EMPOWERED TO FACE THE GIANT: PASTOR J.F ODESOLA – RCCG ONLINE CENTRAL DIGGING DEEP SERVICE TEACHING, 23RD MARCH, 2021

RCCG ONLINE CENTRAL DIGGING DEEP SERVICE TEACHING.

MINISTERING: PASTOR JOHNSON FOLORUNSHO ODESOLA (CONTINENTAL OVERSEER IN CHARGE OF ADMIN/ PERSONNEL AND MIDDLE EAST, RCCG)

TOPIC: EMPOWERED TO FACE THE GIANT.

DATE: 23RD MARCH, 2021

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 17:32-37

Let someone shout Hallelujah – Hallelujah!

We bless the Name of the Lord for the Rendition of the Choir. – God bless you (Amen)!

Shall we just Pray!

SONG

We are in His Presence singing
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah;

We are in His Presence singing
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah!

… Repeat!

OPENING PRAYER

Father Eternal, we Thank You! The Lord of Glory, we bow before Your Majesty.

The Commander-in-Chief of Heaven and the Earth, the One who began the Beginning – The Earth is Your footstool, Heaven cannot contain You.

We just want to say Thank You for finding something useful in our lives.

Thank You for Your Love, Thank You for Salvation. We bless You Lord!

Even today, as we have come to Study, we ask that You will teach us Yourself.

You will manifest Your Glory and Power and that which God Himself can do, Please, do in our lives.

I release my heart, my head, my mouth to You; take Possession of all these faculties and use them for Your Glory.

Lord, we Thank You for those who have sent emails that they are blessed.

Those who are with us on Facebook and Instagram and have sent their comments. And all those reading on the Label of DMC are not left out.

… May You continue to bless them all.

For those who need the touch of God – Touch them today and do Great and Mighty things in the lives of everyone.

Thank You Eternal Father!

Lord, we worship Your Name for our own father, daddy E. A. Adeboye and his wife who have allowed us to do this.

Lord, we Pray that Your Grace will never cease in their lives. From Glory to Glory, from Anointing to Anointing and from Favour to Favour.

Thank You!

And when eventually our lives are terminated on Earth, let us make it to the Kingdom of Glory.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name we Pray – Amen!

Praise the Name of the Lord – Hallelujah!

We want to bless the Name of the Lord for another opportunity to Study again.

And I want to thank my father-in-the-Lord for the Privilege to come and do this again. Thank you Daddy -The Almighty God bless you Sir!

Today we would be looking at: EMPOWERED TO FACE THE GIANT.

And our Text would be 1 Samuel 17:32-37:

32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a Youth, and he a man of war from his Youth.

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the Living God.

37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

The Lord bless the reading and hearing of His Words in the Name of Jesus – Amen.

In life, there will always be battles to fight.

Challenges make life interesting; and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

And let me say this: Giants are Problems, Pressures, Pains, Discouragements, Frustrations, Persecutions and Betrayals we will face these from time to time.

And Giants, oftentimes causes major difficulties in our lives. And many a times, some of these Giants threaten life.

And some of them come everyday; some of them come from time to time but those that come everyday Prepare us for a bigger challenge.

And if you are able to stand against those that come constantly, you will be able to stand against the big ones.

David in this situation, came to the Field, taking food to his brothers and to check on them, as sent by his father.

But when he got there, he saw something entirely different! And so he said, I will fight.

The King said, you cannot do it. He said No, I have done it before – I did it to a lion and a bear and I can do it again.

And the King said, go! May the Lord of Heaven go with you.

In the Bible Text that we are considering (1 Samuel 17:32-37); there are Seven (7) major things I want to quickly mention.

… Before I go to the Study Proper.

In that Bible Text, we see different Kinds of People;

1. People who know the Giant.

There are People who knew the Giant – And they were the
Israeli Soldiers.

1 Samuel 17:25 – “And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the King will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.”

So the Israeli Soldiers knew the Giant.

You can also listen to the audio here: Empowered To Face The Giant – Pastor J.F Odesola

2. There are People who Talk about the Giant.

In 1 Samuel 17:25, the People talked about the Giant.

