Facing Your Giants: Overcoming and Victorious

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by some special friends of this ministry. Pastor Greg wanted to see a special word of thanks to the harvest partners who make this ministry possible next time your online check out Pastor Greg's personal blog@blog.greglaurie.com here's how you view with joy.

Go back on you don't compromise it only deals with John your joy when we face giant sized problems and threats. Pastor Greg Laurie shoes we need to deal with David filled with joy and why is your choice.

Kill your joy joy will kill you marginalize and justify giants, and more man got it so someone gives the new cancer drug. Your little love one every day people suffer great financial loss. The breakdown of a relationship. So many people face addiction getting through one period of time would help is the Bible pleasing the life shattering issues. Pastor Greg Laurie has the answer is he brings words of encouragement and direction from God's word is all kinds of joy based like I wanted tell you how you could overcome your giants how you could defeat your drive to do that I'm going to a very familiar story.

The story of David and Goliath, so David's tending the sheep want their father comes and says son, your your brothers are out of the battle there facing up of the Philistines. I want you to go take them some food.

I wanted to give him some bread and cheese. So David comes to his brothers were part of the Israeli army or in a face-off with the Philistine army and combining them as the Valley of the law and does so David, here's some guy bellowing from the Valley of the law and he goes up there and looks in their stands. Goliath 9'6" of solid muscle. He was as wide as he was tall, he was like a human tank and he was covered head to toe and body armor is yelling send someone to fight me down here in the Valley and if I read him you Israelis can serve us pay, but if he beats me will serve you and David's reaction was who is this guy and why is he allowed to get away with this.

Why is someone not going down there to find him. So David volunteers to fight Goliath. And that's where our story begins.

First Samuel chapter 17 organist start in verse 40 and redone the verse 51. By the way I'm reading from the new living translation.

Verse 40 he picked up five smooth stones from a screen and put them in the shepherds back then.

Armed with his shepherd's staff and sling.

He started across the fight Goliath go.

I have walked out toward David with the shield bearer ahead of him staring in contempt at the ruddy faced boy. He reported David dog to come and be with us to and he cursed David by the names of his gods. Goliath yelled, come over here and I'll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals.

I love David's response. David shouted and replied, you come to me with a sword in this prayer in a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord God Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you will define a look at David's faith. Today the Lord will conquer you and I will kill you and cut off your head that I'll get the dead bodies of your men's of the birds and wild animals of the whole world will know there's a God in Israel, and everyone will know the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people.

It's his battle not ours. The Lord will give you to us the notices as Goliath moved closer to what God David quickly ran out to meet him. Notice that he ran out to meet him. Verse 49, reaching into his shepherd's bag and sticking out a stone.

He curled it from his sling and hit the Philistine on the forget the stone sink in and Goliath stumbled and he fell face downward on the ground so now David finishes the job. Verse 50.

So David triumphed over the Philistine giant with only a stone in the sling and since he had no authority ran over and pulled Goliath sword from its sheath used it to kill the giant and cut off his head when the Philistine saw their champion was dead.

They turned and ran while what a story, and won a victory the will of the Philistines was broken, the will of the Israelites is reinvigorated. So what do we learn in this story about facing our giants on life. If you're taking notes here is point number one we all have giants will of giant.

By that I mean we all of obstacles we all are problems well and challenges we all love threats. We have things that we face that well. They're just a lot bigger than us. Number two David knew the battle belong to the Lord, you know that your battle you're fighting your challenges that you're facing your temptations that you're experiencing. Listen to this, the battle belongs to the Lord.

Verse 47 David said to Goliath. It's his battle not ours.

So the Lord will give you to us.

Listen were in a spiritual battle and if you want to. When the spiritual battle you got to use spiritual weapons.

You gotta fight fire with fire is awarding me looking. We have two secret weapons in our arsenal as Christians that we rarely use what you think they are boycott in protest.

No register and vote as a place for that for sure. But that's not even that about this, pray, and preach, pray and preach, pray, and preach the gospel.

So here's the thing, he maybe you have fear you your overwhelmed I don't know how were going to deal with this. Pray about it. Churn your worries into prayers and it's preaching to proclaiming the gospel in a way, it sort of attack mode, you know, when we preach the gospel. We are attacking you. We look at our culture and it's so dark, we see how do we change culture change culture one person at a time and that happens through something called conversion. It happened to you that happened to me and it can happen for others what they can become completely different people. That's what were so committed to proclaiming the gospel here at harvest and David attacked his giant that's point number three attached your giants.

