WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:02.200 Right, well, good evening. 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:09.800 Tonight we're looking at possibly one of the best-known stories in the Bible. 00:00:11.019 --> 00:00:16.359 At least in name, even if not really in full understanding of the content. 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:21.100 I would say it probably sits closely behind the nativity, 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:25.219 and maybe even ahead of the events of Easter, 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:28.980 in the understanding of our secular culture around us. 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:33.219 Because, you see, it's the classic underdog story. 00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:37.539 And there's something in our psyche that loves an underdog. 00:00:38.980 --> 00:00:41.799 Whether it's the Jamaican bobsleigh team, 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:47.939 or the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, or however you pronounce that, 00:00:49.179 --> 00:00:54.700 or the 5,000 to 1 outsiders, Leicester winning the Premier League. 00:00:54.700 --> 00:01:01.620 Whatever it is, we love these stories of unlikely people winning against all the odds. 00:01:03.020 --> 00:01:05.480 And so here we've got a boy against a giant. 00:01:06.840 --> 00:01:08.439 You can't get much better than that. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:12.420 Although, as we look at it a bit more, 00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:17.280 we'll see that perhaps the tables are not stacked quite the way it looks at first. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:23.820 But it's also a story of a people that are in need of a hero, 00:01:24.820 --> 00:01:27.060 but who are looking in all the wrong places. 00:01:28.820 --> 00:01:33.099 So hopefully tonight we'll be able to get past that familiarity, 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:37.379 and learn something about what this passage, 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:42.280 about events so far from us in time and place, 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:44.259 can teach us today. 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:48.159 And the first three verses 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:51.560 are basically setting the scene, 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:55.139 giving the context for the rest of the chapter. 00:01:55.140 --> 00:01:58.540 Chronology is not entirely clear, 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:01.819 quite how this sits with the previous chapter. 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:07.019 I think it may be that they overlap, 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:08.420 that this sits somewhere in the middle, 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:11.620 particularly the way that David's introduced, 00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:13.139 as if we've never heard of him before. 00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:18.159 It sounds as if these are separate accounts of separate stories, 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:20.740 each with their introduction, events, and conclusion. 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:24.120 Certainly later on in 1 Samuel, 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:27.659 the events of David's life are clearly told out of order 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:30.200 when his last words are reported 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:32.840 before the exploits of him and his mighty men. 00:02:33.820 --> 00:02:37.620 So it doesn't really particularly matter. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:39.560 It's really a bit of an aside, 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:42.760 but just if you're slightly confused about what's going on, 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:44.320 that might be why. 00:02:45.920 --> 00:02:47.740 But we have here the Philistines, 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:52.860 and they appear to have been fairly recent invaders of the land 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:55.760 by recent, you know, last century or two. 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:00.680 They seem to probably be some of the sea peoples 00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:03.820 that the Egyptians write about. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:06.280 And interestingly, 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:09.920 recent DNA testing of pig bones 00:03:09.920 --> 00:03:12.860 seems to tell us that they came from the Aegean. 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:16.440 Who knew that you could DNA test 00:03:16.440 --> 00:03:19.580 3,000-year-old pig bones 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:20.880 to tell where they'd come from, 00:03:20.980 --> 00:03:22.420 but apparently you can. 00:03:23.720 --> 00:03:25.600 But these Philistines, anyway, 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:27.720 have settled to the west of Israel 00:03:27.720 --> 00:03:29.940 and to five main cities. 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:32.240 Gaza, right down on the coast, 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:34.160 still a name that we know today. 00:03:35.480 --> 00:03:38.660 Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:41.659 And Gath is the closest one to Israel, 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:44.219 right at the east of the Philistine territory. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:46.680 And that's where Goliath comes from. 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:49.259 And so in this passage, 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:50.560 we see that the Philistines 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:52.659 have gathered their army together 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:54.960 and are encroaching into Judah. 00:03:56.599 --> 00:03:58.859 And Saul has gathered together 00:03:58.859 --> 00:04:01.139 the Israelites to oppose them. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:04.120 And the two armies are lined up 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:05.479 facing each other 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:08.039 across the valley of Elah. 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:11.939 This is on the road from Gath 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:13.560 to Bethlehem and Jerusalem. 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:15.840 And in fact, 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:18.920 it's only about 20 miles away 00:04:18.920 --> 00:04:19.599 from Bethlehem 00:04:19.599 --> 00:04:21.740 where David lives. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:24.159 That's similar to the distance 00:04:24.159 --> 00:04:25.680 from here to North Beric. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:28.759 Something easily walkable in a day. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:32.740 But we see here 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:35.000 that no actual fighting's taking place. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.000 they seem to have reached 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:38.060 some sort of stalemate. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:39.920 The two armies lined up 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:40.819 against each other. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:42.720 And Israelites 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:45.420 are in a good defensive position 00:04:45.420 --> 00:04:48.899 but don't seem to have the strength 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:50.519 or maybe just the courage 00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:52.319 to go on the attack. 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:54.319 But there's a routine going. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:56.100 Every morning, 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:58.040 both sides line up 00:04:58.040 --> 00:04:59.139 facing each other 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:00.019 across the valley 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:01.420 and shout their war cries 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:02.019 at each other. 00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:03.799 because that's going to be effective. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:06.240 And every morning 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:07.120 and evening 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:08.779 the Philistine champion 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:10.079 comes out 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:11.000 and shouts 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:12.479 his defiant challenge. 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:15.240 And we see that this 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:15.879 has been going on 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:16.839 for 40 days. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:18.379 This is not just something 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:19.719 that's gone on 00:05:19.719 --> 00:05:20.379 for a day or two. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:21.959 This is going on 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:22.879 a long time. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:24.719 And Israelites 00:05:24.719 --> 00:05:26.039 are absolutely terrified. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:29.399 And quite frankly, 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:30.779 I don't blame them. 00:05:31.679 --> 00:05:32.560 Because when we 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:34.539 carry on to the next few verses 00:05:34.539 --> 00:05:35.779 we read about 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:36.899 the Philistine champion. 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:41.259 In verses 4 to 7 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:41.739 we read 00:05:41.739 --> 00:05:42.759 the description 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:44.060 of Goliath. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:46.079 And the first thing 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:47.339 that's obvious about him 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:48.639 is his height. 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:51.239 At six cubits 00:05:51.239 --> 00:05:52.000 and a span 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:53.539 depending on the size 00:05:53.539 --> 00:05:54.239 of your cubit 00:05:54.239 --> 00:05:55.659 it's somewhere 00:05:55.659 --> 00:05:56.739 around nine foot four. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:58.939 a good few inches 00:05:58.939 --> 00:05:59.920 taller than 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:01.319 the tallest man 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:02.780 recorded in recent history 00:06:02.780 --> 00:06:04.680 Robert Wadlow 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:05.600 who measured 00:06:05.600 --> 00:06:06.620 in at eight foot eleven. 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:07.400 So 00:06:07.400 --> 00:06:08.860 only five inches 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:09.360 above that. 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:11.840 It may be 00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:12.780 that this is the result 00:06:12.780 --> 00:06:13.600 of some sort of 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:15.040 genetic anomaly 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:16.420 because certainly 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:17.259 it seems to run 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:17.840 in the family. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:18.860 His brothers 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:20.100 seem to be huge 00:06:20.100 --> 00:06:20.500 as well. 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:23.280 But he's clearly 00:06:23.280 --> 00:06:24.620 not just tall 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:24.960 but 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:26.500 also strong. 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:28.040 Or at least 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:28.879 he's certainly 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:29.460 not weak 00:06:29.460 --> 00:06:31.040 going by the weight 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:31.460 of armour 00:06:31.460 --> 00:06:32.160 that he's carrying. 00:06:33.240 --> 00:06:34.360 He's an impressive 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:34.900 figure 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:36.139 standing there 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:36.639 tall 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:37.740 and armoured 00:06:37.740 --> 00:06:38.480 like a tank. 00:06:39.280 --> 00:06:40.139 Bronze helmet 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:41.660 bronze 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:43.500 armour scales 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:44.660 bronze greaves 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:45.400 on his legs. 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:47.040 This is not just 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:47.360 heavy 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:48.319 but this is expensive. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:49.980 This is all 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:50.620 the best 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:51.519 of the military 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:51.960 hardware 00:06:51.960 --> 00:06:52.439 that you could 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:53.160 have at the time. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:55.139 And he's even 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:55.759 got that new 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:56.360 technology 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:57.819 he has an iron 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:58.500 head on his 00:06:58.500 --> 00:06:59.400 spear. 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:01.400 This is 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:02.240 someone to be 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:02.560 feared. 00:07:03.900 --> 00:07:04.800 Standing in front 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:05.280 of him 00:07:05.280 --> 00:07:06.360 is a man 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:06.939 carrying his 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:07.220 shield. