Sermon Tone Analysis

Opening Line:

Measure Twice and cut once!

Introduction:

Measure twice and cut once is a phrase I remember hearing growing up as the son of a dad in the home building industry.

Essentially what my dad was saying is to make sure you are correct before you take action.

There are times in our Christian walk when we will be faced with the questions of wrong or right however as the Holy Spirit dwells on the inside of us sanctifying us and making us more Christlike and also as we grow deeper in the knowledge of God’s word, then right and wrong become more obvious to us.

But then there are other times when we are faced with not a good or bad choice but rather a good or good choice.

This is where it becomes increasingly important to know God’s character and to be able to hear His voice above all voices.

And even with these gifts the Lord provides, in our humanity there will still be other times when we may be uncertain if the Lord is calling us to do something or rather it is our own thoughts or the ideas which others try to influence us with.

Today I am going to speak with you about a man named Gideon who was faced with just this type of situation.

And I know many people preach that Gideon’s request for confirmation was due to a lack of faith but I would contest that he had no lack of faith in God because he did follow the Lord’s instructions rather he wanted to know beyond any doubt that it was God’s will and that the Lord was with him because he knew he couldn’t do this mighty task without the all powerful hand of God upon him.

My hope and prayer today is that through this message we all can be reminded that not only is it not a lack of faith rather it is ok to respectfully ask for signs and confirmation and furthermore that the Lord honors such requests.

Scripture Reference:

Setting/Character Development

To provide some background context for today’s anchor verses Gideon served as the fifth major judge over Israel and some Bible scholars make the claim that Gideon was one of the greatest Judges due to his faith to obey the Lord despite all the challenges set before him.

Judges chapter six begins by explaining to us that the Israelites did evil by following the gods of the Midianites so the Lord gave them into Median's hand for seven years.

During these seven years Midian severely oppressed Israel and along with other neighboring people would take their harvest and livestock to the point where we find Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress so that he could be hidden from them.

Yet despite the wickedness of the Israelites there was hope as the Lord heard them cry out and He sent a prophet to tell them that it was their disobedience which caused the judgement upon them.

Aren’t you glad today to know that with the Lord there is always hope for our land.

Amen!

If people could understand that the evil we see today is because our society is rejecting the Lord and therefore He is allowing events to happen to our country.

But if we cry out to God and seek His face then their is always hope for our land to be restored, healed and blessings to return.

Somebody give God praise!

The Lord Calls

In verses 11-27 we can see the call of Gideon.

The Bible tells us that the Angel of the Lord visited Gideon and called him a mighty man of valor and encouraged Gideon that the Lord was with him.

But instead of rejoicing Gideon respectfully says if the Lord is with Israel then why have all of these bad things happened.

Have any of you ever felt that way?

Have you ever felt like if the Lord was with you then why do bad things keep happening?

Like Gideon when we do this it is because we have our eyes on our circumstances and not who God is.

Because when we focus on who God is and what He has done, can do and will do for our lives our hurts, hang ups and struggles pale in comparison.

Said simply our God is greater!

Amen!

The Lord reminds Gideon to remember that it is God who is sending him.

Yet Gideon still does not feel qualified to accept the call stating that he is the least in his father’s house who is from the weakest clan in Manasseh.

But God reminds Gideon that He will be with him and use Gideon to strike the Midianites.

Then Gideon asks for the first sign from the Lord to confirm that it is in fact God calling Him.

Notice the Lord is not offended or does not rebuke Gideon because He understands the human condition.

And when Gideon returns with the food, fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the food.

Also, the Angel of the Lord vanished before his eyes.

Finally Gideon realizes that the calling placed upon him is in fact from the Lord almighty so he begins to build and altar to worship God.

Again notice the Lord does not correct Gideon for needing confirmation but rather encourages him to have peace and not be fearful.

Next, after Gideon’s call we can see that he is obedient to the Lord by tearing down the altar to baal and by cutting down the asherah pole.

In addition, Gideon builds and altar to God and sacrifices his dad’s best bull.

Hear me today once you have confirmation on what the Lord has told you do not fail to act but instead operate boldly in confidence that the Lord is with you.

Gideon knew that the community would react harshly to what he had done but he did it anyway.

Be encouraged today to never let other people’s opinions or pressures stop you from doing what the Lord has told you to do! Amen!

