Judges 7:1 - 8:3

32,000 men enlisted to fight against their oppressors in the salvation effort. That wasn’t good enough for God. God wanted way less than that. God whittled it down to just 300 so that nobody could say “we saved Israel” when really it was God. The true story of the 300 is not about how incredible the warriors were.  It isn't about identifying with the warrior in facing the obstacles of life. It's about trusting in God to rise up and act through unlikely means. It's about God once again using weakness to do something well beyond their capabilities. It's about us being reminded to not take credit, but to give God the glory.

July 6 - Tests of Faith  Judges 6:25-40

Gideon was looking for a decisive answer to whether the direction God was leading was really the right one - so he devised a test. Imagine his surprise when God played along. There would be no further denying it - Gideon would have to do what God asked Him to do. How do you know what God really wants you to do?

Judges 6: 1-24

To save his people, God chooses Gideon, the least in his family, from the weakest of clans.  God even calls Gideon a "mighty warrior", but this is definitely not how Gideon sees himself.  Does God ask us to do things beyond our capabilities?  If so, where does strength for the weak come from?

Matthew 28: 16-20

Followers of Jesus are sent to all people groups to turn them into apprentices, learning the craft of life from the one true master.  Many Christians are daunted by the task of making disciples, of fulfilling their commission as given at the end of Matthew’s gospel, even though Jesus promises to be present with his followers in this task until the end. In this message Rev. Matt Brough will encourage you in your commission by sharing a series of stories where people have been sent by God in big and small ways and have made a real difference in people’s lives. You are not sent out alone. You are sent with Jesus.  
 

Numbers 11: 24-30

Acts 2: 1-21

Isaiah 35: 1-10

1 Peter 2: 2-10

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  1 Peter 2:9

JOHN 10:1-11

After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4

1 Peter 1: 17-23

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. - 1 Peter 1:21

Exodus 16: 1-3, 9-12; Exodus 17: 1-7