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:09.139 He's confident 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:10.879 and he's arrogant 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.240 as he shouts out 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:12.800 his defiant 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:13.439 challenge. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:15.960 And in verses 00:07:15.960 --> 00:07:17.379 8 to 11 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:18.840 we discover 00:07:18.840 --> 00:07:19.360 what this 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:20.040 challenge is. 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:22.840 Choose a 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:23.259 champion. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:25.000 choose a 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.579 representative 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:26.259 to fight 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:26.579 me 00:07:26.579 --> 00:07:27.800 on behalf 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:28.139 of all 00:07:28.139 --> 00:07:28.459 of you. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:30.860 Your fate 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:32.560 depends on 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:33.159 the success 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:33.639 of this 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:34.439 single combat. 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:35.980 Forget about 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:36.620 these armies 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:37.740 about this 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:38.620 defensive position 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:39.060 that you've got 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:39.759 yourself into. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:40.860 Gamble 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:41.399 everything 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:42.560 on the success 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:43.279 of this 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:44.060 one fight 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:44.920 man 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:45.620 against man. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:50.680 And if 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:51.240 you remember 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:53.280 back before 00:07:53.280 --> 00:07:53.899 Christmas 00:07:53.899 --> 00:07:55.399 in chapter 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:55.899 10 00:07:55.899 --> 00:07:57.620 we read 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:57.980 that Israel 00:07:57.980 --> 00:07:58.740 did just 00:07:58.740 --> 00:07:59.060 that. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:01.259 They chose 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:01.879 a champion 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:02.519 to represent 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:02.800 them. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:04.639 They chose 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:05.399 someone to go 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:05.920 out before 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:06.939 them and 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:07.360 fight their 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:07.759 battles. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:10.420 they chose 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:11.500 an impressive 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:12.199 young man 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:13.759 without equal 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:14.399 among the 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:14.879 Israelites. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:16.420 A head 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:17.680 taller than 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:18.439 any of the 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:18.819 others. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:20.240 A man 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:21.019 named Saul. 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:22.959 He may not 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:23.620 be a giant 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:25.180 but he's still 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:26.060 an impressive 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:26.620 champion. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:28.180 He's fought 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:29.259 several successful 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:31.199 battles and 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:31.639 as we read 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:32.299 further down 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.500 he has the 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:33.759 kit. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:35.120 He has the 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:35.700 bronze helmet. 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:36.720 He has the 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:37.319 coat of armor. 00:08:38.439 --> 00:08:39.819 So where 00:08:39.819 --> 00:08:40.139 is he? 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:42.539 He's there 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:45.000 but like 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:45.480 the rest of 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:45.899 the Israelites 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:46.539 he's terrified. 00:08:48.319 --> 00:08:49.220 It doesn't 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:50.059 sound as if 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:51.220 he's there 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:51.960 out at the 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:53.299 front facing 00:08:53.299 --> 00:08:53.860 the enemy 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:54.799 leading his 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:55.120 army. 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:57.120 Instead he's 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:57.639 skulking 00:08:57.639 --> 00:08:58.340 somewhere in 00:08:58.340 --> 00:08:58.759 the back 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:00.620 probably back 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:01.159 in his tent 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:01.779 in the camp. 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:04.439 Israel had 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:04.980 wanted a 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:05.340 champion 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:07.279 but when 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:07.679 they chose 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:08.139 a human 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:08.519 hero 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:10.159 they found 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:11.059 him distinctly 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:11.500 lacking. 00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:13.559 They needed 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:14.299 someone else 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:15.559 to step up 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:16.399 and fight 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:16.879 for them. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.679 And I think 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:20.699 as we look 00:09:20.699 --> 00:09:21.079 around 00:09:21.079 --> 00:09:22.659 we see that 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:23.319 our world 00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:24.500 too is 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.439 looking for 00:09:25.439 --> 00:09:25.779 its own 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:26.179 heroes. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:29.120 We may not 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:29.740 be facing a 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:30.079 giant 00:09:30.079 --> 00:09:31.519 or an enemy 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:31.919 army 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:33.259 but our world 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:33.959 is groaning 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:35.440 and people 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:36.580 are hurting. 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:38.960 Around the 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:39.280 world 00:09:39.280 --> 00:09:40.300 there are 00:09:40.300 --> 00:09:40.759 wars 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:42.080 and conflicts 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:43.320 and strained 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:43.900 relationships 00:09:43.900 --> 00:09:44.820 between nations. 00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:46.759 Our physical 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:47.600 environment is 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:48.100 polluted 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:49.280 exploited 00:09:49.280 --> 00:09:50.300 and under 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:50.759 threat. 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:52.639 Our government 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.720 quite frankly 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:55.340 is in a total 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:55.879 shambles. 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:57.200 I think 00:09:57.200 --> 00:09:57.800 whatever your 00:09:57.800 --> 00:09:58.660 political persuasion 00:09:58.660 --> 00:09:59.180 you can agree 00:09:59.180 --> 00:09:59.860 with me on that. 00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:02.019 but neither 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:02.440 to home 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:02.919 in Scotland. 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:05.180 It's estimated 00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:06.159 that over 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:07.019 600 people 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:07.620 will be sleeping 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.620 rough in our 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.279 cities tonight. 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:11.820 And that's 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:12.360 not counting 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:13.000 the thousands 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:14.340 and various 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:14.740 sorts of 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.039 temporary 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:15.620 accommodation. 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:17.500 Or then 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:17.740 there are 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.279 the personal 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:18.879 crises, 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:20.800 the broken 00:10:20.800 --> 00:10:21.560 relationships, 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:23.580 the illnesses, 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.680 the bereavements, 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:27.200 the unemployment, 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:28.620 the loneliness, 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:30.000 the depression, 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.480 the anxieties, 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:32.480 the everyday 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:33.560 struggles of 00:10:33.560 --> 00:10:33.960 life, 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.500 big and 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:35.899 small. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:37.320 People are 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:37.879 looking for 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:38.259 heroes, 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.639 for someone 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.060 that can put 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:40.679 things right, 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:42.120 for someone 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:43.139 that can stand 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:43.679 up for them. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:46.480 And this is 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:47.019 nothing new. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:48.440 Throughout 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:49.179 history people 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:49.460 have been 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:50.460 telling stories 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:51.560 of champions, 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:52.659 of heroes, 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:53.379 of people 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.039 greater than 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:54.519 themselves. 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.320 We love 00:10:57.320 --> 00:10:57.840 the stories 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:59.040 of William 00:10:59.040 --> 00:10:59.820 Wallace and 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:00.720 Robert the 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.060 Bruce, 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.220 and we 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:02.399 don't 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:02.940 particularly 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.340 care about 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:04.899 the historical 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:05.700 accuracy of 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:05.860 them. 00:11:07.420 --> 00:11:08.320 We flock 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:08.720 to see 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:09.220 superhero 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:09.780 films, 00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:12.040 heroes with 00:11:12.040 --> 00:11:12.920 special powers 00:11:12.920 --> 00:11:13.840 that they will 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.360 use to 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.200 right wrongs, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.759 to defend 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:17.680 the ordinary 00:11:17.680 --> 00:11:18.100 people. 