WILL YOU STAND AND FIGHT?

“WILL YOU STAND AND FIGHT, OR WILL YOU JUST STAND?”
(1SAMUEL 17)
Intro:
A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from John Faneuf. It was an email which brought me a word of warning. It spoke of the FOX T.V. show called “FAMILY GUY.” The reason for the word of warning was owing to the shows content. In a single episode, the father was injected with what they called the “gay jean”, he then left his family, engaged in a public display of affection with his new gay friend, gave every indication that homosexuality is perfectly okay, and then finished out the show by attending a go straight religious camp, where he was taught that “Jesus hates lots of people, but he hates homosexuals more than everyone else.”
Now, as I read this email, I cannot help but think of the many Christians who not only watch this pathetic excuse masquerading itself as “entertainment”, but actually say that it is okay to watch it. Brethren, this is the war which stands at our door. These are the things which we are fighting against. These are the dark things spoken of in Ephesians 6. It is time for God’s children to stand up and be heard. It is time that we stop living with the attitude which says, “Well, if you don’t like it just don’t watch it.” Folks, I don’t intend to watch it, but I’m worried about the souls, hearts, and minds of all those who do make that choice.
This morning, I want to talk to you about the battle which is ahead. As I said, it is time for you to make the choice to either stand and fight, or simply stand on the sidelines. Using the passage found in First Samuel 17, I want to show you the four things which are required of you if you choose to stand and fight. I want to ask you as never before, please listen to these four points, think about them, and then make the choice to join us on the front line in the war against sin.

I. TO STAND AND FIGHT REQUIRES COURAGE
(1SA 17: 1-8)

In 1Samuel 17: 1, we find the army of the Israelites preparing to fight the Philistines. This in and of itself isn’t new. For throughout their history these two nations have battled and fought against one another. Neither the Israelites nor the Philistines are new to war. Both were more than capable of defending themselves, as well as bringing destruction to other lands.
In the tradition of the time, we see that the two armies line up to face one another across a valley. God’s chosen people establish their camp on one mountain, while the Philistines make camp on another mountain across the plane. The battle lines are drawn, both armies know the score, and how it will be settled. All that remains is that all important first move. Who will fire the first shot? Who will begin the festivities?
As Saul and his men look on, A Giant of a man steps forward. A man who stood more than 10-feet tall. A man who wore a immense helmet upon his head, a coat of mail which was made of brass, greaves to protect his lower legs, and carried both a short sword as well as a spear. This man, this champion answered to the name Goliath. A warrior of the Philistines, Goliath came forth to challenge both the Lord, as well as his army of fighters.
The question is, what would it take for someone to answer his challenge? There would be some who would say that it would take great skill and knowledge. I would argue that while it might be nice if someone possessed the skill of a true soldier, or the fighting knowledge of a general, they are not necessarily required. There would be still others who might say that they would need the right weapon in order to step out and face this giant of a man. However, again the point should be made that these were fighting men, who had been to battle many times over. They were equipped with that which they needed to bring war to their enemies.
No, brethren what it was that these men required if they were to step out was simply courage. They needed the courage to come down, and defend the God who had seen them through so very much.
Let’s think about it in terms of the apostles of the New Testament. What did it take for them to follow Christ? A willingness to deny themselves, take up their crosses on a daily bases, and follow in his footsteps. (Luke 9: 23.) What would it have taken for them to have stood with Christ when he needed them most their in the Garden? (Jn 18: 1-10) Simple, it would have taken courage which they did not have according to Mark 14: 50.
Brethren, what about you and I? What do we do? What do we do now that our giant, our Goliath stands in the valley challenging both our God and his army? Will we stand and fight or will we just stand?
Let’s ask the same question which we asked earlier. What is required if we are to stand? Again, while skill and knowledge can be helpful, we are commanded to “Contend earnestly for the faith.” (Jude 1: 3) That doesn’t mean that we should wait until we know every answer, to every argument that might be thrown at us. Also, concern over our weapon shouldn’t keep us from entering the fray. We have been given the inspired word of the Lord! (2Tim 3: 16) We have been given the gift of the engrafted word which is able to save our souls! (James 1: 21) Folks, the requirement is very simple. You must have courage to face the giant which stands in the valley today. It is required that we take the advice which Moses gave Joshua and the children of Israel so long ago. In Deuteronomy 31: 7, he tells them to be of a “good courage!”

