Satan:

At the moment before salvation, Satan is working his worst in the life of the lost. Satan knows that once the blood has been applied he can no longer hope to keep you from Heaven. There will come a time when Satan will finally be dealt with once and for all. Revelation 20:10

Revelation 20:10

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

 Showdown with Sin:

As we travel this grand journey we will encounter sin at every turn. Paul stated that when he wanted to do good, evil was ever before him. Each day holds an appointed showdown with sin, we must seek to stand firm in our beliefs and trust for the Holy Ghost to do His work.

 Showdown with Self:

Then comes the final showdown when we shall stand alone before our Lord and face the things done in our body. 1 Corinthians 3:11

1For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Closing:

Let me close this message by asking some questions:

 In your Christian life, which of characters mentioned here tonight most accurately describes you? Skunk, Sheriff, sidewinder, straight as an arrow,

 Is the sanctuary of your Church house a Holy place where man meets to worship God?

 Can the lost find a Savior?

 Are there no divisions?

 Or does your church more likely resemble a scene right out of the old westerns or even in David’s time where the army of God lies hidden behind the rocks in fear of the advisory?

The message has been light hearted on the surface but underneath lies a issue which is not light nor funny. If we are to ever become the church that the Lord expects us to be, if we should ever find favor in His eyes, we must stop play acting and begin in earnest to but away the divisions, the uncertainty, and the fear of service! When the Lord comes back let us not be found hiding behind the rocks while the advisory roars like a lion and shames God’s children.