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:20.740 But back 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:21.160 to real 00:11:21.160 --> 00:11:21.540 life, 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.440 we find 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:23.840 that, 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:24.780 like Saul, 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.120 our heroes 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:26.560 have feet 00:11:26.560 --> 00:11:27.000 of clay. 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:28.960 One 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:29.419 repeated 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.519 theme of 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:30.840 the last 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:31.259 couple of 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:32.820 years is 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:33.080 of how 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:33.740 our heroes, 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:35.000 our role 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.419 models, 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:37.159 are shown 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:37.519 to be 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:37.879 flawed, 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.580 and not 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:39.940 who we 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:40.320 thought them 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:40.720 to be. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.039 Around the 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:43.320 world, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.159 statues have 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:44.539 been pulled 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:47.460 down of 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:49.899 people where 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:50.919 we find we 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:51.299 can no 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:52.840 longer overlook 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:53.660 the darker 00:11:53.660 --> 00:11:54.280 side of 00:11:54.280 --> 00:11:54.560 who they 00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:54.860 were, 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.379 people that 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:56.780 we once 00:11:56.780 --> 00:11:57.360 celebrated. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:11:59.780 But then 00:11:59.780 --> 00:12:00.280 also we 00:12:00.280 --> 00:12:01.820 see figures 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:02.379 across the 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.060 whole spectrum 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:03.540 of public 00:12:03.540 --> 00:12:04.019 life, 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:05.160 whether in 00:12:05.160 --> 00:12:05.780 entertainment, 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:06.840 sports, 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:07.940 politics, 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.740 business, 00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:10.120 have been 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:11.139 disgraced by 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:12.200 the Me Too 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:13.100 campaign and 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:13.700 other things 00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:14.360 like that, 00:12:15.660 --> 00:12:16.120 as we've 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:16.519 seen that 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.080 these people 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:18.040 that we 00:12:18.040 --> 00:12:18.500 thought we 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:18.900 could look 00:12:18.900 --> 00:12:19.360 up to, 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:21.180 maybe 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:22.159 weren't so 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:22.680 great after 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:22.960 all. 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:26.800 Or maybe, 00:12:27.300 --> 00:12:28.300 maybe like 00:12:28.300 --> 00:12:28.720 Saul, 00:12:29.680 --> 00:12:30.379 we think 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:30.659 that we 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:30.899 are the 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.279 ones that 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:31.560 are meant 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:31.879 to be the 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.320 champions, 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:35.879 but we're 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:36.340 aware of 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:36.680 our own 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:37.480 inadequacies, 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.980 and so 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:41.259 we retreat 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:41.659 from the 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.940 battlefield in 00:12:42.940 --> 00:12:43.259 fear. 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.600 Our culture 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:46.259 would tell us 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.259 to search 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:47.639 for the 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.300 hero inside 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:48.879 yourself, 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:51.560 but we 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:52.039 know what 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.500 is inside 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:52.919 ourselves. 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:54.840 We know 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.340 there is no 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:55.919 hero there. 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.060 So then 00:12:59.060 --> 00:12:59.759 in the next 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.740 big chunk 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.100 of the 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:01.500 passage, 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:02.580 from verses 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.519 12 all the 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:03.800 way down 00:13:03.800 --> 00:13:04.419 to 40, 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:05.940 we're 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:06.279 introduced 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:07.759 to an 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.240 unlikely 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:08.879 champion, 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:11.759 David. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.180 He's 00:13:14.180 --> 00:13:14.759 described as 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.940 being little 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.379 more than 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:16.700 a boy, 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:16.820 boy. 00:13:18.520 --> 00:13:19.060 Terms 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:19.520 used are 00:13:19.520 --> 00:13:20.160 quite vague, 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:21.900 but he's 00:13:21.900 --> 00:13:22.520 certainly not 00:13:22.520 --> 00:13:23.259 a grown man, 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.960 probably some 00:13:25.960 --> 00:13:26.300 sort of 00:13:26.300 --> 00:13:26.700 teenager, 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.000 not quite 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:28.320 sure, 00:13:28.780 --> 00:13:29.440 but certainly 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:29.800 he's the 00:13:29.800 --> 00:13:30.920 youngest of 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:31.400 the family, 00:13:32.400 --> 00:13:33.240 and although 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:33.759 he may be 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.060 young, 00:13:34.520 --> 00:13:34.900 he is 00:13:34.900 --> 00:13:35.320 hardy. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:36.879 He's not 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.500 closeted at 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:37.740 home, 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.120 but he's 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.140 out looking 00:13:39.140 --> 00:13:39.680 after the 00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:39.940 sheep, 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:42.080 and that 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:42.520 involves 00:13:42.520 --> 00:13:43.060 protecting 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:43.580 them from 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:44.180 whatever 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:44.900 dangers 00:13:44.900 --> 00:13:45.900 might come 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.400 their way. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.160 But last 00:13:49.160 --> 00:13:49.440 week, 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.160 we were 00:13:50.160 --> 00:13:50.460 also 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:50.980 reminded 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.460 in 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.460 Alistair's 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.180 In Unimitable 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:54.660 Way, 00:13:56.160 --> 00:13:56.560 that as well 00:13:56.560 --> 00:13:57.340 as keeping 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:57.760 sheep, 00:13:58.440 --> 00:13:59.100 he likes to 00:13:59.100 --> 00:13:59.360 write 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.060 psalms 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:00.580 and 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:00.940 pusing 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.160 them. 00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:04.360 For him, 00:14:05.160 --> 00:14:05.600 the worship 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.180 of God 00:14:06.180 --> 00:14:08.060 is not 00:14:08.060 --> 00:14:08.580 just an 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:08.940 occasional 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:09.300 civic 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:09.640 duty. 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.060 That's an 00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:11.820 integral part 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.080 of his 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.400 life. 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:15.000 God 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.520 directed 00:14:15.520 --> 00:14:16.340 Samuel to 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:16.680 him, 00:14:17.760 --> 00:14:18.600 saying that 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.200 God looks 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:19.440 on the 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:19.820 heart. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.080 And later 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.620 we find 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:22.900 David 00:14:22.900 --> 00:14:23.520 described, 00:14:24.300 --> 00:14:25.260 despite all 00:14:25.260 --> 00:14:25.520 of his 00:14:25.520 --> 00:14:25.980 faults, 00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:26.860 as a 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:28.020 man after 00:14:28.020 --> 00:14:28.440 God's 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:28.640 own 00:14:28.640 --> 00:14:29.100 heart. 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.740 And so 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.060 we see 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:32.560 that Jesse 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:34.340 sends David 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.260 with food 00:14:35.260 --> 00:14:35.680 to his 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:35.900 older 00:14:35.900 --> 00:14:36.320 brothers, 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.920 and to 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:38.360 bring back 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:38.720 news. 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:40.460 they're 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:40.940 about a 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.200 day's 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.440 journey 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:41.800 away. 00:14:43.260 --> 00:14:43.640 He 00:14:43.640 --> 00:14:45.040 seems to 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:45.240 have a 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:45.700 tent with 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:45.900 him, 00:14:46.020 --> 00:14:46.440 as mentioned 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:46.880 later, 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:49.040 and I 00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:49.720 assume he 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:50.960 has a 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.620 donkey or 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.300 some other 00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:52.660 sort of 00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:53.020 beast of 00:14:53.020 --> 00:14:53.640 burden to 00:14:53.640 --> 00:14:54.860 carry all 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.280 this stuff 00:14:55.280 --> 00:14:55.620 with him 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.720 because it's 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.400 a bit much 00:14:57.400 --> 00:14:57.840 to put in a 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.080 backpack. 