[0:00] Good morning. We thank you for joining with us today for our worship service. We pray it would be blessed to each of us watching at home. There's an intimation to be made and it is the following.
[0:16] The Kirk Session has called for a congregational meeting to take place by Zoom on Monday the 29th of March at 7.30pm. The purpose of the meeting is to examine and approve a sustenation schedule relating to the renewal of the post of Assistant Minister in the congregation.
[0:38] This is required whenever an assistant retires or accepts a call to another congregation. The schedule will accompany a petition to the General Assembly requesting the renewal of the post.
[0:52] It is important that there be sufficient attendance at the meeting to make approval of the schedule realistic. So your cooperation in this will be much appreciated.
[1:04] If you already join the Wednesday evening Zoom meetings, Zoom login details will be emailed to you. Otherwise, please contact Marianne for this.
[1:17] Thank you for that. We'll commence our worship by singing to God. Sing Psalms, Psalm 27.
[1:29] Sing Psalms, Psalm 27 from the beginning. That's on page 31. We'll sing verses 1 down to the end of verse 4.
[1:41] The Lord's the Lord.
[2:11] We'll sing these verses.
[2:41] And we'll sing these verses. We'll sing these verses.
[3:11] By the sweetest DNA. My life away. My other savages at my cross will stumble in the day.
[3:28] Although an hour and a ngày may end, my heart will feel no dread.
[3:39] Though war against me should arise, I will lift up my head.
[3:52] One thing I'll be before the Lord, and this I'll seek always.
[4:04] That I may come within your heart, and will bear all my days.
[4:18] May we pray together, may we bow in prayer. Our Father in heaven, we thank you for this day that you have given to us, and this opportunity to come before your word.
[4:31] We thank you for your word, and how it teaches us, and how it reveals to us who we really are. That it shows us our sinful nature.
[4:44] It so shows us how dishonest we are in our hearts. But not only does it show us who we are. Thankfully, it shows us who God is, and who Jesus Christ is, and who they continue to be.
[5:03] And that offer of salvation that is given for us through Jesus Christ. That we would see ourselves as sinful people as we listen to your word.
[5:18] That we would know that we need a savior. That we would see that the sin within us is too heavy for us.
[5:30] That we need someone to take it from us. And we pray that you would keep us from these sinful desires, and our sinful nature.
[5:44] That you would keep us from the power of the devil, even for this time. That you would limit his power over us.
[5:57] That you would reveal to us through your word who you are. That we would more clearly and more defiantly understand you. That you would see with our eyes the beauty of the Lord that is set before us on the pages of scripture.
[6:14] And that the devil will have no claim over us. Either in this life or the one to come. That we are conquerors through the Lord Jesus Christ. Who died on the cross and followed us.
[6:29] May we see and understand this. May we see and understand this with importance over any other possession that we have.
[6:41] Or any other thing that we can understand. That we understand this as vitally important to our souls. And a concern that is showed for our souls.
[6:55] May we have a concern for our souls. And ask ourselves. What will be of my soul. When I die.
[7:08] And where will I go when I die. Or these deep searching questions. That we often ask ourselves. Now often life throws these deep questions to us.
[7:23] And these hard questions that we cannot answer at times. Even the Christian is faced with questions that we cannot answer. Though trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.
[7:36] There's things that we just don't understand. Why you work things as you do. And why things happen to us.
[7:47] And to other people that seem. To our understanding. Unfair or hard. To our understanding. We pray that you would give us understanding.
[8:00] To trust in you. Through these questions that we have. That we would. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
[8:13] That we would lean not on our own understanding. That even in this time. We question why it is happening. And why we are having to use this.
[8:25] Technology. In such a way. That as we are so grateful for. But we desire. That we would be back in church. As we once knew. Maybe we need to be taught a lesson.
[8:39] Maybe we need to be taught. To value what we have. And we pray that you would. Be with us during this time.
[8:50] Protect us as an island. Protect us as a nation. We thank you for the vaccines. That have been administered. And we pray that it would be effective. In reducing the spread of the virus.
[9:02] And we thank you for the reduction. In COVID numbers and cases. And that's. Restrictions have been eased for us. We pray that this would continue.
[9:14] So that we would. Be able to. Live our lives as what we knew. And that we would be able to see. The people. That we desire to see.
[9:25] And we just thank you. That we have been able to continue. To have services online. That's.
