Blog Archives

Jephthah (Judges 10-12)

7/30/2017

Jephthah
Judges 10-12

Big Idea
- The reality of God’s complete control over our lives is expressed perfectly in our freedom to follow Him.
A Rocky Start
- God works through imperfect people. Judges 10:6-18
- Troubles shape us more than we can begin to understand. Judges 11:1-11
The Battle
- Jephathah's confidence did not come from people’s opinions, but from God’s power. Judges 11:12-29
The Vow
- Sometimes we can worship our vows instead of the LORD. Judges 11:30-31
- God was already at work in Jephthah’s life. Genesis 22:1-19; Judges 11:32-40; Matthew 5:33-37; Romans 8:28
Fighting the Good Fight
- We can turn to someone who didn’t come into the world to condemn us, but to save us. Judges 12:1-7; Isaiah 53:3; John 3:17
- Because of Christ we can give up our willfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

7/16/2017

Gideon Part 1
Judges 6:1-32

Big Idea
- Christ offers us a new identity, so that we can destroy the idols in our lives without fear.
Holes
- The people waited until they were in extreme poverty before they called on God. Judges 6:1-6; Galatians 6:7
- The people of Israel needed to face the truth. Judges 6:7-10; Luke 4:7
Under the Oak
- Jesus meets Gideon in a hole. Judges 6:11
- God doesn't see us the way we see ourselves. Judges 6:12; Ephesians 2:4-7
Pardon Me
- Gideon only saw God in the past. Judges 6:13-14
- None of us are sufficient on our own. Judges 6:15-16
Waiting
- God is patient with us. Judges 6:17-24
- To help Gideon recognize His salvation – God commands something of him. Judges 6:25-32; Romans 1:16
Divine Power
- Meet with Jesus in your mess.
- Take part in the family business of laying down your life for others. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

7/7/2017

Deborah, Barak, and Jael
Judges 4-5

Big Idea
- Following God leads to equality and freedom. Judges 4:1-3
She Rules
- Deborah is different than the other judges. Judges 4:4-7
- God calls and uses women to teach and lead. Acts 18:26; Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy
  2:11-12
Excuses
- Barak isn't alone in his passivity. Judges 4:8-9; 5:15-17
- God gives men the opportunity to go first into battle. 1 Timothy 2:13-14
God's Victory
- When we trust God He delivers in the most astounding ways. Judges 4:10-16; 5:4
- Jael perceived that forming an alliance with God was better than fearing Sisera. Judges 4:11, 17-24; 5:30
Reclamation
- Face conflicts. Judges 5:31
- Stop to celebrate. Judges 5:1-3

7/2/2017

Ehud
Judges 3:12-30

Big Idea
- God delivers us as we take part in His rescue plan.
Given Over
- God not only allows pain and suffering in the lives of His people – He sometimes causes it! Proverbs 3:12
- God uses unlikely people to cause us to turn to Him.
An Unlikely Savior
- We sometimes write people off, but God is not like us.
- Ehud really did have a message for the king. Mark 10:34
Providence
- This foul business occurred for a reason. Joshua 4:19
Follow
- Trust that Jesus has dealt the ultimate blow to the sin that enslaves us. Isaiah 53:2; Luke 7:23
- Overcoming sin involves living on mission. John 8:34-35