1. Gideon – timid mouse & mighty warrior Judges 6

2. Judges: The Series May 11The roots of Israel’s unfaithfulness – 1:1-3:11 May 18 Unusual and unexpected deliverance – 3:12-5:31 May 25 The reluctant leader who eventually trusts God – 6.1-40 June 15 Success and failure often go together – 7.1-8.28 June 22 God is both Saviour and Judge – 8:29-9:56 June 29 Failing to see what God is really like – 10.1-12.15 July 13 The God who does the impossible – 13.1-25 July 20How can womanising Samson be God’s saviour? – 14.1-16.31 July 27 The depths of Israel’s unfaithfulness – 17.1-21.25

3. 1350 BC 1050 BC 1300 BC 1250 BC 1200 BC 1150 BC 1100 BC Othniel Ehud & Shamgar Deborah Barak Gideon Tola Jair Jephthah Ibzan Elon Abdon Jephthah Ibzan Elon Abdon Samson Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 The Judges’ Timeline

4. 1. Gideon – a timid mouse a. He is intimidated – v.11 b. He is insignificant – v.15 c. He is uncertain 1. That God is with Israel – v.13 2. God’s character & power –v.17-22; 36-40 God is greater than he imagined –v.22,23

5. 2. Gideon – a mighty warrior Gideon faced 3 enemies:- a. The enemy within 1. Idolatry - God confronting Israel – v.7-10 - Gideon uprooting idols – v.25-32 2. Fears/doubts – v.17,36-40 b. The enemy outside – v.33-35 Our weapons – Eph.6:17,18; 2Cor.10:4,5 The Gospel of God (Bible), Prayer

6. 3. God’s method of operation a. Through weak/insignificant people - Israel (Dt.7:7); the Church (1Cor.1:26-29); Moses,David,Jeremiah etc. b. Through the “weakness” of Jesus - incarnation – Phil.2:7 - the Cross – 1Cor.1:18-25 - the way of his kingdom Beatitudes – Lk. 6:20-26 Discipleship-Mk.8:34,35;9:33-37;10:42-45 c. Through people confessing their weaknesses - as sinners - as servants

7. 4. Lessons a. Let God expose your idols b. Rejoice in God working through weak/ordinary people - building project - community engagement - world mission c. Open yourself to God & his resources - receive his salvation - step out/keep going in his service