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:00.620 But so 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.500 he gets 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:01.800 there, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.540 he delivers 00:15:03.540 --> 00:15:04.520 the goods 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.120 to the 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.059 keeper of 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:06.220 the 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:06.679 stores, 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.559 and to 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:09.720 me 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:09.980 sounds 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.279 slightly 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:10.799 naively 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:13.039 goes to 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:13.439 talk to his 00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:13.899 brothers on 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.179 the front 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:14.480 line, 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.000 because of 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.439 course that's 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:16.840 what you do, 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.419 you just go to 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:17.720 the front 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.159 line for a 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.439 chat. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:22.500 But when 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.019 he's there, 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.039 he sees 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.500 what's going 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:25.779 on. 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.220 He sees 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.159 Goliath, 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:33.679 what's 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.139 going on, 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:34.519 he sees 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:34.819 what's 00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:35.259 really 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.279 going on. 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.439 Because the 00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:39.159 question he 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:39.719 asks the 00:15:39.719 --> 00:15:40.759 people shows 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.159 how he 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:41.639 understands 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.299 the situation. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.379 Who is 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:44.719 this 00:15:44.719 --> 00:15:45.659 uncircumcised 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.179 Philistine 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:47.299 that he 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.100 should defy 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.899 the armies 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.500 of the 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.159 living God? 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.240 As far as 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:52.860 David sees 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.100 it, 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.259 this is not 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.939 a battle 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:55.500 between two 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.179 earthly armies. 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.360 This is 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.939 defiance 00:15:58.939 --> 00:16:00.079 against the 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.700 living God, 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.139 as opposed 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.520 to the 00:16:02.520 --> 00:16:03.000 lifeless 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.120 false gods 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.520 of the 00:16:04.520 --> 00:16:05.080 Philistines. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.220 We were 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:07.879 reminded this 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.460 morning in 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.040 Psalm 2, 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:10.680 probably 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.160 written by 00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:11.500 David, 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:12.840 of how the 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.680 nations stand 00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:14.540 and defines 00:16:14.540 --> 00:16:15.879 against God 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:16.220 and his 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:16.540 king. 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.560 In words 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:18.920 that I can 00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:19.440 only think 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:20.440 of set to 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:20.879 Handel's 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.360 music, 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.500 why do the 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.220 nations so 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.060 furiously rage 00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:24.420 together? 00:16:25.020 --> 00:16:25.720 Why do the 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.660 peoples imagine 00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:27.440 a vain thing? 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:28.820 We shall 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.460 break their 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:29.960 bonds, 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:30.639 asunder. 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.200 So David 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.840 sees that 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.560 this Philistine 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:36.180 is defying 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:37.180 God and 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:37.639 his people 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:39.740 and no 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.540 one is 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:40.840 doing 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:41.660 anything 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.639 about it. 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.639 He sees 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.160 that despite 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:45.720 the promised 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.639 rewards, 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:47.780 and they 00:16:47.780 --> 00:16:48.580 seem quite 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:48.960 impressive 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.460 rewards, 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.080 no one 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:51.600 else is 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.540 willing to 00:16:52.540 --> 00:16:53.040 do anything. 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.600 And so he 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.420 steps forward, 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.300 confident, 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:59.120 humble. 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.519 His confidence 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:04.919 comes not 00:17:04.919 --> 00:17:05.720 from himself, 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:06.980 from his 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.539 own skill, 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.720 but from 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.059 what he 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.480 knows about 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:10.839 God. 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.539 And this is 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.139 not just what 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:14.619 he's learned 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.359 about God, 00:17:15.919 --> 00:17:17.299 but this is 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:17.700 what he has 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.399 experienced, 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.879 how he has 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:20.839 experienced God's 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.019 help in the 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.720 struggles of his 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.619 day-to-day life, 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:26.279 albeit slightly 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.939 more dramatic 00:17:26.939 --> 00:17:27.559 struggles than 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.159 most of us 00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:29.279 have on a 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.879 daily basis. 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.359 I'm not sure 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:31.959 how many of you 00:17:31.959 --> 00:17:32.899 expect to be 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.899 wrestling bears 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.699 and lions this 00:17:34.699 --> 00:17:34.939 week. 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.939 But he 00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:39.859 tells Saul 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.199 of his 00:17:41.199 --> 00:17:41.839 experiences 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.539 looking after 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.039 the sheep, 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:43.719 and he 00:17:43.719 --> 00:17:44.179 concludes, 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.420 the Lord 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.779 who rescued 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.860 me from 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:48.660 the paw 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:48.960 of the 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.840 lion and 00:17:49.840 --> 00:17:50.120 the paw 00:17:50.120 --> 00:17:50.400 of the 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.660 bear will 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.480 rescue me 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.140 from the 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.680 hand of 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:53.880 this 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.360 Philistine. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.120 To him, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.180 someone who 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:58.799 defies the 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.299 living God 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.400 is no 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.380 different than 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:02.060 the lion or 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:02.380 a bear, 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.820 just someone 00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:06.060 that God 00:18:06.060 --> 00:18:06.539 will help 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.240 him to 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.940 fight against. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:09.940 Saul 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.640 offers him 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.600 his armor, 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.080 and he 00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:13.560 does try 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:13.919 it on, 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:14.859 but ultimately 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:15.700 rejects it. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.539 He's not 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:17.859 going to 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.679 pretend to 00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:19.839 be what 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:20.399 he's not. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.599 He's not 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.019 a trained 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.359 warrior. 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.220 He knows 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.980 he isn't 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.659 a champion. 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:27.059 He isn't 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.759 a hero. 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:29.639 Instead, 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.700 he goes out 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.240 as he is. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.559 A mere 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.359 shepherd boy, 00:18:35.419 --> 00:18:35.859 armed with 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.720 just a 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.859 sling and 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.639 five stones. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.139 Oh, 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.019 I'm with 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.299 the Lord 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:41.740 of Heaven's 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.240 armies by 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.720 his side. 