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  JUST A BARLEY LOAF!
  by George Warnock
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's power
and ways, rather than relying on human endeavour, to accomplish victory.

Topics: "Idolatry", "True Worship"
Scripture References: Matthew 7:5, John 9:28, Romans 2:17, Romans 2:23, Colossians 3:5, Titus 1:16, James 1:22, James 4:16, Revelation 21:8

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DESCRIPTION
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In this sermon, Marvin Vincent and other biblical scholars delve into
the meaning of the Greek word 'bdelusso', which signifies a strong
detestation for something abominable. The verb 'bdelusso' is used to
depict turning away from a stench in disgust, especially in a moral or
religious sense. The Jews, who had a history of idolatry, developed a
strong abhorrence for idols, even Roman coins with images of emperors
claiming to be gods. The sermon also explores the concept of idols,
which are anything that takes precedence over the True God, including
material possessions and desires.

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CONTENT
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If God's people could only recognize that God can only multiply the very
little we have when placed unreservedly in His hands! And that it is in
the "breaking" of the loaf that the Word of God is multiplied, not in
the printing of more Bibles! That it was just a "barley loaf" that
tumbled down the slopes and smote the armies of Midian that were in
number as "the sand that is upon the seashore for multitude." Just a
barley loaf! But in the hands of Gideon it became the Sword of the Lord
and of Gideon!

There are not to be two swords: one out of the mouth of the Lord, and
the other out of the mouths of His apostles and prophets and teachers.
There is one sword, and it is His. Our quotation of Scripture and our
knowledge of the Bible and our understanding of Truth is not the Sword
of the Lord. The Sword of the Lord is that Word which proceedeth only
out of His mouth... and out of ours as we lend it to Him. It was not in
mobilizing the armies of Israel that the enslaved nation would find
victory, but it would be in "demobilizing."

First, twenty-two thousand had to be demobilized and sent home. The rest
were brave and anxious for battle... but they did not know God's ways;
and Gideon was admonished to demobilize still further. Another nine
thousand seven hundred had to lay down their armor and uniform and go
home. God would accomplish this victory by His own Sword--and the Sword
would be in the hands of Gideon and three hundred men--likened in their
insignificance and weakness to a mere "barley loaf." Can we identify?

Or at least, do we wish to identify? Or will we continue on into the
darkness of the night to feverishly mobilize the forces of the Church to
wage a losing battle against the enemies of God with the very
"practical" but very futile resources of our own human endeavour?

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/george-warnock/just-a-barley-loaf/
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