Life Lessons for Living Large in the Kingdom of God
1 Samuel 17 (Reading vv. 32-)
Introduction: The story of David and Goliath is probably one of the first Bible stories that most people remember hearing as children. Unfortunately, many people today consider it nothing more than a childhood fantasy. There are a lot of lessons that we can learn from this encounter. Particularly lessons about serving the Lord. If David were to write a book today, he could entitle it, “Everything I learned about serving God I learned from Goliath.”
As Christians, we are all called to a place of service in God’s Kingdom. Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore bretheren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Have you found your place of service for the King? We are going to examine four life lessons for living large in the Kingdom of God. I think they will help you in your search for a place of service. They all come from the story of David and Goliath.
I. NEVER SIT SILENTLY ON THE SIDELINES (v. 31)
a. David saw a need that no one else was willing to meet and he stepped up (v. 26b)
b. Someone once said, “Most people wish to serve God -- but only in an advisory capacity.”
c. God didn’t save you just to occupy space in a pew! You were saved for service. (Eph. 2:8-10)
II. NEVER BE AFRAID TO ENGAGE THE IMPOSSIBLE (v. 32)
a. David didn’t see Goliath as an obstacle; he saw him as an opportunity to glorify God.
b. Hudson Taylor - "Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith."
c. Many Christians never do anything noteworthy for the Kingdom of God because they fear risk!
III. NEVER PASS OVER ORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES (vv. 34-36)
a. David’s work as a shepherd boy prepared him for an even greater responsibility.
b. God often uses the mundane tasks of everyday life to prepare you for an extraordinary future.
c. Illustration: D.L. Moody was a shoe salesman from Boston, Billy Graham sold Fuller brushes as a young man…
IV. NEVER TRY TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER’S ATTIRE (vv. 38-39)
a. David recognized that he couldn’t be someone else – he couldn’t wear another man’s armor.
b. It is OK to follow the examples of others but realize that God is interested in you for who you are. (Quote: Popeye the Sailor - “I am what I am and that’s all that I am.”)
c. You are uniquely gifted for His work – don’t wear someone else’s armor! (Rom. 12:3-8)
Closing Illustration: Brenda Goodine shares a story about her friend who decided to talk to her bright four-year-old son, Benji, about receiving Christ. “Benji,” she asked quietly, “would you like to have Jesus in your heart?” Benji thought for a few minutes and then rolling his blue eyes answered, “No. I don’t think I want the responsibility.” Benji realized what many Christians still have not figured out: salvation is a free gift but it comes with some strings attached. Service is not an option for a follower of Jesus – it is a natural outgrowth of our relationship with Christ. Are you serving the Lord?
