Prelude
Are our problems too large for God to handle? Is the tide of disbelief in the world and church too large for us to handle? Is there a need for heroes to stand up and slay the giant problems we face? Purpose: Let’s have faith in God using even the lowliest of us to do His will. Sermon Plan: Let’s look 1 Samuel 17:1-49 and what we can learn from the story of David and Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:1-19 Israel’s Fear
In 1 Samuel 17:1-19 we read of Israel’s troubles under presumptuous and arrogant national leadership. Saul ignored the advice of God’s prophets. Because of his disobedience, Saul found himself in a standoff with the enemy, on either side of the valley of terebinth trees, for 40 days. Rather than attack the problem with faith that God was on their side, they stood still paralyzed with fear. The enemy of the church also has great numbers and popular giants who taunt our faith, wanting us to become slaves to the world. The heroes God sends may not always be the oldest in a family, or the one with a big name.
1 Samuel 17:20-30 David’s Faith
In 1 Samuel 17:20-31 as David arrived on the scene, though just a young farm laborer working for his dad among the sheep, he seemed to be the only one without fear. Fearless people of faith can come from any walk of life, as did the prophets. David asked with youthful conviction, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” What can we learn from the faith of young people? Do people still mock God’s armies? David’s oldest brother insulted him in anger, treating him like a foolish boy. Have we ever been treated rudely and insulted in anger for our faith?
1 Samuel 17:31-49 David’s Message
In 1 Samuel 17:31-49 David chose artillery, a tactical advantage, if he was a good shot. Ancient Israelite sling-stones were about 2 inches (5 cm) across, and often ground by hand to a ball shape. With an underhand motion, and one windup, a slinger could hurl a stone twice as far as longbows could shoot arrows, about 400 yards or meters at 60 mph (100 kph). David told the Philistine, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.” He declared to Goliath, “the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:50-54 The Enemy Fled
David teaches us what believing young people can show: humility, faith, zeal and courage. A lesson we learn is that “the battle is the Lord’s.” “When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.” When evil leaders are vanquished their followers will run. “The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.” We often need just one brave soul who believes God and a whole nation can be given the courage to pursue the enemy out of the land.
Postlude
Our problems are never too large for God to handle. The tide of disbelief in the world and church are not too large for God to handle. God is looking for a few heroes and does not care whether they are kings or shepherd boys. All they need is to ask for Jesus’ help and a willingness to take up our spiritual slingshots and ask God to make our aim true.
Part 2 Fear of a Giant Storm
Prelude
When troubles come, how do we react? Are we fearful and anxious? Is there some way to calm the storm? Goal: Let’s understand that there is someone who calms storms. Sermon Plan: We will look at Mark 4:35-41 and what we can learn from a squall on Lake Galilee.
Crossing to the Other Side (Mark 4:35)
Mark 4:35 says, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’” Jesus crossed Lake Galilee with no recorded explanation as to why. Sometimes our journey seems uncertain. In a church the congregation sits in the nave, from Latin “navis” meaning ship, coming from this very story. Jesus invites us to join Him in the nave of the church building on a Sunday as we learn to go where He will lead. We don’t always know what is ahead, but we do know who is our captain. So come on board. Let us go. The captain of our salvation is waiting.
Leaving the Crowd Behind (Mark 4:36)
Mark 4:36 says, “Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.” Traveling with God, we leave the comfort of the past and journey into the unknown. Repentance is about change, moving from emptiness to a new life in Christ, and we take the joy of that life to others. At 75 Abraham moved to a new country. Would we? We are called, not to stay ashore in the comfort of the crowd but, to go on a journey with a small band of brave souls willing to follow Christ all the way to the other side.
A Great Windstorm (Mark 4:37)
Mark 4:37 says, “And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.” Sometimes when we go with Jesus we run into storms, feeling swamped, out-of-control. In faith we pray to the Lord knowing that what He allows is for our ultimate good. We don’t always know the why, but we do know the end of the story. God will wipe away all tears from our eyes; there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). And if there is no more crying, there will be no more reason to cry.
Jesus who Sleeps through Storms (Mark 4:38)
Mark 4:38 says, “Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’” Why did Jesus sleep through the storm? Are we tempted to ask if God has gone to sleep or if He even cares? Yet, Jesus has power over even the waves. We also read of his rebuke regarding the disciples’ lack of faith. We are no different and Jesus is also not very different today. He will often allow our circumstances to go to the point of sinking, but he is there and always has been, to calm the storm.
Peace! Be Still! (Mark 4:39)
Mark 4:39 says, “And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.” It was not the disciples’ faith that calmed the sea, but Jesus. Sometimes we think that if we just had enough faith, God would open up the Red Sea so we could escape the Egypt of our problems. But this story reminds us that God intervenes when He sees fit. Deliverance from life’s storms depends on Jesus. Church life can sometimes face rough waters. As trouble from outside and inside affect the church will we ask Jesus to calm the storm?
Why are You Afraid? (Mark 4:40)
Mark 4:40 says, “And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ Are our lives ruled by fear? Faith is trust in God. Do we trust God? Why didn’t the disciples ask Jesus for help? Why did they react so sharply and ask him if he cared? That’s what fear does. It makes us belligerent. Even being falsely accused, Jesus calmed the sea. God is merciful towards our fear. And then, the disciples fear Jesus and not the storm. Let us bring our fears to God and watch as he transforms them. God is so much bigger and filled with grace than we thought.
Who is This (Mark 4:41)
Mark 4:41 says, “They became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’” The disciples were “very terrified” that even the wind and sea obey Jesus. Their journey across the Sea of Galilee was perhaps about 7 miles (12 kilometers). The lake can experience sudden and violent storms with waves of ten feet (3 meters) sometimes causing damage to lakefront towns. Though our faith may be small, we can ask Jesus to calm the storm. The disciples did not yet understand who Jesus was and His power. They asked who he was. Have we learned that lesson?
Postlude
Life is filled with storms, some of our own making. Jesus taught us to live by faith and not fear. He slept through a storm when we would react in fear. The world needs us to tell the story of Jesus who calms storms and helps us slay the giant problems of life.
Mark 4:35-41; Revelation 21:4; 1 Samuel 17:1-49
[All Scripture: New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation]