[9:38] Through this difficult time. You have. Not left us. And that. You have continued to provide. For us. Food for our souls. And nourishment.
[9:49] For our bodies. Through your word. Just pray that you would be with those. Who are mourning. Pray with those. Who are experiencing. Great loss.
[10:00] And cannot. Know comfort. From the people around them. As they. Would like. But that they would know. The comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[10:11] And. Wrapping his. Arms around them. We just pray that. They would know.
[10:21] And feel. Your presence with them. That you would give them. Peace in their heart. And sleep for their bodies. And we pray that. You'll be with those.
[10:32] Who are. Awaiting. Medical treatment. Or have just recovered. From medical treatment. Pray that you would be with them. And strengthen them again.
[10:43] We just thank you for. All that you have done for us. In our lives. The food on our tables. And the shelter over us. I pray that we would acknowledge.
[10:54] That these things are from your hand. And that. How fragile. Life is. How strange life seems. At times.
[11:06] To us. We ask. Questions on. How we are so fragile. And how. Material things.
[11:17] Can outlive. Or outlast. A person. And it is so strange to us. To think. That even.
[11:29] The chairs. That we sit on. Have the potential. To last longer. Than our own lives. And our lives. Not worth much more. Than the chairs.
[11:39] That we sit on. So we pray. That. You would open our eyes. To see. In a sense.
[11:51] The value. That Christ. Seen. Within us. That Christ. Seen. The value. Worth. Dying for. So that we may be with him.
[12:04] That he went. To pay the price. For us. He redeemed us. Because we. Are. Of worth. To him. We are loved.
[12:15] By him. He loves us. In a way. That we cannot. Fathom. In this world. But we know.
[12:25] It is the greatest love. That we can experience. In this world. And so let us. Hold fast to that. Let us see that. Open our eyes. To see. The beauty.
[12:35] And glory. Of the Lord. That loves us. And looks after us. And that he. Would be the shepherd. To us.
[12:47] Let us trust. In him. As our shepherd. Let him be with us. During this time. And let the spirit. That guide our thoughts. And our. Understand. Open our eyes. We pray.
[12:58] And forgive us. Our sins. All this. We ask in the name. Of our Lord. Jesus Christ. Amen. Well. Boys and girls. I've got a wee story.
[13:10] For you today. And. In my sermon today. I'm going to talk about. David and Goliath. And it got me thinking. Well. Who's the.
[13:20] Tallest person. Ever to live. Who's the. Who's the tallest person. Ever. Recorded. And it turns out. He was actually.
[13:31] A bit smaller than Goliath. But. The man that. We are told. Is recorded.
[13:42] As the tallest man. Ever to live. Is this man here. I hope you can see this. And I hope I'm holding this. In the right place. Kind of somewhere there.
[13:55] And you can see this man. He's a giant. That's Robert. Woodlow. He is. Eight foot. Eleven inches.
[14:06] High. So that's a picture. On the side. Two ladies. And there's a card. In the background. You can see the roof. Of it there. That just shows. How big he is.
[14:17] So that. Is the biggest man. Ever. To. Have been recorded. As the tallest man.
[14:30] And if you remember. In your Bible stories. That. Samuel went. And anointed. A king. His name was Saul. That's in 1 Samuel chapter 10.
[14:41] If you want to look at it. And it says that Saul. Was taller than anyone else. He was well thought of. And he was admired. By the people.
[14:53] That wanted him. As their king. But Saul. He didn't obey God. He stopped trusting in God. And God.
[15:05] Told Samuel. That he had to go. And anoint. A new king. From the sons of Jesse. In Bethlehem. And when Saul.
[15:17] When Saul came to the sons. In Bethlehem. The eldest one. Stood there. Eliab. And Samuel.
[15:28] Thought he must be the new king. Because. He ticks all the boxes. Looking at him. But God said to Samuel. Something important.
[15:39] God said. Do not look. On his appearance. Or on the height. Of his stature. Because I have rejected him.
[15:50] For the Lord sees not. As man sees. Man looks. On the outward appearance. But the Lord. Looks. On the heart.
[16:01] And we actually see. In the passage. Of David and Elias. That Eliab. Wasn't very nice. To David.
[16:12] Doesn't seem like. He had. A good heart. But David. I don't think. He was very tall. I don't think. We're actually. Told how tall he was.
[16:24] But we know. That. His brother. Was taller. Than him. But that didn't matter. Because God.
