The Gospel and Gideon: Sermon by Edwin Mwangi Macharia at Machakos University

The Christian life Podcast (TCLP)

Speaker Profile: Edwin Mwangi Macharia (MDIV Biblical Studies, Africa International University); Public Relations and Communications Officer at FOCUS Kenya

In This sermon delivered at Machakos University, Edwin speaking to Christian Union Leaders in a leadership Induction, charges them to look to Christ, the greater Gideon, the Man of Valor. He insists that we are not to look at ourselves as Men of Valor but to look to Christ as the Man of Valor.

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Look to the Man of Valor

We all are like Gideon in our weak faith, but thankfully God doesn’t depend on our level of faith to act on our behalf. God depends on himself and his own strength of character. And from himself as the source, he strengthens our weak faith.

“God is the comforter of the fearful, the uplifter of the weak, and the encourager of the failed sinner.”

Knowing we’re all Gideons will help us as we interact with the failures and weaknesses of others. God’s strong character in his interactions with Gideon has shown me how weak my own character is when I’m faced with the failures and weaknesses of others.

It’s much easier for me to only rebuke, tell others how they can do better, and then move on. There is certainly a time and a place for a gentle rebuke, but how often do we rebuke when the situation calls for patient forbearance (Colossians 3:13), comfort, and encouragement (1 Thessalonians 4:18)? Sinners need rebuke in certain situations, but we also need comfort and encouragement in the midst of repeated failures and besetting weaknesses. If a perfect, holy God does this, how much more should one sinner do this with another?

There is only one mighty man of valor. He became dust like us, but he never failed. Instead, he perfectly accomplished all that the Father asked him to do on our behalf. Because of him, we’re saved from our enemies. And because of him, we’re being transformed into mighty men and women of valor. Take comfort that God is at work, no matter your level of faith.

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-god-makes-us-mighty