Bears Before Giants

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17.

• Sermon Summary

  In the second sermon in our Becoming King series, Jermey talked about the David and Goliath story.

  Underdogs: We love to cheer for the underdog, as the enduring popularity of the David and Goliath story illustrates. The warning is that it's important to recognize our heroes' flaws and not overly identify with them.

  Hallelujahs: We are told that the spirit of God departed from Saul and settled on David. In the second part of the sermon, Jeremy digs deeper into what it might mean that the spirt of God departed from Saul and the evil spirit as sent to torment him. The question is whether God sends evil spirits or if God uses our personal torments when we know that we’ve done something wrong and when we’re able to change our actions. King Saul was deeply troubled, and hearing David play and sing for him, helped him to experience relief.

  Mano a Mano: Goliath is described as 9'9", the Septuagint, greek translation of the Hebrew text, puts him at 6'9". Still, it was an imposing height in ancient times, and even if the story of David and Goliath was stylized, it was still a story of a real person showing bravery. We need heroes who face both mythical and real-life challenges.

  Bears Before Giants: David's claim that he killed a lion and a bear was meant to convince Saul that he was up to the task. Our big dreams need to be grounded in practical action. “Often what stops us from getting to where we want to go is not our potential - it’s our willingness to take the first step on a very long journey.”

• Discussion Guide

  Community is shaped by the conversations we share.
  These questions are just a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.

  Connect: At the very beginning of the message, Jeremy mentioned that when we meet David, he’s young, small, overlooked, forgotten and even unconsecrated. And this is one of the ways that God is trying to upend our prerequisites for what we’re looking for in a king or a hero. David is the underdog in the story of David and Goliath, and it makes him relatable.

  So, feel free to start your conversation today by chatting about what attracts us to the underdog characters and why do you think it is wise, as Jeremy suggested, not to tie your identity to King David or any leader too closely. What would be the dangers of that?

  Share: about those moments of "baffled hallelujah" — an unexpected spiritual openness or moments of connection with the divine which we ourselves don't fully understand. How have you experienced this in your spiritual life, especially around music or other art?

  Saul’s torment and the way he finds calmness through music is one of those “baffled hallelujah” moments and a plot device to bring David into the court of Saul.
  
  Could you relate to this thought from Jeremy? What does art and your experience of art accomplish for you that theology falls short of?

  “There's something about the way that art connects us, calms us, roots us in truth we struggle to articulate, and accomplishes things our theology falls short of… Paying attention to beauty that baffles us is perhaps spiritual medicine."

  Reflect: on Eliab’s jealousy towards David. Do you find it relatable?
  
  How can we recognize and address feelings of jealousy or comparison in our own lives, especially within a faith community? What does living with the comparison mindset can do to us?

  And how can we actively cultivate a culture of celebrating others' successes and gifts, rather than feeling threatened by them?

  A quote from the message to help you reflect:

  “Eliab is it a tough situation here - being passed over in favour of his brother was always going to hurt…

  But as a general principal I think we need to work to avoid allowing jealousy to convince us that what is good for someone else is somehow stealing something from us.

  I know it might feel like it — but goodness is not a zero sum game.
  Don’t fall into the trap of living as if it is.
  In fact my advice is celebrate goodness wherever you see it with whatever you can. Cheer on those around you with everything you’ve got.

  And in time you might find that actually begins to shift your perspective on your own life as well…"

  Engage: with the idea of balancing your aspirations with the necessary steps to acquire the experience you need.

  How do you personally balance big dreams and small steps?

  Do you think you need to dream bigger but something is stopping you?

  Or do you have a vision and can sense your potential but maybe missing some skills or steps to get where you want to be?

  Engage with this quote and see where the conversation takes you:

  “A little outsized ambition is probably good for us, but our aspirations also can't be completely unconnected from our experiences either.
  Should you dream big—yes
  Should you believe in yourself—yes
  Should you try things that scare you—absolutely, one hundred percent…
  In fact I think most of us need to try to reach for bigger, harder, scary goals.

  But at the same time every great outcome has to start somewhere practical…
  And often times we spend our time dreaming about fighting giants
  Without ever having gotten in the ring. And that's probably not going to end the way we hope it will.

  So if you wanna write a book—start a blog
  And if you want a new job—start working on a course in your down time
  If you want to be in better shape—take a walk and do it every day—until it's easy and then go for a run…

  My point is we should believe big things for ourselves just like David did…
  But all of that that starts when we put in the work where we are.
  Bears come before giants.

  Often what stops us from getting to where we want to go is not our potential…it’s our willingness to take the first step on a very long journey…”

  Take away: What is your one takeaway from the message or today’s conversation?

  Prayer from the sermon:
  God of the unexpected,
  Both in the ways that you overturn our expectations of you
  But also in the ways that you champion
  and elevate the forgotten and ignored among us,
  Might we recognize this
  Not just as a quirk of ancient storytelling
  But as a fundamentally divine characteristic
  That you are present with us
  In every moment
  In every circumstance
  Maybe particularly when we least expect you to be.
  Remind us today of your gentle spirit
  In and around us
  Guiding and shaping and leading in each step
  If we are willing to listen.
  And then may that same unexpected presence,
  That awareness that you are near,
  Help us to look and see with new fresh eyes
  All of the possibilities that surround us,
  But also all of the potential embedded in each person we encounter.
  Might that hopeful view guide us this week,
  In the strong name of the risen Christ, we pray, amen.

• Service Songs & Prayers

  CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 19

  MUSIC Curated by Rebecca Santos
  Brooke Ligertwood - Desert Song
  Cody Carnes - Firm Foundation
  Mission House - Faith More Precious Than Gold
  Hillsong Worship - What A Beautiful Name

  Eucharist Invitation
  Written by Scott Wall

  Christian worship has always incorporated poetry and song.

  It’s always drawn from ancient story and imagination.

  But at its centre? There’s always been a shared meal.

  Because on the night he was betrayed, Jesus took the evening’s bread and wine — he blessed them, he passed them to his friends, and he spoke of a world remade…in and through the shadow of loss. And pain. And death itself.

  Which is why we gather to share this sacramental feast.

  Where - in our wandering - we are somehow brought home.

  Where - in our longing - we are somehow filled again.

  Where - in our doubting - we are still welcomed as God’s own.

  So as we come to the Eucharist today, here are your instructions.

  At Commons we practice an open table, and all are welcome to participate.

  Those seated in the sanctuary or the balcony will come up the centre aisle.
  Those seated in the gym will come forward using the centre aisle in the gym and return to your seats using the outside aisles.

  When you come forward, you'll hear the servers say, "The body and blood of Christ" and you are welcome to say "Thanks be to God" or “Amen” if you’d like.

  If you prefer pre-packaged or gluten free elements, that will be on a table at the blue wall with me. If for any reason you would like to receive the Eucharist in your seat, please give me a wave, and I'll come to you.

  Once the servers are in their places, you can come forward together.

  And as you receive the fruit of field and vine, trust that Grace always makes room for you, and the person standing next to you.

  Amen.

  SERIES BUMPER
  Becoming King