The Strength You Have
Sermon Notes
[Judges 6:1-5] The Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight. So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. [2] The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. [3] Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, [4] camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. [5] These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare.
Pressure doesn’t just shape BEHAVIOR it shapes how you see YOURSELF.
[Judges 6:11] Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites.
God doesn't call who you ARE but who you are MEANT to be.
[Judges 6:12] The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!"
God doesn't wait for you to have CONFIDENCE to give you a CALLING.
[Judges 6:13] "Sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn't they say, 'The LORD brought us up out of Egypt'? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites."
What you believe about GOD will always shape what you believe about YOURSELF.
[Judges 6:14] Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!"
When God chooses someone he USES what they HAVE.
You have all the STRENGTH that you need right now!
[Judges 6:15-16] "But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!" [16] The LORD said to him, "I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man."
Our identity shouldn't be in SELF-confidence it should be in GOD-confidence.
[John 15:5] "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
[Hebrews 11:33] By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What is your favorite insect?
Read Judges 6:13-16 & discuss what stands out.
Share about time you felt drained.
Tell about something you believed about yourself when you were young that you still believe now
How can you move with God's strength this week?
Is there anything this group can pray for?