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:46.019 I wonder 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.679 how often 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:48.599 we look at 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.159 the challenges 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:50.559 before us 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.099 and think, 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:52.000 you know, 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.240 someone should 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.700 do something 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.179 about that. 00:18:56.139 --> 00:18:56.819 Or how 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.319 often do 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.659 we, like 00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:58.059 David, 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.019 say, 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.940 no one is 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.419 doing anything 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:02.059 about that, 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.740 and step 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.319 forward and 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:04.519 do it 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:04.980 ourselves. 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.099 Not because 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.419 we think 00:19:07.419 --> 00:19:08.000 we're anything 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.460 special. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:10.840 not because 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.299 we think 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.799 we have 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:13.019 skills and 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.660 abilities that 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.220 we don't, 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.660 but because 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.200 we see the 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:17.660 task, 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.079 and we 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:20.019 trust that 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:21.019 God will 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.579 give us the 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.700 strength and 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.400 resources that 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:23.880 we need to 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:24.299 do it. 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.100 But I wonder 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:29.299 also how 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.299 much, like 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.420 David, we are 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:33.160 aware of our 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.880 reliance on 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.740 God in our 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.140 day-to-day 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:35.540 life. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.680 Do we 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:40.080 trust him 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:40.680 when we 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.100 come to the 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:41.759 big battles 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.820 because we 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:44.180 have known 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.100 him as help 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:45.940 in the small 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.440 challenges? 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.100 Or do we 00:19:49.100 --> 00:19:49.700 think, yeah, 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.259 I can cope 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:50.660 with this, 00:19:50.800 --> 00:19:51.200 I can cope 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.520 with this, 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:51.920 it's fine. 00:19:53.560 --> 00:19:53.980 And then 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.460 when the big 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.340 challenges do 00:19:55.340 --> 00:19:57.259 come, we 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.080 don't have that 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.000 confidence that 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.460 comes from 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.120 experience, 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.800 and our 00:20:01.800 --> 00:20:02.980 faith may be 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.280 shaken. 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:07.240 I don't 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.800 know, I'm 00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.780 sometimes a 00:20:08.780 --> 00:20:09.680 bit wary about 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.259 the whole 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.360 asking God 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:11.880 for a parking 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.620 space type of 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:12.860 prayer. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.880 It can 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.920 almost seem 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.600 a bit petty, 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:20.280 and sometimes 00:20:20.280 --> 00:20:20.840 we have to 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.460 accept that 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.920 God is not 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.940 a genie 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.960 there to do 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.759 our bidding, 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.880 but that 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.700 actually he is 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.400 shaping us 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:31.020 to his will, 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:33.400 and his will 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.620 today might 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.460 be, that 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.720 you're going 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.060 to park 00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:36.540 ten minutes 00:20:36.540 --> 00:20:36.940 away and 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.300 walk from 00:20:37.300 --> 00:20:37.500 there. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.180 But are 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.519 we going 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:44.300 into business 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:45.160 meetings where 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.220 we know we 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.840 have a tendency 00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:47.600 to be cynical, 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.660 asking for 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.300 God's help, 00:20:50.800 --> 00:20:51.960 to be open 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.780 minded, to 00:20:52.780 --> 00:20:53.200 contribute 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.780 positively? 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.600 Are we going 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:57.360 into situations 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:58.720 where we know 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.440 we will face 00:20:59.440 --> 00:20:59.940 temptation, 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.100 asking God 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.719 to make his 00:21:02.719 --> 00:21:03.439 son look so 00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:04.240 glorious in 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.719 our eyes, 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:05.659 that our 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.119 hearts want 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:06.639 nothing more? 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.359 But also 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.099 there's often, 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.399 I think, 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.079 the perception 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:14.259 that to be 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.000 used by God 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.500 we have to 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:15.899 be some 00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:17.439 special sort 00:21:17.439 --> 00:21:17.959 of person. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.279 I remember 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.980 back when 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.599 Tim was 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.159 applying to 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:22.740 go to the 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.480 Faith Mission 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:23.980 College, 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.019 and I had to 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.439 fill out a 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.019 reference for 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.219 him. 00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.659 If anyone 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.119 has been 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:30.659 through that 00:21:30.659 --> 00:21:31.319 process, 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.500 it is 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:32.859 horrific. 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.059 It basically 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:36.240 requires complete 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.700 character 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.000 assassination as 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.720 it quizzes you 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.519 on all their 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:39.960 weaknesses. 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:42.139 But the last 00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:42.960 question is the 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.359 one that I 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:43.740 remember. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.240 Do you think 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.059 this person is 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.659 suitable for 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.480 Christian service? 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.919 Not quite sure 00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:52.519 what answer they 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.179 were looking for, 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:56.039 but my answer 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:58.000 was that from 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.500 the beginning 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.700 God has 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.619 used weak, 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.640 broken people 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.160 to do his 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.500 work. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.099 That there are 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.980 two qualifications 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.660 for Christian 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.180 service, 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:06.880 being a 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:07.880 Christian and 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.259 being willing. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:11.019 And, in 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.500 fact, it's not 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.140 even an option. 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.059 It's a requirement 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:15.279 of all Christians, 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.640 although it takes 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.400 many different 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.220 shapes and forms. 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.220 people 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.220 to do 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.120 things. 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:23.299 So, are we 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.400 looking for 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.180 special people 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.960 to do things? 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.120 Or are we 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.039 expecting God 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.220 to use us? 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.039 And how often 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.720 do we think 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:35.500 that we'll be able 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.160 to do something 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:36.740 for God 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.079 once we have 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.140 the right 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.480 armor, 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:40.400 the right 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.839 equipment, 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:41.819 the right 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.360 resources, 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:42.779 the right 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.240 training? 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.839 once we've 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.120 got all 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.839 these things, 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:47.240 and they 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.579 are good 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:47.960 things, 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:50.059 then we 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.440 can serve 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:50.740 God. 