WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.839 Now I think certainly our society, but Christians generally have a problem with the book of 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:08.359 Judges. 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:16.440 It is so earthly, so puzzling, so primitive, so violent. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:26.320 Judges could be described as despicable people doing deplorable things. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:32.420 That's a summary of the book of Judges, despicable people doing deplorable things. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:41.020 It records a history of murder, assassination and massacres, of immorality, lawlessness and 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:41.820 unfaithfulness. 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:51.079 And one way to deal with embarrassing books of the Bible is simply to ignore it. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:55.539 Just, you know, let's just preach on the Gospels or something like that. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:05.439 But it's difficult to do with Judges because it contains some of the Bible's most recognisable 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:08.939 leaders and most flawed people. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:12.579 Samson, Gideon, Deborah. 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:18.079 I mean, these are the great Sunday school stories. 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:20.099 They revolve around these characters. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:29.179 And so with characters who are so colorful and so flawed and so dramatic, it is easy, I think, 00:01:29.259 --> 00:01:36.280 to miss the actual intention of the book of Judges and just pluck the characters out and 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:38.019 just do a character study instead. 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:40.359 And totally miss the point of Judges. 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:41.359 Judges. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:49.959 This book is revelation from God about God. 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:51.500 That's what it is. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:54.459 And it is pure gospel. 00:01:55.900 --> 00:01:56.939 Pure gospel. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:02:09.520 Judges is about the God of mercy and long-suffering patience who continually works in and through 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:11.259 and for his people. 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:19.479 And what's more, he does it despite the constant resistance of God's people against his purposes. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:30.259 God relentlessly offers his grace to people who neither deserve it nor seek it and don't even 00:02:30.259 --> 00:02:33.159 appreciate it when they're being saved by it. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:41.479 List all the heroes you like in the book of Judges, but there is only one. 00:02:42.519 --> 00:02:43.919 And that's God himself. 00:02:44.899 --> 00:02:47.519 He is the only hero in this book. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:57.480 It is God who consistently rescues Israel from the stupidity of their decisions and the mess 00:02:57.480 --> 00:02:59.200 that they have created for themselves. 00:03:01.640 --> 00:03:09.540 The 12 human judges who we'll start to look at next week, or the saviors in this book, point 00:03:09.540 --> 00:03:12.600 us to the great saviour. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:21.240 Through all of their flaws and their strengths, we see our need for our saviour. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:27.280 And so we need to read this book with a great deal of humility. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:36.340 So the first thing we need to do is fit judges in the Bible. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:37.500 Where does it fit? 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:42.560 Where does it fit in God's unfolding plan of salvation? 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:46.400 God has rescued his people from Egypt. 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:50.819 He's promised them that he's taking them to the promised land. 00:03:50.819 --> 00:04:00.620 And the very first verse of this book and the last verse puts it within its historical setting. 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:12.520 It covers the period from the death of Joshua and the end of the exodus from Egypt period 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:20.819 to, at the end of the book, the very last phrase says, very last sentence, 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:30.719 is that in those days there was no king in Israel and everyone did as they saw fit in their own eyes. 00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:42.379 And so it's the period between the leadership of Moses and Joshua to David and Solomon. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:50.339 It's a period of something like 200 to 400 years. 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:59.060 And the question at the very first verse of Judges really is asking the question, 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:00.319 well, who's going to lead us now? 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:02.939 Who's our leader now? 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:03.980 Joshua's dead. 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:04.899 Anyone? 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:05.639 Anyone? 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:08.519 Anyone want to lead? 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:08.579 Anyone? 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:13.379 Anyone? 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:27.240 What we are introduced to in the verses of Judges section by section is 12 judges, 12 rulers. 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:31.800 They are not leaders per se, but rescuers. 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:34.219 They are redeemers and saviors. 00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:45.280 They're the people that God raises up to pull his people once again out of oppression and slavery because of their disobedience. 00:05:46.320 --> 00:05:54.420 And as we look into the very first verses, there is one vital lesson that we learn. 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:59.400 In all of those verses I just read, there is one vital lesson. 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:01.340 One main point. 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:12.179 It's not so much a list of Palestinian places that aren't on the tourist route nowadays. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:15.419 There's much more to it than that. 00:06:15.859 --> 00:06:26.199 And to understand this lesson that we've just read out, we need to effectively look over our shoulders to understand what Judges 1 is all about. 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:28.259 We're going to look back. