Is God at the center? | Sunith N

This message was preached  by Sunith Nallala at Word of Grace Church on May 22nd, 2016. To listen/download the audio please click here. 

Today we will look at the passage in Judges 6 and 7 depicting the life of Israelites and their leader Gideon.

Looking back at Judges 5, we see that the land was in peace for 40 years. In a time of peace, we tend to become self-centered. So, again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of God.

Judges 6: 1-7

In the Old Testament we see that God is an angry God. He subjected the Israelites to oppression and fear from the Midianites. They could not remember God and his miracles. They were relying on their own self. When we go through difficult times we try to depend on ourselves and not on God who loves us. We need to be God-centered.

Heb 12:7- “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?”

That’s what a loving father does. He disciplines us through the hardships we face. 

Judges 6:7-10

Even when we take a long time to turn to him, God always responds. He reminds us of himself. He calls us to turn away from our idols. This is what God tells us to do - Col 4:2- “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Judges 6: 11- 16

Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress out of fear that the Midianites may take it away from him. At that time God sends an angel who calls him ‘mighty warrior’. Gideon wonders if he is being sarcastic. God sees something great in us. Gideon saw himself as a weak person, but God strengthened him.

Q. How does God encourage us? What does he see in us?

John 12:1 – children of God

John 15:15- I have called you friends

Romans 5:1- justified by faith

Romans 8:1- No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Philippians 3:20- we are citizens of heaven.

Romans 8:35-39- Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? We are more than conquerors

This is our true identity. Gideon under the cloud of oppression and fear could not see his true identity. But God reminds him.

Judges 6: 22-24- when we encounter God, we are filled with peace and find encouragement to continue on.

v. 25- 32- Ask yourselves this : 

Q. Is there anything that you have been holding on to? 

If you are, it is time to knock down your idol. Confess your sin and deal with it. Then God blesses you.

v. 34- let’s understand that when we put God in the centered, we can’t forget about him. 

                                       

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.