Facing The Giants 1

Lessons from Saul - What Not To Do?

INTRODUCTION
Today is movie/tv show day Facing the Giants --- what not to Wear? What is a giant? o An imaginary or mythical being of human form but superhuman size. o Not necessarily an individual but anything that strikes fear, intimidates, keeps you were you are, and not moving forward. o Strongs root may come from uncover, reveal, captivity, nakedness So many times, it is the Giants in our lives, that reveal who we truly are. Not just what we profess, but what we live. Watched that story about the Amish shooting and forgiveness. o Giants stand in the way of us taking hold of what God has in store for us. So how do we deal with them? New series Study of King Davids life and specifically how he dealt with a Giant that intimidated not just him, or his family, but his Nation. o Most know the story, heard it at Sunday School, Childrens Church or on somewhere o Probably heard all kinds of explanations about everything that happened in that story, yet still we see so many people in the world deal with Giants in their lives and we struggle to overcome. o I trust this series will give us an opportunity to take a second look (set back, step back, prepare for comeback) and deal with Giants in our lives.
2 ways to learn about something. o What we must do? Watch a cooking show --- 15 minutes to a great meal If you want to desired result --- you must follow their exact instructions if not you will wonder what happened. Disclaimer: this is NOT true for everything in this life, however we if follow someone who has succeeded, we increase our potential to succeed. Too many people see certain things and want it but want to do it their way and their time, EgI want to get healthy, and not be so tired etcwell get some sleep quit staying up till 3am every night --- quit drinking so much soda. There are some things that I must do in order to succeed. I have to change my behavior, I must change the way I speak, I have to change my habits. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is insane. Like ingredients on a package follow them be happy, disregard them , and you will be unhappy.

We will take a closer look at David in the weeks to come and what he did (what qualified him) to slay Goliath.

What not to do? How many of us learnt more from a situation on what not to do, than how to really do something. On our Wednesday Night mtg we sometimes discuss our experiences, and 9 times out of 10 we learn what not to do than what to do. You start a new job --- taking someoneelses place --- etc.. Maybe I spend all my money on booze and my children are going hungry --- I need to not do something --- maybe get a ride with someone, instead of walking right by that store every day. In order to learn what not to dowe will look at a man, who was supposed to deal with goliath but failed to do so. His name was Saul.

1) What NOT to do 1 --- Do not replace God with anything

i) Background (a) A New King 1. Israel wanted a king --- they had a great king, but they wanted one they could see with their eyes. i. Mankind always looking for a MAN to follow ii. When we look to man we are setting him up for failure. The devil knows, if I take that guy out then, there will be many who will fall. He has done it in the past and continues to do that all the time. iii. Jesus is our God and King --- we must learn to follow Him and Him alone iv. Christ is the HEAD of His Churchonly one head. (b) God gave them Saul 1. Became king when he was 30 years and ruled for 42 years i. 1 Samuel 9:2 He had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people. 2. READ 1 Samuel 10:5-9 i. Saul will be changed to another man when the Spirit of God comes upon him. ii. It is one thing to have our character changed when the anointing is here, but what about when the anointing is not strong. Can we still have godly character? (c) 1 Samuel 10:20-24 1. Again taller than everyone else -- we may not be looking for looking for someone taller but we may be looking for someone who looks like God. 2. After all they were looking for a replacement of their real king. 3. What not to do 1: Do not replace God with a man i. Man will fail, but the Lord will never fail you. ii. Note: the giant showed up, after they rejected God has their King. iii. Giants surface, because our new king is NOT bigger than him. iv. Focus on Godthis was NOT just Davids Goliath, or Sauls --- he came to intimidate the people of God --- the whole house of Israel. 4. Vs 25-26

i. God was with Saul this was not Saul, but the people. (d) 1 Samuel 11:14-15 1. Saul defeats the Ammonites 2. The people rejoice --- surely this is the man. 3. They go up to Gilgal and make Saul king before the Lord and worship. (e) 1 Samuel 12 1. After the great celebration --- Samuel decides its time to resign. 2. They have their king and he wants little to do with it. 3. God does not approved of this, yet still He will be with them. 4. Vs 19-24 i. Samuel decides to stay and pray for them, because they repented.

