Embracing Certainty in God's Promises and Identity

 

Summary

In life, we often find ourselves grappling with uncertainty, but as followers of Christ, we can anchor ourselves in the certainties of God's character and His promises. Today, we delve into the story of Gideon, a man who, like many of us, faced his own battles with doubt and uncertainty. Yet, through his journey, we learn that we can be certain of what God has done, what God has said, and who God says we are.

Gideon's story unfolds in a time of oppression and fear, where the Israelites were hiding from the Midianites. Gideon himself was found in a wine press, threshing wheat, a place of hiding and survival. It is in this unlikely setting that the angel of the Lord appears to him, calling him a "mighty warrior" and commissioning him to rescue Israel. Despite his doubts and his request for signs, God affirms Gideon's identity and his mission.

We, too, might find ourselves in our own "wine presses," consumed by the immediate needs of the day, unable to see beyond our circumstances. Yet, God calls us out of these places of fear and self-preservation. He assures us that we have the strength we need because He is sending us. When we surrender to God, we experience His peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

As we reflect on Gideon's story and our own lives, we recognize that God's faithfulness in the past is a testament to His faithfulness in the present and future. We must journal and remember the ways God has intervened in our lives, so we can be certain of His continued work. Moreover, we must listen to what God has said in His Word, allowing Scripture to guide us and provide certainty in the midst of life's uncertainties.

Finally, we must embrace who God says we are. The enemy will attempt to undermine our identity, but we must reject those lies and stand firm in the truth that we are who God says we are—mighty heroes, equipped and sent by Him for His purposes.

Key Takeaways:

- God calls us out of our hiding places and into His grand narrative of redemption. Just as He called Gideon a mighty warrior, He calls us to step into the roles He has designed for us, affirming our identity and purpose in Him. We must be willing to leave behind our "wine presses" and trust in His vision for our lives. [57:30]

- The peace of God is a profound certainty that we can cling to, especially when our circumstances seem chaotic. This peace is not contingent on our understanding but is a divine guard over our hearts and minds, keeping us anchored in Christ even when the storms of life rage on. [42:25]

- Remembering God's past faithfulness is crucial for facing current challenges. By recalling and documenting the ways God has moved in our lives, we build a reservoir of faith that empowers us to trust Him for future breakthroughs. [35:55]

- Scripture is our source of certainty, equipping us for every good work. When we immerse ourselves in God's Word, we find clarity and direction for the decisions we face, and we are reminded of the unchanging truths that can guide us through life's uncertainties. [49:53]

- Our identity in Christ is non-negotiable and must be the lens through which we view ourselves. When we listen to voices that contradict what God says about us, we limit our potential and hinder our breakthroughs. We must reject any identity that does not align with God's declaration over our lives. [51:43]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Judges 6:1-2 (NIV)
> "The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds."

2. Judges 6:13-16 (NIV)
> "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive."

3. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
> "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Gideon's initial reaction when the angel of the Lord called him a "mighty warrior"? (Judges 6:13-15)
2. How did God respond to Gideon's doubts and requests for signs? (Judges 6:16)
3. What does Philippians 4:7 say about the peace of God and its effect on our hearts and minds? [42:25]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the "wine presses" we might find ourselves in today? [41:49]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Gideon questioned God's presence and miracles despite knowing the history of Israel's deliverance from Egypt? (Judges 6:13)
2. How does God's assurance to Gideon ("I will be with you") change the way we should view our own challenges and uncertainties? (Judges 6:16)
3. What does it mean for the peace of God to "transcend all understanding," and how can this peace guard our hearts and minds in practical terms? (Philippians 4:7) [42:25]
4. How can remembering God's past faithfulness help us face current and future challenges? [35:55]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a "wine press," consumed by immediate needs and unable to see beyond your circumstances. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently? [41:49]
2. Gideon needed multiple signs to trust God's calling. Have you ever asked God for a sign? How did it affect your faith and actions? [44:56]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of journaling God's interventions in our lives. How can you start or improve this practice to build a reservoir of faith? [35:55]
4. What are some specific ways you can immerse yourself in Scripture to find clarity and direction in your life? [49:53]
5. The enemy often tries to undermine our identity in Christ. What are some lies you have believed about yourself, and how can you replace them with God's truth? [51:43]
6. Think about a current situation where you feel uncertain. How can you apply the peace of God that transcends understanding to this situation? [42:25]
7. God called Gideon a "mighty warrior" despite his doubts and fears. What is one area in your life where you need to embrace who God says you are and step into His calling? [57:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Call Beyond Fear
In the midst of life's uncertainties, it is not uncommon to find oneself seeking refuge in the familiar, much like Gideon in his wine press. However, God's narrative for one's life often extends beyond the comfort zones of fear and self-preservation. He calls each person to step out in faith, to embrace the roles and identities He has crafted specifically for them. This divine invitation is not merely about abandoning physical hiding places but also about leaving behind the mental and emotional barriers that prevent full trust in God's plan. It is a journey from fear to faith, from obscurity to a life of divine purpose and action. God sees beyond the present limitations and calls each individual a "mighty warrior," affirming their identity and purpose in Him. This is a call to trust in His vision and to walk in the certainty of who one is in Christ. [57:30]

Judges 6:12-14 (ESV)
"And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.' And Gideon said to him, 'Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, “Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?” But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.' And the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?'"

