Life is a great challenge. But there is no greater challenge in life than the Christian life. There are three great challenges of the Christian life that I would like to discuss briefly.

There is the challenge to stand before the Lord. The first thing that Hezakiah did when he began to reign in Jerusalem was to open the doors of the house of the Lord and to put it in order for worship. His challenge was, "My sons, be not thou negligent- for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before Him." (11 Chron. 29:11). What a challenge that is for all of us today. This is a challenge to stand before the Lord and serve Him. Solomon said, "Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, for the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in, them.' Let us put God first. The Bible says remember NOW thy creator. I would place as much emphasis on that word 'now" as I possibly can. Not next week, nor next month, not next year, but now. The challenge is for now.

There is a challenge to stand and fight. Goliath was the champion of the Philistines. He stood six cubits and a span high. He was blasphemous and did injury to the armies of Jehovah. He cried out in his pride and self-arrogance, 'I defy the armies of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we might fight together.' (I Sam. 17: 10).

There is something wrong with this scene. Saul and all Israel heard the words of this Philistine, but they were dismayed and greatly afraid. Why should any man of -God be afraid of any enemy of God? The truth of the matter is that they had no man that they could put forth to meet the great giant. No man that is until the boy David came along. Yes, he was nothing but a boy but he was a man of God.

Goliath stands in the position of Satan today. Every inch of a giant is he. He has stricken many a heart with fear with his challenge: "give me a man that we may fight her." Many have been afraid to fight him. The roaring lion is going to and fro and has used his bluff on many of us. But James says, "resist the devil and he will flee from you." Many of us have not Warned to say "no" to Satan. We have not learned to say "no" to drinking and rolling the dice, the profane words, the gambling, and the lust of the flesh. David took five smooth stones, but he only used one. Use the 'Word"No",the word "Resist',,and he will flee from you. He looks like a giant when he is crying for a man with whom to fight but when a man is sent out he turns and runs like a coward.

Finally, there is the challenge to preach the gospel. Paul wrote: "I charge ye therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ... preach the word." (11 Tim. 4:1-2). And that Is what I am endeavoring to do-"preach the word." the mission of Christ was to seek and save the lost. The Great Commission was "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We must preach the word-the gospel-not the doctrines of men-for the gospel is the 'power of God unto salvation.' (Rom.1:16) We are warned against perverting the gospel of Christ. To pervert means to change. We are not to add to or take away from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have come to you today with three challenges: a challenge to stand before the Lord; a challenge to stand and fight the giant Satan; and the challenge to preach and teach only that which is revealed in God's word.