WEBVTT

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 You may be seated.

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 Good morning.

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 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church.

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 And it's my joy to bring God's word to you today.

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 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us.

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 We're glad that you're here.

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 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats,

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 but because we're following Jesus together as one community.

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 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good.

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 They don't need God's grace.

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 And no one so bad that they can't have it.

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 Which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word.

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 We're continuing this morning our series in the book of Judges.

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 And you'll remember that the book of Judges is about a number of things.

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 It's about the need for constant renewal and revival among God's people.

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 It's about the need for a faithful and true king.

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 A king who can do what no man can do, which is to change the hearts of humans.

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 It's about the spirit, the power of spirit-filled leadership.

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 And it's about God's mercy on hard-hearted people.

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 People like you and me.

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 Last week, Drew Arrington finished up for us the story of Deborah and Barak and Sisera.

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 And so now we move on to Judges chapter 6, where we see the story of Gideon.

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 The story of Gideon spans several chapters in the book of Judges.

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 And so we're going to be in this for a number of weeks.

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 And just at the beginning this week, we're going to try to bite off verses 1 through 24.

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 Now, there's a lot going on even in these verses.

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 And we could spend several weeks just in these first 24 verses up in front of us.

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 And what I want us to focus on, to keep our eyes on, is a paradox, a tension,

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 that appears in this text and in this story.

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 And the tension is between...

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 There's an angel.

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 He shows up to Gideon.

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 The tension is between the angel's description of Gideon and how Gideon actually behaves.

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 So we're going to see the angel in verse 12.

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 He's going to come to Gideon and he's going to describe him as this great, mighty man of valor.

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 And then in verse 14, he's going to tell him,

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 Hey, you have actually this great and enormous strength.

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 Gideon, on the other hand, does not appear at all like a mighty man of valor.

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 He appears feeble and doubting and hiding from his enemies.

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 And so our question this week is simple.

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 Why does God call this hesitant and hiding man a mighty man of valor?

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 A related question would be, what gives us the power to go out on God's mission?

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 What is it that gives us the power to go out on God's mission?

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 And with that, I'm going to invite you to turn with me to Judges chapter 6.

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 You can turn in your worship guide.

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 You can turn on your phone.

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 You can turn in your Bible.

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 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word.

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 And Proverbs chapter 30 verse 5 tells us,

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 Every word of God proves true.

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 He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

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 And so that's why we read now Judges chapter 6, starting at verse 1.

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 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

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 And the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.

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 And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel.

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 And because of Midian, the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

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 For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the east would come up against them.

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 They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land as far as Gaza

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 and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey.

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 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents.

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 They would come like locusts in number.

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 Both they and their camels could not be counted.

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 So that they laid waste the land as they came in.

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 And Israel was brought very low because of Midian.

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 And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord.

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 Verse 7.

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 When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites,

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 the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel.

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 And he said to them,

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 Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel,

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 I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery.

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 And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you

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 and drove them out before you and gave you their land.

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 And I said to you, I am the Lord your God.

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 You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.

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 But you have not obeyed my voice.

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 Verse 11.

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 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Aphra,

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 which belonged to Joash the Abizrite,

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 while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.

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 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him,

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 The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.

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 Verse 13.

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 And Gideon said to him,

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 Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?

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 And where are all his wondrous deeds that our fathers recounted to us,

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 saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?

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 But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.

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 And the Lord turned to him and said,

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 Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian.

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 Do not I send you.

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 Verse 15.

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 And he said to him,

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 Please, Lord, how can I save Israel?

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 Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh,

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 and I am the least in my father's house.

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 And the Lord said to him,

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 But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.

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 And he said to him,

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 If now I have found favor in your eyes,

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 then show me a sign that it is you who speak to me.

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 Please do not depart from here until I come to you

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 and bring out my present and set it before you.

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 And he said,

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 I will stay until you return.

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 Verse 19.

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 So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat

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 and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour.

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 The meat he put in a basket,

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 and the broth he put in a pot,

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 and brought them to him under the terebinth,

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 and presented them.

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 And the angel of God said to him,

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 Take the meat and the unleavened cakes,

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 and put them on this rock,

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 and pour the broth over them.

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 And he did so.

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 Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff

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 that was in his hand,

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 and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes.

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 And fire sprang up from the rock,

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 and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes.

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 And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.

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 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord.

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 And Gideon said,

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 Alas, O Lord God,

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 for now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.

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 But the Lord said to him,

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 Peace be to you.

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 Do not fear.

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 You shall not die.

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 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord

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 and called it,

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 The Lord is Peace.

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 To this day,

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 it still stands at Afra,

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 which belongs to the Abizrites.

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 I invite you to pray with me

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 as we come to this portion of God's word.

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 Our Father in heaven,

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 we praise you,

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 and we thank you again

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 that you are not a God who's far off,

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 but you're a God who comes near to us,

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 that you're a God who's with us,

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 that you speak to us clearly in your word.

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 And we ask that you would do that again this morning,

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 that you would show us your mercy and your grace,

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 and you'd show us our need for that mercy,

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 and you would help us to turn in faith and love to you.

