V is for Victory

Text: 1 Sam 17 (Read 1 Samuel 17:43-47)

Focus: Faith

Function: Overcoming Faith

Form: Expository

Intro: I learned faith from my father.

• Today, is in honor of what men can teach.
  • Women also, but this where I learned it.

• Just a Children’s story.
• We might tend to dismiss it because it is just a Children's story.
• But sometimes the simplest things can be the most profound.
• The Great love Chapter is 1 Corinthians 13, but as it is ramping up to talk about love, it tells us that there are three important things, faith, hope and Love. (1 Corinthians 13:3)
• Hebrews 11:6 says: You can never please God without faith...
• Faith is important. It is a beginning.

There are three concepts about faith and walking with God that I believe will help anyone as they face change and uncertain futures.

1. Godliness (David was prepared to be a man of God)

1. Past Action
   1. Lion and Bear, vs. 34-36
   2. I imagine a young child facing a lion or a bear and I realize that this is the beginning of great faith.
   3. Lions and bears are huge obstacles.
   4. If he can to that, what about us?
2. Present relationship
   1. David, the child of worship
      1. God is enthroned in the praises of His people.
      2. When we praise Him, we bring His presence.
      3. We come here, not for me, or any other leader.
      4. Unity will happen when we make worshiping God our priority.
   2. Personal giftedness Saul’s armor Vs. 38-40
      1. I can't fight in these...
      2. APPLY: David eventually took over leadership from Saul
         1. Saul had his style, tools and power.
         2. But David had different gifts.
         3. It is important to place trust in the new leadership God brings you.
         4. Trust their leadership, even though it is different.
         5. And when that difference becomes what you are used to, continue to support him.
         6. Pastor's enjoy success at the pleasure of their parishioners and that's is not experienced in any better way than in their prayers.
         7. And don't try to be like the pastor or anyone else.
         8. Let you own gifts shine and be used by God.
1. Confidence in God
   1. Confident proclamation
      1. The Word of Faith 2 places:
         1. Vs. 36, 37
         2. Vs. 45-47
      2. The power of God (not the size of the enemy, but the size of the defender)
   2. It will be tested and resisted
      1. David had to make his confident proclamation both to God’s people and to the enemy.
      2. His brothers mockery, vs. 28,29
         1. Not just then, but even when anointed King, his father did not consider him.
         2. The Church is a place of encouragement
         3. needs to work within its gifts
      3. The king’s reluctance (miracle that Saul allowed it)
         1. Saul is not a man of faith
         2. He cannot imagine how God can use this boy
      4. Apply:
         1. Ask yourself this question in relationship to others” Do you encourage or discourage them?”
         2. Ask it in relationship to yourself: “Do you let the criticism of others stop you?”
         3. Do you let people with the gift of faith inspire you
   3. Example
      1. Remember small church?
      2. It was snowing, we debated not going, but dad said: “we bought snow tires so I can make it.”
      3. It was so small that we parked on the side of the road.
      4. Snowed in
         1. All the men were sure we were stuck
         2. I stuck my head out the window and proudly proclaimed we were not stuck cause we had snow tires.
      5. The proclamation is based on God's faithfulness.
         
2. Action
   1. Performance success is in the hand of God.
      1. But, when Moses was praying before the Red Sea and the Egyptian army was before them God told him it was time to stop praying and get busy! (Exodus 14:15)
   2. Do not look at the size of the enemy, look at God
      1. Goliath’s appearance, vs. 4-7
      2. Goliath’s curse (warrior from youth), vs. 42-44
      3. It could make us shrivel up in fear, but David’s confidence was not in his ability, it was in God
   3. Run to the battle, vs. 48,49
      1. to often the church shrinks back with an attitude of just hoping to survive until the end.
      2. But David, once he had that sling going RAN.
         1. A ridiculous sight to the Philistines
         2. His brothers were wondering what they were going to tell their father
         3. It was all or nothing.
   4. Do not be lazy in doing good
      1. David took five stones
         1. lack of faith or desire to be faithful?
      2. Faith is not a substitute for sloth
      3. Instead it is a chance, an adventure, a risk and growth

CONCL; Like the old preacher

1 get right with God

2 believe what God says

3 Act on your belief