THE BIBLE SHOWS THE TRUE ACCOUNT OF EVERY MAN'S LIFE - WITH VICTORIES AND DEFEATS

• Judges is a history of seven apostacies, seven servitudes, seven conquerors, and seven deliverances - 17:6.
• Gideon is a man who was very careful to test God's instructions, had victory - then failed.
• We must find some way to claim his four great victories - yet avoid his last terrible defeat.

The problems are very much the same today - God give us wisdom to "finish our course."

FOUR TESTINGS AND FOUR GREAT VICTORIES

This was during a time of great testing because of Israel's sin, and God told why - 6:10b.

GOD TESTED GIDEON TO SEE IF HE WAS MAN ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB FOR ALL ISRAEL - 6:11 ff

• When God called Gideon - v.11, he assured God's presence - v.12; Gideon asked WHY? v.13
• God's answer was GO v.14; to see the miracle He expected - Gideon must face the enemy!
• Gideon tested God - v.17 a sign - some have never dared to have an experience with God -
• God gave Gideon the FIRE v.21; most do not obey the Lord v.20 enough to see the fire!
• God then tested Gideon - v.25 cut the grove, offer the bullock - clean house, don't blame - clean
• Gideon did not criticize his father - he cleaned house!  Will you clean your own house?
• God may be calling someone today - don't bemoan - cast out the idol and clean your life!

GIDEON TESTED GOD IN A VERY PROPHETIC WAY WITH PUTTING OUT THE FLEECE - 6:34 ff

• The Spirit of the Lord came - we often fail to submit to Holy Sprit - write, study, pray
• As the messengers gathered, Gideon put out the fleece - prophetic in its significance -
• Fleece - Blood Sacrifice - Water - Judgment; Land - People of Nations - shows two advents of Christ
• First - Judgement on Christ, Nations spared; 2nd - Judgment on Nations, Christ enthroned.
• Some would mock God in further questioning when it is plain what God has said!  Be wise!
• If you mock God, He is under no obligation - Jesus said, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

GOD TESTED GIDEON'S WARRIORS, AND CUT THE CROWD DOWN TO A MERE 300 MEN - 7:1 ff

• God had a reason that many fail to understand - He did not want them vain and boastful - 2b
• God first sent home the fearful - v.3, first 22,000, and we see that a draft is no guarantee of winning!
• God sent home the overconfident - v.5, those who took their eyes from the field - 300 cautious.

God has always chosen the few (come to a church workday and see).  If you are chosen, don't fret about others.

GOD GAVE A VERY SPECIAL TEST IN THE MIDST OF BATTLE TO SEE IF THE 3OO WOULD OBEY HIM - 7:9 ff

• There was preparation -v.9 talking with God, 11, scouting; 7:14 assurance even from enemy.
• God's battle plan - psychological warfare!  16-20 smoldering firebrand, in pitcher and trumpets.
• The OBEDEINCE of 300 - enemy surrounded, panicked, ran; a great victory with little danger!
• The rest of Israel gathered - some helped - v.24 - some griped 8:1; some refused needed help 8:6,8
• And some feared - 8:20; but God gave a very great victory and forty years of peace - 8:28
• When even a few cooperate and follow the Lord's leadership, God can give a real victory!

THE FINAL TEST AND A VICTORY AND DEFEAT - 8:22 ff

• Gideon REFUSED THE TEMPTATION TO BECOME THE FIRST KING OVER ALL ISRAEL - 22-
• Many think that a small victory in one area gives them right to rule in all areas.  Beware!
• Gideon was a general, but he had enough sense to refuse to be King - what if David had?
• Search your heart - what does the Lord want you to do for Him?  Do YOUR thing - God's thing for you.

GIDEON ASKED FOR GOLD, THEY GAVE IT TO HIM, AND HE MADE AN EPHOD THAT LED TO DEEP SIN - 24ff

• The desire to be rich has ruined our generation - hurtful snares; dedicate your gold to God!
• The Ephod (Aaron's lost?) supposed to tell right from wrong - no easy way!  It was a snare!
• The expression of the sin - Whoring - Adultery against the Bridegroom of your soul - astrology?

GIDEON HAD MANY WIVES - V.30 - NO PLACE IN SCRIPTURE HAS GOD APPROVED OF POLIGAMY

• Wealth and popularity and a wicked age - Gideon could do as he pleased and he pleased wrong!
• You must choose the moral standards you are going to live by!  Gideon missed and suffered.
• Because he chose wrong - v.33,34, his children went back to the sex gods of their enemies!

GIDEON'S SONS MAY HAVE HAD AN EXCUSE, BUT WE HAVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO GUIDE US!

Remember the message of the fleece - Jesus was judged for us - but next the world will be judged.

GOD IS SEEKING MEN WITH THE COURAGE OF GIDEON TO DELIVER AMERICA, PHOENIX, TODAY!

• If you do not know Jesus Christ, you will have no chance to be one of the 300!  Accept Jesus!
• If you do not place your ALL upon the altar - absolute obedience - you cannot be a Gideon!
• Unless you walk close to the Lord ALL THE WAY - Satan will sift you in your old age as Gideon

Stay true to the Lord in the little things, and He will honor your faithfulness - finish the course.