NO Way!!!

Sermon Title: "No Way"

Judges 7:7 KJV 1900

And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

Sermon Title: "No Way"

Introduction

Illustration: Have you ever been in a situation where the odds were completely stacked against you? Like showing up to a job interview with no resume, or walking onto a sports field with half your team missing? You might feel powerless, overwhelmed, and ready to quit. Now imagine being Gideon, about to face an army of thousands with only 300 men. That’s where we find him in Judges 7:7—a moment where God makes it clear that the victory belongs to Him, not our human strength.

Text: Judges 7:7 - "The Lord said to Gideon, 'With the 300 men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.'"

Point 1: God's Victory is Not Dependent on Our Numbers

Key Idea: Gideon started with 32,000 men, but God reduced his army down to 300. God wanted to ensure that Israel would not boast in its own strength. Illustration: It’s like entering a 100-mile marathon, but you’re the only runner with no shoes. Everyone else has state-of-the-art gear, and you’re left with just your feet. Yet, somehow, you’re the one destined to cross the finish line first because of an unseen force helping you. Application: We often think we need more resources, more support, or more strength to achieve victory. But God shows us that His power is more than enough, even when we feel like we’re lacking in every area. Trust God when it seems you don't have enough—He is enough.

Point 2: Obedience is the Pathway to God's Miracles

Key Idea: Gideon’s response to God’s command wasn’t to protest or try to add to his numbers. He obeyed, even though it didn’t make sense from a human perspective. Illustration: Imagine a coach telling his team to intentionally play with fewer players on the field because he has a strategy no one else can see. The players might doubt the plan, but they follow through—and in the end, they win against all odds. Application: Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem illogical, even impossible. But our job is to obey, even when it’s uncomfortable. Miracles are often found on the other side of obedience. God doesn’t need our understanding, just our trust.

Point 3: God’s Glory is Revealed in Our Weakness

Key Idea: By reducing Gideon’s army, God ensured that the victory would be attributed to Him alone, not to human strength or strategy. Illustration: It’s like having the weakest kid in school win the wrestling championship. People would know that something greater was at work—because in his own strength, it would have been impossible. Application: God often allows us to be in situations where we feel weak so that His glory can be revealed through us. When we succeed despite our weaknesses, the world takes notice and sees that it was God’s hand guiding us to victory. Our weakness makes room for God’s strength to shine.

Subtitle: Victory in God’s Hands

Point 1: God Calls the Unlikely Text: Judges 6:11-16 Key Idea: Gideon was threshing wheat in secret, hiding from the Midianites, when the angel of the Lord addressed him as a "mighty warrior." He didn’t feel like a warrior; he felt inadequate and afraid. Illustration: It’s like being called to captain a sinking ship when you don’t even know how to swim! Gideon’s first reaction was to point out his weaknesses. Application: God often calls the most unlikely people to do His greatest work. He sees our potential beyond our present state. You may feel inadequate, but God equips those He calls.

Point 2: Faith Requires Action, Even When We’re Afraid Text: Judges 6:25-27 Key Idea: Gideon’s first assignment was to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and build an altar to God. He did it, but he did it at night because he was afraid. Illustration: It’s like trying to clean out your garage but only doing it at night so the neighbors don’t see the mess you’ve been hiding. Application: Sometimes, God asks us to take bold steps in faith, even when we’re scared. Fear is natural, but faith is stepping out despite the fear. Gideon still obeyed, and that’s what mattered.

Conclusion:

In Judges 7:7, we see that God's victory doesn’t depend on human resources or strength. Gideon’s 300 men were enough because God was fighting the battle. In our lives, the same is true. When the odds seem impossible, trust that God is preparing to reveal His power and glory. Just like Gideon, we can stand in faith, knowing that God’s strength is greater than any obstacle we face.

Gideon’s journey shows us that God uses the unlikely, strengthens the weak, and calls us to move in faith even when we’re afraid. Just like Gideon, we are called to trust God’s plan, step out in obedience, and rely on His strength, not our own.