3. There are People who are Afraid of confronting the Giant.

King Saul was one of them!

When David said, I will go. He told him, you cannot go, you are but a Youth.

But David was a fighter; hence, he said, I will go!

4. People whose talk discourages others from challenging the Giant.

There are People who talk to discourage those who want to fight the Giant.

In 1 Samuel 17:28B, hear what Eliab (the Brother of David) said: “I know thy Pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart.”

… His brother tried discouraging him!

So there are People who will discourage you in life.

5. People who stay Neutral.

They are neither here nor there!

And in the journey of life, there are People who will remain Neutral.

6. People who are jealous of Young Stars, and are critical about their Proactive Ability.

When they see somebody rising, they say, No! – Not in our Presence.

But something about such People is that, when the Young Star succeeds, they are put to shame.

And it’s a Notice: Let us encourage upcoming Young Stars. Maybe your words will be able to impact them!

According to 2 Samuel 17:28 – “And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy Pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.”

He was out to discourage the Young Boy! Yet, it was the Boy that exempt the Jesse Family from Paying Tax and also gave their Nation Victory over the Giant.

7. People who dare to face the Giant – 1 Samuel 17:38-47.

As People of God, we must be ready to face challenges.

And on our way to the Top, there are few things that you will confront – It’s a Life Principle that was applicable to David.

And whenever you want to face your own Giant, you will have to cross that hurdle.

Before David eventually conquered Goliath (The Giant) – HE HAD TO FIRST OVERCOME SOME OBSTACLES

1. He had to overcome the Obstacle of COWARDICE.

The whole Army of Israel were cowards – So he had to overcome that Particular Obstacle. They were very timid!

And in life also, you need to overcome that Obstacle of ‘I can’t do it; we can’t dare it.’

2. He had to overcome the Obstacle of CRITICISM.

David’s brothers criticised him for coming to the Camp.

There are People who will criticize you in life – They can’t do it, they don’t know how to do it, they are afraid to do it but they will not want you to try!

And there are People who would not want to do it, but are out to criticize.

… David overcame! And you will also overcome.

3. He had to overcome the Obstacle of CONCERN.

King Saul was concerned, and didn’t think that David had a chance.

There are People who think in life that you don’t have any chance.

David had to overcome that – So you have to Prove that you are able to do it, also. You are Able!

Let’s check the Book of Numbers 13:30 – “And Caleb stilled the People before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and Possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”

But the multitude, in Numbers 13:31-33 said, ‘we cannot go.’

… We have to overcome the Obstacle of concern.

4. David had to overcome the Obstacle of a CHAMPION.

The obstacle of a Champion was to face the challenge of his life.

So Giant could be a Stumbling Block to your Destiny;

And Giant could also be a Stepping Stone to your Destiny.

When a Giant appears, we normally have two options: Either you flee from Giant or you Face the Giant.

I. When you flee from the Giant, you are denying yourself your God’s given Destiny.

…. You are moving away from success!

II. When you flee from the Giant, you deprive yourself of a great opportunity to be Promoted.

Have you seen a Student who dodge his or her exams beinh Promoted to the next class?

No, they don’t do that!

Apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 9:16: “For though I Preach the Gospel, I have nothing to Glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I Preach not the Gospel!”

III. We need to face the Giant!

All Giants before us must be slain and removed.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR GIANTS?

Do you see them as Problems? Or you see them as Opportunities and Possibilities?

My Prayer for you – You will overcome your Giants today – Amen!

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FACE THE GIANTS?

1. You need to be Yourself.

Be Natural – Just do what you have been doing before, and step it up a little.

David was discouraged, criticized, yet he was himself.

The Bible says in 1 Samuel 17:32 – “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy Servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

When the King gave him his armour, he said ‘I have not Proved this.’

Go with what you have Proven because no matter how long a root stays in a river, it can never become a fish nor a crocodile.

In Jeremiah 13:23; the Bible says: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? “

Be yourself because nobody is disappointed and unhappy as a Person who spends his or like trying to be someone else.

You cannot actually win, lead and have success without being Yourself.

… Don’t build a case against Yourself.

