Introduction

The story we find in Judges chapter 9 is about a man named Abimelek. And to understand who he was, we need to look at the end of chapter 8, which gives us some context: It says in Judges 8:29-31 - Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house. Now Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, for he had many wives. And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.

If you remember from last week’s sermon, after Gideon saved the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites, the people came and asked him to be their ruler. But Gideon refused, acknowledging that God was the true ruler of Israel. However, despite rejecting the title of ruler, Gideon lived like one. He chose not to become a king, but he lived like a king. And so, just like the kings of those days, he married many wives, and from these wives, Gideon had 70 sons. But apparently, even these many wives were not enough for him. So what did he do? He took a concubine for himself.

• A concubine is similar to a mistress—someone who is not legally married to a man but has a relationship with him.

• So, in addition to all the wives who bore him 70 sons, Gideon had a concubine from Shechem who bore him another son named Abimelek.

• Now, The fact that she was from Shechem is significant because Shechem was a Canaanite city with a history of idolatry and rebellion against God. And so, by taking a concubine from Shechem, Gideon aligned himself with a people who had often been in conflict with Israel and its covenant with God.

Introduction

In our series on Gideon, we saw that the Israelites, drifting from God and living in disobedience, were overpowered by the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites, along with other tribes, destroyed crops, stole livestock, and left Israel helpless. In desperation, the Israelites cried out to God. God responded by calling Gideon, a man filled with doubt and fear. When the angel of the Lord appeared to him, Gideon was hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat. The angel greeted him as a "mighty warrior" and told him that God would send him to rescue Israel. Gideon questioned God, saying, "Why has all this happened, and am I really the right person?"

Even after God assured him of His presence, Gideon hesitated, asking the angel to wait while he prepared an offering. Instead of rebuking him, God patiently waited. When Gideon returned, the angel touched the offering, and fire consumed it, leaving Gideon amazed and afraid. Still fearful, Gideon obeyed God's command to tear down his father’s altar to Baal, but he did it secretly at night. Despite Gideon’s doubts, God reassured him, promising victory. We learn that, like with Gideon, God is patient with our doubts and fears and gives us the courage to follow Him.

Now, as we continue to reach the climax of the story, we see several important incidents that take place before Gideon finally defeats the Midianite army, and then a few more incidents that lead to his downfall. So today, we’ll look at:

1.     Fleece incident – in which Gideon tests God again

2.     Gideon and his 300 warriors – in which 32,000 men are reduced to just 300.

3.     Gideon’s defeat of the enemy.

4.     Gideon’s downfall after his victory and what lesson we can learn from it.

Introduction

So Gideon has an encounter with the angel of the Lord.

V.12 - ¹² And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him...

But what’s interesting is that his conversation was with the Lord himself.

-        v.14 - And the Lord turned to him and said…

-        v.16 - ¹⁶ And the Lord said to him

So by this time, Gideon knew in his heart who he was dealing with. He may have questioned God and doubted his calling at first, but now, he knows deep in his heart that it is indeed God who is calling him to step up.

How do we know that Gideon knew deep in his heart? Because in our text today, we see him bringing an offering. And just look at what he offers in Judges 6:19 - ¹⁹ So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them. 

I mentioned last week that Gideon, along with the rest of the nation, was living in extreme poverty because the Midianites had been pillaging their crops and livestock. Whatever they could harvest, the enemy would take. And so food was scarce. And yet, here we see Gideon bringing an extravagant offering.

Now, just to put it into perspective:

• An ephah of flour is about 90 cups—which is a massive amount.

• For those familiar with baking, that’s enough to make 25 ten-inch cakes or 90 loaves of bread!

• On top of that, he sacrifices a young goat, which is a precious resource in those times.

• And he prepares a pot of broth from the meat, which required time and effort.

So what is this telling us? It’s telling us that Gideon wouldn’t have made such an enormous sacrifice unless he was convinced in his heart that he was standing before God Himself.

Introduction

As we’ve just read, Gideon was called to be a judge during a time of great turmoil in Israel. The nation was suffering under the oppressive grip of the Midianites. But who were the Midianites? Well, they were actually descendants of Abraham, just like the Israelites.

In Genesis 25:1-6, we learn that after Sarah died, Abraham married a woman named Keturah, and together they had many children. One of their sons was Midian, and thus, the Midianites were born. But while the Israelites lived in covenant with God, the Midianites lived apart from Him, serving idols like Baal and Asherah. So, when the Israelites turned away from God, He allowed the Midianites to oppress them severely.