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 And we ask all these things

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 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 As we begin in chapter six,

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 we see in verse one a phrase

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 that we've seen over and over before.

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 In fact, this has become something of a formula

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 to explain what we've talked about before

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 of the judge's cycle,

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 or the judge's spiral,

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 as some have called it.

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 That the judges are faithful to God for a time,

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 they fall into idolatry and disobedience,

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 and then they again cry out to him.

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 And so we see in verse one,

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 the people of Israel did what was evil

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 in the sight of the Lord.

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 It's a formulaic statement

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 that we've seen with Ophniel and Ehud.

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 We saw it with Deborah and Barak.

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 And so in a sense,

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 we're expecting the same thing to happen again

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 in this passage.

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 Once again,

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 we're going to see God's people turn away from him,

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 a judge be raised up,

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 and then them come back.

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 But this time,

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 things are worse than ever before.

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 In fact, that should not surprise us.

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 Remember when the cycle is introduced,

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 Judges chapter two, verse 19,

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 it tells us each time there's a cycle,

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 things are going to get worse and worse.

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 Things are so bad here,

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 verse two,

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 they are hiding out in caves.

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 They have never had to do this before.

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 This was not part of the previous stories

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 in this book.

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 And we find out very quickly

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 why it is that they're hiding out in the caves.

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 Verses three and four,

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 things are not just bad.

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 Actually, things are so bad.

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 They are not just oppressed like they were before.

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 They are actually starved.

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 We have not heard before of the food supply

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 for the Israelites being cut off,

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 but that's exactly what's happening here.

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 Verse four,

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 they're devouring the produce of the land

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 and they leave no sustenance in Israel,

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 no sheep or ox or donkey.

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 And so that helps explain for us

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 what's happening later in the chapter.

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 Why do we find Gideon,

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 verse 11,

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 beating out wheat in a wine press?

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 Well, he's doing everything he can,

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 right, to hide food

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 from those who are coming to pillage and destroy.

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 It helps us understand

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 why are they hiding in caves?

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 Well, because they're trying to keep their food,

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 the little food that they have,

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 away from those who are pillaging them

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 and plundering them.

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 We haven't heard this phrase before.

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 Verse six,

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 Israel was brought very low.

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 Things are worth now

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 than they have been in chapters one through five.

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 And so they do what they've always done.

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 Verses six and seven,

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 they cry out.

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 Notice though,

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 what they don't do,

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 it's what they failed to do in the past.

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 They cry out,

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 they don't repent.

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 They're sorry that they're in the situation

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 where they're being plundered.

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 They are not sorry

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 that they've turned aside,

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 verse 10,

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 worshiped the gods of the Amorites.

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 And so God comes,

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 verses eight through 10,

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 by this angel,

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 speaks on his behalf

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 to spell out for them

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 what exactly has gone wrong.

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 Look,

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 I told you all to do this

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 and you did that.

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 I told you all

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 not to worship foreign gods,

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 but instead

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 you have chosen to do that.

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 It's worth noting here

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 that God's condemnation

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 in verses eight through 10

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 is immediately

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 followed by his deliverance

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 in verse 11.

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 We'll come back to that later.

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 For now,

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 I want us to move on

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 to our friend Gideon

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 who we meet in verse 11

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 and he is hiding food.

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 He is beating out wheat

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 in the wine press,

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 hoping somehow

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 that these plunderers

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 as they come through

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 are not going to see him.

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 Somehow he's going to be able

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 to preserve food

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 for himself

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 and his family

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 by changing his location.

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 He is struggling

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 for basic existence.

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 In fact,

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 all of Israel here

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 is struggling

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 for basic existence.

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 And the angel comes

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 and says

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 probably one of the last things

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 we would expect him to say.

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 The angel does not first

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 come to deliver

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 some sort of instructions

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 or encouragement.

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 No, the angel just shows up,

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 verse 12,

00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:50.479
 and says this,

00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:51.919
 The Lord is with you,

00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:53.279
 O mighty man of valor.

00:12:55.359 --> 00:12:56.500
 And so you can imagine

00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.379
 Gideon's thoughts

00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.719
 as he is hiding out

00:12:58.719 --> 00:12:59.779
 in a wine press

00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:01.159
 just trying to have

00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.139
 enough food to eat.

00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:03.459
 This angel shows up

00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:04.219
 out of nowhere

00:13:04.219 --> 00:13:04.879
 and just says,

00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:05.419
 You know what?

00:13:05.579 --> 00:13:06.479
 God's with you.

00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.379
 And you know what?

00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:10.699
 You are a real strong guy.

00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:13.340
 And of course,

00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:16.620
 Gideon does not buy it.

00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:18.120
 Verse 12,

00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:19.180
 The Lord is with you.

00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.340
 Verse 13,

00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:21.160
 what does he say?

00:13:21.900 --> 00:13:24.580
 If the Lord is with us.

00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:27.259
 You might tell me

00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.820
 that God is here with us.

00:13:29.140 --> 00:13:31.340
 It certainly doesn't feel like that.

00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.240
 You might tell me

00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.379
 that God is with us.

00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:36.700
 It certainly doesn't look like that.

