Redeemer Church Of Waterford

David is facing down an imposing figure who is armed to the teeth, and yet, "there was no sword in David's hand."Why?Every military strategist, ancient or modern, would see this as a colossal blunder on David's part.So why is there no sword in the hand of David?

There are several apparent contradictions in 1 Samuel 17:54-58:1. Why would David take the head of Goliath to Jerusalem, which was at least 50 miles away, when Jerusalem was not the capitol of Israel at the time David defeated Goliath?2. If David took the head of Goliath to Jerusalem in verse 54, why does he still have it when he appears before Saul and Abner in verse 57?3. Why would David have a tent at the battle site in verse 54 when clearly he is living with his father Jesse in Bethlehem, going back and forth between Bethlehem and the battle site in verse 15?4. Why does Saul seemingly still not know who David is, asking Abner whose son David is in verses 55-56, when he has had at least two extended interactions with him (16:17-23 and 17:31-39)?

In 1 Samuel 17 there are multiple voices speaking lots of words with contradicting messages. There are the words of the Philistine which has instilled fear in the armies of Israel. There are the words of Eliab which berate the shepherd David. There are the words of Saul casting doubt on David's ability to triumph against the giant of Gath.But it is the words of David that have the attention of everyone gathered in the Valley of Elah.

On what basis is David so confident that he can defeat the giant of Gath? He is fully aware of his own inexperience and youthfulness, but he is not looking to himself at all.He is looking to the faithfulness of the living God.

The end and object of Heaven is the glory of God. So, too, the end and object of Hell is the glory of God. God is glorified in the just condemnation of sinners.Why is there a Hell? What is Hell? How can a good God send anyone to a place of eternal torment?

The birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem's manger brought heaven down to us so that God in Christ might bring us up to heaven. From Matthew 1:23 and Revelation 21:3 we learn that just as Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us - so Heaven is God with us. Where Jesus is, there is heaven.In this Christmas meditation we consider seven things that will be true of us when we get to heaven.

There is within the heart of every human being at least some understanding that there is coming a day of reckoning. Sadly for many, they don't understand that that day will not be a reckoning between their good deeds and their bad deeds, but a reckoning between their obedience and the perfect law of God.What gives God the right to judge the world? What is the manner in which he will judge the world? By what standard will he judge the world? What is my only hope for acquittal on that day when I stand before the judgment bar of God?

What is death? It is not the cessation of existence. It is not merely the end of life. How does the Bible define death, and further, what doe the Bible tell us about why we die, where we go when we die, and what God Himself has done about death?

What happens at the moment of our physical death? The answer depends on how you have responded to the the Lord Jesus Christ. For the unbeliever, there is an immediate consciousness of eternal separation from God. For the believer, there is an immediate consciousness of the eternal presence of God. The believer enters into at least seven realities the moment their soul departs their body.

In the opening verses of 1 Samuel 17 the armies of Israel are paralyzed by their fear of the champion of Gath, the giant Goliath. Into this scene of fear and loathing enters a young shepherd boy with no military experience who is incensed that Saul and his armies are allowing the name of the living God to be dishonored.Who is David? What did he see and hear that Saul and the armies did not see and hear? What steeled David's resolve to confront the giant when all of the men of war in Israel were fleeing from him?

The story of David & Goliath is not a metaphor for slaying of "the giants" in your life. 1 Samuel 17 is not about overcoming your problems or your troubles. It is ultimately about the defense of the honor of God.The Giant of Gath loathes God and God's people. He is the personification of our adversary, the devil. If we look on the "outward appearance" we only see the disadvantage, and we are fearful. But if we look to the promises of God, we have the confidence that God will ultimately prevail, even if it costs us everything.What are we willing to risk to defend the honor of God?

The story we have come to know as the story of David & Goliath is really a story about David & Saul & Goliath. And the real point of the story is one that is missed by those who think they know the story best.As we begin to consider this familiar story, we must unlearn most of what we think we know about David & Goliath before we can proceed with the details.

If what the Apostle Paul says at the end of Romans 8 is true, namely that nothing can separate us from the love of God, why then does it appear that the Jews - God's adopted, chosen, dearly loved people - have been separated from the love of God?It is the response to this dilemma which the Apostle takes up in Romans chapters 9, 10, 11.In tonight's message, we consider why the Jews' rejection of their Messiah is so astonishing given the advantages they were given as God's people.

Why was David prepared to take on Goliath? Because he had a perception as to the real issues. David had the perception to realize that more was at stake than the mere defeat of Israel and the humbling of her pride. The honor and dignity of God was a stake. In defeating the giant, David wanted the whole world to know that there is a God in Israel, that the battle is not won with human weapons, and that the battle is the Lord's and it is He who gives the victory.

How ought Christians - especially American Christians - to respond to the attack on Israel and Israel's response, which has led to war between Israel and Palestine?TECHNICAL NOTE: During this sermon Pastor Paul spoke about a private meeting and off the record conversation he had with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2008. Because Mr. Netanyahu specifically requested the conversation not be recorded, we have removed Pastor Paul's comments about that meeting from this recording.

It matters what we sing.Saul has driven away the Spirit of the Lord by his repeated rejection of God's word. An evil spirit from the Lord is terrorizing him. Saul's condition is known to Saul; it is known to Samuel; and it is known to everyone in Saul's court.The search for a skilled harpist commences in hopes that the music will bring relief to Saul's mental state. The search ends with "the sweet psalmist of Israel," the shepherd boy David, who is a cunning player on the harp.What does David play? What should be the theme of the music we listen to when we are feeling overwhelmed and in despair?

What are we to make of God removing His Spirit from Saul and sending an evil spirit to Saul? Can we lose the Spirit of God once we have received it? Does God have evil spirits with which he torments people?

We have seen that the Spirit of God has departed from Saul and in its place God has sent an evil spirit which has "troubled" Saul. What is this "evil spirit" and how do we reconcile what we know about God as loving and compassionate with what the text says about GOD sending an evil spirit? What is this evil spirit and why would God send it?

As we come to the narrative in 1 Samuel which tells of Samuel's anointing David to be King over God's people in the place of Saul, we pause to reflect upon the sin and its consequences which leads up to this moment and which Samuel is mourning when Chapter 16 opens. Though it originates in the depraved hearts of sinners, and sinners alone are responsible and accountable for it, God is sovereign over human sin.

The unity of the church is threatened when the conscience of the believer begins to take precedence and gain influence where there is no clear command of Scripture on non-essential issues.Romans 14:1-15:7 is the Apostle Paul's word of exhortation to the believers in Rome to let our love for one another guide our attitude toward those who hold a different perspective from our own on matters of conscience.