His-story, My-story

seminary sermon

problem with culture

Gideon culture

SERMON INTRO

Father Time story: culture often determines good and bad, and right and wrong

clothes - I’m always behind . . . tight suits to big and loose . . . back to tight

tatoos were bad - ooooh, just sailors had them . . . common question, what tats do you have

hair - hair was shorter for men and women . . . weaves for women, dreds for men . . .

piercings were bad - only females with earrings . . . male and female in various places

bad words - hell, lie, only when you were angry . . . normal talking

corporal punishment - whoopings were natural, don’t touch these babies

rap music was not music - not even singing, but today every song has to have a rap to complete it

and just like we look back and find it funny . . . we will look back on the present and find it funny

culture is ever changing, evolving, looping back around

TRANSITION TO TEXT

As you can see, culture will not stand the test of time, it will betray you.

There is a reminder of this truth in our text today, as we continue our mighty hero series

This sermon comes from Judges 7:22 - 8:28, but allow me to highlight some of the main verses as I relate this part of Gideon’s adventure as a mighty hero.

you may follow along in your Bibles to see every verse

Judges 7:22–23 NLT

22 When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. 23 Then Gideon sent for the warriors of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, who joined in chasing the army of Midian.

Narrative 7:22-25

The Lord causes Midianites to panic, fight each other and flee.

Gideon calls for help from the neighboring tribes, and then he also calls the tribe of Ephraim to help when the fleeing army heads south towards them

Two commanders of the Midianite army are in fact captured and killed by the tribe of Ephraim.

Point of Scene – The verse says, “The Lord caused the warriors to fight each other”, and Lord is doing his part just like He promised.

Judges 8:1 NLT

1 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon.

Narrative 8:1 - 8:3

The men of Ephraim (the brother tribe) bitterly complain because they were not brought in at the beginning of the battle

They probably wanted in on the glory and spoils of victory

Gideon is able to placate them with kind words, “at least you all captured the army commanders”

Point of Scene – Because of human brokenness, a “feel good” story is starting to take a turn for the worse.

Judges 8:5–6 NLT

5 When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, “Please give my warriors some food. They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” 6 But the officials of Succoth replied, “Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your army.”

Narrative 8:4-9

Gideon continues chasing the two Midianite Kings.

His weary army needs sustenance, but the leaders of Succoth and the men of Peniel refuse to help because they are not sure if Gideon will capture the Midianites.

Gideon promises to return after capturing the kings and seek revenge

Point of Scene – In the middle of the miraculous story, the situation is getting worse: no cooperation, lack of faith despite seeing God work, and vows of revenge . . . it’s hard out here for a Mighty Hero

Judges 8:16 NLT

16 Then Gideon took the elders of the town and taught them a lesson, punishing them with thorns and briers from the wilderness.

Narrative 8:10-17

Description – Gideon and his 300 catch up with the Midianite kings and he defeats their force of 15,000, wow!

As promised, Gideon returns, with the two kings as prisoners, to the two cities who denied him assistance.

Gideon punishes the leaders of Succoth, and kills the men of Peniel.

Point of Scene – God continues to be awesome, 300 defeats 15,000 in combat. But Now Gideon is punishing and killing his own people . . . what just happened?

Judges 8:18–20 NLT

18 Then Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “The men you killed at Tabor—what were they like?” “Like you,” they replied. “They all had the look of a king’s son.” 19 “They were my brothers, the sons of my own mother!” Gideon exclaimed. “As surely as the Lord lives, I wouldn’t kill you if you hadn’t killed them.” 20 Turning to Jether, his oldest son, he said, “Kill them!” But Jether did not draw his sword, for he was only a boy and was afraid.

Narrative 8:18-21

Gideon cross examines the Midianite kings and discovers that they killed his brothers

Gideon tells his eldest son, Jether, to kill them, but he is too scared

So, Gideon slays them himself, and personally plundered their belongings.

Point of a Scene – Gideon shows favoritism toward the kings, and now it seems that he is driven more by his personal agenda than God’s agenda.

Judges 8:27–28 NLT

27 Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family. 28 That is the story of how the people of Israel defeated Midian, which never recovered. Throughout the rest of Gideon’s lifetime—about forty years—there was peace in the land.

Narrative 8:22-28

The Israelites ask Gideon to be their king, but he refuses.

He does ask for a reward of gold (besides the plunder he got from the two kings v.26)

With the gold he made an ephod (ornamental priestly vest) and put his hometown on the map!

