POINT OF CONTACT: When we think about David, we almost always associate him with the giant, Goliath. But David was able to fight Goliath and defeat him because God was with David. There are some things that were built in David's life before he was able to kill the giant. The story of David is found in I Samuel 17:13-22.

I. DAVID HAD A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
     A. David wrote many of the Psalms.
     B. Psalms 23 was written when David fled from Absalom.
     C. David developed his relationship with God in his youth!
     D. There were not as many distractions to keep him from knowing God as there are for us today!
     E. You will only be as great as your relationship to God is!

II. DAVID WAS A RESPONSIBLE YOUNG MAN
     A. His father didn't have to get him out of bed every morning.
     B. His mother didn't have to keep after him to do his homework.
     C. He knew what his responsibilities were and did them!
     D. He did what he was supposed to do - even if what he wanted to do was more exciting.
        17:13-15 No young boy would rather feed sheep than watch a fight!
     E. David was not distracted from his responsibilities.
     F. When David's father sent him back to his brothers, he didn't say any thing to David about the sheep! 17:16-20
     G. David knew the sheep were his responsibility, even though his father sent him on an errand!
     F. He found someone to watch the sheep while he was away for his father.
     G. His father had no complaints about David's work!

III. DAVID WAS OBEDIENT TO HIS FATHER
     A. There was no argument from David about making the trip to his brothers camp again.
     B. There was only instant obedience.
     C. Delayed obedience is a form of rebellion!
     D. If you are disobedient to your father, it will only be a matter of time before you are disobedient to the heavenly Father!

IV. DAVID USED HIS TIME WISELY
     A. When David was with the sheep, he did not sleep the day away when he had the chance.
     B. He practiced, using his sling, and learned to be accurate!
     C. The Bible does not say that God guided the rock slung at Goliath!
     D. Goliath was completely covered, except for a small place in his helmet.
     E. David slung the stone accurately, hitting his target!
     F. He prepared for the future! God was training him to lead His people while he was caring for the sheep!
     G. He did his job well, protecting the sheep, feeding them, loving them...

V. DAVID WAS VERY COURAGEOUS
     A. While watching his father's sheep, he killed a lion and a bear! 17:34
     B. He was willing to take on Goliath! 17:32
     C. He was not afraid to stand up to his brothers for right! 17:28,29

VI. DAVID WAS LOYAL TO GOD
     A. David was angry when Goliath mocked God's army! 17:26
     B. David was God's Friend and wasn't going to let anyone talk about his Friend that way!

VII. DAVID DID NOT LET CRITICISM STOP HIM
     A. His brothers criticized him 17:28
     B. Saul criticized him 17:33
     C. The test of your character is what it takes to stop you!
     D. Can Satan stop you with a few critical words?
     E. Martyrs had to be put to death to stop them.
     F. They tried to shut John up by boiling him in oil! He didn't die, so they exiled him to the island of Patmos! Rev. 1:9.

VIII. DAVID WAS HOLY SPIRIT LED
     A. The things David did were no accident!
     B. He instantly obeyed as the Holy Spirit led.