by Pastor Wilson
Without the resurrection Jesus would have been the best teacher, prophet but never the saviour of the world, there will be nothing worth mentioning about the Christian faith and belief. Christ did not remain at the grave.
The resurrection of Christ is foundational to the christian faith
Big idea:
Christ resurrection brings hope to those who believe in him
John 20:24-25
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Thomas was looking for crucifixion marks on Jesus hands and pierced mark at the side of his body
John 19:16-18
Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
John 19:34
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
How can anyone overcome death after going through a horrible death?
What is God's doing in all of these?
Some of us need God's validation and assurance that God is for us
How did Thomas find his answers, how did he crossover from doubt to faith again?
John 20:26
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
A week later the disciples were gathered behind locked doors...
It must have been Thomas longest 8 days of waiting... After hearing the disciples spoke and the women who met the resurrected Christ
John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:28
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
"Lord" was a title of honour given to Jesus means master or sir or teacher
"God" Jesus divine status
John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Beatitude Is a blessing from God on someone who exhibits a required attitude or conduct
Blessed are those who do not have thomas experience in seeing and touching Jesus Christ yet have the faith to believe in Christ
(Referring to You and me, lack of sight and touch does not negate ...)
Must you see and touch Jesus Christ before you can believe in Him?
Have you considered asking Christ to stay with you instead of staying away from Him?
Are you willing to allow Christ to shift your unbelief to believe?
The death and resurrection of Christ only need to happen once
Bible is the ancient book depicts Christ life, death and resurrection
Christians around share life testimonies and experiences
One's faith is not always dependence on one's sight
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
From Agony to Victory
by Pastor Joey Asher
Big idea:
Jesus submitted to the will of God despite facing agony
Luke 22:39-47
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a] 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus Arrested 47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
Jesus showed his disciples the importance of prayer during trials and testing
Jesus found his resolve to face the cross, allowed him to be faithful and obedience to what God wants him to do
If we don't even seek God how can we understand or fulfil God's will in our lives?
3 ways to submit to God when facing agony
Point 1:
Acknowledge our fears before God
Luke 22:37
It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
Luke 22:41
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
We can see how Jesus confronted his deepest fears to God alone in prayer.
Jesus expressed his human fear
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
* God can accept us in our weakest and most vulnerable state
Precisely why we should go to God, it is part of preparing ourselves for the coming trials. He'll be there with me throughout the test
The loving father can't go through the test for you but he is there with you throughout.
Part of growth process is to say "You can try again". Commend them for overcoming their fears
Point 2:
Choose God's will over your own will
Luke 22:42-44
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a]
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
We all knows God listens to our prayer but we don't know how God response to our prayers. It may be no, yes, wait or silence..
We're not praying to a genie, its a God who knows better than we know ourselves
God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus, what more us?
Luke 22:44
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a]
His prayer intensified after angel visitation, he knew it wouldn't be an easy battle so he persist in the supernatural battle
Jesus chose God's will over his own
Choosing God's will Is part of your Disciple-Making journey despite facing agony
Point 3:
Resolve to live out God's will when others don't
Luke 22:45-46
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
We suffer:
- Because someone did wrong
- We did something wrong
- We did something right
Choosing God's will Does not exempt you from pain, hurt and betrayal
Prayer prepares you better to face, not to avoid it
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Big idea:
Jesus submitted to the will of God despite facing agony
Luke 22:39-47
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a] 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus Arrested 47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
Jesus showed his disciples the importance of prayer during trials and testing
Jesus found his resolve to face the cross, allowed him to be faithful and obedience to what God wants him to do
If we don't even seek God how can we understand or fulfil God's will in our lives?
3 ways to submit to God when facing agony
Point 1:
Acknowledge our fears before God
Luke 22:37
It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
Luke 22:41
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
We can see how Jesus confronted his deepest fears to God alone in prayer.
Jesus expressed his human fear
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
* God can accept us in our weakest and most vulnerable state
Precisely why we should go to God, it is part of preparing ourselves for the coming trials. He'll be there with me throughout the test
The loving father can't go through the test for you but he is there with you throughout.