2) What NOT to do 2? Do not get ahead of Gods Anointing

i) 1 Samuel 13:8-14 (a) What Not To Do 2 --- Do not get ahead of Gods Anointing 1. Samuel set the time, and was late --- He should have been there. 2. He should be a man of his word right we can all spiritualize our decisions. 3. Saul had all the reasons laid out --i. The people were scattering ii. You were late iii. The philistines were coming iv. It is everyone elses fault why I am in this mess. v. If you all had done your part, I would be blessed. (b) Regardless of how bad things get, we must wait on God. Do not get ahead of God. 1. Note: Gods time, Gods Way. 2. So many times we like to hurry things along --- that person is too slow --- no, please. Wait on God. 3. Even if they were going to be attacked -- Is there anything too hard for the Lord? (c) Do not make things happen in the flesh. 1. Flesh will produce flesh 2. Natural victories = natural realm supernatural victories = supernatural realms

3) What NOT to do 3? Do not be governed by ambition.

i) 1 Samuel 14:24-30 (a) What Not To Do 3 Do not allow zeal, or ambition to cloud common sense. 1. Saul was so busy being a great king and WINNER, that he made everyone take an oath, that they will not eat until they win. 2. Sometimes as leaders, we lose focus of what is really important. 3. Winning, and being zealous (ambition) was more important to Saul than doing what was right.

4. His zeal (not the zeal of God) caused him to make a poor decision. 5. People had to choose a side --- they chose Jonathan rather than their king. (b) Vs 47 we learn that Saul was constantly at war. 1. Some people dont know how to be at peace. They dont know how to speak properlythey are constantly in fight mode and these people can never win because everyone is their enemy. i. He constantly added men to his troops.

4) What NOT to do 4? Do not NOT do what God has asked you to do.
i) 1 Samuel 15:1-3, 8-9 (a) What No To Do 4 Do Not NOT do what God has asked you to Do. (i) In other words --- do exactly what God told you to do (ii) Saul did not kill Agag, he took all the best spoil. ii) Vs 12 - Pride goes before a fall --(a) Pride is that one ingredient you simply cannot add to your mix. 1. He built a monument to himself --- not a monument to the Lord. 2. See when we become our own Lord, read our own press, then we start making choices for ourselves. 3. You can always tell --- we set up our own monument instead of setting up Gods monument. (b) It wasnt his fault iii) Vs 13-21 (a) We brought these things for the Lord peoples fault. (b) We want to offer our best to God interesting how we can mix pride with spirituality (c) It all sounds right has the right words --- but the heart is the problem. 1. 1 Samuel 13:14 14 But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you. iv) 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (a) Obedience is better than sacrifice. (b) EXPLAIN the rest.

5) What NOT to do 5? Do not allow pride in.

i) What not to do 5 - Do not allow pride in he was still looking for mans approval (a) 1 Samuel 15:30 --- Saul was rejected by God, yet still he was looking for mans approval.

(b) These things in Sauls heart (note he used the right verbiage) is what disqualified him from Facing the Nations giant and taking him down. ii) Saul continued as King without God --- so many today continue without God. (a) 1 Samuel 16:13-14 The Spirit of God had departed from Saul and he was tormented by an evil spirit, yet he still ruled as king.

6) CONCLUSION
i) Later on we see that Saul is still king and Goliath, the giant shows up to intimidate them. (a) Saul has already been disqualified to even attempt this. (b) Saul was the best looking, tallest guy there, surely he was some kind of match for Goliath. ii) God is looking for people who have their hearts in the right place. (a) It is these people that bring deliverance. iii) 5 things NOT to do: (a) Do NOT replace God with anything (b) Do NOT get ahead of Gods anointing (c) Do NOT be governed by ambition (d) Do NOT not do what God has asked you to do (e) Do NOT allow pride in.

Great Song Israel Houghton Moving Forward What a moment, You have brought me to. Such a freedom I have found in You. You're the healer, Who makes all things new. Yeah yeah I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead. Here to declare to you,My past is over in You All things are made new, Surrendered my life to Christ. I'm moving moving forward You have risen, With all power in Your hands. You have given me, A second chance Hallelujah Hallelujah, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah You make all things new, Yes You make all things new, And I will follow You, Forward