This ephod leads to idolatry later.

After the battle, Israel has peace for about 40 years (the rest of Gideon’s lifetime)

Point of Scene – The Bible puts it simply . . . That’s the story, no sugar coating. This scene provides a summary of Gideon’s ministry: God was faithful and the people . . .not so much.

Main Idea, warning to my mighty heroes!

Being used by God does not prevent you from doing something stupid.

Understand that there are two stories active in your life, His-story and your-story.

God’s will do his part and His-story will turn out right . . . people had peace for 40 years

But Gideon messed up Gideon’s story . . . started something that became a trap for Israel, him and his family

later in judges and another ephod causes trouble

70 sons of Gideon were killed

people forgot about Gideon

Will Your-story be as successful as His-story? Or will you do something stupid.

This word is meant to save you from some unnecessary suffering in your 2020 success.

EXPOUNDING ON THE MAIN IDEA

The theme for the book of Judges is that “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” . . . it starts and ends that way

And in the middle of this God moment, Gideon is doing just that . . .

let’s review Gideon’s decisions and be helped

Gideon’s decisions

The men of Ephraim help but they . . . complain, bicker, get fighting mad

When you are a mighty hero, be careful because success breeds silliness . . . people will give you a hard time when you are simply trying your best

illustration - Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson

But Gideon gives them a soft answer

that’s wise, that’s good

still in a good mood . . . just started chasing the Midianites

And Ephraim is a powerful tribe (Joshua’s), brother tribe

The leaders of Succoth are punished and men of Peniel killed for not aiding Gideon

I know you are mad because you just asked for some bread . . . but that’s very questionable

Earlier people who were fearful were sent home

Why punish (it wasn’t treason, Gideon wasn’t a king)

Why kill all the men of Peniel? Not as affluent?

Killing people he was meant to deliver? Who are we fighting here?

Gideon is weary, tired, and hungry, and apparently running out of patience

Kings of Midian . . . killed only after questioning

kills them for killing his brothers - we definitely understand that urge to repay

when did this war become a personal agenda thing?

Would have let them go? Kill your own people but let enemy go?

People show favoritism to people of like ilk (leaders, rich like Gideon)

illustration - we complain about justice system, mental issues vs just a thug

Refuses to take the throne . . . good

I think he saw the headaches of leading people

Gideon makes an ephod

the Bible plainly says that it was bad for Israel, Gideon, and his family

The scripture gives special commentary on the gold ephod, so let’s look at it closely

Other decisions were made in the heat of battle, they were natural reactions

but this was after everything was over and settled

so you can’t blame exhaustion, needing time to think . . .

And how did he come to this particular idea of all ideas?

How could he not see this would be a problem? . . . blinded by culture!

Gideon was a man of his time and followed the culture of the times, the surrounding peoples

Many gods, Household gods

He was raised with an altar to Baal, and an Asherah pole on his family’s personal property

culture made it easy for him to mix true religion with idol worship

When you look back at the other decisions they are all culture related

Ephraim - brother tribe, be nice if at all possible . . . that’s our history, tradition, culture

two cities - might makes right, there’s lots of bullying in this book (stealing, rape, murder)

two kings of Midian we see two cultural ideas at play

rich and powerful try stick together

asked his son to kill them - culture of family avengers (duty) during that time

kung fu movie example

ephod - the culmination of culture driving Gideon’s decisions

American Culture - prosperity is the ultimate goal

Racial Culture - race becomes paramount to everything else, even God

during slavery it was used to distortpeople will distort the Bible

Political Culture

caught up in conservative and liberal culture

politicians become their idols - that’s why they will call out the opposing politician on something that their candidate does all the time

Sex Culture - do what you want, with who you want . . .

big lie - women exposing themselves is powerful

no man has every truly thought that . . . “that’s a powerful statement!”

“shake it baby!”

the most powerful people are always clothed . . . the ones paying 5 million because they made 100 million

Personal Family/Friend/Neighborhood Culture - whatever we do, I back

We have short tempers, fight in a minute!

We’re always contrary!

We’re crazy!

We get party hard!

We’re all big boned!

We don’t care about school!

We do illegal stuff, if I didn’t get caught then I didn’t do anything wrong

they can act crazy - I will back them up

lie for them, help them beat somebody down

APPLICATION

examine your life . . . is God or culture guiding your decisions/reactions?