Part of growth process is to say "You can try again". Commend them for overcoming their fears
Point 2:
Choose God's will over your own will
Luke 22:42-44
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a]
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
We all knows God listens to our prayer but we don't know how God response to our prayers. It may be no, yes, wait or silence..
We're not praying to a genie, its a God who knows better than we know ourselves
God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus, what more us?
Luke 22:44
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[a]
His prayer intensified after angel visitation, he knew it wouldn't be an easy battle so he persist in the supernatural battle
Jesus chose God's will over his own
Choosing God's will Is part of your Disciple-Making journey despite facing agony
Point 3:
Resolve to live out God's will when others don't
Luke 22:45-46
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
We suffer:
- Because someone did wrong
- We did something wrong
- We did something right
Choosing God's will Does not exempt you from pain, hurt and betrayal
Prayer prepares you better to face, not to avoid it
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
From Humility to Glory
by Ps John Lin
Big idea:
Jesus is the king we need
There is a difference between what we want Vs what we need
Luke 19:28-34
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
Why mentioned donkey out of the blue?
This was exact time and week that Jesus revealed his purpose on earth which is call passion week
Nisan - 10th day each Jewish family has to find a spotless lamb to be sacrificed
Significance of donkey is Jesus - the lamb to be sacrificed
- Kingship of Christ
- Lordship over all the earth
Luke 19:35-40
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a] “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Main point 1
Jesus was not the king that they wanted or expected
- Jesus was humbled
- he chose to enter on a humble borrowed donkey
- he's for everyone
- right from beginning of his birth wrapped in a manger
Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River[a] to the ends of the earth.
He chose to defy his Kingship contrary to what earthly king would do
1. Jesus was not the king the Religious wanted
2. Jesus was not the king the rest expected
The people expected Jesus to bring peace and stability based on what they wanted Him to do, To free them from suffering and deliver them.
Luke 19:40
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
"Stones would cry out" means Creation cannot deny it's creator
We need to recognise that Jesus is the king we truly need and not the king we expect him to be
- on our terms
- but He did not promise a life free of problems
- he'll give us strength to face it because he had overcome the world
Perhaps Jesus is Working something in your life than for you?
Luke 19:41-44
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Main point 2
Jesus was the king that they truly needed but they rejected
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
He was weeping that people had no idea who he truly was. Weeping Over their spiritual blindness, weeping over the city of Jerusalem will be torn down, the destruction that was about to come
Luke 19:42
and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
The peace is Not peace free from struggle or trouble but peace in full restoration, wholeness and completeness in God
Sin is when a servant...
-Timothy keller-
Jesus died for Our need for reconcilation from God, our sin and rebellion against God.
Luke 19:44
They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
People did not know the time...
There is a cause for rejecting Jesus
Application:
Jesus is calling us to submit to his Kingship
Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Why acknowledge and not do?
Will be like a house that ends up in ruin
How we live, how we do... More than just avoiding death.
Big idea:
Jesus is the king we need
There is a difference between what we want Vs what we need
Luke 19:28-34
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
Why mentioned donkey out of the blue?
This was exact time and week that Jesus revealed his purpose on earth which is call passion week
Nisan - 10th day each Jewish family has to find a spotless lamb to be sacrificed
Significance of donkey is Jesus - the lamb to be sacrificed
- Kingship of Christ
- Lordship over all the earth
Luke 19:35-40
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a] “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Main point 1
Jesus was not the king that they wanted or expected
- Jesus was humbled
- he chose to enter on a humble borrowed donkey
- he's for everyone
- right from beginning of his birth wrapped in a manger
Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River[a] to the ends of the earth.
He chose to defy his Kingship contrary to what earthly king would do
1. Jesus was not the king the Religious wanted
2. Jesus was not the king the rest expected
The people expected Jesus to bring peace and stability based on what they wanted Him to do, To free them from suffering and deliver them.
Luke 19:40
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
"Stones would cry out" means Creation cannot deny it's creator
We need to recognise that Jesus is the king we truly need and not the king we expect him to be
- on our terms
- but He did not promise a life free of problems
- he'll give us strength to face it because he had overcome the world
Perhaps Jesus is Working something in your life than for you?