Point number one.

Everyone is giants point number two. The battle belongs to the Lord. Point number three. Attached your giants, you know, earlier in the story in chapter 17 verse 25. One of the Israelites says have you seen this man Goliath who is come up in other words, Goliath out across the ravine and now was on Israel's side so it's not like oh I would just standing in the Valley of the Lawson come on down here and fight me.

He was marching right up into the camp of Israel and bringing it right in front of the that's how it happened to be tolerating a Goliath will take over your territory right up on your doorstep. So here's the deal. Here's how you deal with giants you don't back off. You don't compromise you don't make deals you attack them you attached your giants verse 48 as Goliath moved closer to attack. David ran out quickly to meet him season. Okay, this all sounds very nice and spiritual but I don't really know what this means succulents to practical problem. Let's say you have a problem with drinking or drugs or pornography, deal with it. So it starts. I think I have a problem. She is only your hiding it.

You're never going to deal with that.

You have to come on and say that someone you love your husband, your wife your mom your dad your pastor a trusted friend. I have a problem with drinking. I have a problem with drugs that these are not autobiographical statements. By the way, some is going to edit this and just put it on the Internet somewhere just saying that with no explanation.

Okay, so are your ghetto. I have this issue. Okay, call it what it is. It's not just a problem. That's a sin you're dealing with this in your under the power of the sin. So you need to bring it into the light of day so can start being dealt with. Get it out of the shadows of darkness where it is learned into the light of day. And that brings it a point number four finisher giant off so you attack your giant and you finish them off. Though Goliath felt he was still alive. Now think about this David comes out with his sling. Kind of like a slingshot. He put a stone and starts swinging it around and get a lot of momentum and then when he released it.

It was like a guided missile in a way like up bullet and it hits Goliath book Goliath a big guy and he is at home and on what he's done and it's interesting he doesn't fall backwards.

He falls forward and he's laying there night think about many movies or TV shows you've seen or the hero kills the bad guy.

He chosen the bad guys that then the hero turns his back to the bad guy right and he's like calling someone or doing something and then you know the scene right all the something or just ends up using the frame also with the knife we got a look behind you, you idiot you know David is seeing all those movies so that he's he's down, but he's not dead so he takes it to the next level. What is he do he goes over verse 51 grabs his sword from its sheath and kills a giant and cuts off his head. David really knew how to get ahead in life that make the service that you nothing about this here is your choice. Kill your giant or your giant will kill you marginalize it justify it. See you can handle it that giants coming back for more man so cut and set off for Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here inviting you to join me every weekend for what we call Harvest at Home. It's a church service. It's a worship service.

It's a Bible study and its wherever you wanted to be in your home in your car sitting on a beach walking down the street watching it on your phone wherever you are getting hit with you to be ministered to every weekend. Join us for Harvest at Home@harvest.org pastor Greg continues his message now called facing your Giants as a young boy. He explains he was interested in her brutality, but I was a kid I used to catch snakes a glutton find them and not venomous snakes but little things like go for snakeskin snakes and the way you catch a snake. As you know, you'll see a move into the grass or wherever, and you get a bind many pressure foot on their neck. Then he reached down and you grab them, but right behind the head because they usually want to bite you one thing you learn never grab a snake by its tail because they can turn right around them by each case, and then you hold him right behind the net and any support their body with your other hand and put them in a bag or whatever you put in it. Now that's a rattlesnake you don't want to catch a rattlesnake you want to back away from a rattlesnake. But if perchance you have no choice and you want to kill a rattlesnake. There's one way to do it. That is cut off its head cut off its tail now is really not okay because you just took his rattler away. That's his identity.

They really like rattler so he's going to come back after you know you got it cut to set up and I've seen rattlesnake have their heads cut off your secret. This is like the grossest sermon I've ever heard heads coming out.

Yeah I know but I'm almost okay and even when you cut their head off because there's the blood in the little brain little mouth is still moving when it separated from the body. Everything that I get but so. But that's how you deal with Jack to cut their head off you kill them or they'll kill you and David use Goliath sword to kill Goliath.

There would be no comebacks for Goliath. So what is this me practically means you burn your bridges.

Let's say you have a problem with drinking what you do take the booze and pour it down the stink and drain and don't buy anymore and don't hang around people that are drinking and don't go to places where you going to be tempted because you know your vulnerable. If you have drugs get rid of them will that I will other drugs that spread stewardship.

