Empowered in Weakness: Trusting God's Plan
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the book of Judges, focusing on the story of Gideon. The Israelites, after inheriting the Promised Land, failed to fully obey God's command to remove the Canaanites, leading to their corruption and turning away from God. This disobedience resulted in a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through judges appointed by God. Gideon, an ordinary man with doubts and fears, was chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Despite his initial reluctance and repeated requests for signs, God reassured Gideon of His presence and power.
Gideon's story illustrates that our doubts and weaknesses do not disqualify us from being used by God. God often chooses the powerless to accomplish powerful things, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Gideon's journey from doubt to faith, and his ultimate victory with just 300 men against a vast army, underscores the importance of trusting in God's plan and power rather than our own abilities.
The narrative also highlights the danger of allowing doubts to become idols, overshadowing our faith in God's promises. Gideon's eventual lapse into creating an ephod, which became an object of idolatry, serves as a cautionary tale about the need for continual reliance on God and vigilance against turning blessings into stumbling blocks.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Uses the Weak and Doubtful: Our doubts, fears, and perceived lack of strength do not disqualify us from being used by God. Gideon's story shows that God has a track record of using weak and messy people in significant ways. This reassures us that our imperfections are not obstacles to God's plans but opportunities for His power to be displayed. [09:21]
2. God Chooses the Powerless for Powerful Tasks: God often selects those who seem powerless to accomplish mighty deeds, emphasizing that it is His strength, not ours, that brings victory. Gideon's transformation from a doubter to a leader of a small army against a vast force illustrates that we don't need to be mighty because God is almighty. [13:08]
3. Doubts Can Become Idols: Persistent doubts can become idols, hindering our faith and obedience. Gideon's repeated requests for signs from God, despite clear evidence of God's presence, reflect how doubts can dominate our spiritual lives. We must recognize and address these doubts to fully trust and follow God's direction. [16:26]
4. God's Strength in Our Weakness: The story of Gideon's victory with just 300 men against an army of 120,000 highlights that God's strength is perfected in our weakness. This teaches us that our limitations are not barriers to God's work but platforms for His power to be revealed. [19:35]
5. Continual Reliance on God: Gideon's lapse into creating an ephod, which became an object of idolatry, warns us about the dangers of turning God's blessings into idols. We must maintain a continual reliance on God, recognizing that He is the source of our victories and the one who sustains us. [24:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Introduction to the Book of Judges
[02:14] - Israel's Disobedience and Consequences
[03:04] - The Role of Judges
[05:10] - Introduction to Gideon
[06:29] - Gideon's Encounter with the Angel
[07:31] - Misinterpreting God's Presence
[08:44] - Gideon's Doubts and God's Assurance
[10:07] - Gideon's Request for Signs
[11:27] - Gideon Destroys the Altar of Baal
[12:17] - Gideon's New Name: Jerubbaal
[13:08] - God Chooses the Powerless
[14:24] - Gideon's Doubts Resurface
[17:15] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
[17:56] - God's Test for Gideon
[19:35] - Gideon's 300 Men
[20:44] - God's Strategy for Victory
[21:46] - The Battle and God's Victory
[22:26] - Trusting in God's Strength
[23:23] - Our Calling as Followers
[24:50] - Gideon's Lapse into Idolatry
[26:11] - God's Patience with Us
[27:20] - Conclusion: God Can Use Us
[27:54] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Judges 6:12-15 (NIV)
> "When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.' '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.'"
2. Judges 7:2-7 (NIV)
> "The Lord said to Gideon, 'You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, "My own strength has saved me." Now announce to the army, "Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead."' So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. But the Lord said to Gideon, 'There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, "This one shall go with you," he shall go; but if I say, "This one shall not go with you," he shall not go.' So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, 'Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.' Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. The Lord said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.'"
