The David Alliance

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

Garth Heckman

Spud Webb 5’7

In Junior high he went to try out and his coach told him to sit in the stands…. You are too short. 

Cut from his Junior year of BB and had to talk his coach into keeping him. He scored 20 points his first game. 

No Div. 1 college would even look at him. So he had to play at Midland College- lead them to a national JR league Championship, then got a scholarship to NC state. 

Every NBA scout scoffed. They said maybe he could play overseas or if he was lucky he could play with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Every NBA team passed on him multiple times…

He fell to the fifth round and was drafted by the Detroit pistons… and cut before the season ever started. 

He was “lucky” enough to be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Hawks… At that time his star teammate Dominique Williams was the Slam dunk Champion… spud entered the contest and Dominique said he thought it was a joke and he would do layups… Spud won with numerous 360 slams, dunks off the backboard and Reverse slam dunks….

People laughed at him!

He credits his belief in knowing God gave him that talent for a reason, and that dream for a purpose. 

 

My question today is: How will you respond when people laugh at your dream?

 

 

 

Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.

2  He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth

3  and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.4  Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,5  while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”6  And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.7  And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.8  Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.9  They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.”10  The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.12  So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”13  The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’14  Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”15  But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

 

 

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

Garth Heckman

 

Joy is best served with friends. Go to an amusement park with no one??? Why? 

 

Isolation kills joy

 

 

Your joy affects others

 

Are you the one who people love to see walk into a room?

 

The joy experienced by Paul and Silas freed the other prisoners. 

 

 

Joy preceded their deliverance

 

They did not rejoice because they were free - they rejoiced and that is what freed them! 

 

 

James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

 

Consider" — ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai) think, regard, or deliberately account something as true through a mental, reasoned process — it's actually the root behind Judgement 

 

he's calling for a conscious, deliberate act of the mind:

“BOY I WONDER HOW THIS WILL TURN OUT” said with joy! 

 

 

PURE "Pure" / "All" — πᾶσαν (pasan) This word (from pas, "all") is often translated "pure" but more literally means all, entire, or complete

Experienced as joy in every area of your life. 

 

 

Trial - peirasmos ("trials") not random or meaningless suffering, but hardship with a purpose and a goal built into it.

 

 

The verb "consider" (hēgēsasthe) is in the aorist imperative — a decisive, one-time-decision kind of command in Greek grammar, - “it will always turn out for the good” 

 

 

 

Why This Matters for Your Whole Joy Series

This gives you a clean, important corrective point for the sermon: James is not commanding an emotion — he's commanding a decision about how to interpret what's happening.

 

 

Joy

Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

C.S. Lewis.

  -  Might I add to this: We spend our time foolishly running after happiness… when Joy is right in front of us. 

 

 

 

Nehemiah 8:10 — "the joy of the Lord is your strength." This is a foundational verse for teaching on this topic because it reverses the usual order people expect: joy isn't the result of strength or good circumstances — it's the source of strength to face hard circumstances.

 

 

1 Peter 1:6-8 — Peter writes to believers facing real suffering and trials, describing a joy that is "inexpressible and filled with glory" specifically in the middle of grief, not after it resolves. The Greek word here for "inexpressible" (aneklalētos) means literally beyond the capacity of words — joy so deep it can't be articulated.

 

 

The Theological Throughline Worth Preaching

 

Every one of these passages makes the same structural claim: biblical joy is not the absence of pain — its the understanding that God will use it for your good. 

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

Garth Heckman

Joy Unshakeable 

 

Acts 16 Paul and Silas

 

Read story and highlight:

Military city, 

MOB RULES:did not want to hear what they had to say… the crowd was blind with rage… they should not have been beaten until trial as Roman citizens. 

 

*Joy starts with focus not feelings.

 

Happiness depends on what happens… so you have to do the work to make good things happen. *YOU BECOME A SLAVE TO PERFORMING, AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

 

 

Falsely accused (Emotionally abused),

Beaten (Physically abused in public to humiliate) 

Locked away from everyone in the deepest part of the dungeon… Most likely where the raw sewage flowed. (Socially abused)

Chained (Mentally abused and in stocks)

Archaeological evidence from sites like the gladiator barracks at Pompeii - torture racks. 

**AND AT MIDNIGHT:

Why Midnight Singing Is Even More Remarkable Than It First Appears

 

Put the whole picture together: Paul and Silas had been publicly stripped, beaten with rods by state lictors, thrown into the inner prison (the most secure, likely darkest and most miserable section), and their legs forced into a device specifically designed to maximize ongoing physical suffering. And at midnight — the point of deepest exhaustion and vulnerability — "they were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (v. 25).

 

THESE WERE NOT QUIET MURMURINGS - The Greek word for "singing hymns" here is hymneō — the same root behind our English "hymn" — meaning they weren't just murmuring quiet comfort to themselves; they were audibly, deliberately worshiping, loud enough that the entire prison population was listening.

