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Mar 14, 2021

Getting Off The Hillside

Getting Off The Hillside

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Series: Influencer

Category: Sunday Morning

When Goliath challenged Israel's armies, they all sat on the hillside in fear. A young shepherd stood up to challenge the giant and simultaneously confront the fear of his brothers. His provocation echoes today, "Is there not a cause?"

“Is There Not a Cause?”

The pandemic has had a way of sidelining many Christians from engaging in the Kingdom work that God has set before us. If one thing has become evident over the past year it is the fact that the enemy of our souls has not socially distanced from us. Not even for a second.

The story of David and Goliath is one that all Christians are familiar with, however, it should be re-framed to reflect reality. Let’s call it “David and the Dwarf” instead, as David was the real giant in the story.

Read 1 Samuel 17:21-45.

The story begins by telling us that Goliath had been coming out each day to taunt God’s people for 40 days. Every day when this would happen, the people go God would flee.

Verse 26 David’s response, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” Finally, someone who didn’t run.

Verse 28 The older brother becomes upset that David would come down to ask questions. Everyone had grown comfortable retreating to the hillside, not engaging in the battle in front of them.

Verse 29 David responds, “Is there not a cause?” (KJV)

Every person needs a cause worth standing for. A cause that defines your mission and lifestyle.

What was David’s cause? 

Verse 45 David’s cause was the name and reputation of God.

The only way for us to turn the tide of the direction culture is going is to submit to the Lordship of Christ, and to do so requires that we come off of the hillside and commit to our cause.

If we want to have influence, we have to get off of the hillside and into the battle, knowing what our cause is.

What is your cause?

Has the pandemic caused you to retreat to the hillside? If so, how can you come off of it?