3. Judges 8:22-27 (NIV)
> "The Israelites said to Gideon, 'Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.' But Gideon told them, 'I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.' And he said, 'I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.' (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings.) They answered, 'We’ll be glad to give them.' So they spread out a garment, and each of them threw a ring from his plunder onto it. The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels, not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels’ necks. Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Gideon's initial reaction when the angel of the Lord called him a "mighty warrior"? (Judges 6:12-13)
2. How did God reduce Gideon's army, and what was the final number of men he used to defeat the Midianites? (Judges 7:2-7)
3. What did Gideon do with the gold earrings he collected from the Israelites, and what was the outcome of this action? (Judges 8:24-27)
4. How did Gideon's father, Joash, respond to the mob that wanted to kill Gideon for destroying the altar of Baal? (Judges 6:31-32) [11:27]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Gideon doubted God's presence and power despite the angel's assurance? (Judges 6:12-15) [06:29]
2. What might be the significance of God reducing Gideon's army to just 300 men? How does this reflect on God's character and intentions? (Judges 7:2-7) [19:35]
3. How can Gideon's creation of the ephod be seen as a lapse in judgment, and what does it teach us about the dangers of idolatry? (Judges 8:24-27) [24:50]
4. In what ways does Gideon's story illustrate that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes? (Judges 6:12-15) [09:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or doubted your abilities. How can Gideon's story encourage you to trust in God's strength rather than your own? [09:21]
2. Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt God was asking you to do something that seemed impossible? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [13:08]
3. Gideon asked for multiple signs from God to confirm His will. How do you seek confirmation from God when making decisions? Are there ways you can improve your trust in His guidance? [14:24]
4. Gideon's doubts and fears did not disqualify him from being used by God. How can you overcome your own doubts and fears to be more effective in your faith journey? [16:26]
5. Consider the ways in which blessings or successes in your life might become idols. How can you ensure that you remain focused on God and not on the gifts He provides? [24:50]
6. Gideon's story shows the importance of continual reliance on God. What practical steps can you take to maintain a close relationship with God, especially during times of success? [24:50]
7. How can you apply the lesson of God's strength being made perfect in weakness to a current challenge you are facing? What specific actions can you take to rely more on God's power? [19:35]
Devotional
Day 1: God Uses the Weak and Doubtful
God often chooses individuals who feel inadequate or burdened by doubts to fulfill His purposes. Gideon, an ordinary man with significant fears and uncertainties, was selected by God to lead Israel against the Midianites. Despite his initial reluctance and repeated requests for signs, God reassured Gideon of His presence and power. This narrative demonstrates that our imperfections and doubts do not disqualify us from being used by God. Instead, they provide opportunities for His power to be displayed through us. Gideon's story reassures us that God has a track record of using weak and messy people in significant ways. [09:21]
Judges 6:14-16 (ESV): "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?' And he said to him, 'Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.' And the Lord said to him, 'But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel inadequate or burdened by doubts. How can you invite God to work through your weaknesses today?
Day 2: God Chooses the Powerless for Powerful Tasks
God often selects those who seem powerless to accomplish mighty deeds, emphasizing that it is His strength, not ours, that brings victory. Gideon's transformation from a doubter to a leader of a small army against a vast force illustrates that we don't need to be mighty because God is almighty. This story underscores the importance of trusting in God's plan and power rather than our own abilities. Gideon's journey from doubt to faith, and his ultimate victory with just 300 men against a vast army, serves as a powerful reminder that God can achieve great things through us, regardless of our perceived limitations. [13:08]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel powerless. How can you rely on God's strength to accomplish what seems impossible?
Day 3: Doubts Can Become Idols
Persistent doubts can become idols, hindering our faith and obedience. Gideon's repeated requests for signs from God, despite clear evidence of God's presence, reflect how doubts can dominate our spiritual lives. We must recognize and address these doubts to fully trust and follow God's direction. The narrative also highlights the danger of allowing doubts to overshadow our faith in God's promises. Gideon's story serves as a cautionary tale about the need for continual reliance on God and vigilance against turning blessings into stumbling blocks. [16:26]
James 1:6-8 (ESV): "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
Reflection: Reflect on a doubt that has been hindering your faith. How can you address this doubt and place your trust in God's promises today?