David was himself: I’m sure King Saul must have asked him: “Is it you or your family that will kill Giant?” He said: ‘It is my humble self.’

“But you are a small boy.” He said I can do it! “What weapon do you have?” Sling! What about the ammunition? Stones!

Be yourself! – This is where I fault People who Panelbeat themselves.

… It’s good to look just Yourself.

Don’t build a case against Yourself. Don’t become an echo of another Person – Just be Yourself.

David was himself – He didn’t say: Brother Eliab follow me, King Saul come.along.

No, he went alone.

2. If you are Yourself, you will have Supernatural Backup.

In life, the Help that you get will determine the Height you will reach – Your Height in Life is determined by the Help that you can receive.

So whosoever stand behind you will determine how far in life, you can get.

And I Thank God that I queue behind my father-in-the- Lord and his Prayers. Although many a times I find it difficult; but his Prayer is that we will be greater than him.

And when I look around, I always say: Will that be Possible?

Hebrews 13:5 says; “For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

… You have the backing of the Almighty God.

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus, the Truth and Life says: “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

That is what David expressed in 1 Samuel 27:37:

“David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”

And in 1 Samuel 17:45-46. David had a Covenant with God. And he relied on the Faithfulness of God as his Shield.

As you journey on in life, you need to rely on His Faithfulness. If He has carried you this far, He has the ability to carry you till the End.

If He has not allowed the Enemy to kill you till now, trust Him. He will not allow them to kill you!

So, be Yourself; there is a Spiritual or Higher backup.

3. You need Greater Vision.

While others were trying to secure Position, David wanted to Glorify God.

He was not driven by Ambition or Personal decision but a Vision to fulfil God’s Purpose.

To face the Giant, you must see beyond the Ordinary.

David said: “Moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.’

David said, I could see God behind my Past Successes!

So, to face the Giants, you need to see beyond what Ordinary People see.

Do you know why? – It is because there is no future in the Past!

If you look behind too much, you will soon be heading that way.

Stop looking at where you have been; and start looking at where you can be!

In Philippians 3:13-14, Apostle Paul said: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I Press towards the mark for the Prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The man who waste today lamenting over yesterday will waste tomorrow lamenting over today!

No Rich Person is Rich enough. The entire wealth of the world cannot buy back yesterday. It is gone!

Ecclesiastes 7:10 says: “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.”

So what are we saying? – “The Past has become History, you need to develop a Higher Vision.”

And David saw a Higher Vision behind Goliath:

I. In-law to the King.

II. He saw behind Goliath – S Tax Free Life for his family;

III. He saw behind Goliath, the Glory of God!

I ask you today Sir/Ma: Why do you do what you do? Why do you want to.be Anointed? Why do you want the Power of God?

If it’s for the Glory of God, so be it! If it’s for Self Ambition, okay – God knows!

4. Take a different Perspective; Stand on a different Ground.

The Giant is either a Threat or a Target – It all depends on your Perspectives.

Your Perspectives in Life will Define your Success, your Leadership, your Progress.

And your Perspectives will end up becoming your Reality.

The others saw the Giant as a threat, so they frooze in fear.

But, David saw the Giant as an opportunity, and he went after him.

What are we really saying? – You need to change your Perspectives.

Anything you rename, you can capture! So, develop a New Perspectives.

Take a look at Caleb; he saw what other People saw, heard the same thing others heard – They all went to spy the land.

But his own Perspectives differed from that of others!

He said, let us go up at once and take Possession of the Land. But the rest People said: We cannot take over the Land, because there are Giants there!

So, today: Have a New Perspective – ‘We are well able. We can do it’.

And remember, Philippians 4:13 says: “You can do all things.”

You are Empowered by God to do it – So take another Perspectives.

5. Change your Game Plan.

When the enemy changes, you need a New Game Plan: it is called Strategy!

The first enemies David faced, he fought with his bear hands. But when he faced Goliath, he used sling and a stone.

Bear fighting requires face to face battle; but when you need to use a sling and a stone, it has to be from a distant.

Your Strategy must differ – Each Strategy for David brought him Victory.

To get a New Strategy, you need to look to God.