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:34.699 Which is what, in fact, the very first verse of Judges does for us. 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:37.459 It encourages us to look back. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:39.800 It says, after the death of Joshua. 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:45.519 Joshua was one of only two men. 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:48.159 One of only two men. 00:06:48.159 --> 00:06:48.180 Two men. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:07:02.279 In the whole generation that had been rescued from Egypt who had remained faithful in trusting God's promises to bring his people from Egypt into the promised land. 00:07:03.299 --> 00:07:04.159 Two men. 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:04.759 That's it. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:18.839 And the book of Joshua, one book before Judges, charts God's work in and through his people to keep his promises to them, to take them to the promised land. 00:07:18.839 --> 00:07:27.299 To bring them into the land, to defeat their enemies and to begin to give them blessing and rest in their new home. 00:07:28.479 --> 00:07:37.599 It teaches us that because God always keeps his promises, God's people can bravely obey him and worship him. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:41.200 And this is the book. 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:44.600 Joshua is the book that provides the background for the book of Judges. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:49.720 In fact, it is the book that provides the yardstick, if you like. 00:07:49.820 --> 00:08:00.600 The measuring tool by which we measure the progress and the success of the taking of the promised land in the book of Judges. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:11.360 So let's, you've got your Bibles in front of you, but let's turn back to the beginning of Joshua to see what God called his people to do. 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:19.540 What is his specific mission for his people having rescued them out of slavery in Egypt? 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:30.320 So Joshua, this is God speaking to Joshua as he takes up the reins as the leader of God's people after the death of Moses. 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:36.600 So Joshua chapter 1, verse 5 to start with, 00:08:37.800 --> 00:08:41.500 As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:46.139 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:54.340 Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:58.040 Be strong, very courageous. 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:04.919 Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you. 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:11.179 Do not turn from it to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go. 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:17.679 Keep this book of the law always on your lips. 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:24.639 Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:30.340 Then you will be prosperous and successful. 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.720 Have I not commanded you? 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:35.720 Be strong and courageous. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:37.840 Do not be afraid. 00:09:38.319 --> 00:09:39.679 Do not be discouraged. 00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:43.519 For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:10:02.340 So in verses 7 and 8, God reminds Israel that their military advances into the promised land will be accompanied by a close and humble and obedient walk with God. 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:20.139 Victory and rest in the promised land will come because they are dependent and obedient people of faith in the promises of God. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:25.559 They will not achieve victory and rest for themselves. 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:31.840 And so the book of Joshua records the beginning of the campaign to take the promised land. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:39.220 And the purpose for driving out the Canaanites to conquer the promised land, it was not vengeance. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:45.860 It was not economic gain, but it was spiritual. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:50.960 It wasn't vengeance. 00:10:53.420 --> 00:10:57.560 It wasn't for economic gain, which is why they were not to take any plunder. 00:10:58.660 --> 00:11:01.560 They weren't to have any slaves. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:03.060 They weren't to enslave the people. 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:14.019 They are to be removed so that Israel didn't fall under the influence of their gods. 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:21.699 By the time we get to the end of Joshua's life, there is still so much more to be done. 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:23.659 You can see that at the end of the book of Joshua. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:26.159 Much of the land still needs to be settled. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:38.679 And God's call on his people, both then and now, is to combine a trust in his promises with courage, with bravery, with risk. 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:49.240 True Christian discipleship is risk-taking and it is radical because true disciples rely on God to keep his promises to bless them 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:54.500 and not on their own instincts, not on their own plans, not on their own insurance policies. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:12:03.559 And so with the mission and the purpose of God clear for his people, 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:12.059 we are now ready to launch into Judges chapter 1 and see how they go at trusting in the promises of God 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:16.299 to be with them and to give them victory and rest. 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:21.379 And we arrive at verse 3 and Judas failed already. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:26.200 Who's to go up first? 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.039 Judah. 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:30.820 What did Judah do? 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.059 Turn to the Simeonites. 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:35.700 Hey guys, you guys want to come with us? 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:39.620 It would be a whole lot easier taking the land if we did it together. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.379 Now that makes sense from a military perspective. 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:51.580 But they didn't trust God for the victory. 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:58.700 And yet despite this, verse 4, God graciously grants them victory in spite of their disobedience. 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:07.460 Judah continues to take its inheritance in verses 8 to 11 and then again in verses 17 to 18. