Untitled Sermon (23)

Your Name is Known: God Sees You!

Bible Passage: Judges 6:11–14

Summary: In Judges 6:11-14, we witness God's call to Gideon, a seemingly insignificant man chosen to deliver Israel. This passage reveals God's intimate knowledge of Gideon and His purpose for him, highlighting that God knows our names and our potential, even when we struggle to see it ourselves.

Application: This message encourages believers that no matter their current struggles or feelings of inadequacy, they are known and valued by God. It reminds them that God has a purpose for each person’s life, and He equips them for the tasks He calls them to fulfill, offering hope in times of despair and doubt.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God does not overlook anyone. It emphasizes that God's calling often comes when we least expect it and that our perceived weaknesses can become our strengths when we trust in Him. Everyone has a divine purpose, and recognizing this can transform how we approach our personal challenges and the challenges of our community.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage foreshadows the ultimate deliverance brought by Christ. Just as God called Gideon to save Israel, Jesus calls each person by name to deliver them from sin and despair. Gideon’s story reflects Christ’s willingness to choose the humble and the lowly for God’s higher purposes.

Big Idea: God knows your name and your potential; trust Him to fulfill His purpose through you.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider exploring the cultural context of Judges to understand Gideon’s challenges better. You might find aspects of Israel’s history and covenant relationship with God particularly enlightening. Using Logos, examine commentaries that discuss the significance of names in biblical narratives and how God’s calling is often directed toward the overlooked and marginalized.

1. God's Unexpected Meeting

Judges 6:11

In verse 11, we encounter Gideon, who is hiding in a winepress to thresh wheat, an act of fear and survival amidst the oppression of the Midianites. You could highlight how God often meets us in unexpected places, even in our fear and hiding. This suggests that God knows exactly where we are both physically and spiritually, and He reaches out to us despite our circumstances.

2. God's Greater Vision

Judges 6:12

Here, the angel of the Lord addresses Gideon as a 'mighty warrior,' despite his fearful current state. Perhaps you can use this to illustrate how God sees not only who we are but who we can become. This divine perspective can encourage congregants to view themselves through God’s eyes rather than their own limitations. God’s knowledge of our potential should empower us.

3. God Welcomes Our Questions

Judges 6:13

In this verse, Gideon questions the angel about God's presence and past deeds, reflecting doubt and disillusionment. Maybe you can relate this to our own doubts in times of struggle, suggesting that sincere questions are part of a deepening faith and relationship with God, who patiently listens and responds to our cries.

4. God Gives Us Strength

Judges 6:14

Finally, the Lord’s command to Gideon to 'go in the strength you have' emphasizes that divine equipping accompanies divine calling. You could conclude that acknowledging God’s presence and calling in our lives transforms our perceived weaknesses into strengths. Our ability to fulfill God's purpose relies not on our power but on His empowerment and presence with us.