WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:06.620 --> 00:00:09.500 and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:12.960 A special welcome if you are new or visiting with us. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:17.400 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:17.980 --> 00:00:20.780 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:25.420 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:29.080 They don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:34.640 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:38.619 We're continuing our series in the book of Judges, 00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:41.879 and you'll remember that the book of Judges is about a number of things. 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:46.659 It's about the need for constant renewal and revival among God's people. 00:00:47.259 --> 00:00:50.619 It's about the need for a faithful and true king, 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:55.700 a king who can do what no human can do, which is to change the hearts of men. 00:00:55.700 --> 00:00:59.520 It's about the power of spirit-filled leadership, 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:04.579 and it's about God's grace to hard-hearted and rebellious people, 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:06.960 people like you and me. 00:01:07.600 --> 00:01:11.659 Last week, we began the story of Gideon, and we asked this big question, 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:15.640 why is it that God calls Gideon a mighty man of valor, 00:01:16.100 --> 00:01:20.460 since everything in Gideon's resume and his actions would suggest otherwise? 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:24.339 And we saw that Gideon was a mighty man of valor because, 00:01:24.739 --> 00:01:27.619 and only because, God was with him. 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:33.519 That God does not call the qualified, but instead, He qualifies the called. 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:36.939 This week, we're going to continue the story of Gideon, 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:39.339 and we'll see that Gideon has to make a choice. 00:01:39.419 --> 00:01:43.139 Is he going to serve the true God or false gods? 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.599 Of course, a choice that all of us have to make as well. 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:50.399 And so, a simple question this morning for this passage is, 00:01:50.759 --> 00:01:54.459 why is it worth taking a risk for God? 00:01:55.839 --> 00:01:59.539 Why is it worth taking a risk for God? 00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:00.799 We'll look at two things. 00:02:00.899 --> 00:02:02.799 We'll see first the destruction of idols, 00:02:03.119 --> 00:02:05.519 and then the powerlessness of idols. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:09.959 The destruction of idols, and then the powerlessness of idols. 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:15.260 It's with that that I invite you to turn with me to Judges 6, 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:16.840 starting at verse 25. 00:02:17.200 --> 00:02:19.340 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:21.460 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:23.520 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:24.300 --> 00:02:25.439 And no matter where you turn, 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:27.780 remember that Proverbs 30 tells us, 00:02:28.200 --> 00:02:29.879 every word of God proves true. 00:02:30.740 --> 00:02:34.100 He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:36.020 And so, that's why we read now, 00:02:36.659 --> 00:02:39.240 Judges 6, starting at verse 25. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:42.700 That night the Lord said to him, 00:02:43.480 --> 00:02:47.100 Take your father's bull and the second bull seven years old, 00:02:47.480 --> 00:02:50.640 and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, 00:02:51.040 --> 00:02:53.460 and cut down the Asherah that is beside it, 00:02:53.980 --> 00:02:56.260 and build an altar to the Lord your God 00:02:56.260 --> 00:02:58.640 on the top of the stronghold here, 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:00.900 with stones laid in due order. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:04.980 Then take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:07.640 with the wood of the Asherah that you shall cut down. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:10.879 So Gideon took ten men of his servants 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:12.959 and did as the Lord had told him. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:16.419 But because he was too afraid of his family 00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:18.579 and the men of the town to do it by day, 00:03:18.779 --> 00:03:20.279 he did it by night. 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:22.139 Verse 28. 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:25.119 When the men of the town rose early in the morning, 00:03:25.279 --> 00:03:28.139 behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, 00:03:28.279 --> 00:03:30.319 and the Asherah beside it was cut down, 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:33.239 and the second bull was offered on the altar 00:03:33.239 --> 00:03:34.099 that had been built. 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:36.519 And they said to one another, 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:38.519 Who has done this thing? 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:41.319 And after they had searched and inquired, 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:43.359 they said, Gideon, the son of Joash, 00:03:43.399 --> 00:03:44.239 has done this thing. 00:03:45.139 --> 00:03:47.279 Then the men of the town said to Joash, 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:49.579 Bring out your son that he may die, 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:52.320 for he has broken down the altar of Baal 00:03:52.320 --> 00:03:54.200 and cut down the Asherah beside it. 00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:57.280 But Joash said to all who stood against him, 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:01.460 Will you contend for Baal, or will you save him? 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:06.000 Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. 00:04:06.920 --> 00:04:09.420 If he is a god, let him contend for himself, 00:04:09.540 --> 00:04:12.360 because his altar has been broken down. 00:04:13.140 --> 00:04:13.900 Verse 32. 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:17.459 Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jeroboam, 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:20.500 that is to say, let Baal contend against him, 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:22.980 because he broke down his altar. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:26.660 Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:28.340 and the people of the east came together, 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:30.199 and they crossed the Jordan 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:32.199 and encamped in the valley of Jezreel. 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:35.240 But the spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:36.480 and he sounded the trumpet, 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:39.259 and the Abizrites were called out to follow him. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:42.340 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:44.459 and they too were called out to follow him. 00:04:45.039 --> 00:04:48.619 And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:51.179 and they went up to meet them. 00:04:52.359 --> 00:04:53.560 I invite you to pray with me 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:55.919 as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.379 Our Father in heaven, 00:04:58.539 --> 00:05:01.699 we thank you once again for your word 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:02.839 that you've given to us, 00:05:03.419 --> 00:05:06.879 that you haven't left us to stumble around 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.399 trying to put the pieces together on our own, 00:05:09.459 --> 00:05:11.099 but instead you've given us your word 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:13.879 to show us the way to walk in this life. 00:05:14.020 --> 00:05:15.220 And most of all, our hope, 00:05:15.280 --> 00:05:16.240 that our hope is in you. 00:05:16.840 --> 00:05:19.100 And we ask that you would do that again this morning, 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:21.600 that you would arrest our attention, 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.260 that we would see clearly 00:05:24.260 --> 00:05:26.379 what you have for us in your word, 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:27.200 and most of all, 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:28.740 that we would see Jesus 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:30.780 and the hope that we have in him. 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:33.920 We are helpless to do this by ourselves, 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:35.120 and so we ask that you would 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:37.200 pour your spirit out on us in a special way, 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:40.240 that we would be able to hear clearly from you 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:43.759 and respond with faith and love and obedience. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:45.579 We ask these things 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:47.939 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:48.719 Amen. 00:05:51.659 --> 00:05:53.939 You'll remember from last week 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:56.379 that the Israelites have been oppressed. 00:05:56.539 --> 00:05:59.000 Once again, we see another judge's cycle 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:01.639 by another foreign nation. 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:03.719 And so they cry out to God asking him, 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:05.240 hey, will you come deliver us? 00:06:05.840 --> 00:06:07.139 And God, instead of immediately 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:08.540 sending them deliverance, 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:10.540 instead sends them a prophet to tell them, 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:13.220 hey, this is how you guys have gone off the map. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:16.019 And so in verse 10, we saw the prophet said, 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.360 hey, this has happened 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:21.240 because you have gone serving after other gods. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:22.439 It's not a mystery 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:24.960 how you've gotten yourselves into this situation. 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:27.740 No, you did exactly what I told you not to do. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:30.400 You feared gods other than me. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:34.360 This week, we get to see exactly what that means. 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:36.360 We saw it in a big picture last week, 00:06:36.400 --> 00:06:37.580 and now we get to zoom in. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:40.900 It turns out within Gideon's own family, 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:43.800 there is worship of false gods going on. 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:46.220 Gideon's own father, Joash, 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:48.400 this is what we see in verse 25, 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:50.240 has two different things set up. 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:52.840 He has an altar that he's established to Baal. 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:55.720 Baal is this male god that they would worship. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:57.180 And he has an Asherah pole. 00:06:57.340 --> 00:06:58.340 Asherah was a goddess. 00:06:58.900 --> 00:06:59.780 She would have these poles 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:01.439 that might be a tree or something else. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:03.300 Some folks think that these were actually carved 00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:04.639 to look like her. 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:06.459 So he has not just one, 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:08.160 but two idols that he set up. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:11.300 This is not just someone in Gideon's tribe. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:13.500 It is someone in Gideon's very family. 00:07:13.720 --> 00:07:15.079 Not just in his family, 00:07:15.220 --> 00:07:16.860 but his own father. 00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:20.759 And God comes then to Gideon, 00:07:21.339 --> 00:07:22.620 this mighty man of valor, 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:26.420 and wastes no time in giving him his first task. 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:27.680 This is verse 25. 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:29.640 Take your father's bull, 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:32.600 pull down the altar of Baal, 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:36.640 cut down the Asherah that is beside it. 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:41.840 Gideon must destroy the pagan worship 00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:45.080 that is occurring in his very own family. 00:07:46.400 --> 00:07:49.560 And so, verse 27, Gideon obeys. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.280 Gideon goes and does it. 00:07:52.400 --> 00:07:54.819 We find out he does it with fear and trembling. 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:56.599 We're told also in verse 27, 00:07:57.240 --> 00:07:58.019 he did it at night 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:00.399 because he was too afraid of his family 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:02.819 and the men of the town to do it by day. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.699 Now, we might be tempted 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:07.740 to throw Gideon under the bus at this point 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:09.420 and say, look at him and his fear. 00:08:09.959 --> 00:08:12.600 But God didn't tell him he couldn't do it at night. 00:08:13.539 --> 00:08:16.259 In the midst of his fear and hesitation, 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:17.719 at the end of the day, 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:19.899 Gideon does what God commands. 00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:22.480 Gideon is obedient and faithful 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:24.860 despite the consequences that might come. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:27.080 He doesn't do what we saw Barak do. 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:29.140 Remember, Barak said, I'll obey if. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:31.360 I'll obey if Deborah comes with me. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:35.840 No, Gideon, in all his imperfection and humanity 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.000 and trembling and fear, 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:40.800 goes and does what God has told him to do. 00:08:41.920 --> 00:08:47.060 We find out that Gideon has every reason to be afraid. 