00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:40.060
 We have heard all the stories

00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:41.140
 about what you did

00:13:41.140 --> 00:13:42.220
 for our forefathers,

00:13:42.900 --> 00:13:46.080
 but where are you now?

00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.140
 What good does the story

00:13:49.140 --> 00:13:51.020
 of the Exodus do for us

00:13:51.020 --> 00:13:52.640
 when we can barely eat?

00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.320
 What good do your words

00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.379
 of presence do for us

00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:59.600
 when we're being ransacked

00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:01.920
 by other countries?

00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:06.799
 Gideon is cynical

00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.279
 and jaded.

00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.959
 He's cynical and jaded

00:14:10.959 --> 00:14:12.240
 based on what's been happening

00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.799
 in his country.

00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.719
 That fact that he's having

00:14:13.719 --> 00:14:14.500
 to hide out

00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.439
 and just preserve

00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:17.779
 enough food to survive.

00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.819
 And what does the angel respond?

00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.799
 The angel doesn't answer

00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:23.939
 his complaints at all.

00:14:25.439 --> 00:14:26.879
 The angel doesn't tell him,

00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:27.419
 Oh no,

00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.319
 this is how you should

00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:29.059
 think through it.

00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:29.939
 No,

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.919
 he just gives him a command.

00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:32.179
 Thank you for sharing

00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.500
 those complaints, Gideon.

00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.179
 And here's what I have

00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:35.919
 to say to you.

00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:38.059
 Verse 14,

00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.599
 go in this might of yours

00:14:40.599 --> 00:14:41.559
 and save Israel

00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.620
 from the hand of Midian.

00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.939
 Sorry you're feeling oppressed.

00:14:46.059 --> 00:14:46.939
 I'm sorry you're struggling

00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:47.579
 for food.

00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.500
 Step two,

00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:50.339
 go and defeat your conquerors.

00:14:55.099 --> 00:14:56.839
 Which raises our question again,

00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.319
 why does God choose

00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:01.140
 this hesitant

00:15:01.140 --> 00:15:02.920
 and hiding man

00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:04.660
 a mighty man

00:15:04.660 --> 00:15:05.460
 of valor?

00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:08.220
 Gideon does not have

00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.680
 a great resume.

00:15:10.140 --> 00:15:10.620
 Verse 11,

00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.379
 what is he doing?

00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.660
 He is not going out

00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:13.800
 in this great strength

00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:15.320
 that he supposedly has

00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:17.020
 to fight Israel's enemies.

00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:17.620
 No,

00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.840
 he's hiding away.

00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:20.000
 He is staying

00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.760
 as low

00:15:20.760 --> 00:15:21.879
 as he can.

00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:24.100
 And it makes sense,

00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:24.360
 right?

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.320
 But this is not

00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.500
 some great act

00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.220
 of bravery

00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.480
 or courage.

00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.580
 We have no indication

00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.139
 that Gideon

00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.919
 has a resume

00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:32.580
 of bravery

00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.240
 and courage.

00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.560
 Verse 13,

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.300
 we find out

00:15:35.300 --> 00:15:36.539
 he is a disaffected

00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.399
 and cynical

00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.919
 and jaded young man

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:41.279
 who has doubts

00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.019
 and questions

00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.899
 about whether God

00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.840
 is really with them.

00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:45.100
 Verse 15,

00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:45.940
 he goes on

00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:47.340
 to help this angel

00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:47.899
 understand

00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:49.320
 that his resume

00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:51.159
 is really bad.

00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.259
 His clan

00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.219
 is the weakest

00:15:53.219 --> 00:15:54.000
 in Manasseh.

00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.719
 And it's not just

00:15:55.719 --> 00:15:56.399
 his clan

00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.279
 that is a problem.

00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:59.259
 He is also a problem.

00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.299
 He is the least

00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.939
 in his father's house.

00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:04.100
 And so we have

00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.639
 a pretty strong case

00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.240
 up front

00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:07.199
 that God

00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:08.719
 has picked

00:16:08.719 --> 00:16:10.360
 the wrong man.

00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:12.959
 God,

00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.899
 at least in Gideon's eyes,

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.100
 has made

00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:17.100
 a mistake.

00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:19.120
 There are other clans

00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.959
 to choose from.

00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.960
 within his clan,

00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.240
 there are other men

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.280
 to pick from.

00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.960
 And so why

00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.800
 does God come

00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:27.420
 to Gideon

00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:28.259
 of all these people

00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.060
 and tell him

00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:29.860
 in the midst

00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:30.660
 of his failure,

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.120
 his weak resume,

00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:33.480
 no indication,

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.480
 there's no track record

00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.740
 here of his victory

00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.780
 against oppressors

00:16:37.780 --> 00:16:38.900
 that he is

00:16:38.900 --> 00:16:39.720
 the mighty man

00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.200
 of valor?

00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.220
 Well,

00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:46.379
 I've told you

00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:48.460
 only one side

00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.320
 of the story.

00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:52.259
 the angel

00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.860
 says,

00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.100
 O mighty man

00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.240
 of valor,

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.780
 but that's not

00:16:56.780 --> 00:16:57.720
 the first thing

00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.340
 he says.