Luke 19:41-44
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Main point 2
Jesus was the king that they truly needed but they rejected
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
He was weeping that people had no idea who he truly was. Weeping Over their spiritual blindness, weeping over the city of Jerusalem will be torn down, the destruction that was about to come
Luke 19:42
and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
The peace is Not peace free from struggle or trouble but peace in full restoration, wholeness and completeness in God
Sin is when a servant...
-Timothy keller-
Jesus died for Our need for reconcilation from God, our sin and rebellion against God.
Luke 19:44
They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
People did not know the time...
There is a cause for rejecting Jesus
Application:
Jesus is calling us to submit to his Kingship
Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Why acknowledge and not do?
Will be like a house that ends up in ruin
How we live, how we do... More than just avoiding death.
Gideon the unlikely warrior
by Pastor MENG cham
Judges and Ruth part 3
3000 years from then, humankind still have not get any better
Importance of discipleship and disciple making
When God's people fail to advance his kingdom we'll be more dictated by the culture
Gideon the unlikely warrior
3rd unlikely choice
Is Gideon to be emulated?
He's an anti hero
He's rise to fame is sadly deemed from his fall of glory.
Put the faith in right place
Big idea:
God wants us to grow in faith in what we do and in who we are
Judges 6:12
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Judges 6:6a
Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
And Israel was brought very low...
Judges 6:6b
Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
Author didn't say they were repentance, they just cry out
God didn't immediately bring a judges, instead he brought a prophet
Judges 6:10b
I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.”
Israel problem was not military but is spiritual
Judges 6:12b
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Angel of the lord called and commission Gideon. He was hiding ...
He was perplexed theologically, where are the good deeds of God? Why the suffering?
Not Because God has abandon but Because the people have abandoned Him
Judges 6:12
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Judges 6:14b
The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
Judges 6:16b
The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
Gideon wanted to test
- was afraid this was not yehweh
- alas he admitted
- he built his first altar, 'shalom'
God often raised people least likely to succeed, unremarkable
Faith journey begins when we know God knows us better than ourselves.
Even when nobody believes in you
2. Obey what God calls you to do
Judges 6:25-26
That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old.[a] Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole[b] beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of[c] altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second[d] bull as a burnt offering.”
First test was pull down idol sitting at altar of Baal...
* Israel not permitted to persist in spiritual idolatry
Gideon was surrounded by Baal worshippers
- he did it at night
Joash his father intervened
2nd test
Gideon was filled with the power of God
Judges 7:2
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’
32000
10000
300
Madness or miracle?
300 against 135000
God ask Gideon go enemy camp
Judges 7:14
His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”
Gideon prostrated before God after this
Are we rather more concerned about everything surrounding us than God?
Judges 8:22
The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”
Because midanites already defeated psychologically
Each baby steps of obedience help us to be more confident in God. He knows perfectly what it takes for each one of us to be a warrior.
1. Believe who God says you are
2. Obey what God calls you to do
3. Remember God as the sole reason for your victory
15000 midanites still ran away
Gideon pursued them. He was rejected by men of two towns... He held grudges
He whipped them, executed them. Sucoth and penial are not outsiders but people of his own tribe.
Judges 8:22-23
The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.”
Very good textbook answer
But he took an offering from them .... 20kg of gold and made an ephod ... Like a portable idol
Judges 8:27b
Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.
Gideon's account ends with an inductment.
Judges 8:33-35
No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god 34 and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. 35 They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them.
Every judge after gideon will exhibit deep flaws in their leadership
Gideon's folly:
Pride after success
Judges and Ruth part 3
3000 years from then, humankind still have not get any better
Importance of discipleship and disciple making
When God's people fail to advance his kingdom we'll be more dictated by the culture
Gideon the unlikely warrior
3rd unlikely choice
Is Gideon to be emulated?
He's an anti hero
He's rise to fame is sadly deemed from his fall of glory.
