Battle Royale
Fear Not • Sermon • Submitted
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Fear Not
Fear Not
There is a command within the Bible that shows up 365 times from Genesis to Revelation. It is given to dozens of individuals in a variety of circumstances. This command is fear not. It is clear that God does not want his people to fear in the face of adversity. So how do we handle fear when it shows up in our lives?
The good news of the gospel is good news for any form of fear. Jesus came not only to save us from our sins and give us eternal life; He also came to give abundant life, a life that overflows with the peace, joy, and stability of Christ Himself.
As experience this truth we come to realize
faith is the antidote to fear.
and as we call upon the Lord and he work for our good it works for his glory
Call on me in a day of trouble;
I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”
As we open scripture today in 1 Samuel we will study the longest military passages in the Bible. Lets pray and and ask god to reveal the truth he has for us today.
Pray
Easily the account of David and Goliath is one of the most well-know in the Bible
Its drama is used as metafor in our cuklture to describe overcoming unbeatable odds by an act of courage.
The scripture is not mpstly about individual courage or effort. It is a story of bold faith.
faith is the antidote to fear.
The arena
The arena
The armies of Isreal and Philista were lined up on either side of the valley of Elah
There was no water separating the two armies
The Philistines were assembled on the west
The Isrealites were on the east.
There was a valley of fear separating the armies
In this corner. . .
In this corner. . .
A campaign of fear was being waged against Saul’s army.
One-on-one combat as a substitute for combat between two full armies was being waged against the Israelites especially by Gath’s champion.
Goliath
Goliath
Goliath was over 9 ft tall nearly 10
in addition his battle gear was designed to illicit fear
a bronze helmet designed for representative combat
his torso was protected by scale armor that weighed more than 125 pounds
bronze greaves covered his legs
His weaponry was equally foreboding as his size
a curved sword , an elaborate spear with a iron point on it that weighed more than 15 pounds
On paper it would seem there was no contest
He stood and shouted to the Israelite battle formations, “Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?” He asked them, “Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. If he wins in a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!” When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified.
All outward appearances would indicate Goliath had the advantage and Saul and his army were dismayed and afraid.
David
David
Youngest of the clan of Jesse
Shepherd
Errand boy v15
performing grocery delivery
arrived while the armies were drawing up their lines
so David ran to the front lines to check on his brothers and
he heard the Lord being ridiculed
he saw the fear in the eyes of Saul’s army
There could be a whole other sermon here about the differences between David and Goliath’s equipment
but David took his shepheards staff, sling and 5 stones to face Goliath
But David said to him, “You come to me using a sword and two spears. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel! You have spoken against him. Today the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll kill you and cut off your head. Today I’ll feed the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds of the air and the wild animals. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel! Everyone gathered here will know the Lord does not need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to him, and he will hand you over to us.”
Even as he stepped into the valley to face death and Goliath David’s faith was evident by his worship
The antidote to fear is faith, and the soundtrack of faith is worship.
Worship supports our faith, and gives God the glory he deserves.
David worshiped God as he stepped into the valley to face the Giant.
We can worship today with a song David wrote. So, as we prepare for a time of response and reflection will you stand with me say the words of Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.