1. I Samuel 17
From the beginning

2. We all know this story of David and Goliath…how God used a brave young man full of faith to face a giant for God and His people, Israel. 
With sling in hand, he chose 5 smooth stones from a brook and yelled charge as he ran into a valley of certain death. 
God guided his actions and the stone right between the eyes of the giant who fell flat.  Then David proved he knew how to get a head!
From the beginning

3. David is not the only person to come up against a giant
David is not the only person to come up against a giant.  All believers will find themselves face to face with big challenges, and quite often. 
But on a few rare occasions you find yourself staring into the eyes of a Goliath! 
Then either fear or faith takes over.  Most often it is fear and an expectation that we are about to be squashed!
We all know this story of David and Goliath

4. David is not the only person to come up against a giant.
THIS IS YOUR VIEW OF IT!

5. THE CHALLENGE SEEMS TOO BIG FOR YOU!

6. YOU FEEL YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE CRASHED.

7. We all know this story of David and Goliath

8. The Philistines invaded the Israelite territory
…yelled charge as he ran into a valley of certain death.

9. The Philistines invaded the Israelite territory
Vs. 1, The Philistines had invaded the Israelite territory “which belonged to Judah.” Goliath stood and defied the army of God, and they were huddled together, frightened, and did not attempt to do anything to eliminate him.

10. Goliath defied Israel
Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." 10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other."

11. The fear of Saul and all Israel.
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. (vs.11)
a. Of course, that was Goliath’s exact intention in issuing the challenge. The reason why he came out with full battle equipment and paraded in front of the Israelite army was because he wanted them to be dismayed and greatly afraid.
Goliath was able to defeat the Israelites on fear alone.

12. The Enemy’s tactics
In any contest, it’s always useful to demoralize your opponent, and strike fear in their heart.
First, it may keep you from ever going to battle with them, because they are so afraid.
Second, if it does come to battle, they will fight with fear and apprehension, and so with your words, you’ve done a lot to win the battle before it even begins!

13. The Enemy’s tactics
This, of course, is a significant strategy of the devil against us.
We don’t battle against flesh and blood enemies like Goliath, but we have our “spiritual Giants” to battle against.
The devil has a heavy interest in making you dismayed and greatly afraid before the battle ever begins.

14. When Saul . . . heard these words:
Saul had special reason to be afraid. Goliath was the giant among the Philistines, and Saul was head and shoulder taller than other Israelite men (1 Samuel 9:2).
Saul was the logical choice to square off against Goliath, and we can expect he knew others were expecting him to fight Goliath.

15. Saul was afraid indeed.
Yet, Saul is dismayed and greatly afraid. At one time, he was known as a fierce and successful military leader (1 Samuel 14:52).
But that was before the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). As the Spirit of the Lord left Saul, so did his courage. It shouldn’t surprise us that a many filled with the Spirit of the Lord will have the courage to fight Goliath.

16. The Holy Spirit gives us courage
The Spirit of the Lord really can give us courage. When we are dismayed and greatly afraid, it isn’t the work of the Spirit of the Lord.
God wants to give us a holy boldness and courage, not in ourselves, but in Him.

17. A 40-day Attack
And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days: Day after day, Goliath would taunt and mock the armies of Israel, exposing them all (and especially Saul) as cowards who would run from a fight.

18. A 40-day Pattern
Significantly, forty days (or forty years) is used in the Scriptures rather consistently as a period of judgment and or testing. It rained for forty days in the time of Noah. Israel was in the wilderness forty years. Jesus fasted and was tempted of the devil for forty days before He began His public ministry. So here, Israel is also tested by Goliath’s mockery.

19. Satan stands before the local church today and defies the living Savior and His church, and the people are, for the most part, huddled down and frightened to do anything about it. People who are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and commissioned by God look on helplessly as their church dwindles and hope slowly fades.
Goliath stands waving his spear high in the air challenging someone to defend the name of God, and many times the church seems indifferent against such a aggressive foe.

20. Paul says in (Eph 6:12) 
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." 
The enemy is all around us today. We are faced with Goliaths from every angle. We have been given weapons that will kill any giant that stands before us, thus, we must use what God has given us.

