Equipping for Battle: Trusting God Against Giants
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you all here today. I want to start by sharing a quick update about our recent activities and some corrections regarding our upcoming events. Despite the rainout of our game, we had a fantastic time playing indoor putt-putt, which reminded me of the importance of staying connected and finding joy in unexpected places.
Today, I want to focus on Ephesians 6:10-18, which speaks about putting on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. We must equip ourselves with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Importantly, we are called to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers.
As we transition into worship, I encourage you to step out in faith and believe that God is ready to meet your needs. Worship is a powerful act that invites God's presence into our lives. When we lift our voices and hands, even if it feels uncomfortable, we create an atmosphere for breakthroughs.
We then moved into the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17. David's life was complicated, filled with challenges and battles, yet he remained a man after God's own heart. Despite being young and inexperienced, David had the courage to face Goliath because he recognized that the battle belonged to God. He knew which battles to fight and which to leave in God's hands.
David's loyalty to Saul, despite Saul's jealousy and hatred, teaches us the importance of loyalty and integrity. David understood that with great anointing comes great responsibility. He remained loyal to the people of God and to God Himself, even when it was difficult.
In our lives, we will face giants—challenges that seem insurmountable. But like David, we must trust that God will give us victory. We need to discern which battles to fight and which to leave to God. Remember, if God is for us, it doesn't matter who is against us. We are more than conquerors through Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us to put on the full armor of God to stand against spiritual forces of evil. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Prayer is essential in this spiritual battle, and we must pray in the Spirit on all occasions. [16:18]
2. Power of Worship: Worship is a powerful act that invites God's presence into our lives. When we lift our voices and hands, even if it feels uncomfortable, we create an atmosphere for breakthroughs. Worship is not just about singing; it's about surrendering to God and allowing Him to work in our circumstances. [34:29]
3. David's Courage and Faith: Despite being young and inexperienced, David had the courage to face Goliath because he recognized that the battle belonged to God. He knew which battles to fight and which to leave in God's hands. This teaches us to trust in God's power and timing in our own battles. [55:26]
4. Loyalty and Integrity: David's loyalty to Saul, despite Saul's jealousy and hatred, teaches us the importance of loyalty and integrity. David understood that with great anointing comes great responsibility. He remained loyal to the people of God and to God Himself, even when it was difficult. [01:05:08]
5. Facing Our Giants: In our lives, we will face giants—challenges that seem insurmountable. But like David, we must trust that God will give us victory. We need to discern which battles to fight and which to leave to God. Remember, if God is for us, it doesn't matter who is against us. We are more than conquerors through Christ. [01:00:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:44] - Bowls of Goodness Clarification
[15:26] - Ephesians 6:10-18: The Armor of God
[16:18] - Stand Firm in Faith
[17:12] - Call to Prayer
[34:29] - Power of Worship
[35:40] - Worship Beyond Comfort
[43:14] - Breaking Open Our Worship
[51:13] - Transition to the Word
[52:09] - Reading from 1 Samuel 17
[53:11] - Series: It's Complicated
[53:49] - David and Goliath: The Battle in the Valley of Elah
[55:26] - The Tension Between Good and Evil
[56:27] - Recognizing Real Enemies
[57:16] - Satan's Schemes Against Believers
[57:56] - Living a Life of Integrity
[59:19] - God is Our Defender
[01:00:18] - Facing Giants with God's Help
[01:01:22] - Wisdom in Knowing Which Battles to Fight
[01:02:27] - Loyalty is Key
[01:05:08] - Loyalty to God and His People
[01:10:24] - Saul's Jealousy and David's Loyalty
[01:14:40] - Some Giants Must Be Faced
[01:19:46] - David's Confidence in God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:10-18: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
2. 1 Samuel 17:32-37: "David said to Saul, 'Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.' Saul replied, 'You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.' But David said to Saul, 'Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.' Saul said to David, 'Go, and the Lord be with you.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the different pieces of the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18?
2. How did David respond to Saul's doubts about his ability to fight Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of worship in inviting God's presence into our lives? [34:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of loyalty and integrity in the life of David? [01:05:08]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to put on the full armor of God, and how does each piece help in spiritual battles? (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. How does David's past experiences with the lion and the bear prepare him for facing Goliath, and what does this teach us about God's preparation in our lives? (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
3. The sermon mentions that worship can lead to breakthroughs. How might stepping out of our comfort zones in worship impact our spiritual lives? [34:29]
4. How does David's loyalty to Saul, despite Saul's jealousy and hatred, reflect the importance of integrity and responsibility in our own lives? [01:05:08]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the different pieces of the armor of God. Which piece do you feel you need to focus on more in your current spiritual journey, and why? (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. David trusted God to deliver him from Goliath based on past experiences. Can you recall a time when God helped you overcome a difficult situation? How does that experience encourage you to face current challenges? (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
3. The sermon emphasizes the power of worship. How can you incorporate more intentional worship into your daily routine, even if it feels uncomfortable at first? [34:29]
4. David showed loyalty and integrity even when it was difficult. Is there a relationship or situation in your life where you need to demonstrate more loyalty and integrity? How can you take steps to do that this week? [01:05:08]
5. The sermon talks about discerning which battles to fight and which to leave to God. Is there a current "giant" in your life that you need to trust God with? How can you practice discernment in this situation? [01:00:52]
6. Worship was described as creating an atmosphere for breakthroughs. Have you experienced a breakthrough during worship? If so, share your experience. If not, what steps can you take to open yourself up to this possibility? [34:29]
7. David's courage came from his faith in God. How can you cultivate a similar courage in your own life? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith and trust in God? [55:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Equipping Yourself with the Armor of God
Description: Ephesians 6:10-18 calls believers to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece of armor represents a vital aspect of our spiritual defense and offense. The belt of truth grounds us in God's word, the breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts, the gospel of peace readies us to share God's message, the shield of faith extinguishes the enemy's fiery darts, the helmet of salvation secures our minds, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, allows us to counter the enemy's lies. Prayer is essential in this spiritual battle, and we must pray in the Spirit on all occasions. [16:18]
Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Reflection: Which piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to strengthen in your life today? How can you actively put it on and use it in your daily spiritual battles?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Worship
Description: Worship is a powerful act that invites God's presence into our lives. When we lift our voices and hands, even if it feels uncomfortable, we create an atmosphere for breakthroughs. Worship is not just about singing; it's about surrendering to God and allowing Him to work in our circumstances. It is an act of faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness, regardless of our current situation. Worship can transform our hearts, renew our minds, and bring us closer to God. It is a time to focus on His greatness and to express our love and gratitude towards Him. [34:29]
Psalm 95:1-2 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine, even when it feels uncomfortable? What specific steps can you take to create an atmosphere of worship in your home or workplace?