Put the faith in right place
Big idea:
God wants us to grow in faith in what we do and in who we are
Judges 6:12
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Judges 6:6a
Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
And Israel was brought very low...
Judges 6:6b
Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
Author didn't say they were repentance, they just cry out
God didn't immediately bring a judges, instead he brought a prophet
Judges 6:10b
I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.”
Israel problem was not military but is spiritual
Judges 6:12b
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Angel of the lord called and commission Gideon. He was hiding ...
He was perplexed theologically, where are the good deeds of God? Why the suffering?
Not Because God has abandon but Because the people have abandoned Him
Judges 6:12
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Judges 6:14b
The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
Judges 6:16b
The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
Gideon wanted to test
- was afraid this was not yehweh
- alas he admitted
- he built his first altar, 'shalom'
God often raised people least likely to succeed, unremarkable
Faith journey begins when we know God knows us better than ourselves.
Even when nobody believes in you
2. Obey what God calls you to do
Judges 6:25-26
That same night the Lord said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old.[a] Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole[b] beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of[c] altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second[d] bull as a burnt offering.”
First test was pull down idol sitting at altar of Baal...
* Israel not permitted to persist in spiritual idolatry
Gideon was surrounded by Baal worshippers
- he did it at night
Joash his father intervened
2nd test
Gideon was filled with the power of God
Judges 7:2
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’
32000
10000
300
Madness or miracle?
300 against 135000
God ask Gideon go enemy camp
Judges 7:14
His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”
Gideon prostrated before God after this
Are we rather more concerned about everything surrounding us than God?
Judges 8:22
The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”
Because midanites already defeated psychologically
Each baby steps of obedience help us to be more confident in God. He knows perfectly what it takes for each one of us to be a warrior.
1. Believe who God says you are
2. Obey what God calls you to do
3. Remember God as the sole reason for your victory
15000 midanites still ran away
Gideon pursued them. He was rejected by men of two towns... He held grudges
He whipped them, executed them. Sucoth and penial are not outsiders but people of his own tribe.
Judges 8:22-23
The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.”
Very good textbook answer
But he took an offering from them .... 20kg of gold and made an ephod ... Like a portable idol
Judges 8:27b
Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.
Gideon's account ends with an inductment.
Judges 8:33-35
No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god 34 and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. 35 They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them.
Every judge after gideon will exhibit deep flaws in their leadership
Gideon's folly:
Pride after success
Friday, March 8, 2024
The Unlikely hero
by Pastor John Lin
Judges and Ruth - The unlikely choice
The Judges Cycle:
Peace --> Rebellion --> Oppression --> Repentence --> Deliverance
See The degeneration of God's people, being stuck in a cycle of rebellion
Big idea:
God must be at the centre of our lives
Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?”
Joshua has been seen as someone who shows Believing loyalty in God and someone living a life of faith in God
Judges 2:7-10
The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres[a] in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
Israel downfall happened when they forgot who God was, what he has done and disobeyed him
Deuteronomy 6:12
be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
1st observation:
Failure begins when we forget
Judges 2:2
and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?
It took the Israelites one generation to forget what God has done
Judges 3:7
The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
Judges 3:12
Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel.
How did the next generation not know about God?
People not diligent to raise the next generation because they forgot about God and fail to teach the next generation to know God and follow God, about God
There is very low percentage of increase in believing Jesus
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
God gave solution to his people by training to remember God in all areas of our lives, focus on intentional consistencies, don't leave to chance, use every opportunity to talk about God, teach and raise others, next generation.
KWRSS:
Know
Walk
Relate
Serve
Share
When you do nothing, nothing happens. Don't try but train
Judges 1:19
The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron.
Judges 1:27
But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land.
Judges 1:29
Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, but the Canaanites continued to live there among them.
Judges 1:30
Neither did Zebulun drive out the Canaanites living in Kitron or Nahalol, so these Canaanites lived among them, but Zebulun did subject them to forced labor.
Judges 1:31
Nor did Asher drive out those living in Akko or Sidon or Ahlab or Akzib or Helbah or Aphek or Rehob.