[16:35] Looks. On the heart. It's very important. To remember. What God says. When he tells us.
[16:46] What he thinks. Is important. When he says. The Lord. Does not. The Lord sees.
[16:57] Not as man sees. The Lord. Looks. On the heart. We can be. We can be. As tall. As tall. We can be.
[17:07] As tall. As Robert. Woodloo. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. What we look like. It doesn't matter.
[17:17] What other people think. When they see me. But it matters. What other people see. When they speak to us. And it matters.
[17:29] Above all. What God sees. In us. That we. Are people. That love God. And take care of each other.
[17:40] And we are kind. And helpful. To one another. And that we love. His son. Jesus Christ. Christ. And that we trust. In him.
[17:52] With our lives. That he will. Go with us. And that. We. Will have a heart. That will love Jesus. And because.
[18:04] We have a heart. That loves Jesus. People will see. Jesus. In us. And so. Will go.
[18:14] Jesus. Jesus. Wasn't. A giant. But you know what. His love. Was huge. His love.
[18:27] Was. Immeasurable. He couldn't. Measure. Jesus's. Love. I got a measure. Into it. For my Christmas.
[18:39] And it says. And it says. Number one. Daddy love. From Katie. Bill and Lily. Me. But it says. At the bottom. No one else. Measures up. I'm quite tall.
[18:52] Maybe taller. Than some other people. But. Do you know what. When I seen this. I thought. Jesus.
[19:05] God. Is our father. The Lord. Is our father. And no one else. Measures up. To Jesus Christ. No one else.
[19:16] Can compare. To Jesus Christ. So. Maybe when we see. A measuring tape. It will. Remind us. That.
[19:27] We cannot measure. Jesus's love. For us. And that. We cannot. Compare Jesus. To anyone else. And that Jesus.
[19:38] Is tall. Stands. Higher. And taller. Than anybody is. Because. No one else. Will measure up. To him. And what he has done. For us.
[19:49] So let us. Say the Lord's Prayer. Together. Our father. Which art in heaven. Hallowed. Be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth.
[20:01] As it is in heaven. Give us this day. Our daily bread. And forgive us our debts. As we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil.
[20:13] For thine is the kingdom. Power. And the glory. Forever. Amen. Amen. Well if we could just. Turn to the Bible together. In the book of 1 Samuel.
[20:27] The book of 1 Samuel. Chapter 17. And we'll read from the beginning. 1 Samuel 17.
[20:39] We'll read down to verse Mark 36. That's the account of David and Goliath. Let us hear God's word. Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle.
[20:54] And they were gathered at Such. Which means. Which belongs to Judah. And encamped between Such and Asach. The Eph Stamon.
[21:07] And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered. And encamped in the valley of Elah. And drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on the mountain on one side.
[21:20] And Israel stood on the mountain on the other side. With a valley between them. And there came out of the camp of the Philistines. A champion named Goliath of Gath.
[21:32] Whose height was six cubits. And a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head. And he was armed with a coat of nail. And the weight of his coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.
[21:47] And he had bronze armour on his legs. And a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was like a waver beam. And his spearhead weighed six hundred shekels of iron.
[22:01] And his shield bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel. Why have you come out to draw up for battle?
[22:13] Am I not a Philistine? Are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves. And let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me.
[22:28] Then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him. Then you shall be our servants and serve us.
[22:39] And the Philistine said. I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine.
[22:52] They were dismayed and greatly afraid. Now David was the son of an Ephraite of Bethlehem in Judah.
[23:03] Named Jesse. Who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle.
[23:17] And the names of his three sons who went to battle were Eliab the firstborn. And next to him Abedab. And the third Shammah.
[23:30] David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul. But David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand.
[23:45] Morning and evening. And Jesse said to David his son. Take for your brothers an Ephraim of this parched grain. And these ten loaves.
[23:58] And carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well.
[24:09] And bring some token from them. Now Saul and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah. Fighting with the Philistines. And David rose early in the morning.
[24:22] And left the sheep with a keeper. And took the provisions and went. As Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment. As the host was going out to the battle line.
[24:37] Shouting the war cry. And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle. Army against army. And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage.
[24:49] And ran to the ranks. And went and greeted his brother. As he talked with them. Behold the champion. The Philistine of Gath. Goliath by name.
[25:01] Came up out of the ranks of the Philistines. And spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. All the men of Israel. When they saw the man.
