“Good and Bad Apples” (Luke 6:43-45)
Introduction How do people really change? What’s the secret to genuine transformation? Is it even necessary? Jesus has just finished teaching his disciples to “judge not”. We argued that this is connected to condemnation that results in shunning people rather than rebuking sin. Most people who quote this misapply it. The person who adequately removes the plank from his own eye is able to properly inspect the eye of his brother. This same principle is now applied to trees that…
“An Unfitting End” (Judges 7:24-8:35)
Introduction So far, we’ve viewed the judges as almost entirely positive. We’ve taken the interpretive lens from Hebrews 11:32, viewing these men as exemplars of faith. Othniel, Ehud, Barak, and Gideon were all called to lead the Israelites in military conquest against their oppressors. And God gave them success. Unfortunately, when we come to the end of Gideon’s life, there is no excusing much of what he did. Yes God clothed him with the Spirit and used him to deliver…
“Judge Not” (Luke 6:37-42)
Introduction Who do you follow? Not on social media, but in life. It’s an important decision to make. The religious example these disciples had prior to Jesus’ teaching was that of the Pharisees who were keen on judging and condemning everyone who didn’t quite meet their man-made standards. The Pharisees were not only hypocritical in their judgment of sin, they were entirely graceless in their condemnation of sinners. Jesus speaks to the importance of following teachers who lead with a…
“Gideon’s Divine Mission – Pt. 2” (Judges 6:25-40)
Introduction As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. Midianite oppression > Gideon’s call by the Angel of the Lord > conversion and offering. Gideon was from the tribe of Manassah, but his family not only worshipped Baal, his father was a priest of Baal keeping an altar at their home. Last week we noted the numerous parallels that…
“Gideon’s Divine Mission – Pt. 1” (Judges 6:25-40)
Introduction As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. Midianite oppression > Gideon’s call by the Angel of the Lord > conversion and offering. Gideon was from the tribe of Manassah, but his family not only worshipped Baal, his father was a priest of Baal keeping an altar at their home. Last week we noted the numerous parallels that…
“Love Your Enemies” (Luke 6:32-36)
Introduction The Golden Rule is almost universally praised, yet scarcely followed. Last week we began our look at the Golden Rule (Commandments > Examples > Rule). Now Jesus provides further illustrations of the Golden Rule in practice (29-30, 32-34) before closing with the standard stated from a divine perspective (31, 35). The Golden Rule is a standard many see as good, but it is the Christian alone who has the proper enabling and motivation to live accordingly (2 Pet. 1:4).…
“The Golden Rule” (Luke 6:27-31)
Introduction What is your response to the Lord’s warnings? We feel convicted by our tendency to seek comfort in this life rather than God’s promises. We may even question our salvation. Is the Lord’s goal to fill you with fear and doubt? No. Warnings of judgment should drive us to repentance. When Jesus declares “woe is you” we ought to respond like Jeremiah (Isa. 6:5). That is the response of someone who has been called by a Holy God. The…
“The Call of Gideon” (Judges 6:1-24)
Introduction What is the posture of your heart when you prepare to come into the Lord’s presence for worship? Would you confess a reluctant spirit? Is your mind so divided that you fail to grasp what’s being read? Maybe we’re distracted by other people or other concerns. We’re filled with disinterest instead of reverence, complacency instead of anticipation. In this opening section of Gideon’s narrative, which focuses upon his calling, we get an illustration of the proper posture of our…
“Woe To You” (Luke 6:24-26)
Introduction The world says, “Who are you to judge?” Christians need to take Jesus’ advice to “judge not…” and stay out of everyone’s personal business. They obviously haven’t read tonight’s passage. These woes stand in direct contrast to the Beatitudes in order to wake us up! Pastors need to preach both the beatitudes and the woes. Remember, this sermon was especially for Jesus’ disciples (20). These warnings apply to believers. Jesus seeks to redirect our hearts to what is eternal…
“Victory Song” (Judges 5:1-31)
Introduction Martin Luther once said that he did not care so much who wrote the theologies, as long as he could write the hymns. Music has a powerful effect and can do more to change the culture than mere logic. Songs have a way of bringing head knowledge to the heart. Israel’s downward spiral entered it’s third cycle in ch.4. Deborah’s leadership role, Barak’s faith, Jael’s assassination of Sisera. How do we know Deborah wrote it? Not a duet wearing…