GOLIATH MUST FALL: DEAD BUT STILL DEADLY

This week we begin a new sermon series entitled, Goliath Must Fall, which is the same title as our Lenten study by Louie Giglio.  Join a small group for this study or grab a book and do it with your family.  The subtitle to this study is, Winning the Battle Against Your Giants.  This will be a great study for our Lenten season.  It is based on the story of David and Goliath (as you may have guessed) but what does it have to do with the Lenten season?  Lent is about preparing for the victory of Easter morning.  It is intended to strengthen the light of Jesus Christ in our lives and to help us reflect that light into the darkness of this world.  This is the light that our world is longing to see.  We are preparing for Easter morning and the power of resurrection.  This is the greatest possible victory for all of humanity because Jesus’s resurrection means that the power of death has been shattered.  This resurrection power is the same strength that allowed David to defeat Goliath.  This is a moment that points to God’s power, it is reflected in and culminates with the power of death being conquered by new life!  To start this journey, we turn to Ephesians 6:10-18 and the sermon: Dead but Still Deadly.  These verses point to that resurrection power that gave David his strength and brought Jesus out of the tomb.  It is still at work in us.  This section begins with:  “Be empowered by God’s powerful strength” (Ephesians 6:10 a (JOT)).  If we are going to win the victory for the giants in our lives, we will not do it alone!  We need the strength found in Ephesians 6:10-18 because it allows us to stand in the battles that we will certainly face.  We pray that you will experience the life-altering presence of the resurrected Jesus as you read this passage, and that you will see the path to greater victory in his name.  

Ephesians 6:10-18: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (NIV)