[25:12] Fled from him. And were much afraid. And the men of Israel said. Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel.
[25:23] And the king will enrich the man. Who kills him with great riches. And will give him his daughter. And make his father's house free in Israel.
[25:36] And David said to the men who stood by him. What shall we done for the man who kills this Philistine. And takes away the reproach from Israel. For who is this uncircumcised Philistine.
[25:51] That he should defy the armies of the living God. And the people answered him in the same way. So it shall be done for the man who kills him. Now Eliab his eldest brother heard.
[26:05] When he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David. And he said. Why have you come down? And with whom have you left the few sheep in the wilderness?
[26:18] I know your presumption. And the evil of your heart. For you have come down to see the bat. And David said. What have I done now?
[26:28] Was it not but a word? And he turned away from him. Toward another. And spoke in the same way. And the people answered him again as before. When the words that David spoke were heard.
[26:42] They repeated them before Saul. And he sent for him. And David said to Saul. Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
[26:56] And Saul said to David. You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him. For you have been a youth. And he has been a man of war from his youth.
[27:09] But David said to Saul. Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion or a bear. And took a lamb from the flock. I went after him and struck him.
[27:21] And delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me. I caught him by a spear. And struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears.
[27:33] And this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them. For he has defied the armies of the living God. May the reading of God's word be blessed to us.
[27:47] Who does not know the story of David and Goliath? Even if you haven't read of it. You'll have heard of it. Maybe we can recall this being told to us from our childhood.
[28:04] Maybe this was a favourite Bible story of all. Maybe it still is. But David came as an unprepared soldier.
[28:25] And he slew Goliath with only his sling in his hand. I noticed that he actually had a responsibility placed on him.
[28:35] From the charge that was made by the giant of Kath. And that is as we read in verse 9. This is our text. If he is able to fight with me and kill me.
[28:50] Then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him. Then you shall be your servants and serve us. This verse I would like to hang our thoughts on this morning.
[29:05] Looking at and comparing weights that are worn. And weights that are borne. By the men we meet in this valley Elah.
[29:18] So let's begin with weights worn. Here are two great nations. The strengths of nations set before one another.
[29:32] Ready for battle. Prepared to fight and conquer the other. Mighty in their multitudes. But so solely.
[29:42] Is the presence of Goliath mighty. Standing at least nine foot tall. Laden with armory. Designed to defy the opposition.
[29:57] He sets before them the challenge. As we have read in verse 9. And so he continues day after day. Who can fight this man?
[30:10] Who will go and fight this champion? The way he is portrayed in verses 4 to 7. You would be forgiven for fearing as they did.
[30:26] His features are picked out. What he wore. And the might that seemed to be with him. As a champion.
[30:38] It paints a fearful imagery. To us. Something that you would read of in a children's novel. Such that would rival. The description of the great Garofalo.
[30:52] But can we look closer at this champion of Gath. And the weight that was worn by him. The weight is undeniably a great weight.
[31:05] But what strength is in these weights. To defy. As he claims. What Goliath wears. Well it's worn.
[31:17] With pride. He's proud. To wear. This bronze. That no other man. Could bear the weight of. He's proud.
[31:27] He's proud. To put himself before. This light. As a Philistine champion. And confidently. Make such a claim as he does.
[31:39] In verse 10. I defy the ranks of Israel. This day. That's a claim. That's a big claim.
[31:51] Can he even make that claim. To defy. The army. Of God's chosen people. David comes along.
[32:01] And he thinks not. David says. Before us. In verse 26. Who is he to make such a claim. And he reminds Goliath.
[32:14] Of his words. In verse 45. As he approaches for battle. I come. In the name. Of the Lord. Whom you have defied.
[32:26] David would not. Allow. God's honour. To be disgraced. But you know what. Goliath. Could only make that claim.
[32:38] In unbelief. Goliath. Didn't believe. In the power of God. Didn't believe. That God. Can work things.
[32:49] Out. Even when we think. There's no escape. God turns things. On his head. Turns things. On their heads. At the last moment. And.
[33:03] God. Doesn't always work. Straight away. God. And we will see. Later. that. The good reasons. why Israel had to endure.
[33:14] For 40 days. God. God. And it's worth remembering. That. God. I. The feeling. Though considered a champion. Was only. A champion.
[33:25] To the fullest. of this. God. God. God. God. And it draws our attention. For a moment. To the perception. We make of. Things and people.
