The Heart of a Giant Slayer

Service for March 7th 2021, continuing with the sermon series on the life of David.

Video

The service will live-stream at 10:30 am: https://youtu.be/3Wer1iv_sto

Sermon Audio

The sermon audio is here.

Notes

Printable notes: Sermon-Notes-5-Giant-Slayer.pdf

Text: 1 Samuel 17

1. Giants are ___________________ .

2. Giants are often _______________. 

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Prov. 12:18)

3. Giants are sometimes ___________ to ___________.  

Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth!  No, I came to bring a sword.  I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother…your enemies will be right in your own household!  (Matt. 10:34-36)

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked… (Proverbs 4:25-27a)


1. The heart of a giant-slayer is filled with _________________ of God’s faithfulness in the past. 

2. The heart of a giant-slayer is at ____________ with who God made them to be. 

3. The heart of a giant-slayer is focused on moving ______________.

4. The heart of a giant-slayer is overflowing with ______________________ in the _____________ of God.

Only by Your power can we push back our enemies; only in Your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies… (Psalm 44: 5-7a) (NLT)

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:6,7)

Digging Deeper

(For personal study, family devotions or Care group use)

Q1: What is your favourite “under dog” story?  Why is that one special to you?

Q2: Have you faced some “Goliath-sized” challenges in your life? If so, explain.  

Q3: What did you learn about the Lord and about yourself during that time?

Q4: Read Psalm 89:20-24.  How is your heart strengthened through this passage?

Q5: Verbal abuse can have devastating and long term results…but God can heal!

Read Ps. 147:3, Prov. 12:18, Ps.119:50-52, Isaiah 61:1-4.

Q6: Giant-slayers know who they are in God!  List as many things as you can think of that define who you are and what you have because you are “in Christ”.

Q7: Read Ps. 18:32-49.  What principles from this text apply to your life challenges?

Q8: Is there a particular “giant” that you are currently facing in your life?  What are one or two specific action steps the Lord would have you take to confront this “Goliath”? 

Q9: Reflect on the lyrics of “A Mighty Fortress”.  What does this hymn teach you about what it takes to win the battle against “giants” in our life?

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same; and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever! 

(Martin Luther)