David and Goliath

 

 

 Pastor’s Pen…

It may be the most familiar Bible study in the Old Testament. The cast of characters included a huge, seasoned and armed warrior, trained to kill, facing a young shepherd boy with no military experience and only a slingshot. “David and Goliath” have become a metaphor for athletic and political upsets by underdogs over the years.

 

But this account is not simply an inspiring story of an underdog gaining a victory. There are principles to be applied to our lives to enable us to experience victory over the “giants” we face in our own experience.

 

As always, thanks to all who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship. Also, to those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’  on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) each Sunday afternoon. 

If you haven't come out to worship with us recently, we sure love to have you! We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks, social distancing, no physical contact. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.

 

If you still feel uncomfortable attending, feel free to join our live stream on Facebook, at 10:45 AM, which includes communion and the worship hymns. Or the message is available each Sunday afternoon on our website. (www.fccwylie.org)

“David and Goliath”                                                                                                      1 Samuel 17:1-51

 

I.               The setting (1-11)

 

            The geography (1-3)

 

            The giant (4-7)

 

            The gauntlet (8-11)

 

            

II.             The shepherd and his family (12-30)

 

The background (12-16)

 

The task: David and his father (17-21)

The conflict: David and his oldest brother (22-29)

 

III.            The shepherd and King Saul (31-40)

 

David's courageous commitment 

 

His previous experience

 

His optimistic faith 

 

IV.           The shepherd and the giant (41-48)

 

Goliath 

      He was confident in himself and his weapons

      He was proud, arrogant and cruel

      He worshiped and trusted false gods

 

                   David 

                        He was concerned with God's reputation

                        He placed his confidence and faith in the Lord

                        He prepared, had practiced, knew his abilities and skills

 

V.             The result (49-51)

David strikes with an unlikely weapon

The giant falls dead

The mighty Philistine army flees!

 

Lessons we can learn: 

 

o   We all face giants in our lives -- they can be intimidating!

 

o   Conflicts will occur , leaving us feeling lonely and abandoned 

 

o   God never abandons us! We can always trust in Him 

 

o   Victory can always be ours through faith! (1 Corinthians 15:57)

 

 

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Prayer items: 

 

Evelyn Henderson is on hospice care

 

The family of Evelyn Henderson

 

Barbara’s step-daughter Angie and three children in the loss of Angie’s husband. 

Bobby and his family, especially his cousin re: a job

Dennis Ramsey’s mother is battling two cancers plus other health issues. Kim would appreciate our prayers for her health and her son Kevin

Jim Casteel requested continued prayer for Judy Moblee, recovering from heart surgery

Feel free to contact me with urgent prayer requests, and I will include them in my weekly ‘Pastor’s Pen’ texts

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20: Bruce Moilan will be speaking for me on missions, telling about his 8-year ministry in Liberia and Sierra Leone, dealing with a pandemic then.  Kathy and I will take off to celebrate her birthday (39?) which is Monday 9/21.

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RADIO THIS EVENING: RADIO THIS EVENING: Financial instability on the heels of the COVID 19 crisis has left many individuals uncertain about their financial future. This weekend on Encouragement Live, Erik NeVille, CEO of Teacher’s Pension, joins host Don Hawkins to share wise, practical counsel about important financial decisions.

Encouragement Live can be heard tonight at 7:05 pm Central Time on American Family Radio (90.5 FM in Dallas), (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org. A rebroadcast of the program can be heard Sunday at 9:00 PM central time on theworshipchannel.org. 

May our Savior’s grace and peace continue to encourage you as you trust in Him during these challenging times.

Don Hawkins, D. Min.                                                                                                                          Interim Pastor