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.620 Or how 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.299 often do we 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.839 just say 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:56.839 we go in 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.240 faith, 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.579 our own 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.120 great 00:22:59.120 --> 00:22:59.599 weakness 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.019 feeling, 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.660 not pretending 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.259 to be any 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.539 more than 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.000 we are, 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:05.400 and not 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:05.880 relying on 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.599 our ability, 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.859 but relying 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.400 on God. 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:11.980 whatever 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.420 the situation 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.280 you're called 00:23:14.280 --> 00:23:14.640 into, 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.800 whether it's 00:23:16.800 --> 00:23:17.300 to be 00:23:17.300 --> 00:23:18.759 a hero 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.400 to your 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.000 child who 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.320 skinned 00:23:20.320 --> 00:23:20.600 her knee, 00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:22.420 or to get 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.019 alongside your 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.500 brother or 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.420 sister who's 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.060 really struggling, 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:27.420 or to invite 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.080 your colleague 00:23:28.080 --> 00:23:28.980 to the Life 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.900 Explored course, 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.480 or maybe 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.380 you are 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:33.360 called into 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.280 global politics. 00:23:35.540 --> 00:23:35.960 Maybe, 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.280 as Delirious 00:23:37.280 --> 00:23:37.980 sang all those 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.480 years ago, 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.380 for those of 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:39.740 you that can 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.259 actually still 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.140 remember Delirious, 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.259 maybe you 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.319 are called 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.660 to be a 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.339 history maker 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.140 in this 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.559 land, 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.740 a speaker 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.759 of truth 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.519 to all 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.019 mankind. 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.640 But then 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:54.160 in the next 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.680 verses, 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:57.740 verses 41 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.660 to 47, 00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.720 we see an 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.180 unlikely 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:02.259 and frankly 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.019 ridiculous 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.420 scene. 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.620 A huge, 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.599 heavily armed 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.039 warrior. 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.240 and a 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.500 boy 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.660 with a 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.000 sling 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.620 approaching 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.220 each other 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.120 across the 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.539 battlefield. 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.400 And Goliath 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.880 takes this 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.160 as an 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:18.519 insult. 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.259 He 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.819 understands 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.380 strength. 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.480 He 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.019 understands 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.460 war. 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.740 He has 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.180 no time 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.759 for weakness. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.319 And they've 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.700 sent a 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:27.920 boy. 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.240 He 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.680 curses 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.720 David in 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.140 the names 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:32.480 of his 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.940 Philistine 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:34.180 gods and 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.640 shouts a 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.019 defiant 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.660 challenge. 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.820 come 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.259 closer 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.580 and I'll 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.019 kill you. 00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:41.259 He assumes 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.620 that the 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:42.100 outcome of 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.540 this fight 00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:43.840 is a 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:44.000 mere 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.580 formality. 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.140 But David, 00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:47.519 however, 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:48.120 has a 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:49.000 slightly 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.660 different view 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:49.920 of the 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.400 situation. 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.840 He sees 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:53.259 the apparent 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.840 mismatch, 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.180 but he 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.680 knows that 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.100 he's not 00:24:56.100 --> 00:24:56.380 the one 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:56.640 that should 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.080 be afraid 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.740 and shouts 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.200 back his 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.900 own challenge. 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.820 some of 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.440 this seems 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:02.880 to be just 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.259 out of 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.220 standard 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.700 military 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.140 taunting. 00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:06.920 Goliath has 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.740 said he'll 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.420 give David's 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:08.920 flesh to 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.240 the birds 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.620 and wild 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.160 animals. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.220 David 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.580 trumps 00:25:11.580 --> 00:25:12.440 this by 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.820 saying he'll 00:25:12.820 --> 00:25:13.100 give the 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.740 carcasses of 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.640 the whole 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.080 Philistine 00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:16.019 army to 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.360 the birds 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:16.940 and animals. 00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:18.940 But his 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.380 challenge is 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.820 not just 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.300 bravado. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.800 Because his 00:25:22.800 --> 00:25:23.540 challenge is 00:25:23.540 --> 00:25:24.580 based on his 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.920 understanding of 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.320 who God 00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:26.600 is. 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:28.419 he calls 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:29.079 him the 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.519 Lord 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.619 Almighty. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.199 Sometimes 00:25:33.199 --> 00:25:33.939 translated the 00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.480 Lord of 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.919 hosts, or 00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.199 as we 00:25:36.199 --> 00:25:36.719 sang the 00:25:36.719 --> 00:25:37.359 God of 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:37.779 angel 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.339 armies. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.719 The 00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:41.500 God of 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.000 the armies 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.639 of Israel 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:44.019 whom you 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.899 have defied. 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.679 He knows 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:47.959 that the 00:25:47.959 --> 00:25:48.659 God Goliath 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.000 has set 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.539 himself up 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.199 against is 00:25:51.199 --> 00:25:51.679 no mere 00:25:51.679 --> 00:25:52.179 distant 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.619 deity. 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.139 Nor is 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.839 he just a 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.659 personal 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.079 God. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.539 He is an 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:58.799 awesome 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.419 God who 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:00.799 is here. 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:02.919 He's not 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:03.559 distant from 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.119 his creation, 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.619 but he's at 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:06.599 work throughout 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:08.079 it and 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.439 still totally 00:26:09.439 --> 00:26:09.859 other. 00:26:12.199 --> 00:26:12.539 But his 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.039 challenge is 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.679 also based on 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:14.799 his trust in 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.119 God. 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:16.939 Because he 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:17.799 says he 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:19.139 will deliver 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:19.959 you into 00:26:19.959 --> 00:26:20.559 my hands. 00:26:21.699 --> 00:26:22.399 He's not 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.079 relying on his 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.379 strength or 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:24.919 his skill, 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.900 but in 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.200 God 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.200 fighting for 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.420 him. 