DEAL WITH SIN OR GOD WILL DEAL WITH
YOU
Courage to do What God Commands
Judges 6
Jerry
A Collins
SCC
v
Does God allow
us to sin without consequences?
v
What kind of
person does God require for service?
v
How does God
prepare and equip us for that service?
Sin
is never a good idea. If we know anything about our Father in heaven it is that
disobedience is a very serious matter with God. When we marginalize His
commandments and when we cavalierly disregard His will, we can expect that
there will be consequences from God’s point of view. God calls the violation of
His will sin and no one will get to heaven and be glad they sinned. It is not
that we do not love the Lord but that somehow we conclude that if we do not
overdo it we can ignore His commandments without any substantial downside. God
will not let us off of that hook. Not for one sin. Not for one compromise. Not
for one act of disobedience. We know this from the activity of God our Father
amongst His people
OUR SIN PRODUCES SOME VERY DIFFICULT
CONSEQUENCES 1-11
We sin when we do evil in God’s eyes Then the sons of
That sin brings painful consequences God turned his people over to their enemies. He
gave them into the hands of the Midians for seven
years. The Midians are a nomadic desert people
ranging throughout the
God will let you know what the
problem is God sends a prophet
after
GOD WANTS TO DELIVER US FROM THESE
CONSEQUENCES WHEN WE ARE WILLING TO BE
God sees what can be done by us Here is the 2nd appearance of the Lord
this time to Gideon beating out wheat in a winepress—a hole in the ground. Normally
you would do this on top of a hill so the wind could blow the chaff away. But
he is hiding so he cannot be seen by the enemy and steal it from him vs 11. God sees Gideon for what he would do not what he was
vs 12. A valiant warrior vs. being
the least in the clans of Manasseh and the youngest in his own clan. Just the kind of guy God is looking for. For
God is always looking for the least of us. God knows your capability and when
he places you in a context of ministry or service it is because He wants to use
you when you consider yourself incapable. First, Gideon questions Good about their suffering 13. Why? Where are the miracles
he heard about? You have abandoned us if all of this is true about you. 1. He
assumed suffering means God is not with us. 2. He thot
presence of God evidenced only be miracles. 3. He thot the problems means God abandoned us to mercy of the
source of our problems. Positively, he looked to God for a solution and not
idols. So when you are suffering you may be angry enough to complain to God.
You just have to apologize. But if you abandon God for ways of world then your going to be liable to the judgment of God. Gideon never
reprimanded by God.
God strengthens us to do the right
thing God says go in this your
strength and deliver 14. What strength? The strength God says He will give to
him. Yes you are the least and the youngest and all of that 15-16 and Gideon asks for a sign 17. He has hesitant faith. It is legitimate
request. He does not doubt God. Just making sure it is God he is speaking to
especially since he looked like normal man and may be a midian
deceiver. It is good to test the spirit’s 1 Jn 4:1-4.
He soon discovers that it is indeed God 22-24 and he worships knowing God is
present with him. (Jesus Christ)
OUR DELIVERANCE IS ASSURED ONCE WE
DEAL WITH THE SIN
Deal with the sin against God Gideon built an altar to the Lord vs 24 and tore down an altar to idols 25-32. Interesting
they were willing to kill Gideon to defend their sin vs
30. Typical scenerio—we sin, suffer because of it, then meet that suffering with more sin that caused it and
defend that sin. Their sin had become their security. Gideon had done this at
night fearful of the response but at least he did the right thing. God can work
with that kind of man or woman.
God strengthens us to do the right
thing First, Gideon was clothed by the HS to be enabled to
carry out God’s plan for deliverance. Second, he fleeced God 36-40.
This was for testing not direction. He already knew what God had told him to
do. Putting out a fleece has become common idea to find God’s will. 1. It was
fruit of unbelief not belief. 2. It was not for guidance or God’s will. God
already gave that. 3. It was for testing God not trusting God. 4. God did not treat
it as sinful but weakness. Not ideal but may find self in that situation. Not
one of not knowing God’s will but not having the faith to obey it. If you don’t
know Gods will look to His word not a circumstantial fleece. If no tin His word
he has not spoken about it. If in his word and you don’t have courage to do it
then ask him for courage to do what he has commanded.