Ryan Hamlin October 27, 2011

Agenda Part 1 The Leadership Principles of David vs. Goliath and How They Still Apply Today. Part 2 What is your Goliath and What are You Doing About It?

The Storyline 41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the L ORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the L ORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the L ORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the L ORD ’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, 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. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. 1 Samuel Place: Valley of Elah Date: About 1000BC Setting: Armies of Israel and Philistia face each other across the valley ready for war. Main Characters: David (5’10” and maybe 165 lbs.), Goliath (9’ 9” and maybe 450 lbs.)

The Leadership Battle! Each Player will receive ONE point per correct leadership principle as demonstrated in the story. The contestant to reach THREE points first will be declared the WINNER and the LOSER will receive a STONE in the forehead and be BEHEADED! David vs. Goliath Score: 0 to 0

Principle #1 i.God has already anointed you the leader! …Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, he is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. 1 Samuel 16 : ii.Have confidence in what God has planned. 34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The L ORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17 : Don’t waste time on proving your “leadership” to others but instead display confidence to those you lead.

The Leadership Battle! Point goes to DAVID! David demonstrated both patience and confidence in stepping up to battle Goliath. He was already anointed King so he did not choose this battle because he had to “prove” himself to the Israelites but instead he risked his life (and his title) to demonstrated his faith and confidence in the Lord. David vs. Goliath Score: 1 to 0

Principle #2 i.A “KIS” approach can take perceived or real issues and solve them! 8 Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! 9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 1 Samuel 17 : 8-9 Keep it simple (KIS). Don’t over complicate your role as a leader.

The Leadership Battle! Point goes to GOLIATH! While it pains me to give a point to Goliath he did demonstrated a very core principle in good leadership which is “Keep it Simple”. Many lives were saved and problems solved when he took this 1:1 battle approach. Today we need to always ask ourselves “are we over complicating the issue or problem we are solving”. David vs. Goliath Score: 1 to 1

Principle #3 i.Sometimes history can be a roadblock to progress. 38 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off. 1 Samuel 17 : ii.Even against large odds it is ok to trust in new methods. 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 Samuel 17 : 40 Trying something new that is “not the norm” can be very healthy for you and your leadership team and produce success.

The Leadership Battle! Point goes to DAVID! David didn’t use the traditional approach in fighting this battle (e.g. armor, sword). Instead he trusted in the tools he was familiar with (sling) and approached Goliath with confidence in his own skills and abilities (and of course his faith). David vs. Goliath Score: 2 to 1

Principle #4 i.Leaders should EXPECT resistance. 32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” 1 Samuel 17 : ii.Teams follow success. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath [g] and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp.g 1 Samuel 17 : Expect that your team and congregation will push back on new thinking – however with success they will follow.

The Leadership Battle! Point goes to DAVID! Saul was convinced that David would fail and warned him not to fight. David was confident that he would prevail and didn’t worry about his earthly short comings. His act of courage demonstrated his faith and in return his teams followed him. David vs. Goliath Score: 3 to 1 WINNER!!!

Summary Principle #1: Don’t waste time on proving your “leadership” to others but instead display confidence to those you lead. Principle #2: Keep it simple (KIS). Don’t over complicate your role as a leader. Principle #3: Trying something new that is “not the norm” can be very healthy for you and your leadership team and produce success. Principle #4: Expect that your team and congregation will push back on new thinking – however with success they will follow. When facing your Goliath try to apply the core leadership principles the Lord is teaching us through this classic story of David and Goliath.

What is your Goliath? Questions to take Home: What is your “Goliath” at your church? How are you preparing yourself as a leader to face this Goliath? What leaders in your church will go in the valley with you to battle? Are you thinking about new ways to tackle your Goliath? What does it look like after you conquered your Goliath? How can you celebrate your Goliath victories? Take on your Goliath! You are anointed as LEADERS of your church and community, show great confidence and faith in the Lord to lead you and you will conquer your Goliath! Today our churches are shrinking, lives are being lost each day – what are we doing as leaders of God’s Kingdom to think of new ways to conquer this Goliath that is threating our churches. It is time to be David!