I'll seldom know.

Do not sell them. You will be arrested as a drug dealer. Get rid of them throw them out, burn your bridges. What about if you have an issue with pornography will appear viewing it online. You need to take practical steps maybe get an Internet filter with those sometimes don't work as well as one would hope, if necessary, get rid of your stinking computer seriously. You know Jesus said if you're right, I have been to pluck it out for it's better to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two miniature right arm offend you cut it off for it's better to enter into God's kingdom with one arm, then to be thrown into hell with two night course you know that's not literal right is a guy with one arm and I missing but don't know I'm just getting good. This is a picture he uses to show that we must take radical measures in that culture, the right arm or hand was out of this the best hand and the right. I was thought of as the Best Buy so here's what it means. Do whatever you need to do to get rid of that sin in your life. And so the literally meant you're not gonna carry a smart phone around because you view junk on it think it an old-school phone that actually just makes phone calls. What a revolutionary thought there might be practical steps. Hey, if you're married tell your wife what your passwords are so she can access your account. Be upfront about to make yourself accountable to someone if you're single safe. I've struggled here, you can look at my phone. You can look at my computer anytime you want hold me to account you have to deal with these issues in a practical upfront way. So David did that exactly any cut off the head of his giant and this gave courage to the rest of the Israeli army that did then attack their enemies, and you know in the same way that they shared in the victory of David we share in the victory of Jesus, the greater David is he Jesus went to the cross and he died for our sins and the Bible tells us that there the cross in Colossians 2 he canceled the record that contain the charges against us, he took it and destroy them by kneeling it to the cross of Christ in this way God disarm the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ.

Because Jesus dealt the decisive blow against Satan at Calvary we share in that victory Jesus made a statement were used one word to declare what he had done. We translated into three words with the word he used was the word to tell us thought to tell a sigh, which means it is accomplished, it is completed. Or, as we often translated, it is finished. It's done. You no longer have to be under the power of anything or anyone from this point on, than Jesus Christ. So let's review and conclude number one we all have giants. There are no exceptions is just a matter of what where or who your China's number two. The battle belongs to the Lord. Rest in the finished work he has done number three.

Attack your giant forger giant into the light of day call on God and pray for us power. Number four. Finish your giant off cut off its head. Burn your bridges break with the past, draw lines, make yourself accountable to others. I used to hang around a lot of lowlife kids and we did drugs together and I became a Christian at the age of 17 and I knew I could live in that world anymore.

So I got a whole new set of friends and some people are surprised to find they keep falling into the same sins over and over, but the problem is they say I'm in a make or break with this, but they hang around the people that are still doing those things that it that is why the Bible says blessed is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, don't hang out with ungodly people that will encourage you to do ungodly things surround yourself with godly men and godly women affect five people that are even more godly than you do what you can to build them up and let them do what they want to do to build you up, that's how you going to move forward spiritually. It take practical steps I want to just close this message by saying there's one giant that none of us can defeat and that's called Satan is a lot more powerful than you or me and that's what the Bible says. Greater is he that is in you than he that's in the world. The one that's in you a pure Christian is Christ, the one that is in the world versus referring to is the devil. God is more powerful than the devil. The devil is not the equal of God, but he is a powerful spirit being that can wreck havoc in a life and do pretty much whatever he wants. If the person is not a Christian is Satan's not afraid of artifacts or religion you put out your crucifix, the devil could care less about your crucifix will all just a workaholic around my neck that will keep them away and keep your friends aware none of the questions you chew on it to that ruling held keep everyone away. Even your dog will come around while you some holy water. There is no holy water.

None of these things work. The only power that Satan respects is the power of Jesus Christ is the only thing provide for you need Jesus as if you have Jesus living inside of you gods put an ID tag on you and it's of property of the Lord Jesus Christ and the devil respects it, but if you are not a Christian that Jesus is now living in you.

You don't have God's ID tag on you you about bull's-eye painted on you and the double you can pretty much do whatever he wants.

Nothing you do will keep them away. That's what you need Christ in your life who will forgive you of all of your sin. Maybe last year was a mess for you and your wondering can I ever start over again. You can you can have a new beginning because the Bible says if any man be in Christ, he is an altogether different kind of person old things passed away. Everything becomes fresh and new. God will do that for you. You can put your past behind you and of a new future. If you asked Jesus to come in your life or if you recommit your life to Jesus. So forget to pray right now, to give you an opportunity to do that. Maybe you're afraid maybe you're not sure what would happen to you if you were to die would you go to heaven. You don't know you don't have that meaning and purpose in life that Jesus offers and you want it 11 to give you an opportunity to ask Christ to come and live in your heart right now so let's all bow our heads and pray together. Father, thank you for loving us so much that you sent Jesus to die in the cross in our place.

