THE MVP

[THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF AN EARLY BIBLE SUPERBOWL]

 

1 SAMUEL 17

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TEAMS

 

-the Philistine Raiders [v. 1, 3-7]

-the Israelite Sheep [v. 2, 11, 24]

 

II. THE STAKES [v. 8-10] more than bragging rights, money, super-bowl rings or trips to Disneyworld

 

III. THE MVP – early high expectations were on Goliath [v. 4] who even had his agent with him [v. 7]

But the MVP was a walk-on [v. 12-15], a youth [v. 33], who was somewhat inexperienced [v. 33, 38, 39]. How did he become the MVP for this early historical, Biblical super bowl?

 

1. He had a Heart for God

- God is bigger than an uncircumcised Philistine [v. 26]

-God is real [v. 26b]

-God is worthy [v. 29] the question is not “is it worth it?” the question is “is He worthy?”

 

2. He had a Spirit of Faith

-He believed God had [v. 32-35]

-He believed God could [v. 36-37]

-He believed God would [v. 43-47]

 

3. He had a Yielded Will

-in spite of “friendly” opposition [v. 28-29, 33]

-in spite of “expert advice” [v. 38-40]

-in spite of an “overconfident enemy” [v. 41-51]