They did not drive out the inhabitants
2nd observation:
Compromise leads to enslavement
Judges 3:5-7
The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 6 They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. Othniel 7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
They lived among the enemies, when they compromise their allegiance to God
Why God instruct israelites to live away from them?
Because of Religious influence and idol worship.
Canaanites worship includes Child sacrifice,...
Disobedience open up to distraction and destruction
We cannot live What world prefers and admires, we cannot allow the world to dictate how we live
We either serve God who saves or the idols that enslave
That's a lie!
Follow Christ and make fishers of men...
Who what God has call us to be
Have we been canaanised by the world today?
The cycle of compromise, attitude of apathy
Something drastic need to take place in order to see transformation!
Matthew 18:8-9
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Drive out compromise
Device robbing time, attention
God must be first in all areas of our lives!
3rd observation:
Pain is an avenue that points us back to God
Judges 3:8
The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim,[a] to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.
People were enslaved for 8 years, delivered and They sinned again
Judges 3:9
But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.
Judges 3:15
Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
World is promoting a Fuss free, pain free environment
God response to the cries of his people wherever they are. He's not waiting for us to get our lives sorted out. God's love is greater than the mess we experience. Without God we can do nothing
We have been influenced by the ungodly values and culture of the world
Judges and Ruth - The unlikely choice
The Judges Cycle:
Peace --> Rebellion --> Oppression --> Repentence --> Deliverance
See The degeneration of God's people, being stuck in a cycle of rebellion
Big idea:
God must be at the centre of our lives
Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?”
Joshua has been seen as someone who shows Believing loyalty in God and someone living a life of faith in God
Judges 2:7-10
The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres[a] in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
Israel downfall happened when they forgot who God was, what he has done and disobeyed him
Deuteronomy 6:12
be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
1st observation:
Failure begins when we forget
Judges 2:2
and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?
It took the Israelites one generation to forget what God has done
Judges 3:7
The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
Judges 3:12
Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel.
How did the next generation not know about God?
People not diligent to raise the next generation because they forgot about God and fail to teach the next generation to know God and follow God, about God
There is very low percentage of increase in believing Jesus
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
God gave solution to his people by training to remember God in all areas of our lives, focus on intentional consistencies, don't leave to chance, use every opportunity to talk about God, teach and raise others, next generation.
KWRSS:
Know
Walk
Relate
Serve
Share
When you do nothing, nothing happens. Don't try but train
Judges 1:19
The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron.
Judges 1:27
But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that land.
Judges 1:29
Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, but the Canaanites continued to live there among them.
Judges 1:30
Neither did Zebulun drive out the Canaanites living in Kitron or Nahalol, so these Canaanites lived among them, but Zebulun did subject them to forced labor.
Judges 1:31
Nor did Asher drive out those living in Akko or Sidon or Ahlab or Akzib or Helbah or Aphek or Rehob.
They did not drive out the inhabitants
2nd observation:
Compromise leads to enslavement
Judges 3:5-7
The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 6 They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. Othniel 7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
They lived among the enemies, when they compromise their allegiance to God
Why God instruct israelites to live away from them?
Because of Religious influence and idol worship.
Canaanites worship includes Child sacrifice,...
Disobedience open up to distraction and destruction
We cannot live What world prefers and admires, we cannot allow the world to dictate how we live
We either serve God who saves or the idols that enslave
That's a lie!
Follow Christ and make fishers of men...
Who what God has call us to be
Have we been canaanised by the world today?
The cycle of compromise, attitude of apathy
Something drastic need to take place in order to see transformation!
Matthew 18:8-9
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Drive out compromise
Device robbing time, attention
God must be first in all areas of our lives!
3rd observation:
Pain is an avenue that points us back to God
Judges 3:8
The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim,[a] to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.
People were enslaved for 8 years, delivered and They sinned again
Judges 3:9
But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.
Judges 3:15
Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
World is promoting a Fuss free, pain free environment
God response to the cries of his people wherever they are. He's not waiting for us to get our lives sorted out. God's love is greater than the mess we experience. Without God we can do nothing
We have been influenced by the ungodly values and culture of the world
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