21. The Battle Field
And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle: This must have been the approximate scene for forty days.
The armies would gather on each hillside, and scream and shout at each other across the valley. Goliath would make his parade and shout his insults, and after awhile the Israelites would slink away in shame.

22. How did David face the Giant??
(Vs ) David saw Goliath make his arrogant challenge, and saw the fear of Israel’s soldiers.
 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.
Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.
a. Dreadfully afraid: All of the Israelite army was dreadfully afraid. There was not one man among them who would take on Goliath. Every one of them fled from him when Goliath came out.

23. How did David face the Giant??
a. Dreadfully afraid: All of the Israelite army was dreadfully afraid. There was not one man among them who would take on Goliath. Every one of them fled from him when Goliath came out.
 Who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Other soldiers focused on the danger of the battle or the material rewards to be won. It seems that David alone focused on the reputation of Israel and the honor of the living God.

24. A man after God’s own heart.
David cared about the things God cares about. He saw the problem in spiritual terms, not in material or fleshly terms.
When the men of Israel said, “This man,” David said, “This uncircumcised Philistine.” When the men of Israel said, “Surely he has come up to defy Israel,” David said, “That he should defy the armies of the living God.” When the men of Israel said, “The man who kills him,” David said, “The man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel.” David saw things from the Lord’s perspective, but the men of Israel saw things only from man’s perspective.

25. David’s Attitude
David’s attitude is completely different than the other men of Israel, including King Saul. David is concerned with God’s cause before everything. Before his own personal safety, before his own personal glory, before his only personal honor, he has a passionate concern for God’s cause. Where did David get this perspective, this courage?

26. DAVID ENCOURAGED THE ARMY
30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.
Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him.

27. DAVID ENCOURAGED THE KING
Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” Saul had waited a long time - at least 40 days - to hear someone say these words. But to hear them now, from the mouth of this boy, almost seemed like a cruel joke. “The good news is that some one finally wants to fight Goliath. The bad news is that it is a little shepherd boy.”

28. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine: These are bold words. This is the first time David specifically volunteers to battle Goliath. It is one thing to say, “Someone should do something about that.” It is entirely another thing to say, “I will do something about that.”

29. 1st he talked implying that someone should fight the giant (vs. 26, 27)
Then he said he would fight Goliath (vs. 32)
Now he says he will beat Goliath (vs. 37)

30. v. 40 “David reached down into the brook, picked up five smooth stones and then proceeded to kill the giant. “
Let’s look at those stones and what they may have represented in David’s life.
David reached down into the brook, picked up five smooth stones

31. The Spirit of God The knowledge of God The Word of God
Vision for the Future
A Heart Full Of Faith
The 5 stones could represent…

32. The Spirit Of The Lord Came Upon David: (1 Sam.16:13)
The Spirit of God
The Spirit Of The Lord Came Upon David: (1 Sam.16:13) 
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."
The 5 stones could represent…

33. The flesh is no match for Goliaths.
The Spirit of God
Without the power of the Spirit we will settle for a substitute. We will accept activity rather than spirituality. Without God’s Spirit, man is helpless in his own strength.
David was empowered by the Spirit of God.
“...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the LORD of hosts.“ (Zech. 4:6)
The flesh is no match for Goliaths.
The 5 stones could represent…

34. The Spirit of God
Many Christians have become more occupied with the strategy of the Philistines [flesh] than with the power of God.
 More occupied with the things of this life than the things of our future life and eternity.
 More involved with pleasures of the social, athletic, and financial society than with the things of God.
The 5 stones could represent…

35. Our thoughts seem to be more on the fact that Goliath is out there, rather than how to defeat him.
It seems we spend more time studying his armor and trying to duplicate it rather than studying the secret of David’s sling and stone.
This battle will not be won by the flesh. We have to fight in the Spirit.

36. Attempt great things for God, and expect great things FROM God!
We must be filled with the Spirit of God and trust in Him to win our battles.  
And we must do the little tasks as though they were big tasks and when the big task comes, God will let us do it as though it were a little task. 
Attempt great things for God, and expect great things FROM God!
David was a sheep herder, but he became a giant killer.