In fact, the oppression was so bad that the Israelites were forced to flee to the mountains, building caves in the cliffs to survive. (Imagine what that must have been like. You can see images of the caves at Nahal Zin.) The Bible explains in verses 3-6 how the Midianites harassed the Israelites:

“Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, leaving no sustenance in Israel—neither sheep, nor ox, nor donkey. For they would come up with their livestock and tents, coming in like locusts in number—both they and their camels could not be counted. And they laid waste the land as they came in. And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord.”

The Midianites destroyed everything the Israelites worked for: their crops and livestock. By verse 6, the Bible says, “Israel was brought very low.” In the NIV, it says “Midian so impoverished the Israelites,” and this word “impoverished” is key. The root of the word describes a bucket hanging at the end of a rope. The Israelites were literally “hanging by a thread,” barely surviving under Midianite oppression.

So, in response to this, what did the Israelites do? As we’ve seen time and again, they cried out to God for help. But unlike the other stories we’ve looked at, God didn’t immediately raise up a judge to deliver them. Instead, He sent a prophet. This prophet reminded the Israelites who God is, what He had done for them, and called them to repentance. In verses 8-10, we read:

“The Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.’”

The reason God sent this prophet was to show the Israelites that He doesn’t just deliver them automatically when they cry out. God can’t be manipulated like a cosmic vending machine. He wants our repentance—true, sincere turning back to Him. I know that in my own life, I’ve found times where I tried to manipulate God without realizing it. I’d sin, telling myself I’d just repent later and be forgiven. But that’s exactly what the Israelites were doing—they were sinning knowingly, but expecting God to deliver them whenever they cried out. This time, before raising up a judge, God first sent a prophet to remind them of their need for real repentance. We’re not told exactly how the Israelites responded to the prophet, but we can assume they repented. After this, God called Gideon to be their deliverer.

Now, let’s look at Gideon and the circumstances he was in when God called him.

Introduction
Today, as we dive into Judges 4, we encounter another battle narrative, this time between the Canaanites and the tribes of Israel. But unlike the straightforward stories of the previous judges, this narrative is far more dynamic and involves several people rather than just one judge. It’s not a simple story where God raises a judge, and that judge delivers the people. Instead, multiple characters are involved, making the story more complex.

As we go through the text verse by verse, we’ll look at what actually happened in this story and what the Lord is revealing to us through it. I won’t focus on the symbolism but will stick to the events as they unfold, beginning with the setting of the narrative.

Introduction

Today, we are given a very short passage, yet this short passage gives us a powerful message of hope and encouragement. So as we unpack this passage we want to focus on three important questions:

1. What kind of man was Shamgar?

2. What kind of weapon did Shamgar use to defeat the Philistines?

3. How does Shamgar’s story give us hope and encouragement in our lives today?

Introduction

Have I ever read a passage in the Bible and wondered why it's included? Some stories are inspiring, others comforting, but some, like today's story, are shocking. Judges 3:12-30 presents a vivid, graphic account, and at first glance, the details seem unnecessary. However, when I look deeper, I realize they serve a greater purpose. This story isn't just about the past; it has a direct message for me today.

Introduction

Today's verse is a repeated theme that sums up the entire book of Judges. It’s mentioned several times throughout the book. If you’ve been following Pastor John’s sermons over the past few weeks, then you know that the Israelites weren’t doing too well. P. John spoke about the trouble that found the Israelites when they compromised God’s word—when they disobeyed His commandments. Everything God warned them about came true.'

The problem with the Israelites during the time of the judges wasn’t just that they encountered the Canaanites; it was that they became like the Canaanites. Though they were supposed to be a nation set apart by God, they became no different from the surrounding nations. And while ancient Canaan is no longer physically present, it is very much spiritually alive today. In fact, it has expanded far beyond the Middle East. We are living in a spiritual Canaan. We are surrounded by a Canaanite culture. For those of us who call Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, this is a warning. Just as the Israelites were in danger in the book of Judges, we—the spiritual next generation—and our children—the physical next generation—are also in danger today.

Introduction

As we begin our new series on the Book of Judges, we enter one of the darkest periods of Israel's history—the days of the Judges. This was a time marked by spiritual decline, rebellion, and the consequences of disobedience.