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:50.379 Townspeople wake up the next morning. 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:54.439 They discover that the Asherah pole has been cut down, 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:55.819 the altar has been destroyed, 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:57.939 and what is their first response? 00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:01.539 Verse 30, let's kill him. 00:09:04.239 --> 00:09:06.379 Gideon is not simply afraid here 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:07.959 of being ostracized socially. 00:09:08.119 --> 00:09:10.359 He's not afraid that some people might say 00:09:10.359 --> 00:09:12.379 some mean things about him around town. 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:14.019 No, he is too afraid. 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:15.159 He's doing this at night 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:17.740 because his very life might be at risk. 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.740 He is not afraid of disapproval. 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:22.500 Gideon is actually afraid of death. 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:25.620 This also reminds us that Israel 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:28.759 has not actually repented of her idolatry. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.340 Last week, they cried out to God saying, 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.159 look, we're oppressed by these other nations. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.720 Please come and help us. 00:09:36.439 --> 00:09:39.319 But as we said that then, they didn't repent. 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:42.439 They continue to have the altar to Baal 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:43.880 in the Asherah pole. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:47.100 Now, we're gonna come back to what happens next 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:49.620 with Gideon, how his skin is able to be saved, 00:09:49.700 --> 00:09:53.200 but I don't want us to miss what has just happened here. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:57.260 It is not simply or merely 00:09:57.260 --> 00:10:02.800 that Gideon has to tear down the false worship. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:05.440 Verse 25, there's a tearing down. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:09.140 Verse 26, there's a replacing. 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:13.460 God doesn't just say, hey, do away with this idol worship. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:18.480 26, and build an altar to the Lord your God 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:20.480 on top of the stronghold. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:24.000 And then, go and make a sacrifice. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:26.679 When we're told, verse 27, 00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:29.000 that Gideon did as the Lord commanded, 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.740 it does not simply mean 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:32.539 that he pulled down the altar and the pole. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:35.419 It means that he also stood up the new altar, 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:37.399 made the new sacrifice. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:42.500 The point is this. 00:10:43.699 --> 00:10:47.659 The human heart will worship something. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:53.539 It is not enough to remove one thing. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.259 It must be replaced with another thing. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:01.480 We cannot move from worshiping one idol 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:02.659 to worshiping nothing. 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:05.659 No, our hearts are designed to give something, 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:09.559 our trust, our hope, our confidence, our desires. 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:13.639 And so, if they merely pull down this altar 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:15.860 and there's nothing new to replace it, 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.339 what is going to happen? 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:19.559 Well, of course, that vacuum in their heart 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:20.959 is going to be filled by something. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.779 They must replace their false worship 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.000 with true worship. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:28.199 It's not enough to tear down. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:30.540 They must also build up. 00:11:31.280 --> 00:11:33.240 It's just like we discussed many times 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.680 when we were in the Gospel of Mark. 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:38.420 One love must be replaced by another love 00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:43.220 because the heart will love something. 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:47.940 Now, remember that Gideon asked this question 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:49.759 in verse 13 of last week. 00:11:49.800 --> 00:11:51.100 When the angel comes to him, he says, 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.240 God, why has this happened to us? 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:56.100 Why are we not experiencing the success 00:11:56.100 --> 00:12:00.060 we're told our fathers recalled to us? 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:05.019 The angel tells them, remember verse 10, 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:07.399 hey, not the angel, the prophet had already told them, 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.779 look, you were fearing other gods. 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.560 In other words, this foreign nation 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:13.259 that has come in to take you over, 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:16.540 they are merely a symptom of a greater disease. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:21.620 The disease is not the fact that the Amorites are there. 00:12:21.719 --> 00:12:23.500 The disease is your idolatry. 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:28.240 You cannot expect to be rescued from this foreign nation 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:30.699 until you are rescued from false worship. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.819 We cannot deal with the symptom 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:35.599 until we eradicate the disease. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:38.559 And so God is telling Gideon here, 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:40.740 look, cut it out at the root. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:45.039 Do you want deliverance from the foreign nations? 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:49.439 You must first be delivered from idols. 00:12:50.839 --> 00:12:52.980 You want no more oppression. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:55.019 You don't want to be hiding in the caves anymore, 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:57.240 threshing out wheat in wine presses. 00:12:57.779 --> 00:13:00.779 You have to deal with your heart. 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:05.019 And so the point for us 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:08.480 is just like the old proverb says, 00:13:09.439 --> 00:13:12.159 everyone wants to be a gangster 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:15.500 until it's time to do gangster things. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:19.379 Everyone wants revival 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:23.459 until it's time to do revival things. 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:28.240 Everyone wants a mighty work of God 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:33.319 until it's time to pull down the altar to Baal. 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:37.640 Everyone wants a mighty work of God 00:13:37.640 --> 00:13:42.640 until it's time to take an unpopular stand 00:13:42.640 --> 00:13:45.100 that the world will mock you for. 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:48.480 Everyone wants a mighty work of God 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:51.740 until the moment that we don't just talk about the sin 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.920 that's out there in the world, 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.840 but we have to talk about the sin 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.780 that's in here in God's church. 00:13:56.779 --> 00:14:00.360 We have to repent of our own tongues 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:02.779 and selfishness and pride and greed. 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:07.039 Everyone wants a mighty work of God 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:09.539 until it involves us confessing our sins 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:11.199 to a brother or a sister. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:14.259 Everyone wants a mighty work of God 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:16.600 until the moment we have to forgive our enemies 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:19.680 and pray for those who persecute us. 00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:23.240 Everyone wants a mighty work of God 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.920 until the moment 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:29.120 that love for God and others 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.860 becomes more important 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:32.639 than personal achievement 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.240 and peak experiences. 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:41.340 Everyone wants a mighty work of God 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:45.040 until the moment we talk about giving generously 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:46.519 for the kingdom of God. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:50.940 In other words, 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:53.620 mighty works of God require 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:56.620 and always require sacrifice 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:59.540 and repentance from his people. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:03.180 Everyone wants revival 00:15:03.180 --> 00:15:07.220 until it's time to do revival things. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:11.759 We see here Gideon does exactly that. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.320 Gideon takes the risk. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:17.500 Gideon faces rejection by his family. 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:21.060 Doesn't just risk rejection by his family, 00:15:21.140 --> 00:15:22.820 although Joash does come in to save him. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:25.080 Faces rejection by the town. 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.780 Even more than that, 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:28.740 he faces potential death. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:33.560 I mentioned last week in verses 8 through 10 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:35.820 that we see the logic of redemption, 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:39.580 that God's salvation comes before our obedience. 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:42.100 It's deliverance followed by obedience, 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.600 not obedience followed by deliverance. 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.060 In other words, 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:46.899 we don't earn things from God 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.060 or prove things to him. 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:49.479 No, he comes, 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:51.019 as Roman 5 tells us, 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:53.119 Christ died for us while we were still sinners. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.899 But, and, 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:58.719 obedience does follow. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:03.800 There is a call to obedience 00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:06.500 before success in battle. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.940 There is a call to obedience 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:13.820 before God clears these oppressors from his people. 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:17.779 Again, it's the same thing we heard our Lord Jesus say 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.759 when we were in Mark, 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.680 in Mark chapter 8. 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:22.320 If anyone would come after me, 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:23.560 let him deny himself 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:25.560 and take up his cross and follow me. 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:29.559 For whoever would save his life will lose it. 00:16:30.239 --> 00:16:32.699 But whoever loses his life for my sake 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:34.639 and the gospel's will save it. 00:16:35.479 --> 00:16:37.119 For what does it profit a man 00:16:37.119 --> 00:16:40.899 to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 00:16:44.239 --> 00:16:49.339 Do we really want a mighty work of God? 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:53.740 Gideon, 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:58.180 in the midst of his frailty and fear and humanity, 00:16:58.680 --> 00:17:00.460 is willing to pay the price. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.880 Are we willing to do the same? 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:15.480 We see this dynamic also in verses 25 through 26. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:19.200 What is it that Gideon has to do? 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:21.360 He's not just making a generic sacrifice. 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:26.579 No, he is taking one of his father's bulls to sacrifice. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.559 In other words, 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:31.640 what was meant for idolatry. 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.039 In other words, 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:34.220 this bull was almost certainly meant 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:36.200 to be sacrificed on Baal's altar, 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:39.180 is repurposed and redirected. 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:42.220 What was meant for idolatry 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:45.460 is used for worship of the true God. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:49.660 That's what turning away from idolatry looks like. 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:53.019 It means taking what was dedicated to false gods 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:54.759 and giving it to the true God. 