The 5 Stones of Victory

May 22, 2009

Text: 1 Samuel 17:41-51

Title: The 5 Stones of Victory

 

Thoughts:

There’s been numerous sermons, articles, and papers written about the meaning of the 5 smooth stones David accumulated before his confrontation with Goliath. And, this is not  one of them. However, it just seemed to work with the 5 challenges we discussed Sunday morning for Dismembering Sin. In our conflict with sin, these are some of the spiritual keys we should remember. So, here’s my list of stones:

 

1) I have to call it ‘sin’. If I am truly going to slay the giant that is before me, I must come to the reality that it is ‘sin’. Far too often I am tempted to mislabel sin in my life. I refer to it as a weakness, a family flaw, a personality issue, etc. When David heard Goliath’s taunts he asked one question: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine…?” In David’s understanding, this unbeliever was defying the armies of the living God. Goliath was sin standing in the way of God’s promises. If we are going to conquer it, this must be our attitude toward sin.

 

2) I have to understand it is spiritual. The moment we begin to approach sin as a mere physical issue that we must overcome, we have lost the battle. It is deeply spiritual and will not be undertaken without spiritual warfare. David did not wear Saul’s armor because it he had not tried it. Instead, he entered into battle with unconventional battle array because He had tried it before. 

 

3) I must combat it with the Word. David had a keen awareness of who God was/is. Unlike the cowardly hosts, David recognized God’s role in this battle (1 Sam. 17:47). The psalmist declared, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps.119:11). When Christ battled Satan in the wilderness, He too displayed the importance of Scripture in our confrontation with sin. We must consume the promises and strength of God through His Word.

 

4) I must recall my past victories. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony…” David’s confidence came in his victory over the lion and the bear. Repeatedly, he recalls God’s past deliverance and the assurance of His present presence (1 Sam. 17:37). Our previous victories, though they may not be as large as the present giant, give us the assurance and confidence in our God. Recall what God has done for you.

 

5) I must dismember the giant. Don’t settle for anything less than a defeated and decapitated giant!

 

Application:

Of the 5 stones, which comes to you easiest? Which one is the most difficult?

 

What is your Word intake plan? How are you applying it to your current battle?

 

Take some time to write out some past victories and use them as foundations for this current battle. Look at them often.

 

Prayer:

Father,

 

Sometimes facing the giant of sin seems so impossible. No one imagined David could be victorious over Goliath. Nevertheless, You delivered Your chosen servant, just as You will deliver me. I ask today that You will empower me with unconventional warfare in my battle against sin. Help me to ingest and digest Your Word today. May I be ever mindful of yesterday’s deliverance and always assured of Your presence today.

 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Transformed, Not Self-Made

As a part of my own personal growth, I enjoy reading articles written by other authors. In relation to our theme on the Word this week, I found this short article about the transformation of Scripture versus our Self-Made mindset. May you be challenged as you read this insightful article.

Transformed, Not Self-Made
an article from Christianity Today, Int.
written by Marshall Shelley

 
July 1, 2005

Within a year of graduating from seminary, I saw Doug Hall’s cartoon (right) in Leadership. I’d already had enough experience in ministry to identify with that pastor.

As a church staff, we’d lamented the gap between church activity and the spiritual progress we longed to see. Leadership contributor Roger Judd quoted a pastor who, looking at his church’s multiple ministries and cluttered calendar, said, “Our philosophy of ministry is “

Spiritual maturity is what we’re after, and that doesn’t happen automatically, even for those people we manage to woo into the church. What does it take?

It helps to understand what we seek. America loves stories of “changed lives.” Andrew Carnegie the pauper becomes Carnegie the industrialist and philanthropist. Michael Jordan, cut from his junior high basketball team, rises to become “His Airness.” Bill Gates the computer nerd becomes Bill Gates, the world’s wealthiest man.

Then there’s Jared Fogle, who weighed 425 pounds until a diet of two low-fat sandwiches per day and a daily 1.5-mile walk helped him lose 245 pounds, shrink his waist from 60 inches to 34, and made him a national celebrity when he became Subway’s spokesperson. Changed lives all. Impressive changes. But is that the kind of transformation we’re called to seek?

Leadership’s parent company, Christianity Today International, has as its mission statement: “To engage, encourage, and equip the church worldwide, sharing the depth and transforming power of the gospel, as it permeates all spheres of life.”

What kind of transforming power does the gospel carry? Looking at Scripture, I see little of the kinds of change found in the inspiring stories of Gates and Fogle. It isn’t about self-improvement; it’s about being made brand new, inside…

Application:

How prevalent do you feel the “self-made” mindset is?

If the “self-made” transformation is not found in Scripture, what kind of transformation is?

Clearly, Scripture is the transformational force for our lives. How has it transformed your life?

 

Prayer:

Father, 

Father,

Help me to keep my life free of the idea that I am responsible for the good things that have happened in my life. You and the power of Your transforming Word have brought about the changes in my life. Where would I be without You? Indeed, You are the One who has transformed me. May I continue to present myself to You and Your Word. Then, I will become what You desire me to be.

      

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FatHow prevalent do you feel the “self-made” mindset is?

 

 

 

 

If the “self-made” transformation is not found in Scripture, what kind of transformation is?

Clearly, Scripture is the transformational force for our lives. How has it transformed your life?

Help me to keep my life free of the idea that I am responsible for the good things that have happened in my life. You and the power of Your transforming Word have brought about the changes in my life. Where would I be without You? Indeed, You are the One who has transformed me. May I continue to present myself to You and Your Word. Then, I will become what You desire me to be.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Respect for Authority

May 5, 2009

Text: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Title: Respect for Authority

 

Thoughts:

A year or so ago, I began to reflect upon the thought of what would be the most important lesson I could teach my children. After a few moments I settled on what may not sound too religious at all. My greatest lesson may possibly be: respect for authority. Yes, I do believe Jesus, God, and faith are essentials and non-negotiables. But each of these stand upon one foundation: the authority of Scripture, which establishes the authority of God.

 

I must admit I come from a bit of a tainted background. Coming from Bible Belt and raised in a God-fearing family, respect for adults, authority, and God were etched in my DNA strains at conception. Authority was not questioned, challenged, or violated without consequences.

 

While I don’t license everything about the manner in which I was raised, I do embrace the healthy foundation of respect for authority. Like bumper pads for children bowling, respecting authority has directed me toward my target in life. Unfortunately, we have a portion of our society that has failed to embrace a respectful view of authority. 

 

Scripturally, the apostle Paul establishes ultimate authority in the life of the believer, and for all creation for that matter. He refers Timothy, his protege, to the Word of God. He writes, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). In the future, when Paul is not there to sort through the issues, answer the questions, and render guidance, Timothy is encouraged to return to the Law as his reference point. In this, he will be “equipped for every good work.” Without it, Timothy would be tempted to organize, orchestrate, and operate from his own level of authority.

 

Application:

What does it mean to respect authority?

 

How much respect do you have for the Word of God?

 

Beyond the padded, lip-service answer, who has the true authority in your life? 

 

Prayer:

Father, 

 

Oh, that I would develop a passionate and reverent respect for Your Word. Beyond my own ideologies, I will be held to Your holy standard. May You ignite in my heart an honorable respect for Your authority. I am often tempted to value my beliefs and opinions above what You have already established. Bring me closer to You today.

 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.