Pastor Jeffrey Johnson’s Bible study at Triumph Church, focusing on faith, perseverance, and God’s support
Pastor Jeffrey Johnson delivered a powerful message centered on themes of faith, perseverance, and the unwavering support of God. Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Gideon, the study offers guidance on navigating challenging times and finding strength in unexpected places.
Gratitude and Worship begins with a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving and a reading from the psalmist [17:42], setting a tone of gratitude and worship. Pastor Johnson emphasizes the importance of approaching God with thankfulness and praising Him through music.
The Story of Gideon: A Journey of Faith
The core of the sermon revolves around the story of Gideon, found in Judges Chapter 6, starting from verse 11 [48:07]. This narrative provides a powerful framework for understanding how God works through individuals, even in the face of daunting circumstances.
* Oppression and Hardship: The sermon vividly describes the plight of the Hebrew people, who endured seven years of oppression under the Midianites. This period of hardship, marked by stolen crops and livestock, led to widespread poverty and suffering [49:18].
* God’s Call to Gideon: In the midst of this adversity, God sends an angel to Gideon, who is secretly threshing wheat in a winepress to protect it from the Midianites [51:53]. Despite Gideon’s initial feelings of inadequacy (“the least of the least”) [52:40], the angel assures him of God’s presence and promises victory [01:06:54].
* Seeking Confirmation: Gideon’s journey is marked by his requests for signs to confirm God’s will. He asks for a wet fleece on dry ground, and then the reverse [53:47]. Pastor Johnson highlights that God often provides multiple signs to reveal His intentions [54:57].
* The Power of Sacrifice: A pivotal moment occurs when Gideon makes a sacrifice, placing bread, meat, and broth on a rock, which is then consumed by fire from the angel [55:41]. This act is interpreted as a symbolic representation of Jesus as the rock of salvation [57:12].
Lessons for Today
Pastor Johnson draws several key lessons from Gideon’s story, offering practical guidance for contemporary challenges:
* Recognizing God’s Signs: God communicates through both historical events (past actions) [01:03:09] and theological understanding (His nature and capabilities) [01:06:25].
* Resourcefulness in Adversity: Gideon’s “threshing wheat in the winepress” becomes a metaphor for using creativity and ingenuity during times of financial hardship or difficulty [01:08:19]. The sermon cites examples like the Triumph Church’s adaptive growth [01:11:06] and the resourcefulness of ancestors [01:12:09].
* Quality Over Quantity: The reduction of Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300 men underscores the importance of faith and obedience over sheer numbers [01:17:30].
* God’s Transforming Power: Using the analogy of a broken yet functional iPad, the study concludes with the powerful message that God can repair broken lives and use individuals for His purpose, rather than discarding them [01:24:05].
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