00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.560
 What does the angel

00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:01.160
 say

00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.340
 first?

00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.840
 Verse 12,

00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.460
 the Lord

00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.380
 is

00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.559
 with you.

00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.980
 The Lord

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.240
 is with you,

00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.100
 O mighty

00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:12.880
 man

00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:13.640
 of valor.

00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.600
 Verse 13,

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.100
 Gideon

00:17:16.100 --> 00:17:17.000
 has doubts

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.440
 about God's

00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:18.859
 presence.

00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.700
 What does he say?

00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.819
 Verse 14,

00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.940
 do I

00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.500
 not

00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.240
 send

00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.900
 you?

00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.680
 Gideon

00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.259
 explains

00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.140
 verse 15

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.680
 that his

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.119
 resume

00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.299
 is really

00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.240
 bad.

00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.019
 He is the

00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.299
 weakest

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:33.980
 and the

00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.319
 least.

00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:34.980
 And what

00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.579
 does the angel

00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:35.940
 say?

00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.759
 Verse 16,

00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.400
 the angel

00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.000
 does not

00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.319
 say,

00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:39.619
 oh,

00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:39.839
 no,

00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.099
 no,

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.539
 Gideon,

00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.059
 that's not

00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.519
 true.

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.819
 Manasseh's

00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.200
 not the

00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:43.480
 weakest.

00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:43.980
 You're

00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.319
 actually

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.759
 such a

00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.160
 strong

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:45.579
 man.

00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.640
 No,

00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.039
 he doesn't

00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.539
 argue with

00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:48.900
 Gideon.

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.360
 What does

00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:49.799
 he say?

00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.180
 But I

00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.259
 will

00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.880
 be

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.599
 with

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.440
 you.

00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.740
 This is

00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.099
 the same

00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.500
 thing we

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.000
 saw with

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.620
 JL a

00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.059
 couple weeks

00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.380
 ago.

00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:02.839
 God

00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.500
 is not

00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.120
 interested

00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:05.360
 in picking

00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.700
 the strongest

00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.660
 or the

00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.420
 most talented.

00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.700
 God

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.240
 does not

00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.019
 choose to

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.640
 do his

00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.140
 work

00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.860
 through

00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:14.400
 those

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.620
 who

00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:14.780
 are

00:18:14.780 --> 00:18:15.140
 most

00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:15.640
 gifted

00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.420
 or

00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:16.940
 impressive.

00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:19.440
 God

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.080
 works

00:18:20.080 --> 00:18:20.560
 through

00:18:20.560 --> 00:18:21.240
 those

00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.500
 who

00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.100
 follow

00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:22.580
 him

00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.480
 in

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.480
 obedience.

00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:26.580
 Victory

00:18:26.580 --> 00:18:27.240
 comes

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.700
 to the

00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.140
 faithful

00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.860
 who

00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:30.340
 take

00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:31.040
 God

00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:31.660
 at

00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.120
 his

00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:32.520
 word.

00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.180
 By the

00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.320
 way,

00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:35.660
 he doesn't

00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.300
 just promise

00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:36.960
 his presence,

00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:37.460
 he also

00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:37.960
 promises

00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.640
 great

00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.360
 victory.

00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:39.800
 The same

00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:40.120
 thing he

00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.440
 promised

00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:40.920
 to Barak.

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.840
 Verse 16,

00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.899
 you shall

00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.679
 strike the

00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.379
 Midianites

00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.259
 as one

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.099
 man.

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.639
 Why

00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.699
 is Gideon

00:18:50.699 --> 00:18:52.240
 a mighty

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.179
 man

00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:53.720
 of

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.139
 valor?

00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:56.879
 Gideon

00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.459
 is a

00:18:57.459 --> 00:18:57.779
 mighty

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.339
 man of

00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:58.679
 valor

00:18:58.679 --> 00:18:59.399
 because

00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.199
 God

00:19:00.199 --> 00:19:01.179
 is with

00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:01.539
 him.

00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.779
 God

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.000
 does

00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.379
 not

00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:06.980
 call

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.220
 the

00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.819
 qualified.

00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.619
 God

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.899
 qualifies

00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.319
 the

00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:11.739
 called.

00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:13.779
 God

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.239
 is not

00:19:14.239 --> 00:19:14.719
 interested

00:19:14.719 --> 00:19:15.139
 in the

00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:15.379
 most

00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:15.879
 talented

00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.239
 or

00:19:16.239 --> 00:19:16.679
 gifted

00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:17.019
 or

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.579
 flashy

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.139
 people.

00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:18.639
 God

00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:18.859
 is

00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.319
 interested

00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.079
 in

00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:20.619
 those

00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.039
 who

00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.259
 will

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.599
 obey.

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.079
 And

00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:24.659
 God

00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:25.439
 gives

00:19:25.439 --> 00:19:26.019
 his

00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.679
 presence

00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:27.779
 to

00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.699
 his

00:19:28.699 --> 00:19:29.419
 people.

