I wonder if you have ever thought about the way that we begin to access God as young children. It is not through the sitting down and learning the various theological doctrines, but rather, through the hearing of the stories of the great heroes of faith as in that of David and Goliath - our first reading for today.

Children are not interested in some vague theory of God, but rather the practical reality of God in action. In the story of David and Goliath, it is the young boy that sees the situation not in the harsh reality of a giant warrior and hopeless battle situation. David saw a God who was invincible and a God who saved and protected those who entrusted themselves to him. This young shepherd boy knew God, as a God who saves for it had already been a practical reality in his own life. Goliath was effectively defeated because he had defied the living God.

Now there is more to this story than just one of faith. Saul, almost defeated David. Saul was caught up in the thinking of his time - If you are going into battle, then you must put on armour. In a magnanimous gesture, Saul gave David his own armour, arguably the best in the camp, for Saul was the king. But David was only a young boy, and he could not walk in the armour.

As a family, we have seen something of this when Esther had to take her turn as Goalie in Minkey Hockey when she was in grade 3. The teacher in charge dutifully strapped on the helmet and the Pads of the one size fits all and Esther disappeared into the equipment. Perhaps her only hope of stopping the Ball would have been to fall on it, because she could not move otherwise. But this also was the situation with David. Saul's armour would have bound him down, not freed him to fight. He was called upon to fight the battle of faith - and these weapons would not work for him. David had to trust in God directing his usual weapons, and not entrust himself to the armour and sword of the professional soldier. Indeed this battle was to be fought on a spiritual rather than a physical plane. It was not about the power of the protagonists, but rather the power of the God whom each advocated. It was a battle between the gods of the Philistines and God.

But this is more than a nice story with which to entertain the kids. Another variation on the theme of nearly all our stories with which entertain ourselves - Good triumphing over evil (in spite of the odds). And more than just an early introduction into the life of the man who would become the king. It has a message for us today. A message for us here in the Parish of Cressy.

Now I don't know about you, but I haven't seen many giants in my travels around the parish. Nevertheless, the threat is there. Like Goliath, we face an endless challenge to the living God - to our God as there is a constant defying of what it is that God would desire. Now I am not interested in talking about the problems of Drugs, or Domestic Violence or other abuse. These are indeed the symptoms of a world that has denied God.

No, the important enemy is more subtle. I do not know about you, but last Monday night, I took time to watch the Four Corners programme on the Anglican Church. There are many issues that were raised in it, but the fundamental underlying principle is related to the use and abuse of power. Courage is seen in weakness, but integrity is seen in strength. Goliath had the strength, but used it to abuse others, namely those in weakness. When David came before him he cursed him as an unworthy opponent.

In the Sydney Diocese at this time, there are those who taunt and curse others because of their strength (in numbers). They play political games to manipulate the outcomes for their own ends and in doing so claim, like Goliath, divine right.

The Four Corners program was quick to point out, that this church was not interested in human need or opportunities to minister. Content to find power bases in the wealthy Northern suburbs, the ministry in Kings Cross and Redfern is done by these so called 'liberals' who have found in Scripture the mandate for compassion and not judgement. And whose lives are given over to help the poor and the powerless. They have no time to play politics, because they are concerned with their neighbours.

Now I don't know about you, but in my own vision of Jesus, there is a man who cares, who reaches out and meets people where they are without prejudice or judgement. He has the power and the privilege to judge, but puts this aside to reach the people most alienated from God.

And is this not what we are called to do? We are not here in this place to give those around us a hundred reasons as to why they are sinners, we are here to demonstrate the great love of God. In Jesus day, those who wanted to judge their neighbours were around also. We know them as the Pharisees. And we know Jesus opinion of them.

It is easy to recruit when you appear powerful. The weight of numbers may win votes in a democracy but does not mean that you are right. You only need to look at the popularity of Hitler in the thirties to see the falseness of this logic. Hitler was not right because of his might or popularity. History quite rightly judges him as evil.

We as the church are engaged in a David and Goliath like battle. The enemy within are those who seek to use the church for their own self-aggrandisement. Who want to take the high moral ground and condemn the world in the name of Jesus? Whose very actions close the door of the kingdom on those whom Jesus was most intent to save. And we are seeing this movement raise its ugly head in our own diocese as well.

John arguably the Apostle closest to our Lord, in his last days reduced his preaching to the message - 'God is Love - Love one another!'. His epistle is full of this message. Without Love says Paul we are empty gongs and clashing cymbals.

Our Gospel reading takes to the stormy seas of Galilee. The apostles in the boat are fearful because of the storm around them. They woke Jesus up to condemn him - "Teacher do you not care that we are perishing". And Jesus said to them -" Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith." We may feel that the situation around us is stormy and that we are going under. We may feel that Jesus has forgotten us and has fallen asleep. But let us not make the mistake of the disciples in feeling that we are abandoned. Rather let us trust that in the midst of these threatening storms that Jesus has power over event he wind and the waves. Let us not be afraid but have faith.

It was faith not might that overcame the obstacle of Goliath. Let us pray for faith that will see beyond the threats and storms and lead us forward.