In these dark ages, the Israelites, without consistent leadership, drifted from God, who had delivered them from Egyptian bondage, guided them through the wilderness, and brought them into the Promised Land. But as we saw last week, they made crucial compromises that led to deeper trouble:

• They failed to fully drive out the Canaanites, allowing them to live among them.

• They intermarried with the Canaanites, blending their lives and cultures.

• They began to worship the gods of the Canaanites, forsaking their own God.

• Finally, they completely assimilated into Canaanite ways, abandoning their faith.

Because of their rebellion, the Lord handed them over to their enemies, as we see in today’s passage.

Introduction

In this passage, God chose to leave the Canaanites in the land of Canaan, not because of a random decision, but to serve specific purposes. The Israelites had failed to walk in obedience to God, so they were left to live alongside the people they were meant to destroy.

First, God left the Canaanites to test Israel's faithfulness. As stated in Judges 3:4, the Israelites were tested to see if they would obey God’s commandments: “They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.” This test revealed the condition of their hearts. Rather than remaining devoted to God, they allowed the temptations of the wicked nations to lead them astray.

Second, God intended for the Israelites to learn about physical and spiritual warfare. Judges 3:2 says, “that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before.” The younger generation needed to understand that victory came not through conventional warfare, but by trusting and obeying God, as their ancestors had learned in battles like those at Jericho and Ai. Sadly, the younger generation also failed this test, showing a preference for joining the enemy rather than standing against them.

In conclusion, God left the Canaanites to test Israel’s loyalty and teach them the importance of dependence on Him in times of spiritual and physical conflict. Unfortunately, Israel’s failure to meet this challenge weakened their commitment to God’s commands, leading them further astray. This serves as a reminder to us to remain faithful and resist the influences of a sinful world.

Introduction

The Book of Judges recounts one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history—a time marked by lawlessness, rebellion, and moral failure. The overarching attitude of the people is captured in Judges 17:6 and 21:25:
"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

This was a time when the Israelites had settled in the Promised Land. While the wilderness trials were behind them, they lacked a leader to guide them spiritually and morally. After Joshua's passing, the people began to drift from God's commands, seeking to satisfy their own desires instead of living in obedience.

However, when we examine Israel’s history, we see how God faithfully and graciously led them. In the Book of Exodus, God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, not only to free them but to establish a deep and abiding relationship with His people. His purpose wasn’t merely to bring them to the Promised Land but to shape their hearts to trust and love Him.

God used their 40-year wilderness journey to teach them dependence on Him, showing that His presence and provision were greater than any earthly blessing. Eventually, He brought them safely into the Promised Land—a land meant to reflect His promise and faithfulness.

10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;

Acts 2:17

Introduction:
As 2024 comes to a close, it's hard to believe how quickly the year has passed. Time moves fast, but God’s faithfulness has been evident in every challenge, victory, and moment of growth. The Israelites faced similar moments of reflection in Joshua 4 after crossing the Jordan River—a miraculous act of God’s power. God instructed them to build a memorial with twelve stones from the riverbed to remember His faithfulness and pass this legacy to future generations. As we reflect on 2024, we’re invited to remember, share, and build upon God’s faithfulness, just as the Israelites did.

Introduction:
Introduction: A few months ago, London was captivated by the unexpected appearance of new Banksy artworks across the city. One striking piece at a zoo depicted animals breaking free, sparking wonder and conversation. People protected these artworks, cherishing them as rare gifts.

Reflecting on this, I realized how similar it is to Christmas. Just as Banksy surprised London, God did something even more astonishing: He came to dwell among us. God is not distant or uninvolved; He is Emmanuel, 'God with us.' The Creator of the universe, the One beyond time and space, chose to live with us. This reality transforms everything, making the ordinary extraordinary.

The question is: Are we ready to recognize Him, welcome Him, and allow His presence to transform us?

Body: Until Christmas, God's identity remained somewhat hidden. But John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This verse captures the core of the Christmas message: God moved close.

When telling the Christmas story, Matthew begins with Jesus' human genealogy, and Luke starts with angels, Mary, Joseph, and shepherds. But John does something different. He doesn’t start with Jesus’ earthly family—he starts with the origin of humanity itself in Jesus.

John 1:1 declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." He speaks with majestic, eternal language to reveal Jesus as more than a teacher, healer, or rabbi. Jesus is God.

