“Samson Defeats the Philistines” (Judges 15:1-20)
Samson Defeats the Philistines Brad Mills / General Judges: So Great A Salvation / Judges 15:1–20 As Americans, many of us have grown a little battle weary. We cringe whenever we hear about wars and rumors of wars. We struggle to understand why there is so much violence in our world today. But maybe it is even more troubling to read of such violence in the pages of Scripture. God’s grand design may not make sense of all the…
“Women Accompanying Jesus” (Luke 8:1-3)
Jesus had just finished attending a feast at Simon the Pharisee’s house. While there a prostitute had entered the room and served Jesus as if she herself were the host. She kissed his feet and washed them with a mixture of her tears and ointment. Here, in this brief passage, Luke provides us with a description of Jesus’ traveling companions: the twelve, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. Read Luke 8:1-3 We can only imagine the blessing it would…
“A Match Made In Heaven” (Judges 14:1-20)
How do you respond when life doesn’t make sense? What do you do when loved ones make decisions that contradict everything you taught them? Wrestle with that question for a moment. Do you throw your hands up? Do you take their decision personally, as if you were directly responsible for their actions? Do you grow angry with God? Do you doubt his power or presence? All of these are understandable reactions, but none of them reveal a heart that is…
“A Sinful Woman Forgiven” (Luke 7:36-50)
A Sinful Woman Forgiven Brad Mills / General Luke / Luke 7:36–50 During our Summer Study in 2017 we considered the importance of eating in the ministry of Jesus. We used Tim Chester’s excellent book A Meal With Jesus to spend several weeks talking about the role of meals in the life of Jesus. One of the quotes that stuck was from Robert Karris: In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming…
“So Great A Salvation” (Judges 12:1-7; Judges 13:1-25)
So Great A Salvation Brad Mills / General Judges: So Great A Salvation / Judges 12:1–7; Judges 13:1–25 We need to wrap up our look at the end of the Jephthah narrative, before going to another controversial figure in the book of Judges. The Samson narrative provides another good opportunity to remind us that the book of Judges is ultimately about how God operates through Israel to bring about redemptive history. Colorful characters should not become central. Yes, they…
“Jesus and John the Baptist” (Luke 7:18-35)
Jesus and John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-35) It’s easy to follow Jesus when we are getting what we want out of life. But what happens when that’s not the case? How do you respond when everything you touch seems to fall apart? What do you do when you are hindered from achieving your goals? Do you turn to God? Can you be honest in prayer about how you’re feeling? Or, do you shut down? Our response to Jesus, including how…
Jephthah’s (Not So) Tragic Vow – Pt.2 (Judges 11:29-12:7)
1. Jephthath’s Character (10:17-11:28) Allow me to briefly remind you what we covered last week. We noted the way Jephthah was despised and rejected by his half-brothers as they drove him out of Gilead, ensuring he would not receive any portion of their father’s inheritance. Yet, when no one was willing to lead their military against the Ammonites, they went back to Jephthah offering to make him their head. Their self-serving ambitions were evident, but we can often relate struggling with our…
“Jesus Raises A Widow’s Son” (Luke 7:11-17)
Jesus’ Miracles
Jephthah’s (Not So) Tragic Vow – Pt. 1 (Judges 10:17-12:7)
Introduction In an article for marthastewartwedding.com, Taysha Murtaugh, provides several examples of modern wedding vows that couples can make in order change things up from the boring religious and traditional vows we’re so used to hearing. Murtaugh writes, We’d expect nothing less than super-cool vows from this California couple, who threw a chic picnic-party wedding. The groom’s self-penned script included the funny phrase, “I love putting the toothpaste on your toothbrush, I’m yours for eternity.” Honestly, after reading all ten…
“Looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Some of you have come this evening in a state of confusion. Others of you are weighed down by burdens so great you thought twice about staying home. Marriages are on thin ice. Children are living in rebellion. There are conflicts and tensions in families, as well as discord and division within the local church (or even between sister churches). Many of us feel beaten up emotionally. Our lives are messy. Our hopes have been shattered. We’ve came to church…