a GIANT & a BOAT

Pentecost +4b      June 24, 2012

1 Samuel 17:32-49 — Psalm 9:9-20 — 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 — Mark 4:35-41

a GIANT & a BOAT

1.   God does amazing things through “the small”

2.   What does he want to do through us?

Stories:

Ø  Think about a time in your life when you were able to do something that surprised others?

Ø  What can I do? I’m just a… boy!

§  In High School I started a Christian Club… FCA

§  In Seattle, we built Mosaic from the Ground UP

Two passages to look at: 1 Samuel 17:32-49 Mark 4:35-41

The Old Testament Text: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

·        We’re all familiar with the story of David & Goliath

-      David is little,

-      He’s a shepherd,

-      He’s asked to take food to his older (soldier) brothers

-      Ends up fighting

-      Goliath is huge, (Hebrew 6 cubits and 1 span [which totals about 9.75 feet or 3 meters]; Dead Sea Scrolls and Greek version read 4 cubits and 1 span [which totals about 6.75 feet or 2 meters])

-      Goliath is a decorated soldier,

-      Goliath is a blatant bully of God fearing Jews

^{1 Samuel 17:22-23} David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. ²³ As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.

·        David approaches the King, asks to fight Goliath

·        Saul gives in – let’s David fight.

§  But wants him to wear his gear, use his sword

·        David says no, he can go without them.

§  He can do it with God’s help…

§  He can do it with the skills God has given him!

·     He’s killed: LIONS & tigers & BEARS

o   ³⁷ The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

·        David approaches Goliath.

⁴¹ Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, ⁴² sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. ⁴³ “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. ⁴⁴ “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” 

·        David approaches Goliath.

⁴⁸ David quickly ran out to meet him. ⁴⁹ Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

·        The nation’s soldiers: were terrified of the Philistine.

·        They looked at the situation and only saw defeat

·        They looked at the situation and only saw death

The Gospel Text: Mark 4:35-41

·        Text begins by saying: “that day when evening came”   (What DAY was it?)

-      This passage directly follows last week’s:

     The growing plant & the Mustard Seed

·        Jesus goes out on a boat… is tired from all that has taken place, falls asleep in the Stern

·        Disciples are freaked out.

-      The boat is rocking.

·        The waves are huge and coming over, into the boat

·        Jesus is in the back of the boat, sleeping

·        Disciples say to HIM: “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” (Don’t you care we’re gonna die!?!)

·        Jesus got up and “rebuked” the wind and said to the waves: Peace (or be still)

-      Rebuked = sharp; stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand.

·        Then the wind died down.

-      Some translations read: there was a “dead calm”

-      In this midst of this story – we have a foretelling.

-      In this midst: we have the power of Christ over the chaos of our life.

-      In the midst of the Disciples despair, Christ is in the Stern.

·        Jesus calms the storm and asks: “Why are you SO afraid? Do you have no faith?”

Recap: In the story of David & Goliath

·        David is looked down upon.

·        No one thinks he can do anything.

-      His brothers: vs 28, The King: vs 33, The Enemy (Goliath): vs 41-44

Ø  Sometimes we are just like David… with all odds against us

·        David says: not my will, but thine… vs 45-47

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! ⁴⁷ And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

Ø  David uses his experiences, uses his skills, & uses his “talents” for God’s Glory.

          Luke 12:48 “Unto Much is given, much is required”

“Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

·        The Israelite soldiers were crippled by their fear.

·        Yet: David was motivated by it

-      because he knew God was on his side!

·        The disciples believed they were to die

·        The disciples, many of whom were trained fishermen, were scared of the waves.

·        Yet Jesus was in the Stern.

-      Jesus was in control

QUESTION: Where does God sit in your life?

·        Is God in the back of your boat?

-      Do you think he’s back there, just sleeping?

-      In a Sail Boat, you steer from the back.

QUESTION: Are you using the skills, experiences, talents God has given you for his glory?

·        Like the shepherd David – he wants to use what you’re good at.

Are you ready to be lead from behind?

Are you ready to pick up your five smooth stones and fight for him to be Lord?

1.   God does amazing things through “the small”

2.   What does he want to do through us?

3.   What does he want to do through YOU?

Benediction: As you Go, May your fears subside, as you rest in Christ’s Lordship.  Go and Love!