Don’t let God use you, but your love of culture becomes a trap for you

Illustration

And if you are not careful, your legacy will be that God used you, but because of culture, you did a stupid thing. How complicated will your legacy be (in God’s eyes)?

we are at a time when people don’t know what to do with our past heroes

did great things, but followed culture

Christopher Columbus is disowned

men who did great things but also owned slaves - legacies are being rightfully question

MLK - did he cheat on wife, plagiarize part of his dissertation

men of their times doesn’t always cut it

don’t be a man/woman of your time . . . be a man or woman of God

2 Actionable Items

Soft answers

Ask yourself, “why am I doing this?”

CONCLUSION:

One of my favorite phrases, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness” (Charles Dickens)

will that be your legacy?

And culture apart from God will ensnare you.

There is a Savior who was meant to be a blessing to all the nations/cultures

Dimitri Caver EXEGETICAL OUTLINE Judges 7:22 – 8:28

CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE: Gideon was called by God to deliver the people of Israel from the Midianites. God has reduced Gideon’s army to 300 soldiers, and they have just entered battle against a Midianite horde. This is an account of the ensuing battle and aftermath of that battle.

SETTING: Time of the Judges when there was no king. Tribes acted very independently. People did what was right in their own eyes. The battle starts in the valley of Jezreel, and moves south and east of the Jordan River.

NARRATOR: Tradition holds that the prophet Samuel is the author

ORIGINAL AUDIENCE: The Israelite people after the time of the judges.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Gideon, the 300, men from the Ephraim, Succoth, and Peniel, two Midianite King (Zebah and Zalmunna), Jether (Gideon’s son)

PRIMARY CONFLICT: Gideon faces difficulties in managing the victory given by God.

RESOLUTION: Gideon takes things into his own hands, and does what he thinks is best.

SCENES

SCENE 1 (Judges 7:22-25):

Description - The Lord causes Midianites to panic, fight each other and flee. Gideon calls for help in pursuing the fleeing army. Two commanders of the Midianite army are captured and killed by the tribe of Ephraim.

Key words and literary devices - “The Lord caused”

Summary - God gave them a miraculous and great victory.

SCENE 2 (Judges 8:1-3):

Description – The men of Ephraim bitterly complain because they were not brought in at the beginning of the battle. But Gideon placates them with kind words

Key words and literary devices – Ephraim (brother tribe of Gideon’s Manasseh)

Summary – Gideon handles this first instance of divisiveness well.

SCENE 3 (Judges 8:4-9):

Description – Gideon continues chasing the two Midianite Kings. His weary army needs sustenance, but the men of the cities of Succoth and Peniel refuse to help because they are not sure if Gideon will capture the Midianites. Gideon promises to return and seek revenge

Key words and literary devices – more narrative time is given to the city of Succoth, elders of Succoth vs men of Peniel, repetition of situation

Summary – Gideon is not getting the help he anticipated and becomes very angry about it.

SCENE 4 (Judges 8:10-17):

Description – Gideon and his 300 catch up with the Midianite kings and he defeats their force of 15,000, wow! As promised, Gideon returns, with the two kings as prisoners, to the two cities who denied him assistance, and he punishes the leaders of Succoth, and kills the men of Peniel.

Key words and literary devices – Gideon takes time to get the names of the elders of Succoth, Gideon repeats jeer of the elders of Succoth.

Summary – Gideon gets his revenge on his own people.

SCENE 5 (Judges 8:18-21):

Description – Gideon cross examines the Midianite kings and discovers that they killed his brothers. Gideon tells his eldest son, Jether, to kill them, but he is too scared. So, Gideon slays them himself, and personally plundered their belongings.

Key words and literary devices – “my mother’s sons!”

Summary – Gideon kills the Midianite kings for personal reasons, instead of for national security reasons.

SCENE 6 (Judges 8:22-28):

Description – The Israelites ask Gideon to be their king, but he refuses. He does ask for a reward of gold. With the gold he made an ephod and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. This ephod leads to idolatry later. After the battle, Israel has peace for about 40 years (the rest of Gideon’s lifetime)

Key words and literary devices – “The Lord will rule over you” “Israel prostituted themselves by worshipping it” “it became a snare”, “Throughout the rest of Gideon’s lifetime”

Summary – Gideon rightly refuses to become king, but he makes a mistake that causes Israel, himself, and his family to stumble. Yet, there was peace in the land for 40 years.

EXEGETICAL IDEA OF THE PASSAGE: Through this great God given victory, we again see that God is faithful, but our ancestors insist on doing what is right in their own eyes.

