Text: 1 Samuel 17

Topic: How David responded to a crisis

Introduction:

• Everybody likes to cheer for the underdog.
• The Christian church was an underdog movement that spread at a phenomenal rate—in spite of persecution and oppression.
• David and Goliath is the ultimate underdog story.

• The crisis was larger than life.

• 1 Samuel 17:4
• The "giants" in our life seem bigger than we are.

• The crisis defies our power.

• 1 Samuel 17:8

• The crisis will not go away.

• 1 Samuel 17:16

• The best response to a crisis is God is bigger than any problem I will ever face.

The critics.

• Critics are obsessed with the trivial.

• 1 Samuel 17:28

• Critics believe the worst about people.
• David refused to be swayed by criticism.

The contest.

• David established the terms of battle.

• 1 Samuel 17:40

• David refused to be intimidated.

• 1 Samuel 17:44-45

• David's response to the contest can be summarized in the statement "The battle is the Lord's."

Conclusion:

• David faced Goliath because he believed in God's goodness. Believing in God's goodness will give you the strength to face your Goliath, too.