An Underdog Story

Introduction: They say everybody loves an underdog. If my team can’t win the championship, usually you are going to find me pulling for the underdog.

It’s interesting when we lived in Erie a new BBQ restaurant opened and it was called UNDERDOG BBQ.

Maybe you saw the story on TV. It was about a BILLIONAIRE who had a MILLION dollar bet that he could go to any city in America, with just a cell phone, $100, and a pickup truck and have a million dollar business up and running with 90 days. The TV show was called UNDERCOVER BILLIONAIRE and the city this guy was dropped off in was Erie, Pa.

The business he started was a restaurant called UNDERDOG BBQ and even though he lost the bet, at the end of 90 days his business was valued around $750,000. That’s pretty impressive.

Scripture Introduction: Today in our text we come across an underdog in Scripture. We were introduced to Gideon a few weeks ago, and come back to him now to explore more of what God called him to do.

As we explore Gideon’s task we are reminded that when God empowers us, it does not matter how much of an underdog we are, God will EQUIP us and EMPOWER us to accomplish His purpose and His will, far beyond our imagination and abilities.

We, like Gideon need to be challenged to step out in faith, no matter the odds, knowing God is always with us! We need to rely on God’s strength, not our own, even in the face of overwhelming obstacles!

The Underdog Must Abandon His Finite Resources in Exchange for God’s Infinite Resources (7:1-7)

The story of Gideon teaches us that God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things when they fully rely on Him. It also emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith in God's promises.

You could start by highlighting how God reduced Gideon's army to 300 men to demonstrate that victory comes from Him, not from human strength. This point emphasizes the big idea by showing the importance of trusting in God's power over our own

You could start by discussing how God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300, highlighting the lesson that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. This mirrors the Christian belief in trusting God's wisdom and power rather than our own capabilities, akin to Christ's trust in the Father's plan over human strength.

The story of Gideon showcases how God can use even the most unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes. Gideon, a timid man, is called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites through courageous obedience.

Perhaps begin by highlighting Gideon's drastic reduction of his army at God's command, emphasizing the lesson that God's ways often defy human logic. This can illustrate that courageous obedience sometimes requires us to follow God's instructions even when they seem unreasonable, just as Christ followed the Father's will even to the cross.

Perhaps you could highlight how Gideon's reduction of forces, under God's command, emphasizes the theme of reliance not on human strength but on divine guidance. This moment underscores the big idea that trusting God's power, despite our apparent weaknesses, leads to unparalleled victories.

The Underdog Must Listen for God’s Unique Reminders Along the Way (7:8-15)

Perhaps focus on Gideon's encouragement through the dream overheard in the Midianite camp, illustrating that God provides reassurance and confirmation of His promises when we obey Him. This demonstrates trusting in God's power and faithfulness.

You could discuss Gideon's need for reassurance and how God graciously provides it through the dream of a Midianite soldier. This segment can remind the congregation that, like Gideon, they are not alone in their doubts and fears, and that God is patient, offering confirmation of His presence and promise, mirroring how Christ was assured of His Father's will in His earthly ministry.

The Underdog Must Trust and Obey (7:16-22)

This passage reminds us that no matter how overwhelming our circumstances may seem, God's power is greater. We should trust in His strength and faithfulness instead of relying on our own abilities.

When faced with challenges, we should trust in God's power, obey His commands, and have faith in His promises, knowing that He can accomplish great things through us.

Maybe discuss how Gideon's unconventional battle strategy, guided by God, led to a miraculous victory. This can highlight the theme of reliance on God's guidance and the power of faith, echoing the big idea that God's might achieves what seems impossible.

Maybe highlight how Gideon's unconventional battle strategy led to victory, demonstrating that God's plans might defy human logic but always lead to triumph. This reflects the unexpected ways Jesus achieved victory through the cross, a seeming defeat that led to salvation.

This passage challenges us to step out in faith and obedience, even when we feel unqualified or afraid. Just as Gideon trusted God's guidance and overcame his doubts, we too can experience God's power when we courageously obey His calling in our lives.

Gideon's story teaches us that God equips and empowers those who are willing to obey Him, regardless of their perceived limitations. It emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's plan and stepping out in faith, knowing that He will provide what is needed for the task at hand

Maybe emphasize the unconventional strategy God commands Gideon to employ against the Midianites, highlighting the power of God working through our obedience to achieve victory in seemingly impossible situations. This mirrors Christ's victory over death through the cross, an unexpected victory that serves as the ultimate example of power through weakness.

Maybe consider exploring the faith and obedience of Gideon and his 300 men, focusing on their willingness to follow God's seemingly illogical strategy. This instance can exemplify how our faithfulness to God, even when His plans seem inscrutable, manifests His glory and achieves victory against all odds.

The Underdog’s Faith and Obedience Can be Used by God to Inspire Others (7:23-8:3)

You could explore how the Israelites rallied behind Gideon after seeing God's power at work, underscoring the unity and strength that comes from witnessing and participating in God's acts, reinforcing the big idea of community trust in divine strength.

You could explore the theme of unity and support in God's people, suggesting that courageous obedience can inspire and rally others to God's cause, as seen when the Israelites joined Gideon after his initial success. This can point to how Christ's obedience rallied the early Church, encouraging believers to work together for God's kingdom.

When the Underdog Gets the Victory, They Must Never Forget the ONE Who Gave them the Victory (8:22-28)

Handbook on the Historical Books E. Gideon (6:1–8:35)

But what Gideon does do is offer “an alternative to his own rule: his own religion!”

Handbook on the Historical Books E. Gideon (6:1–8:35)

In any case, the ephod turns out to be an idolatrous cult implement. Interestingly and sadly, the only other place in Judges where the root zanah (“go a whoring after,” KJV) is used to describe promiscuous idolatry, apart from the introductory 2:17, is in the Gideon story. The verb is present in 8:27, “And all Israel prostituted themselves to it there,” and in 8:33, “As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites relapsed and prostituted themselves with the Baals” (Stone 1988: 303).