37. The Past Experience with God: Vs. 32-37
2. The Knowledge of God
The Past Experience with God: Vs
 This is very important in the success that you want to accomplish.
 David Had Proven The Power Of God In His Past Life.
Some of you here perhaps have wrought great victories in the past, but today you stand on the brink of defeat.
The 5 stones could represent…

38. 2. The Knowledge of God
David Knew That Victory Could Be Won. He was not fearful of the armor or the size of Goliath. He had faced giant sized enemies before. The bear and the lion.
The 5 stones could represent…

39. 2. The Knowledge of God
When Jesus Faced Satan On The Cross Of Calvary It Wasn’t The First Time He Had Been Face To Face With The Devil. He had already defeated him before in the wilderness of temptation.
Think back to that great event in your past when you knew God had really worked on your behalf. God can do it again.
The 5 stones could represent…

40. 2. The Knowledge of God
A lion had taken a lamb from the flock and David slew the lion and retrieved the lamb.
                1. The devil is a roaring lion. (1 Pet 5:8)  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walked about, seeking whom he may devour:"
                2. Jesus defeated Satan on the Cross. Satan is a defeated foe.
The 5 stones could represent…

41. 2. The Knowledge of God
The reason David was so sure of victory was that he had gone to the well of Divine strength before and had proven it was sufficient.
The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine: As a shepherd facing the lions and the bears, David had no idea he was being trained to fight a giant. When we are in the midst of our preparation, we rarely see how God is going to use it. We just entrust it to Him. Yet now, David can look back and know that the same God who delivered him before will also deliver him now. David knew that God’s help in times past is a prophecy of His help in the future
The 5 stones could represent…

42. He will deliver me AGAIN.
Do you believe it? Do you believe God will deliver you? God will deliver you. He has promised to get you to your destination: He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). God may deliver you from trials or deliver you in the midst of trials, but He will deliver you!

43. 3.  THE WORD OF GOD    Vs
              Where Do You Suppose That David Got This Confidence?
It was on a hillside while caring for the sheep. He was alone with God. The Psalms will bear this truth.
                1. (Psa 119:92)  "Unless your law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction."
                2. (Psa 119:97)  "O how love I your law! it is my meditation all the day."
                3. (Psa 119:98)  "Thou through your commandments have made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me."
The 5 stones could represent…

44. 3.  THE WORD OF GOD    Vs
               
        The Answer To Your Perplexities Are Found In The Word Of God. There is healing in His Word.
Ps. 107:17-21.
 17 “Some became fools through their rebellious ways  and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.”
The 5 stones could represent…

45. 4. A VISION OF SOMETHING BIG
Vs ; 51&54
We must not be satisfied with what God has done in the past. We must continue on attempting big things for God.
 (Ps. 81:10)  "I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."
(Jer. 33:3)  "Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you don’t know."
               
         
The 5 stones could represent…

46. Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

47. HE HAD GOD IN VISION
That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel: This whole incident made David famous. But that was not why he did it. He did it for the fame and the glory of the Lord, not his own name. He wanted all the earth to know that there is a God in Israel.

48. HAVE GOD’S VISION
Don’t have limits in your vision of what God can do for you and through you.
The Bible says, “He caused the winds to blow.”  Lets get on God’s program.  He can make things happen!
The only limitation at SON is how big of a vision we will believe God for.

49. The 5 stones could represent the Spirit of God, the knowledge of God, the Word of God, and a vision for the future, but one last stone is missing…
David reached down into the brook, picked up five smooth stones

50. 5. A HEART FULL OF FAITH v. 32 “Let no man’s heart fail…”
You can find plenty of faithless people in this chapter:
Saul, who should have been the one to face Goliath
David’s brothers had no faith either. 
Every soldier of Saul’s Army.

51. DAVID’S FAITH
But David had faith from the beginning of this giant undertaking. 
You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied

52. DAVID’S FAITH
To say, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts” is to say, “I come as a representative of the Lord of hosts, the God who has heavenly armies at His command. I am a sent man, on a mission from God.”

53. David proved he really knew how to get ‘a head’!

54. DAVID’S FAITH
But David had faith from the beginning of this giant undertaking. 
How about you? 
What about me? 
Does spiritual heart failure occur when you hear about the dreams for the future, or do you have a heart full of faith?  Like the disciple said, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!”

56. David proved he really knew how to get ‘a head’!

57. David had faith from the beginning of this giant undertaking
David had faith from the beginning of this giant undertaking. How about you?