Less is More.

Introduction:

Odds: 4-1

God's 2-Step Plan for Your Victory (Judges 7:1-15):

  1. Lose your Self-Confidence . (Judges 7:1-8)

    Isaiah 42:8 - I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other...

God gave 2 tests to Gideon's already way-outnumbered army:

  1. Test #1: Are you Afraid ? (Judges 7:3)

    Odds: 13-1

    Duet 20:8 - And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.

  2. Test #2: Are you paying Attention . (Judges 7:7)

    Odds: 450-1

  1. Put your confidence in God . (Judges 7:9-15)

    1 Corinthians 10:12-13 - Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 7:1-15

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. Why did God reduce Gideon’s army? Why do you think He did it in stages (32k to 10k to 300) instead of just doing it all at once?

  3. Isaiah 42:8 says “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other…” (See also Isaiah 48:11) How would you respond to someone who says, “Isn’t it egotistical of God to demand all the glory?”

  4. In Judges 7:9-14, why did God let Gideon spy “if he was afraid” (Judges 7:10)? Since Gideon was obviously still afraid (made clear by Gideon taking God up on His offer), why didn’t Gideon get sent home with all of the other fearful soldiers earlier (Judges 7:3)?

Breakout
Pray for one another, specifically that God would remove all self-confidence and teach us to find all of our confidence in Him!