Killing Giants (Travis Conklin) | The Vine Church (Goshen, IN)

Devotional

Day 1: Stones in the Stream, Courage in the Veins

The story of David begins not with a sword, but with a shepherd’s sling and smooth stones from a brook. God equips the unlikely with ordinary tools to face extraordinary battles. When David heard Goliath’s taunts, he didn’t see a giant—he saw a target. Faith turns everyday moments into divine appointments. What seems insignificant in your hands becomes unstoppable when surrendered to God. The same God who guided David’s stone guides your steps. [36:21]

Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. (1 Samuel 17:40, ESV)

Reflection: What “stones” has God already placed in your life—relationships, skills, or experiences—that He might use to confront your giants? How does David’s trust in God’s preparation challenge your view of your own limitations?

Day 2: Giants Left Standing, Generations Weeping

Israel’s failure to destroy the remaining nations led to idolatry and brokenness. Unfinished obedience becomes a legacy of compromise. Giants grow when ignored, poisoning future generations. Joshua’s generation fought valiantly, but their heirs chose comfort over conquest. Every unresolved struggle today becomes a stumbling block tomorrow. What giants are you tolerating that your children will battle? [47:23]

But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor. (Joshua 16:10, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you settled for “forced labor” (managing a problem) instead of full freedom in Christ? What unresolved issue in your life might your spiritual children inherit if left unaddressed?

Day 3: Batons Dropped, Battles Unfinished

Moses passed the mission to Joshua, who passed it to Israel’s leaders—but the work stalled. God’s promises require generations working in rhythm. The church isn’t a relay race where we drop the baton after our lap. Today’s leaders steward the mission for tomorrow’s warriors. Jordan Moore’s ordination isn’t an ending—it’s a handoff. What part of God’s work are you carrying to pass forward? [56:20]

And Joshua said, “You see what the Lord has done to all these nations for your sake… The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight.” (Joshua 23:3,5, ESV)

Reflection: What kingdom work has your spiritual “fathers and mothers” entrusted to you? How are you preparing to hand it to the next generation with greater momentum?

Day 4: Altars Unbroken, Compromise Creeping

God commanded Israel to destroy pagan altars, but they left Asherah poles standing. Small compromises become footholds for darkness. David’s generation finished what Moses began by removing every idol. Today’s believers face subtler altars—approval, comfort, or bitterness. Partial obedience always leaves a remnant of rebellion. What unholy thing have you “made peace with”? [44:31]

You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. (Deuteronomy 7:5, ESV)

Reflection: What “Asherah pole” have you rationalized keeping in your life? How does its presence hinder your ability to fully occupy your spiritual promised land?

Day 5: Heads Lifted, Legacy Secured

David didn’t just defeat Goliath—he held up the head as proof of God’s victory. Our battles aren’t truly won until we testify to God’s power. The church’s transition isn’t about leaders, but about lifting Christ’s name higher. As Jordan takes the mantle, our focus stays on the God who raises up deliverers. Final victories are memorials for future faith. [51:27]

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: When future generations look at your life, what “lifted head” (victory) will point them to Christ’s authority? How does today’s obedience become tomorrow’s testimony?

Sermon Summary

God’s call to take the promised land was never just about getting into a good place. God was calling Israel to belong to him, to tear down idols, and to finish the work he had given them. The giants in the land were real, but God’s promise was real too. Fear convinced ten spies to shrink back, while Joshua and Caleb held on to what God had said. That decision to pull back cost an entire generation the blessing God had put before them.

Moses passed the baton to Joshua with clear instructions: keep going, deal with the nations, and do not make room for the worship of other gods. Joshua accomplished a great deal, but the work was not finished when his life ended. The next generation received that responsibility, then allowed the very things God had warned against to remain. Compromise opened the door to idol worship, and Israel ended up far from God.

God still made a path of grace. David arrived at the battlefield carrying bread and cheese, not looking like the obvious choice for anything. God chose that shepherd boy to stand where a king and an army had shrunk back. Goliath’s insults stirred something in David because the giant was defying the God of Israel. David brought him down, took his sword, and cut off his head. That victory rallied Israel to move forward again.

Jesus brought the greater work of reconciliation through his life, death, and resurrection. His command to “go and make disciples” handed his followers a mission that would carry from generation to generation. The gospel was never meant to stop with the people who received it.

God’s invitation to deal with a giant also comes with grace to face it. Addiction, compromise, and other stubborn battles cannot be left alone just because they look big. Delayed obedience can leave the next generation fighting what should have been dealt with already.