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:15.220 And in between those victories, there's this little story in verses 12 to 16, 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.000 which we get a glimpse. 00:13:18.400 --> 00:13:25.240 In amongst all of this, there is a glimpse of one faithful, obedient family. 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:27.420 Caleb's family. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.639 Surprise, surprise. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:37.679 And what they do here is they demonstrate the covenant faithfulness and courageous obedience to God 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:40.659 that all Israel should have. 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:46.840 Caleb, Othniel, who will be introduced to soon, and in particular Aksar, 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:51.159 reveal wholehearted discipleship. 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:58.519 They believe in the promises of God and keep grasping for more. 00:14:00.079 --> 00:14:02.299 And they are a rebuke. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:04.459 This woman here is a rebuke. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:07.919 Caleb's daughter is a rebuke to all of Israel. 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:12.500 Now if the chapter ended in verse 18, 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:17.299 you would kind of go, it's mostly encouraging, kind of. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:22.259 You know, until you get to verse 19. 00:14:24.099 --> 00:14:25.639 The Lord was with the men of Judah, 00:14:26.479 --> 00:14:30.699 but they were unable to drive the people from the plains 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:33.979 because they had chariots fitted with iron. 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:39.319 Now if you did not know what God had said to his people through Joshua, 00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:40.279 the book of Joshua, 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:47.659 there would be plausible reasons why the Israelites didn't succeed in their military campaign. 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:52.199 We don't have chariots. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.059 They've got chariots. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:56.259 We've got guns. 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.639 They've got tanks. 00:14:58.339 --> 00:14:59.480 There's a reason for this. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:06.720 So why not just be sensible about it? 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:13.080 Why not just be sensible about this and compromise and negotiate a treaty? 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:19.460 It was half-hearted obedience. 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:23.159 And unfortunately, it was contagious. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:27.600 When you read through the rest of chapter 1, 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:33.319 it kind of reads like a collection of press releases from Israel 00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:36.120 with their advancement, 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:38.860 each tribe's advancement into the land, 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:43.000 and their own spin on how they're going with it. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:48.579 Benjamin fails to dislodge the Jebusites in verse 21. 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:57.860 The tribe of Judah makes a covenant with a Canaanite in verses 22 to 26. 00:15:57.960 --> 00:16:02.440 Can you see the failures when you read Joshua and what they've done here? 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.780 Manasseh fails to drive out various inhabitants, 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:13.379 but they become strong enough eventually to exploit them as forced labor. 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:16.040 In verses 27 and 28, 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:20.719 Ephraim allows Canaanites to live among them in verse 29. 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:23.699 Zebulun opts for forced labor in verse 30. 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:27.980 Asher doesn't simply allow the Canaanites to live amongst them. 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:32.240 They choose to live amongst the Canaanites in verses 31 and 32, 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:35.779 as does Naphtali in verse 33. 00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:40.639 Dan advances nowhere. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:46.399 It says they become confined to the hill country in verse 34. 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.559 And the slap in the face here, 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:51.340 it says in verses 35 and 36, 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:56.419 that the Amorites have got more tenacity, 00:16:57.100 --> 00:17:00.240 more bravery than God's own people. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:12.259 Chapter 1 gives us the facts. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.539 But at the beginning of chapter 2, 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:20.559 what happens is we get heaven's explanation. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:23.799 It starts with, 00:17:23.919 --> 00:17:27.659 the angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochum and said, 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:32.339 that's a really significant point. 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.619 It's easy to miss. 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:36.859 This is not just another destination issue. 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:39.480 Not just another Palestinian village. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.339 Angel happened to be there and thought, 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:42.099 oh, I better go over there. 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:46.199 In Joshua chapter 5, 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:52.819 it was at Gilgal that Israel made a covenant with God. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:18:00.199 We will remain obedient to you and we will exclude all others. 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:04.459 This was the place where God had forgiven their sin. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:06.839 He had bound them to himself as his people 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:10.000 and entered into relationship with them by grace. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.940 He had motivated, 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:12.960 sorry, 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:19.440 that covenant was motivated only by his own loving kindness towards his people. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:28.299 And so God's assessment of his people's performance in verse 2 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:31.259 is in fact devastating. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:36.539 You have disobeyed me. 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:43.359 Now Israel disobeyed God through what they had done. 