[33:37] Descriptions and titles. That we put on people. Titles that we create. That make great influences. That make great influences. On our mind. He is a champion.
[33:48] This guy. He is a mighty warrior. Sealed with bronze. You begin to fear him. And you haven't even met this. Now. We clothe people.
[34:01] With these weighty expressions. Sometimes for good. And sometimes for bad. But it seems. That we barely create. That presence. When it comes to God.
[34:14] We speak of the Lord. Yet. We barely fear him. Not that God is to be. Solely feared. Like Goliath.
[34:26] In the same sense. But you know. Maybe. We need to be. Our nation defies God. Our nation.
[34:38] Makes claims. Over his existence. Simply because. We don't believe in him. We don't believe. In the mighty God.
[34:49] Of Isaiah chapter 5. People don't believe. That he is mighty to save. As in Isaiah 63. They don't believe.
[35:00] He is a lion of the tire of Judah. Revelation 5. I don't believe. He is the first. And the last. Revelation chapter 1.
[35:11] All these words. And the many more. Contained in scripture. Are trodden upon. By many. In our nation. And they defy God.
[35:22] In their own hearts. Sadly. And in the end. God will. Deny you life. You see.
[35:34] David would not. Have Goliath. Make the claim. That he defies. God. David. Sets this. Before Israel.
[35:46] Passionately. Who is he. To make that claim. And in a sense. He justifies. His fighting with it. You know why?
[35:58] Because. He knows the Lord. And. He has a love. For the Lord. That's why. He. Trusts.
[36:09] The Lord. Of hosts. To go with them. The Philistines. As a people. Weren't strangers.
[36:20] To. God's. Defined. Power. The funny thing is. The Philistines. Didn't learn. God.
[36:31] Is. Going to make his point. Again. As he has. Previously. God. God is almighty. Goliath. Was here. Everything.
[36:42] To them. In this account. The Philistines. Are placing. All their hope. In Goliath. But. What happens. Before.
[36:54] The unassuming. Strength. Of God. He falls. It's almost. As if. God uses. His little finger. And pushes. Pushes him over.
[37:05] God. Seems to do it. So easily. Through David. This. Philistine. Champion. Or this. Person.
[37:15] As a. Philistines. Considered. A champion. But. Fell flat on his face. Before.
[37:27] The unassuming. Strength of God. He falls. And you know what? Something similar. Happens back in. First Samuel. Chapter five. For the Philistine.
[37:39] For the Philistine. God. Dagon. He was half man. Half fish. Of whom the nation. Would have placed. All their hope. Upon. They went to war.
[37:52] And Philistines. Captured. The Ark of the Covenant. And they brought. The Ark of the Covenant. Back to the temple. Of Dagon. And they placed it. Before Dagon.
[38:02] And when they woke up. The next morning. Dagon was flat. On his face. So they put Dagon. Back up again. And when they woke up.
[38:13] The next morning again. Dagon was flat. On his face. But this time. This time. His hands. And his head. Came apart.
[38:23] From his body. Or broke. From his body. It seems like. The same things. Happened here again. The might of the Lord. Defies Dagon.
[38:36] The might of the Lord. Defies Goliath. The might of the Lord. Defies death. And the might of the Lord. Will defy the devil.
[38:49] And you know. That I can't help. Think of our nation. Scotland. Is not strange. To the mighty power. Of God. Working in generations past. But the majority of us.
[39:01] Just don't want to know. They don't care. They fear God. As much as. They would the Gruffalo. Sadly. Many don't believe.
[39:13] And openly. Defy God. With their words. I don't know. What your hope is in today. But. Living as someone.
[39:26] Who claims. Who claims. To defy God. Don't make. Don't be surprised. If the Lord. Makes that hope. Fall flat.
[39:37] On its face. One day. For ultimately. Without. Christ. All hope. Will die.
[39:49] Pray. I pray. That you will have your eyes open. To see the fear of the mighty. Almighty. Power of God. Who will not be defied.
[40:04] And the Philistines. In an account. Ran. The fear of the Lord. Is the beginning of all knowledge. But fools.
[40:16] Despise. Wisdom. And instruction. Proverbs 1. Verse 7. Do you know what?
[40:26] In our lives. We can be weighed by much. We can be weighed down. By a lot of things. Things that we gladly wear. At times.
[40:37] And show people. But in the end. Will do us no good. Like. Goliath. At water. His bronze. Armory. That no one else.