 

 

**Look at all that is HAPPENING to them. Happiness is based on what Happens. It is called “happenstance”. 

 

 But Spiritually they still knew where they stood. They still experienced joy. 

 

*Joy starts with focus not feelings.

 

Happiness depends on what happens… so you have to do the work to make good things happen. *YOU BECOME A SLAVE TO PERFORMING, AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

 

Vs. joy which focuses on the outcome not the current circumstances.

 

 

Joy is best served with friends. Go to an amusement park with no one??? Why? 

 

Isolation kills joy

 

 

Your joy affects others

 

Are you the one who people love to see walk into a room?

 

The joy experienced by Paul and Silas freed the other prisoners. 

 

 

Joy preceded their deliverance

 

They did not rejoice because they were free - they rejoiced and that is what freed them! 

The David Alliance 

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

Garth Heckman 

*Joy starts with focus not feelings.

Happiness depends on what happens… so you have to do the work to make good things happen. *YOU BECOME A SLAVE TO PERFORMING, AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

 

 

Falsely accused (Emotionally abused),

Beaten (Physically abused in public to humiliate) 

Locked away from everyone in the deepest part of the dungeon… Most likely where the raw sewage flowed. (Socially abused)

Chained (Mentally abused and in stocks)

Archaeological evidence from sites like the gladiator barracks at Pompeii - torture racks. 

**AND AT MIDNIGHT:

Why Midnight Singing Is Even More Remarkable Than It First Appears

 

Put the whole picture together: Paul and Silas had been publicly stripped, beaten with rods by state lictors, thrown into the inner prison (the most secure, likely darkest and most miserable section), and their legs forced into a device specifically designed to maximize ongoing physical suffering. And at midnight — the point of deepest exhaustion and vulnerability — "they were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (v. 25).

 

THESE WERE NOT QUIET MURMURINGS - The Greek word for "singing hymns" here is hymneō — the same root behind our English "hymn" — meaning they weren't just murmuring quiet comfort to themselves; they were audibly, deliberately worshiping, loud enough that the entire prison population was listening.

 

 

**Look at all that is HAPPENING to them. Happiness is based on what Happens. It is called “happenstance”. 

 But Spiritually they still knew where they stood. They still experienced joy. 

*Joy starts with focus not feelings.

Happiness depends on what happens… so you have to do the work to make good things happen. *YOU BECOME A SLAVE TO PERFORMING, AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

Vs. joy which focuses on the outcome not the current circumstances.

 

Joy is best served with friends. Go to an amusement park with no one??? Why? 

 

Isolation kills joy

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com

Garth Heckman

Military city, 

MOB RULES:did not want to hear what they had to say… the crowd was blind with rage… they should not have been beaten until trial as Roman citizens. 

 

*Joy starts with focus not feelings.

 

Happiness depends on what happens… so you have to do the work to make good things happen. *YOU BECOME A SLAVE TO PERFORMING, AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

 

 

Falsely accused (Emotionally abused),

Beaten (Physically abused in public to humiliate) 

Locked away from everyone in the deepest part of the dungeon… Most likely where the raw sewage flowed. (Socially abused)

Chained (Mentally abused and in stocks)

Archaeological evidence from sites like the gladiator barracks at Pompeii - torture racks. 

**AND AT MIDNIGHT:

Why Midnight Singing Is Even More Remarkable Than It First Appears

 

Put the whole picture together: Paul and Silas had been publicly stripped, beaten with rods by state lictors, thrown into the inner prison (the most secure, likely darkest and most miserable section), and their legs forced into a device specifically designed to maximize ongoing physical suffering. And at midnight — the point of deepest exhaustion and vulnerability — "they were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (v. 25).

The David Alliance

TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com

Garth Heckman

The story of Moses is one of the most honest depictions of human insecurity in ancient literature. Despite leading a nation out of slavery and receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses spent much of his life convinced he was the wrong person for the job.

 

His story offers powerful insights into how inadequacy works, how purpose unfolds, and what it actually means to lead.

 

Key Lessons from Moses’ Insecurity

 

1. Inadequacy Is Often a Skill Issue Overestimated, and a Calling Underestimated

 

When you overestimate the skill needed in comparison to the calling underestimated you will never feel adequate. 

 

When God called Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3, Moses immediately pushed back with five distinct excuses:

 

• "Who am I?" (Identity/Worthiness)

Im seen as an enemy to many as I grew up under Pharaoh and in his house.

I am seen as a murderer

I am seen as a person who ran away

 

Past Failures do not disqualify you from your future mission.

 

• "What shall I say?" (Lack of Knowledge)

 

 

• "What if they don't believe me?" (Fear of Rejection)

 

 

• "I am slow of speech and tongue." (Perceived Physical Limitations)

 

 

• "Please send someone else." (Pure Resistance)

 

 

Thoughts: 

Moses focused entirely on his own inventory of skills, while God was focused on His own capacity. 

 

 

The lesson is that calling rarely demands pre-existing perfection; it demands willingness. 

   **You might say “why not me God” - He most times will answer… you said No.

 

Your perceived disqualifications are often just the baseline from which growth happens.

