the four stones...

Part 1: The Kill Shot

Faith vs. Presumption• Five Stones:–Lack of faith or prudent

preparation?

• No random facts in the Bible!–Why five stones?

Five Stones• Option 1: I Samuel 17:4-7–Goliath’s Hard Fall

• Option 2: 2 Samuel 21:15-22–Goliath’s Brothers?–1 Chronicles 20:5

Five Stones• Option 3:–God has Ordained Four More

Battles

• Series Format:–David’s Battle–Biblical Application–Personal Application

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty,

the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have

defied.”

I Samuel 17:45(b)

Battle Zero: The Giant• Snapshot of a well-known story…

The Field• Both armies terrified.

• The challenge of champions…equally terrifying.

• Perfect amphitheater to display God’s miracle of deliverance.

Israel’s “Champion”• Saul is Israel’s giant.

• Why was Saul appointed king in the first place?– I Samuel 8:4-5– I Samuel 8:19-20

Israel’s True Champion• This battle is symbolic.

• God is the true champion the Philistines are challenging.– I Samuel 8:6-7

• Instead, Israel looks to a man cowering in his tent for 40 days.

David’s Assessment• David witnessed:–Goliath’s challenge.–The fear of Israel’s army.–Unwillingness despite great reward.–Goliath’s arsenal.

• David also witnessed (and remembered) God’s previous deliverances.

David’s Commitment• Does not hesitate…–To offer himself for the fight.–Despite unsuitable armaments.–Despite the presumptions of his

brothers.–Despite the insults of the enemy.–Despite a charging giant.–Despite the odds.

David’s Motivation• Why can we rule out conceit as

David’s motive?–This was not David’s battle to fight.

• What was David’s objective?–David merely offered Israel’s

appropriate Champion to the battle.

Psalm 27

New Testament Examples

• Jarius (Mark 5)–Knew his champion (22)–Knew requirements for victory (23)–Unpersuaded by seemingly

guaranteed defeat (35)–Unpersuaded by his resigned army

(38)–Unpersuaded by insults (39)–Accepts but can’t claim the victory.

Personal Application• What are the Goliaths in your

life?• Do you assess your battlefields

with eyes wide open, or seek delusion?

• Who are your false champions?• What stock do you take in the

actions and opinions of others?• Are you willing to fight the battle

as God equipped you?

Personal Application• What do you seek in fighting the

battle?• Are you willing to take full

account of the victories God has given you before?

• Do you realize other soldiers are watching you expectantly on the sidelines?

• Are you willing to stand in the open and take one shot for victory?