[40:49] Had armor. Like bronze. And maybe no one else. Has a house. Or a car. Like this. These things. Do actually. Weigh us down. Although.
[41:01] They. Create some sort of a pride. Within us. To show it. We are weighed by much. Whether. Good. Bad. Sad. Or hard.
[41:13] And often. These. Weights. Can actually be. Too much for us. And we say. I cannot endure. This. Weight. Upon me. And I feel.
[41:25] This is where. It is worth. Considering. The nation of Israel. In our story. When we feel. We can't bear.
[41:36] Our weight. On us. See. The nation of Israel. Every day. They try.
[41:46] And go to battle. Maybe they're hoping. That. Well. Goliath. Maybe Goliath. Will stay in bed. Or he won't come out. Hoping Goliath. Would just give up. And let the battle commence.
[41:58] Of. A man from Israel. I'd only. Would. Challenge him. For 40 days.
[42:11] This continues. This is a. Weight. On Israel. This is a. Weight. On Saul. But. There's no way. Out here. This is an.
[42:22] Increasing. Daily. Weight. And the pressure. Seems to be building. But why 40 days? Well. 40 seems to be.
[42:33] In the Bible. A period of trial. A period of testing. Usually with a. Subsequent. Significant event. 40 days.
[42:45] And 40 nights. Did it rain. In the times of Noah. 40 years. Moses spent. In the wilderness. Jesus was tested. For 40 days. In the desert.
[42:57] And in this case. I believe. God is testing. And preparing. With. The 40 days. God is testing.
[43:09] And preparing. With this weight. That is. That is. Creasing upon. And I believe. God is humbling them. Daily. And each.
[43:21] With each attempt. They are realizing. That they can't conquer. This. Giant. Of Gath. They cannot beat Goliath.
[43:32] Taking them to the point. Where. Any hope they have. Of fighting Goliath. Death. Or any man. Stepping forward. Are gone.
[43:45] Their hope. Has slowly. Been running out. Day by day. And there is no hope. Within. The nation of Israel. To conquer.
[43:56] The enemy. I believe. Preparing them. For the entrance. Of David. David. Because. Because. You know what. As a nation. They had to. Accept.
[44:07] Him. The charge. Is read. By Goliath. In verse 9. If he is able. To fight with me. And kill me. Then we. Will be.
[44:18] Your servants. But. If I prevail. Against him. Then you. Shall be. Our servants. And servants. David.
[44:29] Had to be. Accepted. By the people. Someone. Had to go. For them. And I. Don't believe. They would have. Sent David. If they had.
[44:39] Hope. In anyone else. Why on earth. Would they send. This young. Shepherd boy. He was only.
[44:49] A shepherd boy. But he was. Willing to go. Whether they. Believed in him. Or not. He was. Their only. Hope. You know.
[45:02] We can wear. Weights. And we can. Endure them. Over. Periods. But you know. What's far. Better. If someone else.
[45:14] Bears them. For us. Someone else. Takes these. Weights. Away. From us. And lifts. Them. Themselves. So let us.
[45:27] Look. At our. Next. Title. The weight. Born. And the weight. That was born. In David. So David.
[45:39] Comes into. Our scene. Sent. By his father. With. Sustenance. For his family. He wasn't sent.
[45:49] To do battle. Or to fight. But to show. A fatherly concern. For his three brothers. That had gone with Saul. On arrival. We read.
[45:59] That he leaves. The supply. With the keeper. Of the baggage. And raises. To his brothers. At the battle line. And here. We have. A short. Sentence.
[46:10] I believe. For greater. Emphasis. At the end. Of verse 23. It goes. He had spoke. The same words. As before. And.
[46:22] David. Heard him. This is saying. That David. Did indeed. Hear. The charge.
[46:33] Of Goliath. Of verse 9. But. If I prevail. Against him. Then you shall be. Your servants. And servos. And also.
[46:44] Him. Claiming. To defy. The ranks. Of Israel. David. Seemingly. Light. In stature. A renowned.
[46:56] Player. Of the lyre. In Israel. Make. And carry. A loyal. Shepherd. To his flock. Of sheep. Doesn't give us.
[47:07] An impression. Of a champion. Fighter. Neither. A king. As it turns out. By the previous chapter. But we are enlightened.
[47:18] With the description. Of his nature. Given by Saul's servant. In chapter 16. At verse 18. We would be inclined. To think. Initially.