Day 4: God's Strength in Our Weakness
The story of Gideon's victory with just 300 men against an army of 120,000 highlights that God's strength is perfected in our weakness. This teaches us that our limitations are not barriers to God's work but platforms for His power to be revealed. Gideon's journey from doubt to faith, and his ultimate victory, underscores the importance of trusting in God's plan and power rather than our own abilities. This narrative encourages us to embrace our weaknesses, knowing that they provide opportunities for God's strength to be displayed in our lives. [19:35]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Consider an area of weakness in your life. How can you invite God to use this weakness as a platform for His power to be revealed?
Day 5: Continual Reliance on God
Gideon's lapse into creating an ephod, which became an object of idolatry, warns us about the dangers of turning God's blessings into idols. We must maintain a continual reliance on God, recognizing that He is the source of our victories and the one who sustains us. This story serves as a reminder that even after experiencing God's deliverance, we must remain vigilant against allowing blessings to become stumbling blocks. Gideon's narrative encourages us to keep our focus on God and to continually seek His guidance and strength in our lives. [24:50]
Deuteronomy 8:11-14 (ESV): "Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
Reflection: Reflect on a blessing in your life that may have become a stumbling block. How can you refocus your reliance on God and seek His guidance today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So the people abandon God, and they begin to worship Baal, who was a false god there at the time and in that region. So God pulls back his protection. Now, he doesn't go away, but he pulls back his protection. He lets them experience the results of their choices, which is something that he'll do with us as well." [02:14] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "My doubts, fears, or lack of strength do not disqualify me from being used by God. So God has a track record of using very weak, messy people. In weak, messy moments, even. That's what God has been doing since the beginning." [09:21] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God chooses things that are powerless to do powerful things. Only all the time. This is what God does. And so Gideon is this guy, this average Joe. What he doesn't get is that we don't have to be mighty because God is almighty." [13:08] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Directly in the face of Gideon's doubts and then directly in the face of our own doubts, Jesus is still king. Jesus is still king. He's still in control. And we forget that." [22:26] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Because of who Jesus is, our doubts do not have to defeat us, right? We have a God who dwells in us. Emmanuel, God with us, right? He is in us. He is speaking to us. We're not alone. We're not abandoned. He's never going to abandon us." [26:59] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So the first few judges were mostly good, godly men and women. There were men and women who were judges. They were able to point Israel back there. And start seeing this cycle of a different kind of judges coming in. Judges with human issues that would get in the way. So remember, the book of Judges shows us this kind of descent by the people of Israel. This downward spiral of them and their faith." [03:48] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So Gideon pulls out this very human trick. Rick, yeah, I hear you, God. But, yeah, I hear you speaking to me, God. And here you're directing me this way, God. But I am weak. I am small. My family's tiny. I'm not spiritual enough. I'm too old. I'm too young. I'm too whatever, right? We have all these, this laundry list of reasons why God can't use us. And that's what's going on with Gideon right here." [08:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Sometimes I think we can visit this place where we get in this, this moment where we're testing God and we're having all these doubts. And sometimes these doubts almost become a bit of an idol in and of themselves. Like we almost worship these doubts sometimes it seems like. We know what God wants from us, but man, we're just not going to trust him enough to follow him into that." [15:42] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Here's the good news, though, is Jesus is really patient with us. I don't know if any of you experienced that, but he's very patient with us. We are the Gideons. We're the messy people, right? He's shown since the beginning. He loves us. He's shown since the beginning. He's patient. And he continues to show that to us." [25:45] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If God can use someone like Gideon, he can use someone like me. And I hope that message is loud and clear today. We are who God is going to use to bring people to him. That's us." [27:20] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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