Dimitri CaverHOMILETICAL OUTLINE Judges 7:22 – 8:28

SERMON INTRO: Use your own life as an example of how we let culture influence what we see as good or bad. . . . calling titles in a black church

TRANSITION TO TEXT: As you can see, culture is not necessarily a good standard on which to determine right and wrong, decisions, or actions. We are going to look at the actions of a man that was empowered by God, but controlled by culture.

SCENES

SCENE 1 (Judges 7:22-25):

Text - 22 When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. 23 Then Gideon sent for the warriors of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, who joined in chasing the army of Midian.

Description - The Lord causes Midianites to panic, fight each other and flee. Gideon calls for help from the neighboring tribes, and then he also calls the tribe of Ephraim to help when the fleeing army heads south towards them. Two commanders of the Midianite army are in fact captured and killed by the tribe of Ephraim.

Point of Scene – The verse says, “The Lord caused the warriors to fight each other”, and Lord is doing his part just like He promised. Gideon is being used by God!

SCENE 2 (Judges 8:1-3):

Text – 1 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon.

Description – The men of Ephraim (the brother tribe) bitterly complain because they were not brought in at the beginning of the battle. They wanted in on the glory and spoils of victory. Gideon is able to placate them with kind words

Point of Scene – Because of human brokenness, a “feel good” story is starting to take a turn for the worse.

SCENE 3 (Judges 8:4-9):

Text – 5 When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, “Please give my warriors some food. They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” 6 But the officials of Succoth replied, “Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your army.”

Description – Gideon continues chasing the two Midianite Kings. His weary army needs sustenance, but the leaders of Succoth and the men of Peniel refuse to help because they are not sure if Gideon will capture the Midianites. Gideon promises to return after capturing the kings and seek revenge

Point of Scene – In the middle of the miraculous story, the situation is getting worse: no cooperation, lack of faith despite seeing God work, and vows of revenge.

SCENE 4 (Judges 8:10-17):

Text – 16 Then Gideon took the elders of the town and taught them a lesson, punishing them with thorns and briers from the wilderness. 17 He also tore down the tower of Peniel and killed all the men in the town.

Description – Gideon and his 300 catch up with the Midianite kings and he defeats their force of 15,000, wow! As promised, Gideon returns, with the two kings as prisoners, to the two cities who denied him assistance. Gideon punishes the leaders of Succoth, and kills the men of Peniel.

Point of Scene – God continues to be awesome, 300 defeats 15,000 in combat. But Now Gideon is punishing and killing his own people.

SCENE 5 (Judges 8:18-21):

Text – 18 Then Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “The men you killed at Tabor—what were they like?” “Like you,” they replied. “They all had the look of a king’s son.” 19 “They were my brothers, the sons of my own mother!” Gideon exclaimed. “As surely as the Lord lives, I wouldn’t kill you if you hadn’t killed them.” 20 Turning to Jether, his oldest son, he said, “Kill them!” But Jether did not draw his sword, for he was only a boy and was afraid. 21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon, “Be a man! Kill us yourself!” So Gideon killed them both and took the royal ornaments from the necks of their camels.

Description – Gideon cross examines the Midianite kings and discovers that they killed his brothers. Gideon tells his eldest son, Jether, to kill them, but he is too scared. So, Gideon slays them himself, and personally plundered their belongings.

Point of a Scene – Gideon shows that he is driven more by his personal agenda than God’s agenda.

SCENE 6 (Judges 8:22-28):

Text – 27 Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family. 28 That is the story of how the people of Israel defeated Midian, which never recovered. Throughout the rest of Gideon’s lifetime—about forty years—there was peace in the land.

Description – The Israelites ask Gideon to be their king, but he refuses. He does ask for a reward of gold (besides the plunder he got from the two kings v.26) With the gold he made an ephod (ornamental priestly vest) and put his hometown on the map! This ephod leads to idolatry later (symbolized revelation). After the battle, Israel has peace for about 40 years (the rest of Gideon’s lifetime)

Point of Scene – This scene provides a summary of Gideon’s ministry: God was faithful and the people . . .not so much.

MAIN IDEA: Being used by God does not prevent you from being controlled by the culture.

ALTERNATE STATEMENTS:

There are two stories active in your life, His-story and your-story. Will Your-story be as successful as His-story?

Are you following popular culture or Kingdom culture?

