The Bible and Our Culture

Ginosko

Many who do "Christian" ministry don't truly and absolutely know God!
We can ginosko God and flow in gifts of power, but just because you flow in power doesn't mean you ginosko God. 
If your lawless, you don't really know God.  God's law is something we love.
God's law partners with God's grace against sin.  

Phonies might do God's will in God's power but not know Him.

Beware of false prophets.  What is a false prophet and how can you spot them?
Some have God's anointing but don't know them.  They don't get to heaven.  
Saul versus David.

Righteous anger for God's people who won't fight for the nation.

Priorities: Tolerate those who will fight for God's people, but not those who are cowards.  
Gideon wisely accommodated the Ephraimites even though they were making false accusations against him because they were willing to fight.
There is no excuse for those who won't help fight the culture war.  

God answers prayer in amazing ways, but we need wisdom to maintain the victory.

Judges 7:23 - 8:17
After an amazing victory, Gideon has to use wisdom in diverse circumstances to enforce and maintain the victory.
Gideon responded wisely and refused to react foolishly.
Gideon didn't have tolerance for those who undermined the battle.

Protecting the Local Body

Wolves are in issue each local church must beware of.
Fruit is always the currency.  
False prophets correct in error.

Make the enemy's plans backfire!

Battle the enemy within relationship with God's people. 
Be active in your local church. 
God will help us build our faith. 
We can stand in faith and cause the enemy's plans to backfire.
God causes the enemy’s plans to backfire

God likes to use just a remnant to show off!

Gideon's Army had to be whittled down from 32,000 to 300. 
God wanted the glory for Himself.  Fear and lust might disqualify some from the victory. 
Have a big-picture vision.  Understand the importance of a generational focus and an eternity focus!

Old Testament prostitution

Ezekiel 16; Old Testament prostitution.
Gideon's victory at home in Judges 6.
The over-sexed culture requires child sacrifice.
Sex saturated culture leads to degradation of our son's and daughters as well as all our society.
 

How did Baal and Asherah tempt people into worshipping them.

Gideon had to confront the temptations we face.
What did the false gods, Baal and Asherah, promise to tempt people into worshipping them?
We are an over-sexed society.  
The Bible records Gideon's battle at home before he faced the Midianites.

Finding our adequacy in God.

Where did Gideon's true strength come from? 
What are characteristics of the people God uses?
Judges 6:7-24