2. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Hebrews 11:32

3. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Context of Hebrews 11:32
Hebrews written to converted Jews, familiar with O.T.
Faith is essential (Heb. 10:37-39)
Faith is a conclusion based on evidence rather than firsthand experience (Heb. 11:1)
By faith… Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab ______
By faith… Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets ______

4. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Barak (Judges 4-5)
Disobedience, punishment, deliverance (Judges 2:10-23)
Jabin had 900 iron chariots, oppressed Israel 20 years
Deborah was judge, Barak led the army
God chose Barak to deliver Israel (Judges 4:6-7, 10)
11 foot soldiers to each of Canaan’s iron chariots
Sisera prepared for war (Judges 4:12)
Barak’s faith and victory (Judges 4:12-14, 15-16)
Sisera was killed by Jael
Israel’s freedom (Judges 4:23-24)

5. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Barak (Judges 4-5)
Song of Deborah and Barak
Zebulun & Naphtali answered God’s call (Judges 5:14-15, 18)
Some tribes did not help (Judges 5:16-17, 23)
Praise and peace (Judges 5:31)
Often faith flourishes in difficulty rather than peace
God calls us to fight (I Tim. 6:12) and equips us (Eph. 6:16)
We can join, or sit out and miss the reward (II Tim. 4:7-8)
Value of trials – steadfastness, completeness (James 1:2-4)
Value of trials – purified, praise, salvation (I Peter 1:6-9)

6. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Gideon (Judges 6-8)
Midian oppressed Israel seven years (Judges 6:1-6)
An unbelievable message (Judges 6:11-14)
Gideon struggled to believe it (Judges 6:15-16)
Two tests of Gideon’s faith
Defy his own town and even family (Judges 6:25-32)
God reduced his army to 300 men (Judges 7:2-9)
Midianites and Amalekites filled the valley (Judges 7:12)
Gideon led the 300 into Midian’s camp (Judges 7:15-8:28)

7. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Gideon (Judges 6-8)
By faith, Gideon stood up to his family and town
By faith, Gideon went on the difficult mission
Consider the faith it takes to obey and teach truth
God’s laws about marriage (Matt. 19:3-10)
Overcoming materialism (Matt. 19:24-26)
Sacrificing close relationships (Matt. 19:29)

8. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Gideon (Judges 6-8)
Compromising God’s commands to gain man’s approval shows a lack of faith
Not the faith Gideon had when he tore down that altar
Compromising God’s commands to make the difficult path easier shows a lack of faith
Not the faith Gideon had when he sent most of his army home

9. By Faith… Barak and Gideon
Faith overcomes the world (I John 5:1-5)
Do you have faith like Barak and Gideon?
Do you have the faith to go without hesitation when God gives you a mission?
Do you have the faith to stand for truth when others are compromising it?
Do you have the faith that will preserve your soul in judgment?