Sermon Central
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From A Loser To A Leader
Contributed by Mike Turner on Aug 17, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: God uses a man who considers himself a loser to become a powerful leader ! God can do the same thing with you and I.
From A Loser To A Leader
Story & Song: Stuart Hamblin
The chimes of time ring out the news--another day is through. Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you? You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew. Do not be disheartened, for I bring hope to you
There is no night for in His light, you’ll never walk alone; You’ll always feel at home, wherever you may roam. There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side. Just take Him at His promises, don’t run away and hide.
It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you. With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do.
In our text today.......God is about to show a poor fellow named Gideon that what he has done for others.......he’ll do for him !
Verses 1-10 describe the present condition of the nation of Israel.
As a result of Israel’s rebellion, and idolatry, God delivered them into the hand of the Midianites for a period of 7 years. The people sought refuge in the dens, and caves in the mountains.
Conditions were so bad that when the harvest was ready, the Midianites would come in and destroy the crops. They also destroyed all of their livestock.
V. 6 says the Israel was greatly impoverished. Meaning they were empty, thin, and oppressed.
This went on for seven years until finally God’s people called upon the LORD. Isn’t it amazing how hardened people can become........? Once the people turned to the Lord God shows his faithfulness in yet again raising up a deliverer !
It is that deliverer that we want to look at this morning !
I. The Person He Selected. V. 11
“Gideon” actually means “warrior” Gideon had a good name. One that would fit the task for which he was chosen...but at the time of the Lord’s choosing, he is anything but a warrior.
a. Gideon feels fearful !
Where does the Lord find Gideon ? He is in a winepress....which was in a pit ! What is he doing....making wine ? No....Gideon has found a new use for the winepress. He is using it to harvest the wheat ! Why in a winepress ? Because he is afraid that if he harvests the wheat out in the open that he will be seen by Midianites. Give Gideon credit for ingenuity....he is doing the best thing he can for his family at the time.....but he is not doing anything to solve the overall problem.
Joke: Little boy afraid of Dark
b. V.13 Gideon feels forsaken.
When the Angel of the Lord tells him his purpose, Gideon opens up his mouth and speaks his mind ! He feels forsaken....abandoned ! If the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us ? and where be all his mracles..........
c. Gideon feels futility. V. 15
He comes from a poor family. And he considers himself to be the least worthy......or least capable of doing anything to help.
II. The Potential He Saw.
V. 12 And the Angel of the Lord
appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.
Story:
Forrest Gregg was given the job of rebuilding SMU’s football program several years ago after a scandal. The team was definitely short on potential. He was in his office one day looking over his team roster when all of a sudden the room got dark. I It was caused by the shadow of a huge young man who was standing in the doorway of his office. Coach Gregg asked the young man what he wanted. This hulk of a boy said, “I want to play football.” Coach Gregg’s eyes lit up, and he asked the young man to come into his office and have a seat. With excitement in his eyes he thought about the line and having this barn-size boy blocking the backfield. He got out his papers and asked the young man a few questions: “First, how old are you?” The young man started counting on his fingers and then said, “Nineteen.” The coach looked at him a minute and said, “Okay,” and asked, “how tall are you?” The young man stood up, took his hand and measured up his leg, on up to his head, and then counted on his fingers again and said, “I’m six feet, eight inches tall.” Again the coach gave him a funny look, wrote down the answer, and asked, “Okay, what’s your name?” This time the young man paused, dazed off into space, nodded his head about fifteen times, and then said, “Charlie.” Well, that was too much for Coach Gregg, and he said, “All right, Charlie, I understand counting on your fingers to figure out how old you are. And I understand using your hand to measure how tall you are. But what was all the nodding of the head about when I asked you your name?” Charlie answered, “Oh, that’s simple, Coach. Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Charlie...”
