God Above all: A Study of the Book of Judges How God brings Victory in our Weakness Pastor John Lloyd October 17-18, 2015

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1 God Above all: A Study of the Book of Judges How God brings Victory in our Weakness Pastor John Lloyd October 17-18, 2015 Boasting encouraging others, and our own hearts, to give us glory is opposed to, and saps, true faith. Conceit being hungry for honor and glory is the cousin of boasting. And before the Spirit-clothed Gideon, chosen by God to lead and save Israel, goes into battle, God wants to teach him and the rest of his people who deserves glory for salvation. It s a lesson we still need continually to learn as his people today. Timothy Keller This weekend, we will look at how God deserves and gets the glory for our salvation and for everything that we accomplish while on this earth. Enjoying the Journey, PJ Memory Verse: Judges 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, My own hand has saved me. 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead. Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. 4 And the LORD said to Gideon, The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, This one shall go with you, shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, This one shall not go with you, shall not go. 5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, Everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink. 6And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. 7And the LORD said to Gideon,

2 With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home. Big Idea: Our weakness is the means to experience His strength. His victory/his glory! I. We cannot deliver ourselves from the. Judges7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, My own hand has saved me. Judges 6:6 Psalm 130:3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? (Revelation 5:2, Ephesians 6:12) The lesson we always need to learn is salvation is by God s actions not ours. Tim Keller Recognizing our weakness is how His victory begins. II. keeps us from experiencing God s victory. Judges 7:3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead. Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. (Deuteronomy 20:8) (quest.2) 2 Timothy 1:7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (Proverbs 29:25, Isaiah 51:12, John 7:13) Battles are lost and won in the soul. Joseph Parker Fear blocks me from experiencing His victory.

3 III. As we hear God s voice, we realize His. Judges 7:9 That same night the LORD said to him, Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. 10But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. 11And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.v12-15 Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (See question 6) Our enemies are not as strong as they appear. IV. God brings victory in ways. Judges 7:16 And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. 17 And he said to them, Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. 18When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, For the LORD and for Gideon. Judges 7:22 Luke 7:47-48) 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Hebrews 11:34 (questions 7&9) Luke 7:47 her sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. 7:48 Acts 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Coloss. 1:29) My only part is to trust and obey.

4 Growth Group Questions for October 21, 2015 Judges 7 1. Read Judges Chapter 7: What are the 3 or 4 main ideas that stand out to you? 2. Read Deuteronomy 20:1,8 As a background on why Gideon sent home the soldiers who had fear, what do you learn from this passage? How can fear be devastating in your spiritual battles? See Psalm 20:7, Isaiah 31:1 3. Read Judges 7:1-8. Reflect on God s actions toward Gideon in Judges 7: 1-8. How does it relate to the spiritual principles Paul learned from God in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10? 4. Describe what Gideon experiences and observes in Judges 7:12-14? How does this relate to our salvation experience? 5. Summarize Gideon s response as narrated in Judges 7:15-18, in his preparation for battle. How can this help you in your spiritual battles? 6. * How does it encourage you today to remember that the things that oppose your faith and obedience may be stronger than you but not stronger than God? 7. * In what ways are you being challenged to step out in faith, finding God s strength and reassurance to do so? 8.* Read Judges 7: Think deeply about the things which you might be afraid of now; think about ways in which you are genuinely fragile, whether or not you have admitted this to others. What comfort and strength and motivation for perseverance can you draw from the way God dealt with Gideon? 9. What gifts has God given you to serve him with? What circumstances has he given you in which to use those gifts?

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