Untitled Sermon (12)

Judges 6 and 7: Gideon and God

God brings us LOW so that He can do GREAT things!

Judges 7:1–8 ESV

Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’ ” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

In Circumstance:

-Judgement, Struggle, Hardship – Sins of the Parents (6:1-13)

-Where brought Low: Vv. 6

-They cried out: V. 7

-The Lord Responded with why: V. 7-10

In Confrontation: Truth

-Confronting despair and sarcasm: (6:11-23)

-Blames God, Sees no role in the present for good. (not his timetable? Not his desired action?)

-Engaged to effect change BY the LORDS might. V. 11 (Angel doesn’t seem to listen to Gideon – Go in this your strength (v. 14)

-Gideon responds with ‘His strength’ apart from God’s.)

Through Worship: (6:24)

1 Peter 5:5–11 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Through Obedience: (6:25-32)

Idolatry in his own Life

Justified Fear or Failed Faith?

Why would God want to Save these Idolaters?

Through Strengthened Faith: (6:33-40, 7:9-15)

Romans 1:11–12 (ESV)

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.