Amelia Church of Christ - Christian Church in Amelia, OH near Cincinnati in Clermont County

[Read excerpt from Max Lucado's book, Facing Your Giants]

The ultimate question is, “Where is my focus?”

We all have Goliaths. The giants of our lives that rob us of sleep, and joy, and peace. But we also have a God that is bigger.

The Bible reminds us that, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4b, NIV)

What did you drag in here with you tonight? What is keeping your stomach in a constant knot? What fear is paralyzing you? What hurt are you experiencing that is so overwhelming that you just can’t move on? What guilt is weighing so heavy on your heart that you just want to shrivel up and die?

If you are a Christ-follower, then your God is bigger than any of that. Greater is the one who is in you than the one who is in the world. Our God is greater than Satan, and he is greater than the giants of this world.

It’s tragic that we have relegated the story of David and Goliath to a children’s Sunday School class. This isn’t a story that’s just for kids. This is a story of a powerful move of God! This is a story of a God who is bigger than. Bigger than fear. Bigger than doubt. Bigger than worry. Bigger than any giant.

These pillars that our buddy Joe Turner made are 8 feet tall. We’ve tacked on a little extra height to this one. Let me put the head on top, and here you go. This is approximately the size of Goliath in the story from 1 Samuel 17.

Goliath had been taunting the army of Israel everyday, daring someone to come out and fight him. When David, a mere shepherd boy shows up, he takes the challenge because he is the only one who can see that his God is bigger than his giant.

He takes some smooth stones out of a stream, and using his slingshot, drills the stone into the forehead of Goliath, killing him. He cut off Goliath’s head and presented it to the king of Israel.

There is a verse in this story that jumped out at me as I was prepping the message this week.

In 1 Samuel 17:48, it says, “As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.” (NIV)

David didn’t tiptoe into this situation. He didn’t move with trepidation. He ran full force at his giant because he was absolutely convinced that his God was bigger. His focus was on God, and when our focus is on God, our giants are shrunk down to size.

Tonight God is challenging us to take on the giants. Run at them. Attack them. But there is one caveat: We’ve got to remember what David said before he attacked Goliath.

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty… (1 Samuel 17:45, NIV)

The power and strength come from God. If you take on the giant in your life on your own power, you’ll lose…and you’ll lose big. So this invitation to run is first an invitation to run to God in prayer. Seeking his power. And then, run at your giant with the power that only God can provide.

David took on Goliath with a slingshot and some stones he chose out of a stream. Tonight, we’re inviting you to choose your stone. As the guys move through your row, we invite everyone to reach in and take a stone out of the stream. Take that stone with you as you leave tonight. And take it to whatever place you meet up with your giant.

If your giant is pornography, put the stone right next to your computer. If it’s your job, put it on your desk at work. If your giant is overeating, put your stone in the refrigerator. If it’s gossip, put it by the telephone. If it’s your marriage, put it on your nightstand in the bedroom. If it’s your self-esteem, put it by the mirror. If it’s addiction, put the stone with your cigarettes or whatever is gripping you in addiction. If it’s spending, carry the stone with your credit cards. If it’s hurt from your past, put it under your pillow because tomorrow is a new day.

Take these stones, pray over them, and then run at your giant. You came in here with worries and fears and doubts and guilt…you brought them in here tonight but you don’t have to take them home with you.

Mike Edmisten

Tags: APEX, 1 Samuel 17, David and Goliath, fear, giants, God's power, guilt, worry