Satans Game Plan - Pt. 2

Satan’s Game Plan – Pt. 2

Text: Judges 7-8

Teacher: Dan Thompkins

Wednesday – Feb. 14, 2007

Teacher’s Copy

Review of last week’s lesson: “Prepared for Victory - Pt. 1”

When God calls a man or woman to duty, He builds into that individual, not SELF-Confidence, but GOD-Confidence!

God is not interested in simply giving His people victory. He is more concerned with teaching us trust.

If our victories make us SELF-RELIANT, they are ultimately more disastrous than defeat.

“You cannot be too small for God to use, but you can be too big.”

· When we meet an obstacle of any kind in our lives, God comes with the promise of His presence and power.

· FEAR focuses on the PROBLEM instead of God, Who is far greater than any problem.

· Sometimes God has to completely destroy our SELF-confidence in order to effectively use us in His kingdom work.

I. Gideon’s Final Confirmation – The Dream (7:9-14)

A. Gideon’s Restless Night

1. Probably didn’t sleep well that night.

2. God came to him in the night…. “Oh no! Not again!”

B. The Command to Attack

1. God knew that Gideon needed reassurance.

2. He told him to go and EAVESDROP on the enemy.

3. “I am going to use what you hear to strengthen you for your attack.”

C. Overhearing the Dream

· Note: He went to the very tent at the very time the dream was being discussed. Note the interpretation was even given by the enemy. Coincidence? Gideon was being led by the Spirit.

1. The cake of barley tumbling into the camp, destroying the tent in its path.

a. BARLEY = food of the POOR man (a picture of Israel for the last 7 years)

b. The TENT = a symbol of the Midianites, a nomadic people.

D. Gideon’s Realization of God

1. As Gideon listened to the conversation of the enemy, he finally realized that it was not 300

Israelites against 135,000 Midianites. It was GOD fighting Midian and the 300 Israelite men

were just the CHANNELS being used.

· Note: If he had heard only the dream, he may have left bewildered or with unanswered questions. But the interpretation gave meaning & substance to what was said. *Church today – the interpretation convinces and convicts hearts to prostrate themselves before the lord in worship.

2. As this lesson sank in to his heart, he bowed in worship to God.

We are never PREPARED for battle until we know what it is to BOW and WORSHIP before God.

3. 7:15 – Arise; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

REMEMBER…victory is not gained by *SELF*-confidence but by *GOD*-confidence.

I. Introduction

A. Studying the Opponent’s Game Plan

1. “Lest Satan should get an ADVANTAGE of us: for we are not ignorant of his DEVICES.”

2 Cor. 2:11 – pleonekte’o – to reach over and take what belongs to another.

a. satan is methodical and reverts back to classic methods he has used for centuries to blunt the effectiveness of God’s people.

· How Can Satan Get An Advantage Of Us? Cluster bombs (covers all areas)

1. 2 Cor. 11:14 – he is “transformed into an angel of light.”

2. Lk. 22:31 – “…satan hath desired you, that he may SIFT you…”

3. Jn. 13:2 – “the devil PUT INTO the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Him.

4. Eph. 6:11-12 - “that you may be able to stand against the WILES of the devil.”

5. 1 Pet. 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

2. We become aware of satan’s devices by:

Studying the Word of God
Carefully analyzing what he has done in the past (to ourselves/others)

- Successful businessmen quite often study the success of their predecessors.

II. Gideon’s Great Victory – 7:15-24

Illustration - God’s Carpet-Sweepers

A. The Plan of Attack – vv 15-18

1. Gideon prepared them for the attack

a. He DIVIDED them into effective groups (companies)

b. He FORTIFIED them with their weapons

Unmilitary-like Objects

Trumpets

Pitchers
Torches
Shouting

It is not our responsibility to UNDERSTAND how God is going to keep His word and accomplish His work. It is our responsibility to OBEY Him and to do what He commands.

B. The Plan in Operation – vv 19-22

1. Wait until the middle watch (approx. 10:30 p.m.)

a. The Blowing of the rams’ horns

b. The clay pitchers were smashed

c. Surrounded by torches

d. A great shout shatters the silence of the night unnerving the enemy

2. Confusion falls upon the sleepy enemy

3. Gideon’s men DO NOT MOVE…they STOOD IN THEIR PLACE! (Extremely important)

4. In utter confusion, the enemy starts killing one another

C. The Rout of Midian – vv 23-25

1. The enemy runs toward home.

2. Ephraim is alerted by Gideon and they killed two of the major leaders (Oreb & Zeeb).

D. The Principles of Victory

1. “For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling

down of strong holds.” 2 Cor. 10:4

When we go in His name, we can rely upon His PROMISE that we can depend upon His POWER.