The Lord is with Gideon so powerfully that not only does no harm come to him but his dad Joash stood up for him which shows us revival in his family.

In addition, the people of the village renamed Gideon Jerubbaal that is to say Let baal contend against him because he broke down his altar.

People may have some new names for you too when you stand up and follow the Lord instead of the world but let them say what they want because we are accountable to God and not to man.

Amen!

It is at this point that all the Midianites and Amalekites and people of the East decide to come together cross the Jordan river and encamp against Israel.

But the Bible says that Gideon clothed with the Spirit of the Lord sounded the trumpet and gathered the Abiezrites to follow him.

Also messengers were sent all throughout Manasseh as well as Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali and they went up to meet Gideon.

The Lord Confirms

Picking things back up at verse 36 we can see that Gideon again is seeking confirmation from the Lord.

He has seen God with him to tear down the false gods altars.

He has seen revival in his family as Joash defended him to the community.

Gideon has seen the enemy armies arrive just as the Lord said would happen.

And he has even seen the Lord work to gather tens of thousands of men ready to fight the enemy armies.

But despite all of these events Gideon still asks the Lord for more confirmation.

Gideon asks God if He will save Israel through him then as he lays a fleece on the threshing floor make dew appear only on the fleece and not the ground around it.

And it happened.

So you would think at this point Gideon is confident but once again he asks the Lord for a sign that the ground would have dew but none on the fleece.

And again it happened.

Again some people see this request as weak faith by Gideon but I do not see it that way.

While I still have a long way to go in some areas I have accomplished a few things in my life glory to God.

And I will tell you that there are times when you feel uncomfortable when starting something new or even the thought of starting something new.

Some people may think once these emotions are conquered once that it doesn’t happen again but I am here to tell you that is simply not the case.

Now I will say that it does get easier each time the Lord calls because you understand the principle of seasons and honor the seasons past, enjoy the season you are in and look forward to future seasons.

However the idea that there comes a point when nerves or second guessing yourself don’t enter the equation simply isn’t true rather you learn to use those emotions for motivation and more importantly you learn to trust and rely on God that no matter what happens He is with you.

Deep down Gideon knew that the Lord was calling him to save Israel but the reality that it was about to happen soon had set in.

And while Gideon is asking for a sign what he is really saying is ok God you really want me to do this and you are really with me right.

And of course as our loving Father always does, He gives Gideon just what he needs exactly when he needs it.

The Lord Equips and Empowers

If we were to continue to read chapter six we would see have over 22,000 men showed up to fight in Gideon’s army.

But the Lord narrowed the number of men who would fight down to 300 men of valor.

There is no doubt Gideon felt better about his odd of facing three enemy armies with 22,000 soldier but when it gets down to 300 men that was yet another test of faith and this time he passed without any more signs requested as the first two times.

This is symbolic that he is now ready to do what God has called him to do.

So what changed you might ask?

He is still the same man from the same small clan in Manasseh right?

Not at all Gideon has now accepted his identity as God’s chosen vessel in which to work.

While he never doubted God, Gideon did doubt himself and the situation but something changed.

The Lord called Him.

The Lord confirmed his calling.

And the Lord has equipped him for the task at hand.

In our humanity we first go to the resources but chapter seven tells us that the Lord divided the soldiers from 22,000 to 300 so that Israel could not boast on itself rather so it would be obvious that it was the Lord who won the battle.

Especially considering the enemy army was over 120,000 soldiers.

The Lord equipped Gideon with the courage to go to battle against great odds.

In fact the Lord had Gideon visit the enemy camp at night with his servant and he heard an enemy soldier telling of a dream he had which then was given an interpretation.

The dream was that the Lord would give their camp into the hand of Gideon.

This good news gave Gideon the extra encouragement and confirmation he needed to go to battle.

And by the power of the Holy Spirit Gideon gathered his troops to battle the camp and they had complete victory.

Even pursing the enemy to ensure complete victory.

You see on his own Gideon could not have done any of this but God Almighty equipped him with every resource he needed to be successful and Jesus will do the same thing for you!

Praise the Lord!

Closing

Some of you hearing this message may also have a stirring in your spirit.

Perhaps the Lord has given you a word directly or maybe you in a season of rest.

Either way when you hear the Lord calling you to act answer the call.