Sunday, April 24, 2016

No More Giants


The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Pastor Allan at Open Door Church, was speaking about the new chairs replacing the pews as scriptures were displayed on the screen.  His sermon is edited from my notes and presented here for you.

2 Corinthians 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.   Psalms 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth.

Pastor was explaining the new chairs give us more seating room, as we are expecting to grow.  We are looking forward not backward except to remind our selves what God has already done.  We are experiencing freedom as God is moving among us. 

The Promised Land was controlled by giants, but Joshua and Caleb said, we are able to go up and take the country because God is with us.

Every one of us has experienced some form of bondage in our lives; but in Christ there is freedom available.

Some have it all figured out how to overcome without Jesus.  There are many support groups, meetings, and self help programs, which are all good, but Jesus Christ is the deliverer.

1 Samuel chapter 17 tells us that David was sent by his father to bring lunch for his brothers in the army. 

1 Samuel 17:23  As David was talking with his brothers, behold, the champion of the Philistines named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he shouted out his usual defiance; and David heard him.

The sight of this giant and his challenging words struck fear in the hearts of the Israelite army, but not in David. 

David said, I will take the challenge and with God’s help I will defeat this giant. 

King Saul, and the others all said, you can’t go against him, because you are just a boy.  Bold David, remarked, as I tended my sheep, I have fought and killed both a lion and a bear who tried to harm my sheep and God will go with me.

From all appearances it didn’t look good, but David had no fear.  The giant laughed at David and said, “Am I a dog that you send a boy with sticks to fight me?”

As David came to the brook, he picked up 5 smooth stones and put them in his shepherd’s bag.  “Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and 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 taunted.”

David ran to the battle line, reached his hand into the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead; and he fell on his face to the ground.

1 Samuel 17:51 - Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

There are giants in our lives walking around in the darkness and causing us to stumble.

Poverty, depression, habits and addictions are giants in many lives.

The Word of God dispels poverty, and Jesus offers us a sound mind and body, breaking chains that bind.

2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

He gives us power to walk in holiness.  Evil spirits seek to drive us to live in darkness, but the Holy Spirit brings light for us to walk in the Righteousness of God.

With Jesus we can walk in liberty – marching forward. 

No more darkness, no more fear, no more giants in our lives.

David’s faith was in the ability of God to help him. 

Do not be afraid, for God desires to restore and make new broken lives.  Stand against the giants in your lives, because God is on your side. 
 
There are giants in your city, your family, our homes, and schools, but the devil is a looser.  Put God’s Word to the test and go forward. 
 
Take heart and hear the Word of the Lord and it is important to act on that word. 
 
Do not be afraid, be bold and don’t forget your weapon; God’s word, the sword of the Spirit.  Step up, and go forward in God.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Amen! I love that line, "But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts." Indeed. When we meet any giant or difficulty in life the key is to be one with our Father. He will deliver according to His good will. Whom shall we fear? Love that lesson and thanks for the reminder, sister.