II. TO STAND AND FIGHT REQUIRES A PERSONAL INVESTMENT
(1SA 17: 10-11, 24-25)

There is something interesting that we see taking place here. Consider what it really is that is happening. Here we see Saul, a mighty man of courage and valor, along with his army, one of the most powerful on earth: cowering from the threat which Goliath presented. Why would this be? How can it be that none of these men wanted to go fight?
Certainly a lack of courage is part of it, (CF 1Sa 17: 11, 24, 25,) however it cannot be the whole story. I would submit to you that the answer lies in investment.
We are not speaking of stocks, bonds, CD’s, money market accounts, or 4o1k’s. Here we are speaking of personal investments. These men were not personally invested in the battle before them. Notice what they did. When they saw Goliath coming, they ran. Courage gone, just because they weren’t invested.
Again, how familiar is this to us today? We look around in seeming indifference to the enemies which stand in our valley. Rather than face them, we would rather run. Why? Because we feel no connection. Those men who followed Saul into that mountain reserve were more concerned with their own well-being than defending the God of Heaven. Did you catch the challenge in verse 10? There Goliath says: “I defy the armies of Israel.” How do they not take this as a personal effrontery? They aren’t offended because it doesn’t matter that much to them.
Unfortunately the same is often true of us today. Worship becomes a social club. Service to God becomes something we do that we might be noticed. Sharing the Gospel becomes something that we avoid doing by making countless excuses. Brethren, we must make a personal investment. Serving God must matter to us, or else we will never descend into the valley.
Now, I’m sure that someone is saying, “Why should I invest in my church, my religion, and my relationship with God?” There is a very simple reason. We invest because God invested. John 3: 16 is one of, if not the most, widely known verses in all of scripture. In that beautiful passage, we read of the amazing investment which God has made in us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever shall believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God thought so much of us that he was willing to give all that he had to provide us with hope, with life, with a path back to himself! He invested in you; the question is will you invest in him?

III. TO STAND AND FIGHT REQUIRES THAT YOU BE YOURSELF
(1SA 17: 26-40)

Beginning in verse 26, we see someone with real courage, with a personal investment in the events playing out in the valley below. David, shepherd boy and son of Jesse, not to mention future King of Judah, has arrived. David hears the challenge of Goliath, and from the words in verse 26, takes great offence. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, what shall be done to the man that killed this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David is horrified at the shear nerve of this Philistine. He wants to know what will be done.
What is interesting is that upon deciding that he himself would be the one to fight this giant, David had to defend himself against two different groups of people.
First, he had to defend himself and his actions against his piers. His brothers overheard David speaking with the other members of the army. In verse 28, his eldest brother Eliab questions his motives. He makes a few scathing remarks about the fact that David should be at home tending the sheep. Further more he states that it is David’s pride which has caused him to ask these questions. Never once did Eliab acknowledge the fact that David is apparently willing to do that which he himself is not.
Brethren, how often do we see those in the body of Christ who are unwilling to do, but are more than willing to offer advice, instruction, correction, and rude remarks to those who are willing to do that which need to be done? I am convinced that there are so many things that never get done because we spend so much of our time battling against one another.
However, David also had to defend himself against the doubters. His chief doubter was King Saul. When Saul found out that David was to be the man to face off against Goliath, his major objection was David’s youth. He tried all that he could to talk David out of doing. In other words, it wasn’t enough that Saul wouldn’t meet the challenge himself, he also wanted to talk everyone else out of doing it as well. David however had to be himself. Just as he wouldn’t allow his brothers to talk him out of fighting the battle, he wouldn’t allow Saul to change his mind either. In fact, when Saul attempted to put his personal armor on David he wouldn’t allow it, and instead went into battle with those items which made up who he was.
Brethren, as we descend into the valley below to meet our enemy, we will also have to face our retractors. We will have to face those family and friends who scauph at our commitment. Those who criticize our attempt to do the work of the Lord. Consider the fact that Jesus himself had those among his number who rejected him and all that he stood for.
Likewise we will have to deal with those who doubt our abilities. Those who want us to stop doing that they might not have to do as well. Folks, let me plead with you to serve God, and let everyone else think what they will.

IV. TO STAND AND FIGHT REQUIRES THE ALTAMIT FAITH
(1SA 17: 41-58)

The final requirement of those who wish to stand and fight is faith. Faith, that first building block in our relationship with God. Faith, trusting without question in that which we cannot see. The faith of David can best be seen in the lack of faith of Goliath. Remember, this is a man who stands so tall, and has so much armor, and so many weapons, and is such a great champion, relied on a smaller man to bare a shield before him. It turns out that his faith in himself, that faith which we can see dripping from his words in verses 8-10, was a paper thin faith. However, David, being a man of God trusted in the Lord to see him through! “This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hands!” (1Sa 17: 46) David knew to whom the battle belonged. (1Sa 17: 47)
Before we stop, I want you to see what effect David’s courage, personal investment, commitment to being himself, and faith led too. In verse 52, after the Giant has fallen and been beheaded, the armies which had stayed in the mountains rushed out. They followed David’s example. By David doing what was right, other’s followed in his steps!