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Sunday February 7, 2021
INTRODUCTION: In 1 Samuel 17 we find a man named Saul who is actually the leader of Israel, the King, who is facing an enemy.
1 Samuel 17:3- “So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.”
The Philistines had an edge on the army of Israel because fear ruled in the heart of Saul.
Where fear rules Satan will always have an edge.
The giant of a man Goliath was daily taunting the army of Israel and causing them to retreat in fear!
Then a young lad named David shows up and Saul finally agrees to let David go out and confront the giant.
Although, Saul tries to get David to wear his armor and David puts it on and takes a couple of steps and says, “this isn’t right, I’ve NEVER worn this before. I can’t fight the battle with this armor I’ve never worn before!”
The weapons to defeat every giant you face are already within you!
If you’re facing a giant today it’s because God knows you’re already equipped to defeat that giant!
But you can’t defeat the giant wearing someone’s else’s armor! You need to be the best YOU that YOU can be!
1 Samuel 17:40- “He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.”
1 Peter 2:4-5- “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.
YOU AND I ARE LIKE THOSE 5 SMOOTH STONES IN THE STREAM! THE RIVER OF GOD!
This river of God is cleansing us, preparing us, making us ready to be used by God!
Ephesians 5:26- “….washed by the water of God’s word.”
John 15:3- “The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you.”
The washing of the water of God’s water! The cleansing stream of God’s word and His presence.
WE ARE BECOMING SMOOTH STONES! WHEN THIS HAPPENS WE BEGIN TO REALIZE GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES.
I’M NOT AN ACCIDENT! God has a purpose for my life!
It’s like a fire shut up within my bones! Yes God use me!
Then like David I see the hand of God reaching down into the stream. PICK ME GOD PICK ME!!!!
Then I sense the hand of God picking me up! YES! HE PICKED ME!
1 Peter 2:9- “….for you are a chosen people…”
Jesus told his disciples, “You didn’t choose me I chose you.”
“God picked me. I don’t know why you other four are here because God picked me!”
In this moment you realize God has a plan for your life. He has an assignment for you!
You feel so close to God, in his hand! You discover God has a plan for your life, a purpose. YOU’RE NOT AN ACCIDENT!
Then suddenly, God begins to loosen his grip and you start to feel a little uncomfortable. YOU FELT SO CLOSE TO GOD! BUT THEN
IT’S LIKE GOD JUST OPENED HIS HAND AND LET GO! AND YOU FELL RIGHT INTO THE BOTTOM OF THIS DARK SHEPHERD’S BAG! YOU AND THE OTHER FOUR STONES!
It’s Dark and nothing is happening! Wait a minute God I thought you had an assignment for my life. A plan. It’s dark down here and nothing is happening.
When it seems God is doing nothing in your life He’s really doing his best work!
Philippians 1:6- “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
It’s here you have to understand that God’s plan is a PROCESS!
God is making something out of your life!
“God didn’t give David the Kingdom, he made him a King!”
In the darkness of the Shepherd’s bag God is teaching you to live by faith and not by sight!
GOD NEVER WASTE A SEASON IN YOUR LIFE. EMBRACE THE SEASON YOU’RE IN.
WAIT A MINUTE, I’M STARTING TO SENSE SOME MOVEMENT. GOD IS STARTING TO MOVE IN MY LIFE.
1 Samuel 17:48- “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.”
Now I’ve went from standing still to running full speed. I’m bouncing all around in this Shepherd’s bag!
I’ve got trial after trial, test after test! I was begging for things to speed up in my life and now I’m crying that they slow down!
1 Peter 1:6-7- “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
That faith that was growing in darkness is now being tested!
Faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted!
Not only are you bouncing off the walls of this shepherd’s bag but you’re also bouncing off the other four stones in the bag!
The Bible says that iron sharpens iron!
God perfects us with imperfect people!
You’ll never become who God called you to be by yourself!
It’s while you’re bouncing around in the shepherd’s bag you discover God is more concerned about your character than he is your comfort!
THEN YOU SEE THE SHEPHERD’S BAG OPEN AND A HAND REACHING INSIDE!
1 Samuel 17:49- “Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone,”
Pick me, Pick me God!
And once again you find yourself so close in God’s hand! You’re looking at the other four stones with this look in your eyes, yep, he picked me!
IT’S SO NICE!
Then you find yourself being put in this sling that is spinning round and round! It’s like life is going in circles!
IT REALLY FEELS OUT OF CONTROL. For God to be in control you have to feel out of control!
1 Samuel 17:49- “Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling..”
NOW, I’M SOARING LIKE AN EAGLE
Isaiah 40:31- “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
You’re looking down at the other stones in the stream and you’re like, “he picked me, I’m soaring, don’t worry, one day God will pick you.
YES I’M FREE! Then you turn and look straight ahead and scream! You find yourself soaring in a straight line right into the head of the giant!
1 Samuel 17:49- “he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.”
CONCLUSION: God has an assignment for your life. He has a purpose for your life. But it’s not just about the assignment, IT’S ABOUT THE JOURNEY.
God is making something out of your life.
The way to experience the tomorrow God has planned for you is to embrace the today he has for you!
1 Samuel 17:50- “So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.”
Philippians 2:13- “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”
God has a plan for your life! A purpose, an assignment! He’s working in you today!
You need to know that I’ve landed in the head of a giant before. And instead of the giant falling, I hit the ground hard and the giant walked away. We’ll talk more about that next week.
Where are you today?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?