Chosen By God

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,”

Gods will and desire is to use men to accomplish His purposes. To bring people freedom from sin, to demonstrate Gods power to unbelievers, and to lead people. I want to examine a man who God called, and saw greatness in. This man is Gideon.

Judges 6:12–15 (ESV) — 12 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

I. Disqualified

A. COI were living in disobedience to God they find themselves in this position because of their disobedience Judges 6:1 (ESV) — 1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.

Because of their sinful action they are being oppressed. Every harvest the Midianites steal the harvest and cause the COI to suffer.

The COI were suppose to be Gods representatives, instead they lived ungodly lives. Involved themselves in idolatry, and lived lives of sin. They disqualified themselves from God help.

Because of their disobedience God is forced to judge them. Their disobedience has caused a separation from Gods help.

B. Truth is we can put ourselves in the same position

1. This can be the result of sinful action or disobedience choices. We often seek excuses as to why sin is in our hearts. Jesus is clear when he speaks about the source in Mark 7:20–23 (ESV) — 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

a. Jesus says its from within that evil desires come. Its not simply what you going through. or what someone has done to you. Often times we involve our selves in sin because its simply what we want to do.

The goal of the enemy is to change how you view God, and the alter how you think God views you.

b. look at Gideons response to God

Judges 6:13 (ESV) — 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

He questions Gods integrity/Gods motives.

This is what the enemy wants you to do! His goal is to cause you to question God… did God really call you? Does God really care bout you?

Gideons view of God has changed His circumstances have altered how he sees God.

Judges 6:15 (ESV) — 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

Because of His circumstances Gideons view of himself has been effected.

Even with God speaking to him directly, he can’t see past his current circumstances. Gideon is blinded by self…

Sin can cause us to believe things about ourselves that are not true!

You can’t be free. There are no other options. You can’t be used. How can you help others you can’t even help yourself.

II. Called by God

A. God has a sovereign will and plan for your life! Judges 6:12;14 (ESV) — 12 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

A. God wanted to use Gideon! even with his insecurities and doubts, God was determined to use him!

i. Your current circumstances don’t determine your future in God. What God is looking for is someone that would be willing to simply take God at his word.

ii. God’s view of Gideon is that he was a mighty man! not that he was weak, what God had to do was change Gideon’s view of himself. How do you think God views you this morning? a failure/ mistake/ insignificant /useless?

John 15:16 (ESV) — 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) — 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

John 15:15 (ESV) — 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

A man with the vision of God is not devoted simply to a cause or a particular issue but to God himself.

Oswald Chambers

B. Gentlemen God has chosen you this morning! Perhaps you find yourself far from Gods will, maybe even involved in things you know are wrong! I declare that Gods desire is to 1. Forgive you. 2. Cause your life to make eternal impact!

i. Like Gideon we must simply be obedient. You have to look past your inabilities, because Gods favor and blessing originates from who God is, not your past mistakes.

ii. God has the power to use you to bring deliverence to others Judges 6:14 14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

Gideon was used to bring freedom/deliverence to others. He went on to lead the COI/tear down idols/win wars. His life was not defined by the circumstances he was in when first called! God did not leave him where he was, God made him effective.

Gideon had imperfect faith! He tested God/tore down the idols at night because he was afraid! God is looking for obedience not perfection.

Your destiny in God is not defined by where you find yourself currently. God is able to change you, and transform the circumstances of life. Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) — 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

III. Used by God

A. Gideon's life reflects Gods ability to use a man that is filled with fear/insecurity/failure. God took him and made him into a leader, an example to others. Ultimately bringing freedom to those that were oppressed.

Gideon simply choose to obey God, it was in that obedience that God demonstrates His power to use a flawed man. Thats good news for us!

B. You can be used to accomplish amazing things for God. God does not view you as a failure/you are a mighty man. You are chosen of God in our generation.

Alter call for those not saved

Call for men who are saved, but like Gideon you view of God has changed/your view of yourself has changed because of circumstances. God wants to bring healing, you are useful in Gods kingdom.

Pray to bring clarity of Gods will and purpose. That we would have a heart of surrender to Gods voice.