[47:29] Initially. That. He was delicate. In nature. Had it not been. For his words. Where he says. He is a man. Of valor. And war.
[47:41] A man. Though. Associated with. David was a man. Associated with. The gentler. Aspects of life. But confidently. Courageous.
[47:51] To stand against evil. And to stand for what is right. Without. Making a show of it. Without. Putting on. Great. Flashy.
[48:02] Armor. Saul. Saul. Actually. Dries to. With all good intention. Given his armor. To help.
[48:14] David. This happens later. In the passage. We didn't read it. But. You know.
[48:24] Saul's armor. Wasn't suited. For him. Physically. And all. Was it. Spiritually. David. Would not have. The world's protection.
[48:36] Or these worldly. Weights. Put on him. The battle. Was in the Lord's name. The battle. Was in the Lord's.
[48:47] Of hosts. God. Was to receive. All the glory. The glory. Was to be all his. I didn't let himself. Be mixed.
[48:58] And muddled. With these worldly. Weights. That would drag. Him down. It's an interesting point. That the Christian. Has to be so careful.
[49:10] To refuse. These. Worldly. Weights. Even when we think. It may help us. But we are to be. Especially cautious.
[49:23] When the world. Is freely. Placing them. Before us. The Christian. The Christian. Trust. Is in the name of the Lord.
[49:34] That and that only. For here. Is the weight. That David bore. The soul of every man. In Israel.
[49:46] He was responsible. For either. The salvation. Or submission. Of a nation. Before. The uncircumcised. And I feel.
[49:58] We miss this point. When we read. David and Goliath. Not only. Did he put his life. On the line. And hugely. Unfavourable. Odds. Not only. Did he.
[50:08] Place his trust. In God. And declare it. Confidently. He bore. The weight. Of a nation. The weight.
[50:19] Of every man. From the simplest. To the stateliest. From his father. That loved him. To his brother. That reviled him. You see.
[50:32] Eliab. His brother. Spoke harsh words. To him. Declaring. His carelessness. Of leaving the sheep. And the evil. In his heart.
[50:44] To see the battle. And King Saul. Even spoke the words. You are not able. To go against. This fellow. Starting to fight with him.
[50:55] For you are but. A youth. In verse 33. You know. You know. Effectively. The whole. Nation of Israel. Is saying.
[51:05] Walk away. But thank God. For men. Who are inclined. To trust. In the voice. Of his Lord.
[51:17] Rather. Than the voice. Of men. Even if they be. Of his own family. That takes strength. And I can't help.
[51:30] But feel. That the whole. Of Israel. Had given up on him. And in sending. Forth David. They were. In a sense.
[51:41] Forfeiting. To Goliath. Because the. Borderline is. They didn't believe in him. And thought. Maybe. Thought themselves.
[51:53] Of Philistine. Slaves already. But for the slim chance. That maybe. This wee. Shepherd boy. Can work miracles. All this.
[52:04] Discouragement. In the passage. All this. In a sense. Is adding more weight. We know. What it feels like. When we are given.
[52:14] No encouragement. Worse. Even when we are. Openly discouraged. And worse still. When it is our own family. That initializes it.
[52:25] But David bears it. David. Willingly. Bears it. Regardless. Of being mocked. Or encouraged.
[52:37] Regardless. Of being slated. Or praised. He fights. Willingly. And faithfully. For the Lord. And for the Lord's people. And fights.
[52:49] Equally. For the one. That mocked him. And the one. That praised him. So long as. They are. The circumcised. Of Israel.
[53:01] And we know. The outcome. Of this great battle. We didn't read it. But he's seen. What's been told here. In preparation. David.
[53:12] David was the one. Anointed king. As unlikely. As he was. Consider. God made his choice. Clear. To Samuel. King David.
[53:24] The Bethlehemite. Was a foreshadow. Of the messianic king. That was to come. And deliver. His people. From bondage.
[53:36] David. Even here. Before being employed. In the office. Of kingship. Is resembling. That king. Jesus. That deliverer.
[53:47] Delivered us. From every. Every. Enslavement. Jesus. The only. Son of God. Sent.
[53:58] As David was. To his family. With food. Does he not. Give us all things. Was Jesus. Not sent. To nourish.
[54:08] His family. To nourish. His people. Where his words. Is. Not. Food. For men.
[54:19] Are they still not. Are his words. Not life. To your soul. People. But we only. Love him. Because he. First. Loved us.
[54:32] That being. He loved us. Even. When we. Spoke of him. As Eliab. And so. When I.
[54:43] Said. In my heart. That he. Couldn't. Help me. When I. Thought. Jesus. Would do me. No good. He still.
[54:53] Went to the cross. For you. This is the thing here. The whole. Point. I suppose. Of our text. We.
[55:04] As people. We. As real. People. Though life's. Weights. May be worn. Over a period. Of 40.
[55:15] However long. That is for us. Be it. Our days. Or years. He will. As a loving. Father. Sustain us. Through.
[55:27] It. But you know. What? The weight. Of sin. We can't. Bear that. That's why.
[55:39] The father. Sent his son. We have. The sinful nature. That. Attracts us. And lures us. It even. Traps us.
[55:49] And people. Are often. Trapped. By it. That. Power. Is a Goliath. Within.
[56:01] Ourselves. And especially. As Christians. We can. We can. We can. We can. Tie and fight them. Like Israel. And often. We fail.
[56:11] Because. We think. We can overcome. We think. We can silence. A voice. That threatens. To defile us. Maybe.
[56:23] That is our nation. Is that what our nation. Is saying. we think. Maybe is it even our church?
[56:36] Because we can do so many things in the Lord's name as it still went to battle but sin still seems to reign. We're not humble enough to trust in God to let him lead us seeking all strength from the lords of hosts as David did seeking him in prayer in private prayer the strength of prayer.
[57:09] We will never conquer the power of sin without that strength. Sin is too strong for us. We cannot overcome the Goliath within us.
[57:24] We need a willing and faithful David to go on our behalf but we have a greater than David than Jesus Christ.
[57:37] We have the anointed one to go for us. The anointed prophet to teach us the spirit of God. We have the anointed king to conquer all our enemies.
[57:51] We have the anointed priest Jesus to intercede for us. There's no hope otherwise without someone bearing the weight of our sin and going on our behalf.
[58:10] His power is almighty. His power is omnipotent. His power is undefiable. The thing is are we willing to have him bear my weight of sin?
[58:26] Are we willing that he takes my weight? Take it and we surrender it all to the one who is able to bear it.
[58:39] As Israel surrendered to David going forward and through that we will not be enslaved for all eternity.
[58:53] If he goes on our behalf he fights on our behalf and he defies the sin that lies within us. The sins that he bore on the cross.
[59:06] He was a willing bearer of our sins. Of mine and of yours. So we ask ourselves will we have him go on our behalf?
[59:21] May our hope be in him alone. The one who stands firm and confidently in the name of the Lord. Pray you will. For you know the outcome of our story.
[59:39] The outcome of the passage the outcome of the one who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ. It says in verse 25 that rewards that will declare freedom of his father's household.
[59:58] A freedom from sin forever. What could be better? May you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to go on your behalf?
[60:12] Amen. May we conclude by singing in Psalm 89 at verse 15 in the Scottish Sotter.
[60:24] Psalm 89 at verse 15 Scottish Sotter. Psalm 89 O greatly blessed the people are, the joyful sound that know, in brightness of thy face O Lord, they ever on shall go.
[60:43] they in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly and in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high because the glory of their strength does only stand in thee and in thy favour shall their horn and power exalted be.
[61:06] for God is our defence and he doth safety bring the Holy One of Israel is our almighty King.
[61:17] We'll sing these words to God's praise. O greatly blessed of the poor heart a joyful sound that know in brightness of thy face O Lord ever on shall go.
[61:46] They in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly and in thy righteousness shall lay exalted be on high because the glory of their strength doth only stand in thee and in my favour shall our Lord and exalted be.
[62:35] For God is our defence and he to us our safety bring the Holy One of Israel is our mighty King.
[62:57] King. May we conclude with prayer. Our Father, we thank you that you have sent your Son Jesus with a loving concern for our souls even when we didn't want him in our lives even when we made fun of him and took his name in the Lord Jesus went on our behalf because he has a love that is immeasurable a love that we cannot measure.
[63:30] Pray each one of us listening will see that King David who so confidently went on behalf of the nation of Israel that we would trust in him for our lives.
[63:44] We pray this for each of us. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. We thank you for joining us for our service. and please join again in the evening where the Reverend Kenny I.
[63:59] MacLeod will lead us at 6.30.