The passing of leadership to Jordan Moore belongs within that larger call to keep going. The ancient paths remain true: loving God and others, studying Scripture, praying, serving, and holding on when life gets hard. Allegiance belongs to Jesus, not to either leader. Genuine love for Jordan and his family takes practical shape through prayer, encouragement, humble conversations, and kindness rather than pedestals or complaints.

Key Takeaways

1. five close friends. [58:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:20] - A New Season at the Vine
[35:17] - Raising Giant Killers
[40:15] - Giants in the Promised Land
[43:17] - God’s Warning Against Compromise
[45:49] - Passing On Unfinished Work
[48:06] - David Stands Against Goliath
[52:23] - Jesus Hands On the Mission
[54:13] - Grace to Face the Giants
[55:17] - Passing the Baton to Jordan
[57:20] - Ancient Paths and Genuine Love

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 7:1-6
“When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. But thus shall you deal with them: you shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and chop down their Asherim and burn their carved images with fire. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” [43:33]

1 Samuel 17:45-51
“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. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.” [48:06]

Matthew 28:18-20
“And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [53:09]

Observation questions

In Deuteronomy 7:1–6, what did God tell Israel to remove from the land, and what danger did he say those things posed to their children? [44:19]
What happened to Israel’s worship and relationship with God when later generations allowed the things God had warned against to remain? [47:07]
In 1 Samuel 17:45–51, how does David describe the source of his confidence, and what does he want those watching the battle to know about God?
In Matthew 28:18–20, what responsibility does Jesus give his followers, and how was that responsibility described as a baton passed between generations? [53:15]

Interpretation questions

Deuteronomy 7 connects Israel’s belonging to God with removing idols. Why would leaving those idols in place threaten more than just the faith of the adults making that decision? [47:18]
In 1 Samuel 17:45–51, what distinguishes David’s trust in God from simply believing in his own abilities? How does that distinction shape a believer’s response to a struggle that feels overwhelming? [54:18]
How do Jesus’ authority and continuing presence in Matthew 28:18–20 help explain why a church’s mission can continue when its leaders change? [55:25]
What is the difference between honoring a church leader and putting that leader on a pedestal? How does allegiance to Jesus leave room for both loving support and honest conversations? [58:13]

Application questions

Is there a stubborn struggle or area of compromise you sense God inviting you to address? Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. What could one faithful step look like this week, and what help might you need? [54:27]
When a challenge feels bigger than your strength, what does fear tend to tell you? How might relying on God’s grace change your next step rather than leave you waiting until you feel strong enough? [54:43]
What habits or patterns in your life would you love the next generation to inherit? Is there anything you would rather address now than pass on to those who follow you? [47:07]
Who is someone you could help grow as a follower of Jesus—a child, a newer believer, a friend, or a neighbor? What simple, ongoing investment could you make in that person? [55:25]
Which of these practices most needs renewed attention in your life: studying Scripture, praying, loving others, serving, or holding on to faith through hardship? What realistic change could help you give it that attention? [57:25]
As Jordan and his family enter this new season, what practical expression of prayer, encouragement, or kindness could you offer without placing unrealistic expectations on them? [58:30]
When a church leader disappoints or offends you, what is your usual first response? What would it look like to bring that concern to God and, when needed, have a humble, direct conversation rather than spread the complaint? [59:02]

Sermon Clips

35s

#FaceYourGiants

“Listen. God has given us the grace when he gives us an invitation to deal with the stuff in our own lives. Some of you are facing stuff in your lives that that are really challenging. Maybe it's an addiction or or some other thing that's been kinda in your life, and and, you know, you've kinda felt this nudge from the holy spirit that, like, it's time to deal with that giant in your life. And when god gives us that invitation, he also gives us the grace to deal with the giant.”

36s

#DontWaitTakeAction

“He actually gives us the tools we need when he invites us to slay the giants in our life. And so don't wait. Don't wait. Many generations missed out on the blessings that God had intended for them simply because when they had a chance to kill the giants, they shrunk back in fear. And so if God is asking you, nudging you to deal with something in your life, don't wait. Take care of it.”

53s

#FaithOverCulture

“Today, don't forsake the ancient paths that remain true. Things like loving God and loving others. Holding true to your faith through the practices of living out a godly life. Staying devoted to the study of scripture and prayer. Cling to god and never to culture. Serving others instead of seeking to be served. And not turning from your faith when things get really, really hard. Listen to me. When things get really, really hard, let it grow your faith.”

Ask a question about this sermon

The Vine Church This sermon · AI assistant

When should believers confront the giants in their lives?

How does faithfulness shape the next generation’s mission?

What practices keep allegiance centered on Jesus?