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:57.980 It means that our resources and our time 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:59.339 are turned over 00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:02.420 from the things that capture our hearts. 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:06.019 And they're given to God and his kingdom. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.039 We still haven't answered our question, though, 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.599 which is this. 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:15.859 Why is it worth taking a risk for God? 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:20.980 Why is it worth Gideon stepping out here 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:23.879 and risking his own death? 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:26.019 Well, we turn back to the story 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:28.299 and we see what saves Gideon's skin 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:30.980 in this situation is his father, Joash. 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:34.539 Joash understands a key in elementary, 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:36.079 a theological principle. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:38.319 Verse 31, he says this. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:41.259 They're coming, by the way, for Gideon's life. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:43.619 They're saying, hey, let's find him and kill him. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:47.039 And Gideon says, will you contend for Baal 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.359 or will you save him? 00:18:49.179 --> 00:18:50.939 He threatens to kill anyone who tries. 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.899 And then he says this. 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:55.939 If he is a god, let him contend for himself 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:59.220 because his altar has been broken down. 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:05.100 In other words, idolatry, fake gods, 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:08.660 are just one big psyop. 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:13.500 The false gods are actually powerless. 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:15.860 Joash knows this. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:18.400 And so he's betting on it. 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:21.079 We will have Baal protect himself 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:23.659 so nothing will happen. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.559 Because what is Baal 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:33.059 but someone weak, powerless, non-existent? 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:38.439 And so Joash is reminding us 00:19:38.439 --> 00:19:40.859 of an extremely important truth, 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:47.059 the simple fact that idols have no real power. 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:53.859 Success will not bring you the healing 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:55.339 that you long for. 00:19:57.599 --> 00:20:01.700 Money cannot protect you 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:05.759 from pain and heartbreak and disease. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:12.839 Sex cannot give your life meaning 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:17.140 or resolve the questions you have 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.940 about your identity. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:22.740 If you pile things up 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:26.400 and you're surrounded by trinkets, 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:30.900 you will still be left feeling empty. 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:36.640 Let Baal defend himself. 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:37.820 Why? 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:42.080 Because false gods cannot deliver on their promises. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:48.480 False gods cannot give the hope they promise. 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:53.240 Why is it worth taking a risk for God? 00:20:53.300 --> 00:20:55.980 Because he is not a false god. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.660 The flip side is this, 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.420 that Yahweh, the God of Israel, 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:01.820 has real and true power. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:05.900 Gideon decides and prepares to go out to war. 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:08.000 That's what we see in verse 33. 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:11.220 All these enemy tribes are gathering up against him. 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.920 The Midianites, the Amalekites, 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.920 of the people of the east, 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.019 are in an alliance. 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.360 They cross the Jordan 00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:17.779 and they encamp in this valley. 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:19.640 He has three different groups 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:21.360 who are coming against him. 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:25.820 Gideon here should be shaking in his boots. 00:21:26.820 --> 00:21:27.880 Verse 34, 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:29.360 But. 00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:32.540 But what? 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:34.600 Why is he not shaking in his boots? 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:39.040 But the spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:43.480 God makes good on his promise. 00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:47.340 God does exactly what he said he would do 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.640 in last week's passage. 00:21:48.780 --> 00:21:51.040 Remember, he told Gideon over and over 00:21:51.040 --> 00:21:53.540 as Gideon shared with him his concerns 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:55.099 and his lack of resume. 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.539 He said, 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.859 But I will be with you. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:00.500 And what do we see here 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.680 but that very thing? 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:04.059 God clothes him with his spirit 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:07.460 so that he has all the power he needs 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:09.940 to follow God's command. 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:16.960 Brothers and sisters, 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:20.720 we have seen an even greater demonstration 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.120 of God's power. 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:27.200 We know even more of God's love 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.580 and power and authority 00:22:28.580 --> 00:22:30.680 than Gideon could ever dream. 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:32.600 We have seen his demonstration 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:34.680 when he sent his only son, 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.440 our Lord Jesus, 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:37.160 to live the perfect life 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:39.000 that we should have lived on this earth 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.819 and to die the death 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.880 that we deserved. 