EXPOUNDING ON THE MAIN IDEA

Two themes for the book of Judges

God is faithful to do his part, the people

“everyone did what was right in their own eyes”

And in the middle of this God moment, Gideon is doing just that.

What is right in his eyes, is based on the culture of the day.

EXAMPLES IN THE STORY

The men of Ephraim . . . complain, bicker during success

He responded with kind words

But proverbs wasn’t around

He was controlled by race culture – support your own no matter what

The men of Succoth, Peniel – wouldn’t help

Gideon responded with vengeance

Killing those he was sent to deliver

He wasn’t a king, so he couldn’t call it treason

God set the standard, people who were afraid were simply sent home

He (and they) was controlled by political culture – emotion, revenge, if you have the advantage, take advantage, self interest, if your rub by back then I’ll rub yours, might makes right

Gideon’s dealings with the Kings of Midian . . .

Enemy caught

Gideon would have let them go, until . . .

Would have let them go? Kill your own people but let enemy go?

Gideon controlled by popular culture - Decision based on culture of family avenging, not on deliverance of Israel

Illustration – Kung Fu Movie, “I must avenge my master”

Refuses to take the throne . . . good

Gideon’s response was good

But he was controlled by culture of nationalism – they didn’t have kings, they liked independence and be autonomous

Thrown in the headaches of leading people

The scripture gives special commentary on the gold ephod

This thing that Gideon made messed up the country, his family, and Gideon

Other decisions made in the heat of battle, and were one time decisions

But this decision, driven by culture, violated the greatest commandment

Gideon was controlled by religious culture - Many gods, Household gods

He was raised with an altar to Baal, and an Asherah pole on personal property

ILLUSTRATION – Teenager powered by parents but controlled by friends.

APPLICATION

There is more than the temptation of power, money, and sex for men of God to worry about

When God uses you, you must always be aware of how culture can influence you

While dealing with the struggles that come from God using you

So be careful that you are not doing what is right in your own eyes.

I am not blasting Gideon, He thought he was doing what was right

The book we just read said, “in ways we cannot fully detect, we Christians operate within the naturalistic thought world that we decry”

Culture is so ingrained, that you don’t have to think about it, you feel it

Cultural influences I see that men of God need to be made aware of:

Prosperity culture - being motivated by wealth, bigger is better

Does it even cross your mind to plant a new church instead of building a bigger building

Does is cross your mind to stay at the less prestigious, lower paying job

Black preachers staying on forever

White preachers leaving ASAP

Racial culture – be careful that your decisions, thoughts are not controlled by racial tradition, your whiteness, blackess, asianess . . . .

Illustration - Police shooting video – same video, different responses

Depends upon your culture’s experience with the police

Political Culture – cult of conservatism and liberalism, political idols

It’s sneaky because your culture and kingdom culture can agree and the lines can become blurred.

Religious Culture – We should already be aware that we have a western bent to a middle eastern religion. Be careful that your theology is not controlled by theological tradition.

Don’t dress up culture as true relgion

Illustration - Styles of worship – funny how people forget that some hymns used to be condemned

Quick to condemn style - Suits, casual, pews, chairs, dark rooms theaters, cathedrals

Big issues today: women in ministry, social justice,

Popular culture and tradition religious cultural influence

As you study the scriptures make sure you are not controlled by popular culture or religious tradition culture . . . but simply by the Word

Illustrations

And if you are not careful, your legacy will be that God used you, but you did a stupid thing. How complicated will your legacy be?

Martin Luther was a man that is celebrated because he said the religious culture was all wrong

Great preachers of the past: Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield who defended slavery. Men used by God but allowed culture to control them.

Actionable Items

Constant Self Inventory – Ask yourself why do I think this way? (Decisions, motivations, beliefs). What would the biblical narrator say about your life?

Interact with other cultures, and it will awaken you to the power of culture

. Social media . . . follow people of other cultures

As you see other cultures, it will awaken you to your own cultural influences

Soft answers freebie: use it this week to solve some arguments (Ephraim)

CONCLUSION:

Jesus is our example of how to live in culture

Did he not fulfill all the law (the word)?

He turned the culture upside down for kingdom culture

Legalistic culture - You have heard it said . . . but I say unto you

Class culture - He was a friend of publicans and sinners

Racial culture - Treated Gentiles with respect

Religious culture - The kingdom of heaven is at hand – a new culture

He died and rose again to redeem us from a culture of sin

Once again, God did his part, now let’s do ours

Do not be a man used by God but controlled by culture

Be a man of God, not a man of the times