David, Goliath, and Trusting Jesus Through Life’s Giants

In every season—whether joy or storm—God’s presence and faithfulness remain our anchor. As we gather, we’re reminded that our unity is not just through technology or proximity, but through the Holy Spirit who binds us together as one family. Today, we paused our journey through Romans to reflect on a familiar story: David and Goliath. This narrative often draws us in because we long to see ourselves as David, bravely facing our giants with unwavering faith. Yet, as life unfolds, we realize that the giants we face—be it illness, financial hardship, broken relationships, or spiritual battles—are often too great for us to conquer on our own.

We may aspire to David’s courage, but more often, we find ourselves among the Israelites: dismayed, terrified, and unsure of how to move forward. Sometimes, if we’re honest, we even have Goliath moments—times when our actions, words, or attitudes stand in opposition to God’s will, even if unintentionally. The story challenges us to examine where we truly fit. Are we the hero, the villain, or the fearful bystander?

Ultimately, the story points us beyond ourselves. David is a foreshadowing of Christ—the true and greater champion who steps onto the battlefield on our behalf. Where we are powerless, Jesus is victorious. He doesn’t just defeat a giant; He conquers sin and death itself with the “three nails” of the cross. Our hope is not in our own strength or merit, but in the finished work of Christ. The gospel is not just sufficient for our salvation; it is enough for every trial, every fear, and every need we face.

We are invited to trust, not in our ability to “sling stones,” but in the One who has already won the victory. In our moments of fear, doubt, or even rebellion, we are called to turn our gaze to Jesus, the Son of David, who stands in our place and leads us to triumph. Let us rest in His grace, respond to His voice, and walk in the assurance that He is with us—always.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our True Place in the Story It’s tempting to see ourselves as David, the hero who conquers giants, but honest reflection reveals we are more often like the Israelites—overwhelmed and afraid in the face of life’s challenges. This humility opens us to receive God’s help rather than striving in our own strength. Recognizing our limitations is not defeat, but the beginning of true dependence on Christ. [46:01]
• 2. Goliath Moments: Subtle Opposition to God’s Will While we may never openly defy God like Goliath, there are moments when our actions, attitudes, or reluctance to obey quietly resist His leading. These “Goliath moments” call for honest self-examination and repentance, as even small acts of disobedience can place us outside God’s will. The invitation is to realign our hearts daily, seeking to move where God moves and stop where He stops. [53:23]
• 3. The Power of Honest Fear and Weakness Fear and dismay are not signs of spiritual failure, but honest human responses to overwhelming circumstances. The Israelites’ terror is a mirror for our own moments of helplessness. Rather than pretending to be strong, we are invited to bring our weakness to God, trusting that He meets us in our vulnerability and provides the victory we cannot achieve ourselves. [61:21]
• 4. Jesus: The True and Greater David David’s victory over Goliath is a shadow of the greater victory Jesus wins for us. Where we cannot defeat sin, death, or the giants in our lives, Christ steps in as our champion. His sacrifice on the cross—“three nails” instead of five stones—secures a victory that is complete and final, inviting us to rest in what He has accomplished rather than striving for our own deliverance. [66:21]
• 5. The Gospel’s Sufficiency for Every Battle The good news of Jesus is not just a ticket to heaven; it is the sustaining power for every trial, fear, and need we encounter. The gospel assures us that Christ’s presence and grace are enough—not just for eternity, but for today’s struggles. Our call is to continually trust in Him, allowing His victory to shape our daily lives and responses.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [32:52] - Encouragement for Watermark and Pastor Allen
• [33:47] - Prayer and Introduction
• [35:19] - The Power of Representation: Encanto Story
• [36:27] - Seeing Ourselves in Stories
• [38:54] - Relating to Biblical Characters
• [40:18] - Who Are We in the David and Goliath Story?
• [41:21] - David’s Faith and the Underdog Narrative
• [46:01] - Realizing Our Limitations
• [49:14] - Goliath’s Challenge and Our Goliath Moments
• [53:23] - Subtle Opposition to God’s Will
• [59:04] - Following God’s Presence
• [60:26] - The Israelites’ Fear and Our Own
• [66:21] - Jesus as the True David
• [71:00] - The Gospel’s Sufficiency
• [72:14] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 17:45-50 (ESV) — > Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”
> When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
> So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.

Luke 11:23 (ESV) — > Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Samuel 17:45-50, what does David say is the real reason for his confidence as he faces Goliath?
2. In the sermon, the pastor points out that most of us want to see ourselves as David, but often we are more like the Israelites. What was the Israelites’ reaction to Goliath’s challenge? ([01:00:26])
3. The sermon mentions “Goliath moments.” What are some examples the pastor gives of ways we might subtly oppose God’s will, even if we don’t openly defy Him? ([53:23])
4. In Luke 11:23, what does Jesus say about being with Him or against Him? How does this relate to the story of David and Goliath?

Interpretation Questions

1. The Israelites were “dismayed and terrified” when faced with Goliath. What does this reveal about their faith and understanding of God’s power in that moment? ([01:00:26])
2. The pastor says that sometimes we have “Goliath moments” where our actions or attitudes go against God’s will. Why is it important to recognize these moments, and what does honest self-examination look like in this context? ([53:23])
3. The sermon teaches that David is a “foreshadowing” of Jesus, the true and greater champion. How does seeing Jesus as the one who fights our battles change the way we view our own struggles? ([01:06:21])
4. The gospel is described as “enough for every trial, every fear, and every need.” What does it mean to rest in Christ’s finished work instead of striving in our own strength? ([01:11:00])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared personal stories of fear and helplessness, saying he related more to the Israelites than to David. When have you felt overwhelmed or afraid, like the Israelites? How did you respond in that moment? ([01:01:21])
2. Think about a recent “Goliath moment” in your life—an area where you resisted God’s leading, even in a small way. What was the situation, and what would it look like to realign your heart with God’s will? ([53:23])
3. The sermon challenges us to bring our weakness and fear honestly to God, rather than pretending to be strong. Is there a current struggle or fear you need to bring to God instead of trying to handle it alone? ([01:01:21])
4. The pastor said, “We are invited to trust, not in our ability to ‘sling stones,’ but in the One who has already won the victory.” What is one area of your life where you need to stop striving and start trusting Jesus more? ([01:06:21])
5. The gospel is not just for salvation, but for every day. How can you remind yourself this week that Christ’s presence and grace are enough for whatever you are facing right now? ([01:11:00])
6. The sermon mentioned that sometimes our actions, words, or attitudes quietly resist God’s leading. Is there a specific relationship, habit, or decision where you sense God calling you to obedience? What step can you take this week to follow His direction? ([53:23])
7. The pastor encouraged the church to rest in Christ’s grace and respond to His voice. What practical habits (prayer, Scripture, community) help you keep your focus on Jesus as your champion? ([01:11:00])