We have looked at Gideon from many different angles over the last few weeks in his journey with God, and today we see his failure at the end of his life. One of the greatest dangers in every believer’s life is how he or she finishes out their life with the Lord. We see how Gideon’s compromise took him down a path that slowly caused him to fall into sin. Pastor Mark uses the example of Gideon, as well as others in the Bible, to teach us to finish strong in our walk with the Lord. Especially as we near the end of our life here on earth.

Pastor Mark's Wednesday evening teachings will give us an overview of God's Word from Genesis to Revelation. Tonight, Pastor Mark begins, for the third time, in the book of Genesis.

In this teaching Pastor Mark gives insight to another aspect of believing, following, and serving the Lord. And that is the opposition that comes against us for doing so.

We all as followers of Christ need to understand that it isn’t a matter of IF opposition will come, but that it WILL come and sometimes we might be blindsided when it comes. Often times we see opposition coming against us from unlikely sources. It may come from family members or even other believers in the church. How can we overcome this opposition? Find out in this teaching as we continue to study the life of Gideon.

There are often many steps God calls us to before we see total victory in our life.

But in the life of Gideon we see that if we are faithful to take each step God tells us He will give us victory in whatever we are facing. We don’t have to be great warriors or mighty and awesome in appearance. All the Lord asks is that we speak the truth clearly, be broken, shine God’s light, and then simply stand.

Today we will see Gideon obey the Lord’s commands as he assembles God’s army. Despite the ever-growing odds against him, Gideon puts his trust in the Lord to give the victory. God is willing to give you victory over whatever you might be facing, no matter how insurmountable it may appear. All we need to do is obey and allow God to fight the battle.

In last week’s teaching we learned about the calling of God on Gideon’s life. This week Pastor Mark shares about the importance of being obedient to that call, no matter how fearful we may be about the consequences. We will see how Gideon was obedient to God’s call in first removing his father’s alter to Baal.

In the passage today we will see God raise up another deliverer or “judge” to once again lead them into victory and freedom from their enemies. And once again we will see the incredible grace and patience of God with His people.

Once again we see Israel crying out to God to rescue them. However, this time God will confront them in their sin in order to lead them to repentance. God will often do the same when he confronts us by sending the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin before He sends help. Pastor Mark encourages us to be in a place where God can use us rather than a place where God may chastise us.

We ended last week in the middle of the Song of Deborah as she and Barak were celebrating the supernatural victory God that had given the children of Israel over Jaban and Sisera in the valley of Megiddo. Today we will finish this song of celebration and get further insight into the battle. We also see how God dealt with those who participated in the battle, and those that did not.

Today we will see the spontaneous reaction of praise that comes forth out of Deborah and Barak in what is known as the song of Deborah. God had not only defeated their enemies and set them free, He had done it in a most miraculous way as we saw last week! Pastor Mark also presents us all with a challenge from the song of Deborah, and that is to pray about our role in the “battlefield”. What has God called us to do in service to Him? Where do we fit in with the gifts he has given to us?