The Man of Valor

Introduction:

GOD CAN USE ANYBODY

There are some people who think they know everything, I mean they believe they know who should be where and who is or isn’t worthy to be. I submit to you today that God can use whom ever he pleases. It’s not your decision it’s the Lords will. It disturbing when people fail to acknowledge others because of their past and look at their present and deem them as being unworthy to be partakers of the will of God.

I submit to you today that if that were the case none of us would be able to work for the Lord! Look God can use anybody!

The Bible is filled with murderers, robbers, liars who wrote books in the bible and represented God. Moses-Murderer Peter-Liar David-Adulterer, and murderer Paul was a brawler Noah-drank Abraham-lied

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Transition: I am humbled and excited to see that God works differently and powerfully in the lives of us each, such as the life of Gideon . . .

GOD VIEWED GIDEON'S POTENTIAL NOT HIS PAST NOR HIS PRESENT (vs. 12)

Gideon the idol worshipper His father was the high Priest of Baal Baal was in his fathers backyard Yet God was able to use the son of an idol worshipper

This potential rests in the promise of this verse. “The Lord is with you” Gideon could be his best and accomplish the mission God gave him because God assures him that He is with him.

Application: Live beyond the mistakes you have made and allow God to use you. Don’t allow the mistakes of others to determine your destination. Trust the will of God for your life. Be willing to do the unthinkable for God even if it costs you some friends.

GIDEON'S ATTITUDE OUTWEIGHED HIS MISTAKES (15-16)

It’s comforting to know that God looks beyond our faults and still finds use for us. Such was the case with Gideon. God saw the humility of Gideon v. 15 here is a guy with ten (10) servants saying he is poor and the least God saw Gideon’s willingness to be prayerful vv. 16-18 prayer acknowledges ones understanding that he needs God we can do nothing in our own power we don't have any power God saw Gideon’s heart to honor him. v. 24 God saw Gideon’s determination to obey v.25-27 obedience is always a struggle especially in the face opposition the absence of friends

Application: Take comfort in God’s choice to use you for His service. Be humble enough to realize how much of an honor it is to be used by God. Pray continuously for the discernment of His will and Honor God not yourself when you accomplish His tasks. Be obedient to the spirit of God.

GIDEON IS NOT IN THIS CATEGORY ALONE

There are others whom God wishes to use for His Glory.

There is plundering of the minds of our young men today.

There is oppression of the mind of our young men today.

God is calling for some Gideon's of 2017 to raise up and rescue our young men.

Are you willing to commit to the challenge?

Are you courageous enough to say follow me as I follow Christ.

Are you courageous enough to stop talking about the way our young men wear their pants and SHOW THEM HOW TO WEAR THEIR PANTS?

Show them how to treat women.

Show them how to get a job, keep a job and take care of their family

Jesus had no problem committing . . . He committed to the Cross He committed to the spear He committed to the nails He committed to the Grave BUT MOST OF ALL HE COMMITTED TO YOU AND ME!