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming and thank you for your gracious offer of forgiveness and now we pray for everyone this year and everyone that is watching.

I pray that you'll speak to their hearts.

I pray that your Holy Spirit will convict and convince them of their sin and help them realize they need Jesus right now. Help them become to you. We would pray for Greg Laurie with an important prayer and if you'd like to make a change today in your relationship with the Lord. Pastor Greg will help you do that in just a moment before today's addition of a new beginning.

Concludes now if you missed any part of today's insight you can hear what you missed online@harvest.org just look for the study called facing your Giants.

You can also request a CD from us by calling 1-800-821-3300 you can call that number anytime 24 hours a day, 1-800-821-3300 and it's a privilege to Have Pastor Greg Dr., Kathy with us today along with authors Jeff and Chante felt on labor in the brand-new book called thriving in love and money subtitled five-game changing insights about your relationship your money and yourself Jeff and Chante.

You point out that money issues spring from relationship issues, no issues of communication, each spouse misunderstanding the others feelings and point of view on spending and saving. Let's speak specifically to somebody listening right now who's thinking about boy this is this is really an area where were struggling at home. Let's offer some immediate help you while they wait for the book to arrive. What's the first thing they can do today to get them aimed in the right direction not only financially, but more importantly in the relationship.

So you might get me to okay okay it's easy once so the first thing that I would do is ask each other. One question, is there anything that I could to to make it easier for you to talk about money with me is anything that I could do differently that would make it easier for you to talk about money with me, but the knives down. Maybe I can open up a lot of these kinds as discussions and just get you started and hopefully it decent way, rather than an angry way that you know will will take what we can get in terms of a starting point asking and answering calmly. The second thing that I would suggest is we actually created a free assessment that you can take it we took here in the right time, but the key is for that assessment can't see you this sense, it's only five or six minutes, but it's a very robust engine under the surface will get you some really, really specialized. Where are you starting in this lot. In many journey why are any areas that you're already doing well because if you know that my goodness, I didn't realize this is a big deal I can do more of that right like it's a good thing and it areas the most need to work on it a little chest get you started exactly it. It didn't take long it was and it was very easy to answer the questions and just understanding what went what you value when evaluated once again that assessment is in this new book again. The title is thriving in love and money and would like to send a copy of this your way to say thank you for your partnership in bringing these studies each day were completely listener supported without lesser investments. We couldn't be here, so we hope you'll send a generous donation today and then be sure to ask for thriving in love and money and we can only mention this resource. A short time longer, so get in touch today. You can write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or reach us by phone anytime day or night at 1-800-821-3300. Again, 1-800-821-3300 or just go online to harvest.org will desecrate just before we go. Would you mind praying with the person listening who wants to make a change today in the relationship with the Lord. I'd be happy to Dave you know is you been listening to this today. Maybe you've heard another voice. By that I mean yeah you heard me say a few things, but you heard God's voice speak to you deep in the recesses of your heart and it suddenly dawned on you. This is what I need order stated more accurately. This is who I need I need Jesus. And I want Jesus, but maybe you don't know how to make that connection.

Let me help you pray this after me right now if you want Jesus Christ to comedy your life Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin and I need your forgiveness right now. Would you come in the my heart, my life as Savior, as God is friend I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and accepting me and for giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen. I know there was a relatively short prayer. Maybe you felt something as you prayed it. Maybe you felt nothing, that doesn't really matter because God's word says these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. It doesn't say so.

You may think you have it or you may hope you have it of gods in a good mood. No that you can know it and I want you to know if you pray that prayer and minute Jesus Christ, the son of God has come into your life. So congratulations, you're now a Christian now continue to follow the Lord and to help you would like to send some resource materials recolor new believers gross packet it will answer many of the questions you might have get you started in your new relationship with the Lord. So get in touch and ask for it will send it free of charge. Write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or you can call us anytime night or day at 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 and you can call that number anytime 24 seven or just go to harvest.org.

Click on know God will next time you see even world changers need a second chance failures and how to recover from next time you're on a new beginning regulatory and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor greats free daily email, devotions@harvest.org