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Financial expert Matt Bell shares biblical principles and practical tools for managing your money in a way that builds trust, peace, and purpose. From budgeting to car payments to long-term investments, you’ll discover how to make financial decisions that strengthen your faith and your marriage.
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You’ve probably heard someone tell you that Jesus has a plan for your life. Well did you know that Satan has a plan for your life, too? That’s right. Chip shares how to protect yourself from his diabolical plan, and keep from falling prey to his schemes.
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Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:32-34
The champions of faith listed in Hebrews 11 give us an idea of the kind of people God uses to accomplish His mighty plans.
Hebrews 11:32-34 says, “...For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon… who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle...”
This passage reminds us of Gideon’s story in Judges 6-7 and shows five characteristics of people that God uses.
First, God uses common people.
By His Spirit, God turned Gideon, a once fearful farmer, into a valiant warrior.
God does not rely on our abilities, but on our availability to Him to work through us in extraordinary ways.
Second, God uses cleansed people.
Before God could send Gideon to battle, Gideon had to do away with the idols in His life and surrender in worship.
Adrian Rogers says, “An idol is anything you love, fear, serve or value more than God.” God will not use us if there is unconfessed sin in our lives. We must crush our idols, repent, and be cleansed from the inside out.
Third, God uses courageous people.
In Judges 7, God gives Gideon the command to send away soldiers who are afraid. This shows us that God can better use a smaller number of brave souls than a larger group of fearful ones.
As children of God, we have been given a spirit of power and love. This does not mean we become naturally courageous—it means we are filled with His Spirit.
Fourth, God uses cautious people.
We are called to be on guard at all times, ready to fight against the temptation to sin.
Adrian Rogers says, “Sin is a combination of an unexpected opportunity, an unprotected life and an undetected weakness.”
Finally, God uses confident people.
Gideon led the charge with confidence because He knew God was with Him.
God gave them victory that day, and when we are confident that God is with us, we can be used in victorious ways.
Apply it to your life
God has mighty plans and He wants to use us to accomplish them. Make certain that your heart is clean. He may not use you the way you expect, but if you make yourself available to Him, He will use you.
The 10 Commandments E13 — We’ve arrived at the 10th and final commandment, which feels very different from all the ones that came before it: “Do not desire … anything that belongs to your neighbor.” While most translations use the word “covet,” we simply find khamad, which is the general Hebrew word for desire. All the other commandments involve observable actions, but desire is entirely internal. So why does God warn us about desiring things that belong to our neighbor? In this episode, Jon and Tim finish the 10 Commandments by showing how this command works as an undercurrent beneath all the others.
FULL SHOW NOTES
For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.
CHAPTERS
OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
View this episode’s official transcript.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION
View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.
REFERENCED RESOURCES
SHOW MUSIC
SHOW CREDITS
Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.
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