God's Victorious Army

This message was preached by Rev. Raul P. Ternida last January 6, 2008. This message was aimed to teach us how God do His battle and whom he choose as part of His army.

Judges 7:1-7

Jdg 7:1 Then Jerubba'al (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Mid'ian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. Jdg 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Mid'ianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, 'My own hand has delivered me.' Jdg 7:3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home.'" And Gideon tested them; twenty-two thousand returned, and ten thousand remained.
Jdg 7:4 And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many; take them down to the water and I will test them for you there; and he of whom I say to you, 'This man shall go with you,' shall go with you; and any of whom I say to you, 'This man shall not go with you,' shall not go." Jdg 7:5 So he brought the people down to the water; and the LORD said to Gideon, "Every one that laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself; likewise every one that kneels down to drink." Jdg 7:6 And the number of those that lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.
Jdg 7:7 And the LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will deliver you, and give the Mid'ianites into your hand; and let all the others go every man to his home."

Intro:

- Jdg 6:15 And he said to him, "Pray, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manas'seh, and I am the least in my family."

- Judges 7:1-7

Discussion:

GIDEON’S ARMY

Foundation : God will give them victory but All the Glory should be to the Lord.
From 32,0000 to 10,000 to 300 armies of God

1. Not afraid or Fearful – Judges 7:3
Example: Joshua 1:7,9,11

Joshua’s armies don’t decide on what they see but on what God is saying to them.

Joshua and Caleb’s Testimonies vs. 10 spies testimonies
Joshua’s army are Men of Faith
Cross the Jordan River through a dry ground!
Conquered Jericho with a mighty shout!

2. Alert – Judges 7:5-7
Example: Elisha’s servant – Open his spiritual eyes
Joshua’s army is composed of young blood, new generation who is so passionate for the “cause” of God.

Example : David speaking to the army of Israel – “Is there not a cause?”

3. Don’t give in to hardship – Judges 7:5-7
Jdg 7:6 And the number of those that lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.
Endure hardship as good soldier of Jesus Christ”

Conclusion:
JTS is entering another phase of its existence and we need an army who can believe that God wants to do something through this church and are willing to be use!