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.740 And this 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.220 is not just 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.740 because of 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.779 his inexperience 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.360 and weakness, 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.000 the fact that 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.380 as far as 00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:34.759 we're aware 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.160 he's never 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.519 fought a 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.160 battle before. 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.820 Because as 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:39.740 we read of 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.440 many battles 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.100 afterwards, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.400 even once 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:42.740 he's an 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.840 experienced 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.340 warrior, 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.019 his trust 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.600 in God, 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.600 not his 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.259 own strength 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.779 remains. 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.039 He writes 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.420 in Psalm 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:50.980 19, 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.880 some 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.799 trust in 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.259 chariots 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.620 and some 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.700 in horses, 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.339 but we 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.539 trust in 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.000 the name 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.559 of the 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.299 Lord our 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.660 God. 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.539 This morning 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:03.980 we were 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.940 reminded by 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.700 Scott Hamilton 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.279 telling us 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.720 about the 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.400 work of 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.220 UCCF, 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.620 that they 00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.019 could put 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.620 on all 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.480 the slickest 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.140 presentations. 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.420 They could 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.640 have the 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.660 best speakers, 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.200 they could 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.880 do everything 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.420 really, 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.380 really well. 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:19.460 And if 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.000 God wasn't 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.340 in it, 00:27:21.020 --> 00:27:21.300 they were 00:27:21.300 --> 00:27:21.760 wasting their 00:27:21.760 --> 00:27:22.000 time. 00:27:25.020 --> 00:27:25.800 But lastly, 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.460 his challenge 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.900 is for 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.240 God's 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.560 glory. 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.840 He doesn't 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.220 care about 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.540 his own 00:27:30.540 --> 00:27:31.100 reputation, 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.340 whether he 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:32.760 comes out 00:27:32.760 --> 00:27:33.040 of this 00:27:33.040 --> 00:27:33.580 looking good. 00:27:35.040 --> 00:27:35.420 Instead, 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:35.980 he fights 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.680 so that 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.960 the whole 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:39.120 world will 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.100 know that 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:40.540 there is a 00:27:40.540 --> 00:27:40.960 God in 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.300 Israel. 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.240 He carries 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.560 on, 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.480 the battle 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.560 belongs to 00:27:46.560 --> 00:27:47.080 the Lord. 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:47.840 God 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:51.280 because 00:27:51.280 --> 00:27:52.760 it is 00:27:52.760 --> 00:27:53.620 God who 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:53.920 will give 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.480 the victory 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.860 and it 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.320 is God 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:56.900 who will 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:57.200 get the 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.500 glory. 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:01.320 And then 00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:03.220 we come to 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.620 the account 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:03.920 of the 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.740 fight itself 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.200 and 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:07.520 it's 00:28:07.520 --> 00:28:09.020 in verses 00:28:09.020 --> 00:28:09.800 48 to 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:10.260 51, 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:10.700 it's 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.740 very short. 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.560 It only 00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:14.140 takes three 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:14.480 and a half 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:14.940 verses. 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:16.940 he hits 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.460 Goliath 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.220 on the 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.640 forehead 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.259 with one 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:19.580 stone, 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.240 sinks into 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.820 his forehead, 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.640 kills him, 00:28:23.320 --> 00:28:23.600 he then 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:24.080 runs up, 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:24.720 cuts off 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.240 Goliath's 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.600 head with 00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:26.039 Goliath's 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.600 own sword, 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:27.400 done. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.600 There's 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.900 little more 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.320 to be said 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:31.660 about it 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.039 than that. 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.740 It really 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.220 seems 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.960 anticlimactic. 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:37.240 you're 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:37.660 expecting 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:37.960 some 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.880 description 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.480 of a 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.019 titanic 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.480 struggle 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:40.880 here 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.620 where 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.380 despite 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:42.680 the 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:42.960 crushing 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.400 odds 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.140 David 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.680 eventually 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.259 subdues 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.740 his opponent 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.440 and crawls 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.079 out wounded 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.279 but victorious. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.259 Nope, 00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:50.579 nothing like 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:50.940 that here. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.940 Despite 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.279 outward 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.840 appearances, 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:54.819 the odds 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.400 were so 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:55.920 heavily 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:56.440 stacked 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.299 in David's 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.600 favour 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:58.779 that there's 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.640 little to 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.180 comment on. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:02.100 In fact, 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.100 to call it 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.519 a fight 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:05.360 is really 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:05.920 stretching 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.360 things. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.860 And the 00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:09.380 remainder of 00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:10.100 this chapter 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:11.759 is just 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.519 the aftermath. 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.680 Having seen 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.220 the Philistine 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.700 champion 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.140 defeated, 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.320 the tables 00:29:17.320 --> 00:29:17.820 are turned. 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.279 It's now the 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.860 Philistines 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.840 who are running 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:21.380 in fear 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.400 and the 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:22.799 Israelites, 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:23.980 having seen 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.720 God at work, 00:29:25.080 --> 00:29:25.320 have the 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:26.039 confidence to 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.420 chase him 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.680 down. 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.220 But 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.660 I don't 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:30.920 know, 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.220 as I 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.579 come to 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:32.980 this, 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:34.240 particularly 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.720 as I 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.600 read of 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.019 this 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:38.019 ridiculously 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.600 short 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.079 fight, 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:40.900 I can't 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.259 help 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.140 thinking 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:43.140 of another 00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:43.640 champion. 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:45.779 A champion 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:47.000 who also 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.819 looked like 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.579 nothing special. 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:50.680 David is at 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.299 least described 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.660 here as 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.079 handsome, 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.559 but this 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:53.980 champion 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.920 had no 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.380 beauty 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.380 or majesty 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.039 to attract 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.440 us to 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:57.660 him. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.160 Nothing 00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.980 in his 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.540 appearance 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:01.340 that we 00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:01.580 should 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:01.980 desire 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.240 him. 00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:04.840 He was 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.340 a champion 00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:07.019 who, 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:07.580 when taunted 00:30:07.580 --> 00:30:07.980 by his 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.560 adversary, 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.740 could say, 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:10.940 it is 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.340 written, 00:30:12.100 --> 00:30:12.700 worship the 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.120 Lord your 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:14.220 God and 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:14.840 serve him 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.279 only. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.279 A champion 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.640 that, 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.660 as he 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.360 approached 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:20.980 the battlefield 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:22.360 where everything 00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:23.120 seemed stacked 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.820 against him, 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:24.980 could say to 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.500 his father, 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:27.039 not my 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.339 will, 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.839 but yours 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.500 be done. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.619 A champion 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.380 whose greatest 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:32.960 victory 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.400 was won 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.819 when it 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.299 seemed like 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.859 his enemies. 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.440 All the 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.859 powers of 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.240 darkness 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.619 and death 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:40.200 itself 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.420 were invincible 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:43.380 and yet he 00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:43.839 could cry 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.259 out, 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.640 it is 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.140 finished. 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.400 But a 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:48.819 champion 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:50.319 who promised 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:50.759 he would be 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.240 with us 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.720 always, 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.819 even to 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.119 the end 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:54.319 of the 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:54.700 age. 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.039 A champion 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.680 that promised 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.400 a comforter 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.720 to walk 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.640 beside us, 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:03.079 to walk 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.460 with us 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.200 through life, 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.259 to give us 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:05.759 the power 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.660 to face 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.160 up to 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.759 these 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.279 challenges 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:08.700 that we 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.579 see in 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:09.900 the world 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.619 around us, 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.140 that we 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.680 are unable 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.920 to meet 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.299 with our 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:13.480 own 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.019 strength. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.299 But a 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.599 champion 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:16.940 that will 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:18.039 not leave 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.539 us fighting 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:18.859 running 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.299 battles 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.680 forever. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:22.079 A champion 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.519 who will 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.160 himself 00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:24.180 come onto 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.779 the battlefield 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.740 at the 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.019 end of 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.460 the age. 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.200 If we 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:28.539 thought the 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:28.940 description 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.819 of the 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.059 battle 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.480 here 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.200 was an 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.059 anticlimax, 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.579 try reading 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.000 Revelation 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.519 19. 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.920 There we 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.839 see our 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.299 champion 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.759 on a 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:39.980 white 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.440 horse. 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:41.700 He has 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.220 the names 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.140 faithful and 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:43.460 true, 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:44.839 and king 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:45.480 of kings, 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.619 and lord 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:47.240 of lords. 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.240 And armies 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.879 are massed 00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:50.480 against him, 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:52.259 led by the 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:52.700 beast and 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.440 false prophet. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:54.839 The kings 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.119 of the 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:55.539 earth are 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.140 furiously 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:56.940 raging 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.640 against him. 00:31:59.359 --> 00:31:59.940 And then 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.400 instead of 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:00.740 an epic 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.319 battle, 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.640 the beast 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.039 and false 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:03.660 prophet are 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.140 captured, 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.079 and the 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.379 rest are 00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:05.799 killed by 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.140 the sword 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.440 that came 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:06.759 out of 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.119 the mouth 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:07.379 of the 00:32:07.379 --> 00:32:07.599 rider 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:07.839 on the 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.019 white 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.339 horse. 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.279 Just like 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.539 that, 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:11.940 no fuss. 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.079 We talk 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:14.900 about Armageddon 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.480 as if it's 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.519 an epic 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.160 battle of 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.680 good against 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.000 evil. 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.039 evil. 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.619 It isn't. 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.640 It's plain, 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.500 straightforward 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.200 defeat. 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.240 The powers 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.680 of evil 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.799 don't stand 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.359 a chance. 00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.339 And the 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:30.740 powers of 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.559 evil will 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.599 be defeated. 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.579 All the 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.240 wrongs in 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:35.700 this world 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.059 that we've 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.660 thought about, 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.759 and many 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.259 others, 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.460 will be 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:40.960 put right. 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.859 We have 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.500 a champion 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:45.059 who will 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:46.000 wipe every 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.519 tear from 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:46.900 our eye. 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.180 And in 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:49.640 the meantime, 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.160 he is 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.700 with us 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.920 as we go 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.299 into the 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.619 battle 00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:54.359 tomorrow 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:55.500 and the 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.039 next day 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.500 until he 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:57.900 comes. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.039 Just want 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.539 to finish 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:03.319 with words 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.400 of verse 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:05.019 of a song. 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:06.839 I can 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.880 see the 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:08.279 son of 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:08.559 man 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.180 descending, 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.880 and the 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.380 sword he 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.440 swings is 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.140 brighter than 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:13.600 the dawn. 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:15.259 And the 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.680 gates of 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.740 hell will 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.520 never stand 00:33:17.520 --> 00:33:18.100 against him. 00:33:18.820 --> 00:33:20.040 So, in 00:33:20.040 --> 00:33:20.560 the night, 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:21.780 my hope 00:33:21.780 --> 00:33:22.540 lives on. 00:33:23.580 --> 00:33:23.880 Amen.