Gideon and His Army

The Army

Knute Rockne 1920 Notre Dame headcoach

George Gipp football player who died, told coach if things get tough, to tell the players to win for the gipper

they were playing Army and needed a boost so at half time rallied the team by saying “win one for the gipper”

remember the Alamo...

The big motivating Speech

35

Judges 6:35 AV

And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

Gideon’s fleece

Wondering if God really means what He said

They set up camp south across the valley

By a spring

Harod named trembling

We are down to 300 men going up against 134000 soldiers

its time for the big motivation speech

Not

Its our faith that God uses

Send home the Fearful

V 3

Judges 7:6 AV

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

Judg

Deuteronomy 20:8 AV

And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.

Deut

panicking is contagious

being fearful effects those around you

they are wondering can I rely on this person?

https://sullivan-baptist.faithlifesites.com

Then God says get rid of the ones who drink wrong

Judges 7:6 AV

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

You still have to many

Judges 7:6 AV

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

We are down to 300 men going up against 134000 soldiers

490-1 / Shamgar 600-1

Greatness is our defeat

Pride comes before the fall

King Uzziah

V 2 there are to many

God works best when the odds are impossible

so all we can do is give God the glory

when we say look what I did...

Faith is the Victory

Faith is knowing how small we are, How big God is

Be Available 3. God Honors Our Faith (Jdg. 7:15b–25)

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6, NKJV). Faith means more than simply trusting God; it also means seeking God and wanting to please Him. We don’t trust God just to get Him to do things for us. We trust Him because it brings joy to His heart when His children rely on Him, seek Him, and please Him.

V 9 go defeat them

I have already defeated them //you have to do your part

V 10 if you still fear

Fear has been the story of his life up until now

things are about to change

V 13 A dream

Barley - the grain of the poor

Israelites are poor

A little stale biscuit rolled down a hill and took out a tent

the interpretation - Gideon’s army will destroy us

God’s working on the hearts of the Mideonites

V 15 Lets go boys God has given us the fight

Charles Spurgon

A dread from the Lord had come upon them. Let us say to ourselves, “Why should we be afraid of sinners? they are afraid of us.” A Christian man, the other day, was afraid to speak about his Lord to one whom he met. It cost him a deal of trouble to screw his courage up to speak to a sceptic; but when he had spoken, he found that the sceptic had all along been afraid that he would be spoken to. It is a pity when we tremble before those who are trembling because of us. By want of faith in God we make our enemies greater than they are.

not a pep talk, but a confident command

grab a horn, a jar, and a flashlight, and yell yell yell

V 16 - 22 the Victory

And He Worshiped V15

He stopped in his excitement and worshiped

submission and gratitude

When God finished preparing Gideon for battle, he had no other choice but to trust God. Man's extremity is always God's opportunity. He delights to reveal His power when men acknowledge their weaknesses. When odds are overwhelming, God overwhelms the odds!

John H. Yates, 1837–1900

… this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ()

Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise, and press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies. Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled; faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.

This hymn of faith and victory was first published in 1891 in the Christian Endeavor Hymnal. The author, John Henry Yates, was a licensed Methodist preacher who was later ordained by the Baptists. Ira Sankey, the composer, is often called the “father of the gospel song.”

Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise, and press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies. Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled; faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God; we tread the road the saints above with shouts of triumph trod. By faith they like a whirl-wind’s breath swept on o’er ev’ry field; the faith by which they conquered death is still our shining shield.

Chorus: Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! O glorious victory that overcomes the world.

Pride comes before the fall

King Uzziah

V 2 there are to many

God works best when the odds are impossible

all we can do is give God the glory

when we

when we say look what I did...

Amazing Grace—366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions 25. Faith is the Victory

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

John H. Yates, 1837–1900

… this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Saving faith must always be reflected in a working faith. Our response of faith to the redemptive work of Christ transforms us; but then we need a daily motivating faith if we want to live overcoming lives. To live by faith is to believe with conviction that God’s purposes for us will ultimately prevail. In fact, prevailing faith anticipates victory and celebrates in advance. For example, read the Old Testament account of how singers preceded the warriors into battle and the defeat of the enemy was accomplished (2 Chronicles 20:20–22).

Our faith does not develop merely through intellectual assent to biblical dogma or through wishful thinking. Rather, it is a lifetime commitment to the person of Christ with a response of obedience to His Word (Romans 10:17).

This hymn of faith and victory was first published in 1891 in the Christian Endeavor Hymnal. The author, John Henry Yates, was a licensed Methodist preacher who was later ordained by the Baptists. Ira Sankey, the composer, is often called the “father of the gospel song.”

Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise, and press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies. Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled; faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God; we tread the road the saints above with shouts of triumph trod. By faith they like a whirl-wind’s breath swept on o’er ev’ry field; the faith by which they conquered death is still our shining shield.

On ev’ry hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array; let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray! Salvation’s helmet on each head, with truth all girt about: The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread and echo with our shout.

To him that overcomes the foe white raiment shall be giv’n; before the angels he shall know his name confessed in heav’n. Then onward from the hills of light, our hearts with love aflame; we’ll vanquish all the hosts of night in Jesus’ conq’ring name.

Chorus: Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! O glorious victory that overcomes the world.

For Today: Ga