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George Warnock
George H. Warnock (1917 - 2016). Canadian Bible teacher, author, and carpenter born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to David, a carpenter, and Alice Warnock. Raised in a Christian home, he nearly died of pneumonia at five, an experience that shaped his sense of divine purpose. Converted in childhood, he felt called to gospel work early, briefly attending Bible school in Winnipeg in 1939. Moving to Alberta in 1942, he joined the Latter Rain Movement, serving as Ern Baxter’s secretary during the 1948 North Battleford revival, known for its emphasis on spiritual gifts. Warnock authored 14 books, including The Feast of Tabernacles (1951), a seminal work on God’s progressive revelation, translated into multiple languages. A self-supporting “tentmaker,” he worked as a carpenter for decades, ministering quietly in Alberta and British Columbia. Married to Ruth Marie for 55 years until her 2011 death, they had seven children, 19 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His reflective writings, stressing intimacy with God over institutional religion, influenced charismatic and prophetic circles globally. Warnock’s words, “God’s purpose is to bring us to the place where we see Him alone,” encapsulate his vision of spiritual surrender.
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Sermon Summary
George Warnock emphasizes the story of Gideon, who faced overwhelming odds against the Midianites with only 32,000 men. Despite the fear and the reduction of his army to just 300, Gideon obeyed God's command, demonstrating that God often chooses the weak and insignificant to accomplish His purposes. This narrative illustrates that true strength lies not in numbers but in reliance on God, who desires to receive all the glory for victories won. The sermon encourages believers to trust in God's ways, even when they seem counterintuitive.
Scriptures
A Barley Loaf Against the Midianites
Consider the man Gideon. Israel had been oppressed by the Midianites for a long time. Any grain that they were able to grow was snatched away by the enemy as soon as it was harvested. God appeared to Gideon and gave him a charge to wage war against the enemy and deliver his people. And so naturally Gideon began to muster the army... not too many responded, but he had a word from God and Gideon took courage with the handful that came to the battle. He only had 32,000 men compared to the hosts of Midian which numbered about 135,000. But God looked at Gideon's little army and announced: "You have too many..." Good Christian leaders everywhere are trying to mobilize the forces of Christianity to wage warfare against the forces of evil; but God comes on the scene and begins to demobilize. Twenty-two thousand went home out of fear... they might die in battle and lose all. But once again God looked down and said, "You still have too many..." What would Gideon do now? God Himself would single out the ones that would qualify for His army, and 9,700 more were sent home. God said, "All you need are the 300 I have left with you... this way I will get all the Glory." God likened Gideon's little band to a "barley loaf" and with that flimsy, insignificant little army God would destroy all the armed might of the Midianites, 135,000 strong. How we need to learn God's Way!
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George H. Warnock (1917 - 2016). Canadian Bible teacher, author, and carpenter born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to David, a carpenter, and Alice Warnock. Raised in a Christian home, he nearly died of pneumonia at five, an experience that shaped his sense of divine purpose. Converted in childhood, he felt called to gospel work early, briefly attending Bible school in Winnipeg in 1939. Moving to Alberta in 1942, he joined the Latter Rain Movement, serving as Ern Baxter’s secretary during the 1948 North Battleford revival, known for its emphasis on spiritual gifts. Warnock authored 14 books, including The Feast of Tabernacles (1951), a seminal work on God’s progressive revelation, translated into multiple languages. A self-supporting “tentmaker,” he worked as a carpenter for decades, ministering quietly in Alberta and British Columbia. Married to Ruth Marie for 55 years until her 2011 death, they had seven children, 19 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His reflective writings, stressing intimacy with God over institutional religion, influenced charismatic and prophetic circles globally. Warnock’s words, “God’s purpose is to bring us to the place where we see Him alone,” encapsulate his vision of spiritual surrender.