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:44.980 And we see the type of power 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.980 that is at work 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.359 that Ephesians tells us 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:48.680 is accessible to us 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:51.180 when he raises Jesus from the dead. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.119 In other words, 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:54.160 it is resurrection power 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:57.200 that is at work in you, Christian. 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:02.619 You have even greater reason 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:04.220 to hope than Gideon. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:07.079 It is the power 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:09.100 that God uses 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:11.400 to save hard-hearted people. 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.079 It is the power 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:14.059 that was strong enough 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.880 to raise Jesus from the dead 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.400 and is powerful enough 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:19.660 to raise us as well. 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.440 It is the power 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:23.620 that gives us great hope 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.559 and confidence 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:27.180 as 1 Peter 1 tells us. 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:29.620 We have this inheritance in heaven. 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:31.240 And he describes it in this way. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:33.000 The inheritance is imperishable, 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.099 undefiled, 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.079 and unfading. 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.180 In other words, 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.240 there is nothing 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:40.259 that happens here on earth 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.700 that can touch 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:44.140 or affect your inheritance there. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:48.339 Why is God worth 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:50.339 taking a risk for? 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:53.980 Because he has real power 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:56.099 to really save. 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:59.439 He gives us 00:23:59.439 --> 00:24:01.199 the only hope 00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:02.799 that can deliver 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.740 on its promises. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:08.399 He does for us 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:10.559 what he does for Gideon. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:12.339 The spirit of the Lord 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.439 clothed him. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.639 That's why we follow him. 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:18.419 That's why we obey him. 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.980 That's why we trust him. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:22.359 That's why we sing to him. 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.039 Let's pray. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.079 Let's pray. 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.099 Our Father in heaven, 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.839 we praise you 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.419 and thank you 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:31.359 that Jesus is not 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.279 an idea 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.219 or a suggestion 00:24:33.219 --> 00:24:34.079 or a teaching, 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:36.259 but he is a person. 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.399 He is God 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:39.240 who became man, 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.079 who came down, 00:24:40.959 --> 00:24:42.399 demonstrated your great love 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.240 and your great power 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.559 so that we could follow 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.039 after you 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.119 with confidence and hope. 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.199 And we ask 00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:48.019 that you would be at work 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.679 in our lives, 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.139 that we would be willing 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:51.879 to take a risk for you. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.379 That we would be willing 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:55.099 to stand for what's true 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.919 and to follow you 00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:56.519 when it's hard 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:58.000 because we know 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.500 that you are the one 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.759 and only true 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.679 and living God. 00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:03.379 That everything else 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.399 that makes us promises 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:06.939 and gives us hope 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:08.819 ultimately is a lie. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.000 We thank you 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.759 that that's not true 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.299 of your son 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.859 and our savior, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.579 our Lord Jesus. 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.339 And so we pray 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.039 all of these things 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.659 in his name. 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:15.419 Amen. 00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:15.559 Amen. 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.559 Amen. 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:17.619 Amen. 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.559 Amen. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.559 Amen. 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:19.619 Amen. 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.119 Amen. 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:20.179 Amen. 00:25:20.179 --> 00:25:20.240 Amen. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.279 Amen. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.240 Amen. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.279 Amen. 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.339 Amen. 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:21.379 Amen. 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.399 Amen. 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:21.419 Amen.