Sermons

As we hit the last section of Gideon’s life, we enter some of the most confusing portions of the account. There are some random events, strange questions, unclear motives and a disappointing end. But, if we move slowly, and hold our conclusions with an open hand, there are three big encouragements we can harvest from this text.

Nothing ruins a good revival like a little sinful fear and jealousy. Just as God is bringing about a great deliverance using weak Gideon and his tiny force of 300, new enemies come on the scene. Fellow Israelites. Few things sting as much as friendly fire and Gideon is busy getting buzzed by these two bees as he tries to finish off God’s enemies.

Much of life is about finishing things well. Your Christian walk is no different. The Galatians were in danger of shipwrecking their faith because they were turning away from the gospel of grace and turning toward a false gospel of works and self reliance. So, in Galatians 3:1-9, the apostles call all Christians to finish their race well by relying on the Holy Spirit and by trusting the Word of God.

Have you ever been invited to a big celebration that you were unable to attend? Luke 14:16-24 tells of a banquet that you do not want to miss out on! It is a feast to be relished, and once you have relished it you ought to tell others about it.

Because the Galatians were in danger of deserting the gospel by turning to works, Paul calls them back to the real, true gospel: justification by faith. He reminds them that Christians are declared righteous not by anything that have done, but by what has been done for them through Christ.

As the narrative in Galatians continues, the Apostle Paul shows us that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect the true gospel. He’s willing to confront and reject not only false teachers, but even another apostle whose conduct didn't match his profession. Paul shows us that the gospel is worthy of protection and that it takes intentional effort to not distort the message of Jesus.

God is more concerned about the Object of our faith than the size of it. And this is the lesson all of Israel needs to learn, starting with Gideon. It makes no sense to fight an army unmanned with torches and smashed pottery. Neither did it make any sense to march around the walls of Jericho seven times. God has His own ways of showing His power. We would do well to listen and learn, for it is way better to be numbered among the 300 trumpeters than the thousands of dead!

Gideon often gets a bad rap. The whole asking for signs and fleeces and stuff can make it seem like he is one big lump of doubt. Yet we find his name in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. And the Bible does not appear to condemn him for asking God to confirm His commands. While Gideon was weak, he also chose to obey. Maybe that is one big point in his life that we are supposed to learn from.

What's so relevant for the Christian about a story involving sowers, soils, seeds, birds and thorns? A whole lot more than you would think! In Mark 4, Jesus tells a story about soils to help us see the different type of listeners of God's word. He wants you to examine your life and ask the question: What type of listener am I?

There are many puzzling things in the events of Deborah’s judgeship. First off, a female Judge. Then the whole Barak refusing to go to war without her. Not to mention a foreigner woman (Jael) killing Israel’s greatest enemy (Sisera) with a tent peg and a hammer! Why is this history included in our Bibles? Are these people for us to imitate or disdain?