John 1:4-5 continues, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." But then, in verse 14, John shares the staggering truth: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Introduction

"The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, 'Follow me.' Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'"

I was recently invited to a lunch with several people and Elder Yong was there. I had many conversations with Elder Yong and throughout our conversation, I found myself sharing trivia, little bits of knowledge that might seem unimportant or insignificant to others. We laughed about how I always seem to have these random nuggets of "useless" knowledge to share. I must admit that given a random time and place, these trivia bits of knowledge have useless, but I believe that everything has a time and place. I believe that there is no such thing as trivial knowledge. This curiosity for knowledge has served me well when I apply that same curiosity to God’s Word. I discovered something profound: even the smallest details, the seemingly trivial ones, have a purpose and significance in Scripture. The Bible isn’t just words on a page; it’s life itself. It’s God’s grand story, and every word has weight and meaning. And I discover the sovereign hand of God working in this world throughout human history.

Introduction:
Have you ever noticed how even the smallest light can pierce the deepest darkness? Imagine being lost in a dense forest at night—cold, alone, and unsure of your direction. Then, suddenly, a flickering light appears in the distance. That one light changes everything. It draws you in, fills you with hope, and leads you toward safety and home.

As we gather today to celebrate Michael’s baptism, I want us to reflect on how the light of Jesus transforms us. Baptism is not just a ritual; it’s a profound symbol of stepping out of darkness and into the light of Christ. It is a declaration that we are leaving behind a life dominated by sin and embracing a new identity, one filled with hope and renewal in Jesus.

The light of Jesus shines into our brokenness, offering healing and transformation. His light doesn’t just guide us—it sustains us in every season of life. And as we celebrate this sacred act of baptism, may it remind us of the great hope we have in Christ, who is our light.

Today, I want to focus on three key aspects of Jesus’ words in John 8:12: His Declaration, His Invitation, and His Promise.

Introduction

The Advent and Christmas narratives in the Gospels remind us of a profound truth: God often interrupts lives, revealing to characters like Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth that they are not in control. Similarly, God interrupts our lives, reminding us of our lack of control, a reality that can be both unsettling and humbling.

In times of stress or uncertainty, we often seek control over something—whether it’s cleaning our homes, organizing our schedules, or even going for a late-night drive. Yet, no matter how much control we try to exert, life continues to remind us that ultimate control belongs to God. As Barbara Brown Taylor aptly states in An Altar in the World, “We do not lose control of our lives. What we lose is the illusion that we were ever in control in the first place.”

This Advent season challenges us to reflect on how we respond to life’s interruptions. Do we follow the way of King Herod, clinging to control, or the way of King Jesus, embracing surrender?

Introduction

As December arrives, we feel the familiar cold of winter settling in. The temperature drops, and snowflakes gently begin to fall, marking the start of the season. However, more than the cold, what makes winter unmistakable is the early nightfall. For example, when I go to pick up Ian from daycare at 5 p.m., it's already pitch dark. Grace and I often remark, "Can you believe how dark it is already?"

This daily observation about the darkness outside reminds me of something deeper—how darkness invades not just our physical world but our spiritual and emotional lives as well. We don't just experience the early darkness of winter; we feel the weight of a deeper, more pervasive darkness in our world today. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the visible signs of this darkness: violence, division, injustice, and deceit. But this darkness isn't just something "out there"—it's something that touches all of us personally, in our relationships, our struggles, and even our own hearts.

The Book of Acts is the story of the church - continuing the story of Jesus, through the church. In Acts 19, we see a contrast in the power of Apostle Paul and a small group called The Seven Sons of Sceva. Paul encountered God and was transformed from the inside out. He became someone who God performed extraordinary miracles through. Word was also spreading that in the name of Jesus, there is power; in the name of Jesus, miracles can happen.

Introduction

In our journey through the book of Ephesians, we’ve explored three guiding themes: Sit, Walk, and Stand. These words summarize our spiritual progression:

1. Sit – This reflects our position in Christ. When we place our faith and trust in the gospel, we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). This position grants us significance, status, and stability.

2. Walk – Flowing from our seated position, we are called to walk in the way of Christ. This stands in contrast to the world, which often walks in ways contrary to Christ.

3. Stand – After learning to sit and walk, we are called to stand firm against the powers of darkness and evil at work in the world.

Last week, we emphasized the reality of spiritual warfare. Whether we acknowledge it or not, demonic activities aim to:

• Isolate us from Jesus and others.

• Incite violence among us.

Our role as Christians is to stand firm. We are not tasked with fighting the battle but with standing in our faith while allowing Jesus to fight for us. As Paul writes, we are to stand equipped with the Armor of God, starting with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation.