Sermons by Brad Mills (Page 28)
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…
Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5)
Introduction Happy Lord’s Day! We have been given 52/yr. WCF 21 – The Sabbath command is: Positive – Not simply refraining from certain activities, but positivelyengaging in worship. Moral – Like all 10 Commandments. Perpetual – Not merely Old Testament law. Once again… Jesus is at odds with the Pharisees. Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath are the cause of their concern. Jesus points out their faulty practice (c.f., fasting). We’ve already seen Jesus healing on the Sabbath. But now, the…
Introduction to Judges – Pt. 2 (Judges 2:6-10)
Introduction Many pastors have carefully selected their text to fit with the occasion of Mother’s Day. Our general pattern is to preach through the next passage. Whereas many pastors are preaching about how great our mothers are, I’m going to talk about the pattern of failure that pervades Judges. Relevant? Absolutely! Every mother here (and the rest of us) knows the feeling of failure. In fact, for many of us, it’s debilitating! So here’s the message of Judges: You are…
The Newness of Christ (Luke 5:33-39)
Introduction Jim Johnston The most miserable Christians I’ve seen are those who live with a foot in both worlds. The kind of person Jesus calls to repentance is one who acknowledges his sin. The righteous have no need of Christ. His opponents respond with another question. In comparison with Matthew and Mark, there doesn’t seem to be a chronological connection between Levi’s feast and these questions. The connection is thematic. Why are Jesus and his disciples frequently at odds with…
Introduction to Judges (Judges 1:1-2)
Introduction Dale Ralph Davis The church has her way of dealing with embarrassing Scripture; ignore it. Yet that is difficult to do with Judges. It’s so interesting. Only people who take tranquilizers before sitting down can doze off while they read it. Big Picture: Promised Kingdom > Partial Kingdom > Prophesied Kingdom. Author: Multiple with final editor | single author. Context: Between Joshua and Samuel. Contemporaneous with Ruth. Israel took the land (Josh. 21:43-45). Israel demands a king (1 Sam.…
The Hospitality of Jesus (Luke 5:27-32)
Introduction What kind of people do you allow into your life? Jesus confronted the sin and sickness that surrounded him. Previously, he forgave and healed the paralytic on the account of the collective faith of him and his friends. Now, Jesus returns to the task of calling disciples that began in 5:1-11. But this time, the emphasis is upon the kinds of people Jesus calls. If we will not acknowledge our depravity, we will not hear Christ’s call to follow…