00:19:31.479 --> 00:19:32.119
 Gideon

00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.739
 is a

00:19:32.739 --> 00:19:32.979
 mighty

00:19:32.979 --> 00:19:33.419
 man of

00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:33.699
 valor

00:19:33.699 --> 00:19:34.479
 for one

00:19:34.479 --> 00:19:34.919
 reason

00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:35.779
 and one

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.459
 reason

00:19:36.459 --> 00:19:37.019
 only.

00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:39.180
 God's

00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.000
 presence

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.660
 with

00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:40.940
 him.

00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:46.079
 Remember

00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.559
 I mentioned

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:46.920
 the other

00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:47.519
 question we're

00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.039
 asking is

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.279
 this,

00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:48.740
 what gives

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.079
 us the

00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.519
 power

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.559
 to go

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.119
 out on

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:51.539
 God's

00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:51.859
 mission?

00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.400
 And the

00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:53.960
 answer is

00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.519
 the same,

00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.639
 God

00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.639
 is with

00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:57.059
 us.

00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.740
 Proverbs

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.420
 18,

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.000
 verse 10

00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.879
 reminds us,

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.339
 the name

00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:04.879
 of the

00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.279
 Lord

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.799
 is a

00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.519
 strong

00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.299
 tower.

00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:08.759
 The

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.240
 righteous

00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.799
 man

00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.200
 runs

00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.539
 into

00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:10.879
 it

00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.519
 and

00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:11.740
 is

00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.119
 safe.

00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.220
 Psalm

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.940
 125,

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:17.680
 verse

00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.039
 1.

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.200
 Those

00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.899
 who

00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.180
 love

00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.339
 the

00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:24.619
 Lord

00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:26.079
 are

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.339
 like

00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:26.599
 Mount

00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:26.940
 Zion,

00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.200
 which

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.619
 cannot

00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:27.899
 be

00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.299
 moved,

00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:28.940
 but

00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.500
 abides

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.180
 forever.

00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.019
 Psalm

00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.399
 125,

00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.160
 verse 2,

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.560
 as the

00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:35.019
 mountains

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.800
 surround

00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:36.540
 Jerusalem,

00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.380
 so the

00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:38.860
 Lord

00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.740
 surrounds

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.200
 his

00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.660
 people

00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.540
 from

00:20:41.540 --> 00:20:41.900
 this

00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.240
 time

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.779
 forth

00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.460
 and

00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.180
 forevermore.

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.240
 Christian,

00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.460
 how

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.960
 can you

00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.400
 follow

00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.220
 after God?

00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.640
 How can

00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.400
 you go

00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:54.779
 on the

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.060
 mission

00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.380
 that he

00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.820
 has called

00:20:55.820 --> 00:20:56.300
 us to?

00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:57.440
 For

00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.279
 one reason

00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.940
 and one

00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.380
 reason

00:20:59.380 --> 00:20:59.920
 only,

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.120
 God

00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.080
 is with

00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:02.400
 you.

00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:06.500
 Gideon's

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.980
 question

00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.540
 in

00:21:08.540 --> 00:21:08.800
 verse

00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:09.460
 15

00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:11.400
 is our

00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:11.840
 question

00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:12.340
 as well.

00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.019
 He says

00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.300
 to him,

00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:13.580
 please,

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:13.920
 Lord,

00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:15.140
 how can

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.840
 I save

00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:16.320
 Israel?

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.500
 Behold,

00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:18.240
 my clan

00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.720
 is the

00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:18.980
 weakest

00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.780
 in Manasseh

00:21:19.780 --> 00:21:20.640
 and I

00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:20.940
 am the

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.200
 least

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:21.560
 in my

00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:22.019
 father's

00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.320
 house.

00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.440
 Don't

00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.060
 we ask

00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:27.660
 the same

00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.240
 questions?

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:30.900
 how

00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:32.839
 can I

00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.339
 share

00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:33.940
 my hope

00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.519
 in Christ

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:34.960
 with my

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.240
 neighbor?

00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.120
 I am

00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:37.539
 awkward

00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.759
 and I

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.019
 lack

00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.339
 skill,

00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:42.500
 but I

00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.160
 will be

00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.740
 with you.

00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.799
 How can

00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.500
 I stand

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.039
 for truth

00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.380
 when I

00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:48.880
 know that

00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.279
 others

00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.059
 will slander

00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.359
 me?

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.740
 Behold,

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.319
 I am

00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.779
 someone who

00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.380
 only likes

00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:53.839
 peace,

00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:57.599
 but I

00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.559
 am

00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.059
 with you.

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.459
 How can

00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:01.980
 I love

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.599
 my enemies

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.059
 and pray

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.599
 for those

00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.240
 who persecute

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.359
 me?

00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:04.659
 When I

00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:05.000
 look in

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.579
 my heart,

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.539
 all I

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.159
 see is

00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:08.519
 anger,

00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:12.099
 but I

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.599
 am

00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.059
 with you.

00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.299
 How can

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.579
 I make

00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.019
 the call

00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.339
 that I

00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:16.799
 know that

00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.259
 I need

00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.799
 to make

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.359
 and I'm

00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:18.740
 desperately

00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.279
 avoiding?

