Title (1 Samuel 17:41-50) “God’s Purpose”
Contents 1st 17:41-50 “God’s purpose”
Today's sermon is the famous story of David and Goliath. I would like to understand this story with the help of Genesis 12:1-4. The Philistine army and the Israeli army were at war. David goes to visit his brothers and hears Goliath insulting him. Goliath was a great general, 3 m tall, 58 kg armor and 7 kg spear blade alone. All the Israelites were afraid and fled. David's older brother Eliab gets very angry when he asks the people, "What will be done to the man who kills this Philistine and removes the reproach of Israel?" (26). To this, David replies, “Why is there no reason?” (29). He asks another person the same question (30). David had a clear reason. Because he knew God's purpose. So what is God's purpose?
1. God is interested in the glory of God's people (church) (45).
God called Abraham and set him apart from the world (Genesis 12:2-3a). Israel was made special by God (Exodus 19:5). They were God's people. They were God's army. Therefore their reproach is God's reproach, and their reproach is God's reproach. David had a clear reason to fight Goliath for this.
Gentlemen, from the beginning, God had a secret. It is a secret hidden within his son. What is this secret? This is Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). The church is the bride of Christ, the house of God, and the family of God. The church is the object of God's passionate love. A glorious church is God's purpose. For this, God is working.
2. God makes Himself known to the world through His people (46-47).
This is the second reason David fought. As in Genesis 12:3, it is a missionary mission toward the world. It is 'to all the earth'. In verse 47, “this crowd” refers to the Philistines. They too are objects of God's love and blessings.
We also have this mission. God reveals Himself to the world through us. To this end, God is still working (Romans 15:17-18). He does this using all the circumstances we find ourselves in. Please participate in God's work according to God's purpose.
3. God reveals Himself to the world through the good fight of faith (45-47).
What is the difference between the people of Israel and David about the giant Goliath? Faith. David's weapons were not swords, javelins, and armor. It was just a sling. But he went in the name of God. He was already convinced of victory by faith, and in the end he triumphed. He restored the glory of God's people and made God known to the world.
Folks, the problem is not Goliath, nor our enemy resources. The problem is trust. We too can win all battles through faith. Our fight is a good fight because victory is guaranteed by faith. Unlike David, you can lose to Goliath in this world. But victory is guaranteed even in the afterlife. I hope you believe it.