 

 

 

The Lesson: Growth doesn't eliminate feelings of overwhelm—

Feeling inadequate at a new level of responsibility isn't a sign that you failed; it's a sign that you're operating outside your comfort zone, which is where real impact occurs.

 

3. Isolation Amplifies Insecurity; Community Relieves It

When Moses felt isolated he was given Aaron

When overwhelmed he was given Jethro 

 

 

5. You Can Finish Well Without Seeing the Final Result

MOSES SAW THE PROMISE LAND - BUT WAS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER IT. 

 

You might just be the great set up for someone else’s future mission. 

 

 

Do you want to feel adequate - or more than enough?

To feel more than enough: 

Learn something new in Christ every day. 

Test God out in new situations every day.

Focus on the end game.

Remember who you are is who you attract, so become like Christ and attract people like Jesus into it.

The David Alliance 

TDAgiantSlayer@gmail.com

Garth Heckman

*****If you don’t have control over your thoughts, then you don’t have control over your feelingsDr Richard Bander founder of NLP

 

 

2. His Grace Overcomes Your Weakness

When you feel inadequate, scripture teaches that your insufficiency is actually the canvas for God's power. Paul asked God to take away a deep struggle, but God answered:

 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

— 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

"there's a well-known story, often told about…" Ignacy Jan Paderewski — the famous Polish concert pianist. A little boy who just started taking piano lessons is taken to his concert by his mother… he sneaks up on stage and begins to play chopsticks… the crowd aghast - But Paderewski sneaks up behind him and says keep playing and then weaves a beautiful song behind it. 

 

THE INSIGHT - YOU GOTTA BE WILLING TO GET UP AND PLAY.

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@gmail.com

Garth Heckman

It is easy to feel inadequate when we measure ourselves by our own strengths, skills, lifestyle or limitations. The Bible directly tackles this feeling by shifting the focus from our own sufficiency to Christ’s completeness in us.

 

Scripture never promises that we will be enough on our own, but it repeatedly promises that Christ in us makes us more than enough.

 

The Bible expresses this truth across four primary themes:

 

1. You Are "More Than Conquerors"

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

— Romans 8:37

 

The Greek word used here is hupernikaō, which literally translates to “super-overcomers"

 

We win in the end… Heaven, eternity with God.

 

 

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

**You might secretly think - yeah but I want to be superabundant NOW - 

There is nothing wrong with that… but also realize it does not make you happy. REFRIGERATOR BOX

 

 

• 2 Peter 1:3 — God's divine power has granted us everything required for life and godliness.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

From epithumeo; a longing (especially for what is forbidden) -- concupiscence, desire, lust (after).

epithymía (from 1909 /epí, "focused on" and 2372 /thymós, "passionate desire") – properly, passion built on strong feelings (urges). These can be positive or negative, depending on whether the desire is inspired by faith (God's inbirthed persuasion)

 

*****If you don’t have control over your thoughts, then you don’t have control over your feelingsDr Richard Bander founder of NLP

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com

Garth Heckman

Facebook - Faceblah

Instagram - InstaSHAM actual filters that show reality

TikTok - Ticked off 

 

INTERESTING INSIGHT TO THE SEEDS PARABLE:

Luke 8:14 The cares of the world choke out Gods seed and you quickly no longer believe 

 

Cares GK - Mer-im-nah  what the world holds as important. 

Choke GK Soom-pnee-go  choked off by having the wrong identifications… 

Imagine straining your neck looking at everything the world has in front of you… you strain your neck so twisted you choke yourself to death. 

 

A woman had an epiphany standing in her 4.5 million dollar home… IT’S JUST A REFRIGERATOR BOX.

HERE IS THE TRUE INSIGHT - WHEN WE FEEL LIKE WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH (TO COMPLETE US), THEN WE TELL OURSELVES “WE ARE NOT ENOUGH” - WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE ILL EQUIPPED TO DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO. 

 

It is easy to feel inadequate when we measure ourselves by our own strengths, skills, lifestyle or limitations. The Bible directly tackles this feeling by shifting the focus from our own sufficiency to Christ’s completeness in us.

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@gmail.com 

Garth Heckman

Excess 

 

On a scale of 1-10 regarding your abilities… 

Do you have enough of what it takes to live a fulfilling life?

10 being the perfect life

1 being a complete and utter debacle.

BUT HERE IS THE REAL TEST… WHAT WAS YOUR SCALE YOU JUDGED YOURSELF BY? 

 

You are more than enough - you have excess in your abilities. 

 

THE PROBLEM? 

In a culture fueled by highlight reels, endless scrolling, and the quiet fear that everyone else has life figured out, feeling "not enough" is practically the modern default.

 

How to never feel like you are enough!

 - 1 Constantly compare yourself to other people's highlight reels

 - 2 Base your entire worth on external validation

 - 3 Chase perfectionism, especially online

 - 4 Isolate yourself with your struggles

 - 5 Let one bad moment define your whole identity