Giants in Our Lives

Two Perspectives 1 Sam. 17:11, 24

On whom or on what shall you focus?

1 Sam. 17:26

Focus on GiantsBrings Fear,

which is Death to our spirits

Focus on GodBrings Faith,

which is Life to our spiritsOR

A Whole Land Of Giants

Fear makes us exaggerate.

We Cry, Complain, Doubt

and Rebel because of fear.

The Clear Choice!

“So without faith, it is impossible to please

God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Heb. 11:6

Take God at His Word, choosing faith over fear.

Though the fig tree shall not blossom, and the vine shall not have fruit

Though the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat;

Though the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

Hab. 3:17, 18

Why We Can Chose Faith

Take Risks!

Take Steps!

Trust and Obey!Make a Memorial to God!

Overcoming Fear"Fear is the path to

the dark side.”Yoda, Star Wars

Bad Fear Paralyses you

HOT!DON’T

TOUCH!

Good FearProtects you

What We have Learned So Far

Keep your eyes on Jesus. You have the choice to obey or rebel. Take God at His Word, choosing faith

over fear. Rejoice in the Lord no matter what. Make your Life a Memorial to God. Focus on the Invisible, not only the

Visible.

Snap Shots of Faith

1st Snapshot [Luke 7:1-10]

When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them.He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him:

1st Snapshot [Luke 7:1-1 continued]

“Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go’, and he goes; and that one, ‘Come’, and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this’, and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed athim, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

The Centurion & Amazing Faith His heart was easily stirred to concern

he valued his servant (vs.2) he loved his nation (vs.5) he helped build the synagogue (vs.5)

He showed humility he was not prideful (vs.6) Example: Turtle on a fence post

The Centurion & Amazing Faith He had an understanding of authority (vs.8)

he was under authority he had authority over others

He believed that Jesus had authority (vs.7b)

this belief is what makes the difference between head and heart.

2nd Snapshot [Mark 6:45-52]

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.When evening came, the boat was in the middle of thelake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.

2nd Snapshot [Mark 6:45-52 continued]

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

The Disciples & No Faith

They struggled with pride argued amongst themselves (Mark

9:33-37) didn’t have childlike faith

They didn’t understand authority very well. They didn’t understand Jesus’s authority

verywell. (vs.52)

The Disciples & No Faith

They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Reflection

In what area of your life do you have a hard heart?

Do you have a problem with pride? In whatareas do you need to work on humility?

Do you feel like you are living under submission to Jesus’ authority in each area of your life?

When things go wrong, where do you turn first?