Reflection: What is your "wine press"—the place of fear or comfort you are being called to step out of? How can you begin to trust God's vision for your life today?

Day 2: The Certainty of God's Peace
The peace of God is a profound certainty that believers can cling to, especially when circumstances seem chaotic. This peace transcends human understanding and serves as a divine guard over hearts and minds, anchoring individuals in Christ amidst life's storms. It is not contingent on one's understanding or situation but is a gift from God that provides stability and comfort. This peace is a testament to God's presence and care, reminding believers that they are never alone, even in the most tumultuous times. It is an assurance that God is in control and that His love and purposes will prevail. [42:25]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience God's peace today? How can you actively seek His peace through prayer and surrender?

Day 3: Recalling God's Faithfulness
Remembering God's past faithfulness is crucial for facing current challenges. By recalling and documenting the ways God has moved in one's life, a reservoir of faith is built, empowering trust in Him for future breakthroughs. This act of remembrance serves as a beacon of hope, a reminder that God's faithfulness is unchanging and that His interventions in the past are a promise of His continued presence and action. It is through this lens of remembrance that believers can face uncertainties with confidence, knowing that the same God who has been faithful will remain faithful. [35:55]

Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV)
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."

Reflection: Can you identify a moment in your past where you witnessed God's faithfulness? How does remembering this moment encourage you in your current situation?

Day 4: Scripture as Our Guide
Scripture is the believer's source of certainty, equipping them for every good work. Immersing oneself in God's Word provides clarity and direction for the decisions faced in life. The Bible is a repository of unchanging truths that guide through life's uncertainties. It is through the diligent study and application of Scripture that one can discern God's will and find the strength to navigate the complexities of life. The Word of God is not just information; it is transformational, shaping the believer's heart and mind to align with God's purposes. [49:53]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need biblical wisdom? How can you commit to seeking guidance from Scripture in this area?

Day 5: Standing Firm in Our Identity in Christ
Our identity in Christ is non-negotiable and must be the lens through which we view ourselves. When faced with voices that contradict what God says about us, it is imperative to reject those lies and stand firm in the truth of our divine identity. The enemy seeks to undermine and distort this identity, but believers must hold fast to God's declaration over their lives. Embracing one's identity as a "mighty hero" in Christ is not about arrogance but about recognizing the power and purpose that comes from being a child of God. It is in this truth that one finds the courage to step into the roles God has designed, fully equipped and sent by Him for His purposes. [51:43]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What lies about your identity have you been believing? How can you affirm your identity in Christ and reject these falsehoods today?

Quotes

1) "When you surrender to God, you can have peace that doesn't have to be built on things you're certain on any more than you're certain that God is in control." [42:59] (Download)

2) "You can be certain of what God has done, you can be certain of what God has said, and you can be certain of who God says you are." [51:43] (Download)

3) "God can handle you saying 'prove it.' God can handle you saying 'I don't know, did I really hear you?' It's okay; this is not a pattern though to be followed, this is just a description of what happened." [46:13] (Download)

4) "You will never grow past your breakthrough if you only listen to what they say about who you are." [56:52] (Download)

5) "If we go to anyone but God to find out who we are, we decide to allow some other entity to define us, we're actually allowing some other person to confine us." [56:52] (Download)

6) "God says you're enough. God says you're a hero... You can be certain that I'm with you, you can be certain that I'm capable of doing what I say, you can be certain that you are who I say you are." [57:30] (Download)

7) "Sometimes I think God is just waiting for us to be ready for his breakthrough, for us to really believe that God really can do big things through us no matter how small we feel." [58:19] (Download)

8) "God uses the scripture to give us certainty, so we can be certain about what God says." [49:53] (Download)

9) "If you're in the wine press, I want to change the spelling of wine press today. You might be in the whine press... just trying to get enough for that day. Turn to your neighbor and tell him, 'Get out of the wine press.'" [41:49] (Download)

10) "We have 66 books, we have the Holy Spirit, and yet sometimes we're like those people that we see in the gym membership office... instead of just surrendering, you can be certain of what God said." [49:10] (Download)

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Transcript
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