Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Do we think with our eyes?
- Key verse - God does not look at the way we look at things
- God looks with His heart
- Goliath is a huge (9ft 6in), wicked man
- He has lived his life in defiance of God
- He hates God's people
- He is a terrifying sight
- Even the champion of the Israelites (Saul) could not defeat Goliath
Reading 1 Sam 17:1-39
- ... With additional comments and explanation
- Obstacles and barriers to God's people can look very scary
- Example of obstacles and barriers in today's world
- If you look with your eyes - you are terrified and dismayed (v11)
- If we look at our own heart, with our eyes - we are still terrified and dismayed (because of our sin)
- The Israelite army do not do anything
- Goliath defies Israel and God
- There is a spiritual war between God and the devil, believers and the world
- This has been going on since the Garden of Eden
- Goliath typifies satan and those who defy God
- David - the opposite of Goliath comes on the scene
- Not 'strong and tough' enough to be in Israel's army
- Example of (ancient) shepherding [yet God had chosen him as king]
- He is looking not at Goliath but the living God (v26)
- David's brother - put David in his place
- However, David will not be put off by his brothers or Goliath
- He is looking at things from God's standpoint
- Saul - looks with this eyes
- David fought lions and bears - because he did not look with his eyes
- He allowed David to fight Goliath
- He dressed David in his armour - but he could not wear this
- David fought Goliath with what God had given him
- He goes out with a sling
- Example of song
- Goliath perceives David as an insult
- David sees with his eyes and the 'eyes of faith'
- He knows that God will strike him down
- He strikes him down with a pebble
Application:
- We are not a David, we are a Saul
- We look at things the wrong way
- David is a type of Christ
- He was nothing special to look at
- Even His own family did not [initially] believe
- He is despised by the world
- Christ goes out to fight our battles for us
- He uses satan's own weapons against him
- He goes to the cross to defeat, sin, satan, death and hell
- He triumphed over satan at the cross
- Jesus knows our weakness and failings
- He still loves us
- He fought and won for us [at the cross]
- He holds us in His hand - we are safe in Jesus and God's hands
- Have you put your life in Jesus' hands?
- Only Jesus can make you a Christian
- You must give yourself to Jesus
- Worship Christ
- Look not with your eyes but God's heart/eyes
- Keep your eyes on Jesus
- Goliath's can turn into David - Personal example