May 16, 2021

Empowered by the Spirit (Ascension Sunday)

Passage: 1 Samuel 17
Service Type:

We celebrate Jesus’ Ascension by reflecting on a story whichillustrates what can happen when God’s people are empowered byGod’s Spirit—the point Jesus made just before ascending. ManyChristians see the David & Goliath story (1 Samuel 17) as a“children’s story.” Many Mennonites just avoid it because of theviolence. In doing so, we miss an important point the text makesbefore the violence:
The Lord always wins the battle
. God often winsthe battle and saves a community, through an individual who stepsup, when everyone else is frozen in fear.
What five things did Davidbring, in addition to bread and cheese, to enable God to win thisbattle?
Do we have access to the same five? What giants might fall,if we bring our “A” game, like David did? Gary Martin is planning thisservice.

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