Psalms 121:1 says: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills, from whence cometh my Help.”

When you rely on Divine Assistance, you have Speed and you are Lifted.

In fact, 1 Kings 18:46, tells us that Prophet Elijah outran King Ahab who was on a Chariot.

You can do what no one has done before; and you can do it well.

Exodus 14:15b says: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”

By this Instruction, God is telling them.to do what they had not done before.

To get the result(s) that you have never gotten before, you must do what you have not done before.

Let’s check the Story of Solomon in 1 Kings 3:4-5 – Solomon offered a thousand sacrifices.

And in 1 Kings 3:12-13, the Lord Promised to give him what He had not given to any man before or after him.

… And there has not been anyone!

6. Develop your Skills.

Prayer, Fasting, Searching the Scripture are all development of Skill. Praying for the sick, Evangelism are all Skill development.

The first time I ever Prayed for the sick and the sick was healed by the Grace of God was during Evangelism.

And the Sickness was Convulsion – A spoon was put in the mouth. I said in the Name of Jesus, wake up!

While Praying for the sick then, I didn’t believe he will be healed but he received his Healings.

The second (2nd) time was also during Evangelism – We went Witnessing with one of my friends who has gone to be with the Lord now, in Ilesha.

And they said, you are saying God can do all things, right? Okay, this baby has just died. I Prayed for about fifteen (15) minutes.

And while Praying, I was thinking within me – If this baby does not wake, what will I do? By the Grace of God, after Praying for about thirty (30) minutes, the baby sneezed!

However, I was thinking within myself – If the baby didn’t wake up, I will ask them to take the Baby to Church for my Pastor to Pray.

All these are Skill Development!

Once you are in Church; there are Pastors there; but you can develop your Skills in the field.

Psalms 78:72 says: “So he fed them according to the Integrity of his heart; and guided them by the Skilfulness of his hands.”

… The last point as I round up;

7. Maintain your Momentum.

Anyone who will confront and conquer a Giant needs to gather momentum.

To face the Giant on your Path, Momentum is very Critical.

Lack of Momentum will make you lose Coverage.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR MOMENTUM?

1. Prayer – Nehemiah 4:9-10.
2. Planning – Nehemiah 4:12.
3. Having Good People around you – Nehemiah 4:14.
4. You must have a Godly Purpose – Nehemiah 4:14.
5. By Passion.

Apostle Paul was willing to die for his Passion.

Let me Conclude:

Victory is generated within, and not outside hence, you need to have an Inner conviction like David had.

Until you win in your Mind, you can’t win in Life.

Those who face Giants are People with a deep conviction – Those who know what they are doing.

And everyone who will win life’s battle must have a deep conviction like David, Joseph, Nehehiah.

… They all had a deep conviction.

So what are we saying? – You are empowered to face the Giants.

ALTAR CALL

If you are reading this Message now on the Label of DMC, and are not yet Born Again; Please, do so now! You can’t fight the battle alone.

Can you see how your Life has turned out to be? If you can win on your own, you should have done so by now.

God wants to take over your battle from today. If you are ready to let Him fight for you, bow your head and say: God, save me.

And if you are already a Believer and you are fighting any batte that you know that you can’t fight the battle of life without the Spirit of God.

Zechariah 4:6 says: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the Word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by Might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

And God is willing to Help you.

Shall we Pray:

PRAYER OF SALVATION AND CLOSING PRAYER

Eternal King, Thank You for the People who are giving their lives to You today.

They are surrendering their lives to Christ; and we Pray that You will save them today and write their names in the Book of Life.

And Lord Almighty, give them the ability to serve You till the End.

Remove the Power of sin and put the Power of Grace and the Power of the Holy Spirit.

And for everyone who is already a Believer – fighting Life’s battle! Please, empower them to conquer and Let them have Victory!

Please, send assistance to them and take over the battles from them!

And Lord, let them have Joy and be Rejoicing.

And when this is done, King of Glory, let all of us Praise You!

And at the end of our lives, let us make it to Heaven.

Thank You Eternal Father!

In Jesus’ Mighty Name we Pray – Amen!

Praise the Lord – Hallelujah!

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