Sunday, August 26, 2007

Gideon
- Winning when you don't feel like a warrior
Judges 6:11-16 Rev Caleb Chan

Gideon comes down from the stands and starts to run alongside us.
As we look into the life of Gideon we can see that he was a farmer; a nobody. But still God used him to bring peace and victory into the lives of the Isrealites. God at that time disciplined Isreal by sending armies/enemies to fight against them. But amidst all this time of fighting, God had plans for Isreal...

Why was Gideon chosen? You will find your answer here.

How can we overcome our feelings of inadequacy as a warrior?

1.God has a better opinion of you
-Don't look down on yourself.

Judges 6:12 "When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.' "

We are precious in God's sight. Psalms 8:3-6 speaks that the Lord has "made him(refers to us) ruler over the works of Your(refers to the Lord's) hands; you put everything under His feet". Including "the moon and the stars which you have set in place." Why did God give us so much authority? For fun? Nah. But its for us so that we can fulfil His called purpose for us. God says to you, "You are mighty."

We receive what we believe and so, quit expecting to fail!

2.God wants to give you a better future
-Don't be weighed down by your present circumstances

In Judges 6:13, we can see how doubtful and afraid Gideon was when the angel of the Lord told him that "the Lord is with you".

Colossians 3:5 "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

Therefore, put off ur old self. God must be top in your agenda. There must not be any idol in our lives if we want God to use us.
And when we are faithful to Him and allow Him to take full control, He will use your talents and gifts and multiply them. Because He has plans for you, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." And they CANNOT BE CHANGED! For He loves you.

3.God is on your side
-Don't be afraid of the battle

Judges 6:16 "The Lord answered, 'I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."

ALL the Midianites. As if they were just one person. Therefore fear no more because when God is on your side, you are on the winning side.