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The Stone Collector1 Samuel 17:38-40

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1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NLT) 38Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested. “I’m not used to them.” So he took them off again. 40He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath.

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According to 1 Samuel 13:19-20, the Philistines had taken away the other weaponry and tools that would make the Jews difficult to defeat. With seemingly nothing to fight with, a young shepherd boy named David, collected five smooth stones and used his sling to defeat one of the largest Philistines ever. Historians tell us that the Jews of David’s time used slingshots with great precision. A marksman with a sling could whirl a stone 2” to 3” in diameter, 200 ft/sec with a bone crushing impact of 5,000 pounds of energy. Today’s message will examine the powerful example of David vs. Goliath and how it can help us defeat our giants.

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The Role of Giants:

Get in the way

Insult God’s children

Aggravate and affect the mind & spirit

Neutralize purpose & potential

Target certain transformative areas

Suppress us to the point of submission

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Politically, the Philistines had a highly organized city-state system comprised of five towns in southwest Palestine: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron (1 Samuel 6:17). Each of the city-states was ruled by a “lord” (1 Samuel 6:18), a kinglike figure. Gath was perhaps the major city of this Philistine pentapolis, and as such, served as the hub of the city-state system.

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The Stone Collector

•Gath – winepress

•Gaza – the strong

• Ashdod – powerful; ravager

• Ashkelon – the fire of evil; weighing

• Ekron – torn up by the roots; emigration

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The Stone Collector

1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NLT) 38Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested. “I’m not used to them.” So he took them off again. 40He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath.

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The Stone Collector

• Choice #1• Forget• Everything• And• Run

• Choice #2• Faith• Expressed• Anointing• Released

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The Stone Collector

David is Human…

He exhibits Fortitude: “Mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously”

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The Stone Collector

David is Humble…

He expresses his Anointing: “ordained and installed in a position of purpose and power by God”

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The Stone Collector

David is Hopeful…

He takes the Initiative: “An introductory act or step; leading action; readiness and ability in initiating action: one’s personal, responsible decision”

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The Stone Collector

David is Honest…

He uses his Testimony: “Evidence in support of a fact or statement of proof”

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The Stone Collector

David has Habitual Help…

He expects Help: “To give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist”

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The Stone Collector

Exhibit Fortitude

Express Anointing

Take Initiative

Use Testimony

Expect Help

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The Stone Collector

Exhibit Fortitude

Express Anointing

Take Initiative

Use Testimony

Expect Help