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.

Introduction

The Apostle Paul reminds us to be aware of the schemes of the evil one. The devil has tactics designed to separate us from Jesus, create divisions among us, or incite us to harm each other. Paul explains that God has provided us with spiritual armor to help us stand firm against these evil plans. When Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he was imprisoned in Rome. Surrounded by Roman guards, he likely used them as a metaphor for the spiritual armor needed in the battle against powers and principalities.

However, Paul wasn’t merely inspired by Roman soldiers. He also had in mind "God the Warrior" as depicted in Isaiah 59:17:
“He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.”

Paul wants us to understand that the armor we are called to wear is, in fact, God’s own armor. This is why it’s called the “Armor of God.” It isn’t a weapon of aggression; it’s meant to help us stand firm. This armor isn’t for offense or violence; it’s to help us maintain steadfastness in Jesus’s way of life and character against dark forces.

In our daily lives, we face more than we can handle on our own. God knows this, and so He gives us His armor so that we can stand firm amid chaos. Each piece of armor reflects a characteristic of Jesus, and today we will focus on three aspects of this armor: the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Helmet of Salvation.

Introduction

In our journey of spiritual growth, it’s essential to cultivate a right and healthy understanding of our own value as it is revealed in the Word of God. Today’s reading from Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that by grace, through faith, we have been saved. This gift is not by our works but through God’s grace. Verse 10 calls us “His workmanship,” or as translated in some versions, “His masterpiece,” crafted by God Himself with excellence and purpose. We must remember and declare: “I am God’s masterpiece.”

Introduction: The Study of God’s Word as Spiritual Discipline

Before diving into today’s passage on the study of God’s Word as it relates to our spiritual discipline, let’s take a moment to clarify two fundamental terms: discipline and Christianity.

1. Discipline
   The word “discipline” finds its origin in the Latin term “discipulus,” from which we derive the word “disciple.” A disciple is “one who follows another for the purpose of learning.” The Latin word “disciplina” means “instruct, educate, and train.” This foundational concept reminds us that as Christians, we are all His disciples. We gather to worship Him as God, to read Scripture, and to grow in our understanding of who God and Jesus are so that we might reflect Him in our lives. This notion of discipline is deeply intertwined with becoming “Christ-like” in both attitude and action.

   When we speak of Christian Disciplines, we refer to the instructions and training that shape us as disciples of Christ. Christian discipline isn’t merely about personal improvement; it’s a pathway to becoming like Christ, embodying His teachings, and living a life that honors God’s principles and character.

2. Christianity
   Christianity is often categorized as one of the world’s religions, but it can also be understood as a worldview—a framework through which we interpret and respond to life. Charles Colson described it as the “lens” through which we see and evaluate events. This worldview is more than a philosophical stance; it’s a perspective shaped by Biblical values, allowing Christians to discern right from wrong, just from unjust, and moral from immoral based on Scripture.

   For example, early Christian values helped to fuel the abolition of slavery. Christians, not other religions or societal movements, were at the forefront of ending slavery, even when “cultural Christians” supported it. Our worldview, therefore, influences not only personal choices but also has the power to effect social change.

Introduction

I don’t know if any of you are familiar with this book by C.S. Lewis  - it’s a book called Screwtape Letters. It's about a senior devil instructing a junior devil in the art of temptation, and this senior devil named Screwtape writes letters to his nephew the junior devil, named Wormwood, talking about all the specifics schemes and tactics on how they can lead Christians into sin. Now, at the beginning of the book, Lewis gives a kind of an introduction and he explains two errors people have about demons, devils, and spiritual warfare. This is what he says:

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which humans can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They [the devils] themselves are equally pleased by both errors..."

- C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

When we look around in the world, and even within the church, people are all over the spectrum on the issue of demons and devils and spiritual warfare. Some people think demons and devils and spiritual warfare is non-existent and belief in these types of things are for people of an unenlightened mind. But then on other side of the spectrum, we have people with unhealthy interests in them. And we all know that there are people obsessed with demons and dark things… right? (show pic)

So from people who deny the existence of demons and evil spirits, to people who not only believe but are very much invested in them - there's a wide spectrum of people who believe different things about evil spirits and demonic powers.  But for us as followers of Jesus Christ, we must have a clear and solid understanding of the realities of the evil spirits and demonic powers.

Introduction:

As I reflect on this past year, I can’t help but wonder how many of us have felt like we were standing in the middle of a relentless storm, unsure if the rain would ever stop. Some of us may have felt like we’ve been carrying extra burdens, whether it be financial stress, family struggles, health concerns, or personal fears. We all go through tough seasons, and often, during those times, the last thing we feel like doing is giving thanks.

But as Paul reveals in Philippians 4:6-7, gratitude is not just for the good times—it is essential in every situation, and it becomes a vital way to overcome the difficulties we face. Today, I will explore how giving thanks to God, even in the midst of challenges, allows us to experience His peace, a peace that surpasses our circumstances. Gratitude anchors our hearts and minds to God and deepens our spiritual growth, strengthening our relationship with Him and others.