We will be Victorious
Judges 7
Introduction:
We have sowed - We have watered – we will reap a Harvest!
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Unique situation – We are in a struggle that the outcome has already been decided – the side we are on has already won – Satan refuses to concede but He has already lost
Chess game – 4 moves out – no matter what you do I’ve won – The game is over (if you do this – I’ll do this)
Winning player still has to counter & because Satan has not conceded we counter his attacks
We are countering the moves of the Enemy – winning victory after victory for the Lord
Look at the Story of Gideon in Judges 7
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Judges 6:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.
Judge 6:7 When the Israelites cried to the LORD because of Midian,
Judges 6:12 the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
Judges 6:15-16 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."
Judges 6:17 Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.
God says – Gideon – you are the leader – form an army and Deliver Israel from the Midianites
Not everyone is Going to Fight in the Battle
Judges 7:1-2 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her
32,000 men showed up – 22,000 were afraid – 10,000 left
Those who are afraid will not go into battle – It was not God who rejected them – They did not have the Confidence in God that they needed to have
What was at home for them?
More hiding in caves – more being bullied around by the enemy
Why do God’s people – ALLOW Satan to push us around?
It isn’t pleasant but to some degree we have to realize that many of the Bad situations we are in are because of our disobedience to God – Israel sinned – they were oppressed
We sin and give the Enemy a toe hole into our life – let him in then don’t kick him out!
Why did God send them home – If they were “able to win” they still would not have FAITH
Still too many – some wanted to go into Battle – BUT they were not prepared for the Battle
They let down their Guard –
Put down the weapons
Had a casual maybe even carnal mentality – I’m thirsty & that comes first
Maybe they had faith in God – but they would not have made good soldiers
Don’t be like that – coasting along – not aware
Putting the flesh before the Purpose God has called you to
10,000 – now down to 300 – Didn’t ask them if they were afraid –
In the natural the odds are not in our favor
Now there is a TOTAL dependency on God
Those who are left have FAITH and they are Prepared
Sometimes we need some Encouragement
Judges 7:9-11 During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp."
Gideon – knew what God had called him to do – went from 32,000 to 300
When God calls us to do something impossible He will encourage us
Knowing that we are just Human
Knowing that we are prone to Fear – Prone to fight our flesh
Judges 7:12-14 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed." His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands."
Let me attempt to encourage you this morning:
God has promised us: We who know Truth – know that God is on Your side & He seeks Your best!
This is the Word that the Lord has for you this morning
Hosea 10:12-13
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,
Remember how I began this message:
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
The Victory will be Won
The chess game is unfolding – Satan is running out of time – he will continue to move his pawns around – but God isn’t going to slip up and make a mistake – There is no doubt this morning God has won the Battle –
The question is:
Will you be full of fear and continue to be defeated by a conquered foe?
Will you set out into the battle but be unprepared and unfaithful as a soldier?
Will you be one of the Brave few – who stand up for the Lord and let the Light shine?
Pastor’s Prayer meeting: confirmed what the Lord has been saying all week.
Let you in on a secret: this week I believe for the first time – in all the years I have attended the prayer time – only Pentecostal Pastor were there for the prayer time.
Believe that was for a purpose – the Lord spoke to us in a Prophesy – One Phrase jumped out at me ----- “You have struck a blow to the root – you will see the Victory”
That Root – I believe are Strongholds in the lives of people
Believers here today are being beaten up by the Enemy – Sickness, depression, anxious thoughts, sinful bondage’s, and you can be free
Decide – I will step up and go forward in faith – I will not fear and I will be prepared
You who are willing hold on – I will get to you in a moment
Sidelight here – Because there is a spiritual truth to be learned here
When the 300 won the Battle – all of Israel enjoyed to Victory!
There is great Darkness in and out of the Church
Lack of Faith
No power to live for God
Wishy washy commitments
Compromise and sin in the lives of people – they can’t make that commitment right now – they are blinded and unprepared
Let me tell you – This chess game is over – Satan can not win
We need to take AUTHORITY and bind the enemy who ensnares God’s people here in the church and in the city –
I need some people to stand up and say
I am not afraid
I am prepared and ready for battle
I will Fast and I will Pray – I will strike a blow to the root of the enemies stronghold
Begin Right now
I believe God has already been calling some to this type of intercession
Hosea 10:12-13
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you
Begin now – just cry out to the Lord – here at the Altar or in your pew –
With no one looking around – How many – will say I am not afraid – I will engage the enemy!
Now back to those who need Strongholds broken –
First Stop sinning
Second stop being afraid
Third start being a good soldier – get in the Word, live it, do it, learn it, get it in your spirit, so that when temptation comes – you will be prepared!