Day 3: Courage and Faith in Facing Giants
Description: Despite being young and inexperienced, David had the courage to face Goliath because he recognized that the battle belonged to God. He knew which battles to fight and which to leave in God's hands. This teaches us to trust in God's power and timing in our own battles. David's faith was not in his own abilities but in God's ability to deliver him. He understood that God was his defender and that no giant was too big for God to handle. This story encourages us to face our own giants with the same courage and faith, trusting that God will give us victory. [55:26]
1 Samuel 17:45-47 (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.'"
Reflection: What giant are you facing in your life right now? How can you shift your focus from your own abilities to God's power and trust Him to fight the battle for you?
Day 4: Loyalty and Integrity in Difficult Times
Description: David's loyalty to Saul, despite Saul's jealousy and hatred, teaches us the importance of loyalty and integrity. David understood that with great anointing comes great responsibility. He remained loyal to the people of God and to God Himself, even when it was difficult. This loyalty was not based on Saul's behavior but on David's commitment to God's will and purpose. David's integrity was evident in his refusal to harm Saul, even when he had the opportunity. This teaches us that true loyalty and integrity are not dependent on the actions of others but on our own commitment to doing what is right in God's eyes. [01:05:08]
1 Samuel 24:10-12 (ESV): "Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.’ See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you being called to demonstrate loyalty and integrity, even when it is difficult? How can you rely on God's strength to uphold these values?
Day 5: Trusting God to Face Our Giants
Description: In our lives, we will face giants—challenges that seem insurmountable. But like David, we must trust that God will give us victory. We need to discern which battles to fight and which to leave to God. Remember, if God is for us, it doesn't matter who is against us. We are more than conquerors through Christ. This trust in God requires us to let go of our fears and doubts and to place our confidence in His power and faithfulness. It is a call to live with the assurance that God is with us and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. [01:00:52]
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV): "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"
Reflection: What is one giant in your life that you need to trust God to help you face? How can you actively place this challenge in God's hands and trust Him for the victory?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I believe when the worship, when the praises go up, that his presence comes down into the midst of his feet. And I don't know about you today, but I need his presence in this place. I desire for him more than anything else for his manifold and manifestation. I need his presence in this house." [34:29] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you go beyond yourself and what you're comfortable with, God has a way of breaking into the middle of your circumstance. So this altar is open. Hallelujah. Drip us of everything of ourselves today in this place. Hallelujah. Peel back the layers. Let us see you high and lifted up today in every situation of our life." [35:40] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want to let you know that when God shows up, it's not the size of the man but the size of his God that matters today. And so we look into this story and we find exactly that. Although David was still a younger teen, we find these words that he echoes out to us: Is there not a cause?" [55:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Stop living a lifestyle of victimization. You're not a victim. You're a victor. Come on. You're not defeated. Hallelujah. You're more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Hallelujah. I got about four people that really believe that today. Come on. Amen. Come on. I'm one. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah." [59:46] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If God be for you, it doesn't matter who else is against you. With you and God, you are a majority, not a minority. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. So listen to me right now. Oh, I'm giving you what God's given me." [59:19] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "David could recognize something that is keenly important that I want to point out to you today. He could recognize who were his real enemies and who were not. And I want you to figure this out with me. He also knew who needed to be put in their place and who were still to be respected." [57:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "David realized that with great anointing comes great responsibility. Can I say that again? Every individual in this house needs to hear me. When you pray for a greater anointing, remember there's greater responsibility that comes with it. For he that much is given, much is required." [01:11:23] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "David knew who to fight and who not to fight. You don't have to sit idly by and let someone throw spears at you, but you don't have the right to pick the spear up and throw it back. I'm assuming this is hitting home today because we're quiet. Hallelujah. Look at your neighbor and tell them this is getting complicated." [01:14:11] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "David may have been too young to serve in the army with his brothers, but God already put the warrior inside of the boy. Let me say that again. He might have been young, but the warrior was already inside. He may not have had an opportunity to show it on the battlefield, but the warrior that God created him to be was already there." [01:15:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "David said, the God who rescued me from the lion and the bear will also rescue me from the hand of this uncircumcised Philistine. And let me just ask you right now, what is the uncircumcised giant that is taunting you today? Could we be bold enough this day to call out some giants of addiction, some giants of sickness, some giants of disease, some giants of lies, some giants of perversion and the likes and declare like little David did, how dare you speak rudely and slander it. It's against my father, God." [01:19:46] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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