Garwood Presbyterian Church

No Lasting Legacy

Gideon's Faith and Failures

Judges 8:22-35 and II Timothy 4:6-8

Gideon's life did not end on a good note. He did not finish well, and left no lasting Godly legacy. This does not have to happen to us.

1. Gideon Turns Down Ruling Israel
   1. This seemed good because he said that "The Lord will rule over you."
   2. However, this provided no Godly leadership for Israel.
      1. Gideon did not want the responsibility of leader-ship.
   3. Christians often do not want the responsibility and leadership of being the body of Christ on earth.
      1. When, because of this, nothing good happens, God usually gets the blame.
2. Gideon's Heart Was On Gold, Instead of On God
   1. It led Israel into idolatry and became a snare to him and his family.
   2. Materialism is one of the greatest challenges to American Christians.
      1. Jesus said, "You can not serve both God and money."
      2. I Timothy 6:8-10
3. Gideon Did Not Live a Disciplined Sexual Life
   1. Judges 8:30-31.
   2. We are called on by God to live a disciplined sex life.

God wants us to leave a lasting Godly legacy. He wants the name of Jesus, which we carry, to be lifted high in tri-umph through our life. He wants you to be able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." And we can do this because "thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."