00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.799
 I'm not

00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.459
 even sure

00:22:21.459 --> 00:22:22.179
 what I'm

00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:22.519
 going to

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:22.799
 say.

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:26.099
 but I

00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.779
 am

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.379
 with you.

00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:29.939
 How can

00:22:29.939 --> 00:22:30.379
 I remain

00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.259
 faithful to

00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.859
 my marriage

00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.519
 vows when

00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:32.980
 it is a

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.519
 relationship

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.339
 that's filled

00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.659
 with coldness

00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.299
 and distance?

00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:41.599
 But I

00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.480
 will be

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.039
 with you.

00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.859
 How can

00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.279
 I move

00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.000
 towards those

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.419
 who have

00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:47.799
 hurt me

00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.500
 with forgiveness?

00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.720
 Behold,

00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:50.879
 I am

00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.240
 filled with

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.519
 bitterness.

00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.659
 but I

00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.559
 will be

00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.039
 with you.

00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.359
 How can

00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:58.980
 I confess

00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.959
 my sins

00:22:59.959 --> 00:23:01.539
 and stop

00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:01.959
 living a

00:23:01.959 --> 00:23:02.539
 double life?

00:23:03.959 --> 00:23:04.639
 What will

00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.079
 happen when

00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:05.740
 people find

00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.019
 out?

00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.339
 What about

00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.099
 the consequences?

00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.419
 But I

00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:14.259
 will be

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.720
 with you.

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.240
 Some of

00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.759
 you are

00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.299
 wondering,

00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.679
 you want to

00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:21.000
 switch to

00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.359
 this mic?

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:23.279
 I'm

00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.480
 some of

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:24.720
 you are

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.139
 wondering,

00:23:25.459 --> 00:23:27.740
 how do

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.659
 I continue

00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:29.399
 the journey

00:23:29.399 --> 00:23:29.819
 that I'm

00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.379
 on with

00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:30.799
 parenting?

00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.259
 It's been

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.879
 a long

00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.259
 road.

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.059
 There's

00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:38.099
 failures and

00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.579
 mistakes in

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.000
 the past.

00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.539
 There's things

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:39.959
 that I would

00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:40.419
 change.

00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.019
 I'm not

00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.459
 sure I want

00:23:42.459 --> 00:23:42.740
 to keep

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.059
 going.

00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:44.819
 I'm not

00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.759
 sure I have

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.379
 the perseverance

00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.179
 or the wisdom

00:23:47.179 --> 00:23:47.939
 that it takes,

00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:49.639
 and I wonder

00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.159
 if I should

00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.799
 just give up

00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.539
 if it's

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:51.960
 too late.

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.500
 And God's

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:55.960
 word to you

00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.599
 is the same,

00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.680
 but I

00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.460
 am with

00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:58.720
 you.

00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.700
 Gideon

00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:05.000
 is right

00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:06.339
 in a

00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.740
 sense.

00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.180
 Gideon is

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:09.639
 right that

00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.440
 obedience is

00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:12.319
 impossible if

00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.839
 we're left to

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.359
 ourselves.

00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.680
 Obedience is

00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.659
 impossible unless

00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:18.019
 God is with

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.319
 us.

00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:18.839
 We are

00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.119
 not

00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.859
 moralists.

00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:20.980
 We don't

00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.460
 believe that

00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.980
 we can pull

00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.839
 ourselves up

00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.319
 by our

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.879
 bootstraps.

00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.139
 We don't

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.539
 believe we

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.039
 can will

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.759
 ourselves to

00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.019
 obey.

00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:26.599
 Our hope

00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.599
 is that

00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:27.980
 God's

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.599
 spirit is

00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.259
 at work

00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.339
 within us

00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.980
 stirring up

00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.799
 our hearts

00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.079
 and our

00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:32.619
 minds to

00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:32.939
 obey.

00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:34.879
 Without

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.700
 God,

00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.659
 we can't.

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.319
 With

00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:38.879
 God,

00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.779
 we can.

00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:42.220
 God is

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.059
 with us

00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.019
 by his

00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.700
 Holy Spirit.

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.019
 There's

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.720
 comforting words

00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.200
 on the back

00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.519
 of our

00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.099
 worship guide

00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.659
 which remind

00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.259
 us of this.

00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.679
 Christ promises

00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.519
 a spirit that

00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.259
 no enemies

00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.859
 will be able

00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.460
 to withstand.

00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.059
 God's

00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.679
 children in

00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.299
 the time of

00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.799
 opposition,

00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:56.960
 when they

00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.399
 understand

00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.159
 themselves and

00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.460
 what they

00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.200
 stand for,

00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.240
 are given

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.159
 by God a

00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:01.899
 spirit against

00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.639
 which no

00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.460
 enemies can

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:03.899
 stand.

00:25:04.679 --> 00:25:05.439
 The spirit

00:25:05.439 --> 00:25:06.139
 of liberty

00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.279
 gives boldness,

00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.879
 strength,

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:09.179
 and courage

00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:10.299
 against

00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.319
 opposition.

00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.559
 God's

00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:15.939
 spirit,

00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:17.740
 God's

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.660
 presence with

00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.220
 us is

00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.799
 what gives

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.620
 us everything

00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.220
 we need

00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.680
 to follow

00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.320
 after him

00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:23.380
 in obedience.

