The Paradigmatic Hero (Judges 3:7-11)
Introduction So far we’ve seen two introductions. The first detailed the political decline of Israel. The second detailed the religious decline of Israel. What preserved Israel during this downward spiral was the discipline of the Lord. The Lord’s kindness is evident even in his chastisement. God is accomplishing his redemptive purposes through intentional acts of discipline (Hebrews 12:11). Chastisement is ultimately followed by rescue in the form of judges who served as (1) Civil Magistrates and (2) Deliverers. Othniel serves…
The Religious Decline of Israel (Judges 2:1-3:6)
Introduction Have you ever felt so trapped in a cycle of sin that you questioned your salvation? Octavius Winslow “If there is one consideration more humbling than another to a spiritually-minded believer, it is, that, after all God has done for him, – after all the rich displays of his grace, the patience and tenderness of his instructions, the repeated discipline of his covenant, the tokens of love received, and the lessons of experience learned, there should still exist in…
The Twelve Apostles of Jesus (Luke 6:12-16)
Introduction This morning, we considered the notion that many of us feel like frauds. This afternoon, we will consider the notion that many of us feel useless. We may feel inadequate, unprepared, or disqualified. But, regardless of the underlying cause, we feel unproductive. The gospel accounts of Jesus’s ministry can often feel like added helpings of guilt and shame. Considering the gathering interest in the healing ministry of Jesus and the growing hostility of his opposition, how would Jesus ever…
Another Sabbath Healing (Luke 6:6-11)
Introduction Sabbath conflict is practically non-existent today: Ryle We must take heed that we do not abuse the liberty which Christ has given us. It is in this direction that our danger chiefly lies in modern times. There is little risk of our committing the error of the Pharisees, and keeping the Sabbath more strictly than God intended. Our Lord’s perfect observance of the Sabbath involved mercy. Read Luke 6:6-11 Jesus’s opponents intensified their efforts. Previously, they noticed Jesus and…
The Political Decline of Israel (Judges 1:1-36)
Introduction I was never good at geography. And I’m not alone. In 2006, a study revealed that 63% of Americans (18-24yo) couldn’t locate Iraq on a map. Furthermore, 50% couldn’t find New York! The following year, during the Q&A portion of Miss Teen USA, Caitlin Upton from South Carolina, suggested the reason Americans were so poor at geography was due to a lack of maps…Facepalm! Well, like it or not, geography is the primary subject of this chapter. Judges 1…
