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.