00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.759
 In fact,

00:25:24.820 --> 00:25:25.360
 we can have

00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:26.360
 even greater

00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.320
 confidence than

00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:28.080
 Gideon had.

00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:29.200
 We have

00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.960
 greater confidence

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.519
 than Gideon

00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.259
 had because we

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.960
 have greater

00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.940
 access to the

00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.559
 Holy Spirit

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.160
 than Gideon

00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.440
 had.

00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.460
 We don't

00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.080
 live in the

00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:36.900
 time of the

00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:38.039
 Old Testament.

00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:39.940
 Verse 9 on

00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.440
 your worship

00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.180
 guide helps us

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.960
 understand the

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.640
 difference between

00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.519
 God's presence in

00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.259
 the Old Testament

00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.799
 and the New

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.200
 Testament.

00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.740
 This is a

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.539
 theologian named

00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.160
 Herman Boving

00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.779
 who says the

00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.500
 Holy Spirit,

00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.140
 and this is he's

00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:50.660
 talking about the

00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.420
 Old Testament,

00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.779
 had come down to

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.799
 a few independent

00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:55.379
 persons and only

00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:56.539
 temporarily for a

00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.420
 specific purpose.

00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.379
 Remember, one of

00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:59.160
 our themes for the

00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.079
 book of Judges is

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.160
 the power of

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.839
 spirit-filled

00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.299
 leadership.

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.519
 What do we see?

00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.240
 We see the Holy

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.440
 Spirit showing up

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 here and there on

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.400
 specific people.

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.299
 And what does he

00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.799
 tell us?

00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:10.059
 Now, that is in

00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.680
 the age of the

00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.240
 New Testament,

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 it descended upon

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.279
 the whole church

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.660
 and upon all its

00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.700
 members, and it

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:17.099
 remains dwelling and

00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.180
 working there

00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.059
 permanently.

00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:22.619
 Christian, God

00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:24.599
 promises you his

00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:26.299
 presence by his

00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.200
 Holy Spirit.

00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.579
 If you are in

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:30.599
 Christ, God is

00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.579
 with you.

00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:34.359
 God is with you in

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 a way that he was

00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.879
 not with every

00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:37.779
 Israelite in the

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.359
 Old Testament.

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.940
 God has poured out

00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:41.200
 his spirit in a way

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.399
 that is new in the

00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:42.980
 new covenant.

00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:45.059
 God has poured it

00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.879
 out on all

00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.339
 believers.

00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:46.920
 It is not

00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.819
 something had by

00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:49.420
 some, but had by

00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.819
 all.

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:52.039
 You have God's

00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.619
 presence.

00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.559
 God is with you

00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.859
 turning a heart of

00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.940
 stone into a heart

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.420
 of flesh.

00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.139
 God is with you

00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:01.379
 giving you the

00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.240
 courage that you

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.119
 need to stand

00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.720
 against opposition.

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.980
 As we follow

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.859
 after God, we know

00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:11.720
 that we have his

00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.160
 presence.

00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.220
 obedience.

00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:16.340
 As we follow him

00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.860
 in obedience.

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.640
 Now, it's important

00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.540
 to say as we follow

00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:21.240
 him in obedience

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.380
 because sometimes

00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.900
 preachers say things

00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.759
 like this and people

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:26.360
 hear, oh, God is

00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.580
 with me in whatever I

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 do.

00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:30.660
 God is not with you

00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.700
 as you try to pick

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.779
 winning numbers for

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.360
 the Powerball.

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:37.319
 God is not promising

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:39.179
 success in every

00:27:39.179 --> 00:27:40.379
 business venture that

00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.119
 you try out.

00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:44.339
 He does promise his

00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.879
 ultimate power and his

00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:47.819
 ultimate success as we

00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:49.059
 follow after him in

00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.419
 obedience.

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.479
 God promises us

00:27:51.479 --> 00:27:53.079
 success in the way that

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.139
 the psalmist talks about

00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:56.139
 in Psalm 27, that he

00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:57.539
 knows he will see the

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:59.139
 goodness of the Lord in

00:27:59.139 --> 00:28:00.539
 the land of the living.

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:03.039
 God promises his

00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.920
 presence in the way

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.259
 Jesus speaks about it

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.460
 in Matthew 28, verse

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.819
 20.

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.220
 He gives the mission to

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.859
 the church, right?

00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.639
 He says, you're going

00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.940
 out to make disciples of

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 all nations.

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 Behold, I am with you

00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:17.420
 always, even to the

00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:19.359
 end of the age.

00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:23.319
 Christian, God is with

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.359
 you.

00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:28.000
 In fact, this passage is

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.779
 dripping.

00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:30.719
 It is saturated with

00:28:30.719 --> 00:28:31.519
 God's grace.

00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.799
 Remember, I told you in

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.219
 verses 8 through 10, God

00:28:34.219 --> 00:28:35.799
 comes with this word of

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:37.859
 condemnation and we see

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.419
 zero repentance from the

00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:39.719
 people.

