INTRODUCTION God Leads Gideon To Victory Sermon INTRODUCTION God Leads Gideon To Victory

The enduring theme of Judges is God’s final action—His grace—and His perpetual willingness to rescue his people

Gideon goes forth in faith, not because of his great training or prowess, but rather because he’s experienced the presence of God. An assurance of God’s presence should lead us to bold steps of faith

HOW MANY OF US WANT TO LIVE LIVES THAT DON’T REQUIRE FAITH HOW MANY OF US WANT TO LIVE LIVES THAT DON’T REQUIRE FAITH? If we are going to be conformed into the image of Christ then we will be stretched in our faith.

Why did God reduce the army Why did God reduce the army? --so that Israel will not think “her own strength has saved her.” The lesson we always need to learn is that salvation is by grace and God’s action, not by earning it with our actions

Who is sent home and why? The first group sent home are those “who tremble with fear” – God doesn’t save and fight for them because of their courage; He shows up in their fear. He is with them despite their fear

God does not simply work in spite of our weakness, but because of it Why does God send Gideon into the Camp? v.9-15 So God wanted to assure Gideon one more time and fill him with confidence and joy.

What does this tell us about God? God is the one who takes the initiative God is a teacher God is very patient and sensitive God goes out of his way to assure us God may ask us to take risks on the way to assurance

What does this tell us about us. We are no different than Gideon What does this tell us about us? We are no different than Gideon. What do you need assurance about?

Where did this brilliant strategy come from? God orchestrated the victory This story points the way to the greater Gideon

Is there a place in your life where you simply need to trust God’s Word- even if it is out of step with what you want or what makes sense? God still puts light inside of clay pots

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all- surpassing power is from God and not from us.”