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 And what does he

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.699
 immediately do?

00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.399
 He moves into

00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:45.259
 deliverance.

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.719
 God does not wait for

00:28:47.719 --> 00:28:49.359
 his people to repent

00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:52.099
 before he raises up

00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.519
 Gideon.

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 That's the same thing

00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:55.619
 we're told in Romans

00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.960
 chapter 5, verse 8.

00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.579
 It was while we were

00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:00.220
 still sinners that

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.940
 Christ died for us.

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.980
 It is deliverance

00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:05.359
 followed by obedience.

00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.579
 It is not obedience

00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:08.079
 followed by

00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:09.059
 deliverance.

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:13.759
 Verse 17, Gideon is

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.079
 looking for a sign.

00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.480
 Now, it would be

00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.259
 tempting at this point

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.059
 to say, oh, Gideon

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.900
 lacks faith.

00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.779
 He needs some sort of

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.319
 confirmation.

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.799
 But we have to remember,

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:23.099
 Gideon is trying to

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:24.440
 act out the old

00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.220
 Russian proverb,

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.680
 trust, but verify.

00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:28.359
 It's not that he doesn't

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.319
 trust God's word.

00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:30.500
 It's that he needs to

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.399
 make sure it is actually

00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:32.579
 God who is speaking.

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.379
 And so what he's saying

00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:35.299
 is here is, I want to

00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.339
 make sure I'm not having

00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.240
 a hallucination.

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.319
 Okay?

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.019
 Please confirm for me

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.960
 that this is a word from

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.220
 God.

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.099
 And God comes and

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:43.220
 confirms that for him.

00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.599
 Gideon did not have

00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.059
 clarity.

00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:49.839
 We do.

00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:53.119
 We do not need a sign

00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:54.459
 to remind us or

00:29:54.459 --> 00:29:55.639
 confirm God's presence.

00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:57.220
 We have already received

00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.439
 the greatest sign.

00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:00.119
 The greatest sign is this,

00:30:00.179 --> 00:30:01.399
 that God sent his one

00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:02.179
 and only son,

00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.159
 that whoever would

00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:04.879
 believe in him would

00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.720
 have eternal life.

00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.720
 The greatest sign is

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.699
 that we look to Christ

00:30:08.699 --> 00:30:10.119
 who became a man and

00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:11.480
 walked life on this

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:11.740
 earth.

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.139
 Colossians 1.15

00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:14.099
 tells us this,

00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:16.159
 Jesus is the visible

00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:17.599
 image of the invisible

00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.039
 God.

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.240
 God.

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:20.819
 We no longer look

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.700
 for a sign.

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.680
 We have the greatest

00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:24.399
 sign possible.

00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.119
 And so now,

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.059
 after Christ's

00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.139
 resurrection and his

00:30:29.139 --> 00:30:30.299
 ascension, his presence

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:32.879
 is even greater than it

00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.599
 was in the Old

00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.019
 Testament.

00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.440
 That's the promise that

00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.500
 Jesus makes in John

00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.240
 chapter 14.

00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.519
 In John chapter 16,

00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:40.139
 I'm going to send my

00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:41.859
 spirit to be with you.

00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:46.319
 In the Old Testament,

00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.319
 the spirit was given

00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.219
 to certain people

00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:50.119
 at certain times.

00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.839
 In the New Testament,

00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:54.099
 God gives it to his

00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.959
 whole church.

00:30:58.979 --> 00:31:00.619
 Without God,

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.699
 we can't.

00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:03.839
 With God,

00:31:03.959 --> 00:31:04.539
 we can.

00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.539
 God is with you.

00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:08.639
 Why does God call Gideon

00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:10.940
 a mighty man of valor?

00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:13.500
 Because God is with him.

00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:17.839
 What gives us the power

00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:20.500
 to go out on God's mission?

00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:22.399
 The answer is the same.

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:25.000
 God is with us.

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.579
 Christian,

00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:29.359
 God is with you.

00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:33.240
 You are mighty men

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.639
 and mighty women of valor

00:31:34.639 --> 00:31:37.139
 because of God's presence.

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.339
 Let's follow after him.

00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.559
 Let's pray.

00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:42.979
 Our Father in heaven,

00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:43.979
 we praise you

00:31:43.979 --> 00:31:44.599
 and thank you

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.319
 for your word.

00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:46.439
 And we thank you

00:31:46.439 --> 00:31:47.139
 that we live

00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:48.799
 as Jesus

00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.759
 is already ascended

00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.439
 to the right hand

00:31:50.439 --> 00:31:51.179
 of God the Father.

00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:52.059
 That he pours out

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:52.839
 the spirit on us

00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.459
 as he's promised.

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.539
 That we are assured

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.519
 of your presence

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.219
 and your power.

00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:57.159
 We ask that you would

00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:58.759
 remind us of that.

00:31:58.759 --> 00:32:00.700
 that it would motivate us

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:02.279
 and enable us

00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.099
 to move forward

00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:03.920
 following you

00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.960
 together this week.

00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:06.460
 We ask these things

00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.220
 in the mighty name

00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.099
 of Jesus Christ.

00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:08.759
 Amen.