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:49.299 They in fact made a covenant with the people of Canaan despite being told not to. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:53.000 They enforced labor when they're told not to. 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:56.839 They cohabited in Canaan when they were told not to. 00:18:56.839 --> 00:19:05.459 But Israel also disobeyed God through what they had failed to do. 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:11.480 They failed to break down the altars of their gods. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:22.539 The purpose of this campaign was to cleanse Canaan of its idols to get rid of every idol god. 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:29.120 Because there is only one god worthy of worship and total allegiance. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:38.479 And the fact that Israel didn't clear out the idols means that they hadn't rejected God as their god. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:44.699 But they hadn't fully surrendered to him as their god. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:49.019 They hadn't rejected him yet. 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:54.460 But they hadn't accepted him either. 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.539 They hadn't surrendered to him. 00:19:57.839 --> 00:20:02.420 One of the big points that we see right through the book of Judges 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:08.839 is that this god wants lordship over every area of life. 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:19.740 Either all of life is given to God in grateful, loving, obedience, or none is. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:22.240 He doesn't pick and choose. 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.659 We don't pick and choose. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:26.199 It's either everything or it's nothing. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:41.160 In verse 19 of chapter 1, we read that it says there, 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:48.880 the Israelites were unable to drive out the people from the plains because of the iron chariots. 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.720 That's their take. 00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:54.620 That's their take on this issue. 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:56.459 We couldn't do it. 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:59.299 We just could not do it. 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:09.500 God's assessment in chapter 2, verse 2, is not that you could not do it, but that you would not do it. 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:12.799 You chose disobedience. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:22.539 It's always really, really helpful for us to ask ourselves the question, 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:28.759 where in my life am I saying, I can't do it, God? 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:36.159 But God is saying to us, actually, you won't do it. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:39.940 It's true to say you won't do it. 00:21:40.040 --> 00:21:40.980 It's not that you can't do it. 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:43.060 It's that you won't do it. 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:49.860 Israel thought they had good reasons not to obey, but God called them flimsy excuses. 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:53.460 And God's assessment of Israel is based on his promises. 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:55.420 So here's one promise. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:59.620 Here's one promise from 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:02.100 God is faithful. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:07.200 He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.180 How about that promise? 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:17.820 God will never put us into a position where we cannot obey him. 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:24.779 He will never, ever, ever put us in a position where we cannot obey him. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:33.200 There is never, ever an I can't moment in our lives. 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:34.920 Ever. 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:42.560 And this is a very searching and threatening passage to apply to our lives. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:51.539 Because there may be all sorts of things in our lives that we think that we are unable to do, 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:55.100 but which we actually are refusing to do. 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.640 We're refusing to do it. 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:02.120 So here's just a couple. 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:05.539 Ever said, 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:09.959 I just cannot forgive this or that. 00:23:10.479 --> 00:23:12.239 I just cannot forgive him or her. 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:19.319 But God commands forgiveness in Matthew 18, 35. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:25.960 Which means we, in fact, we can, in fact, determine to put aside anger, 00:23:26.179 --> 00:23:29.039 to soften our hearts with the knowledge of the gospel of grace 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:32.159 and act as though the wrong had never happened. 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:38.980 When we don't forgive, we choose not to forgive. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.960 It's not that we can't. 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:43.299 It's that we won't. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:48.619 When we say we can't, we mean we won't. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:51.119 We want to hang on to our anger. 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:54.419 We want to hang on to our bitterness and our desire to get even. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.879 All under the excuse of, 00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:00.759 oh, you just don't understand how bad I've been treated. 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.839 What about this one? 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.700 Ever said, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:11.640 I can't tell them the truth. 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.620 It would just destroy them. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:20.319 God tells us in Ephesians 4, 15 and Ephesians 4, 25 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:23.019 to speak the truth in love. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.819 And more often than not, 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:29.640 it is because of our cowardice or our pride 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:31.160 that we say, 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.420 I can't. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:35.920 It's our cowardice or our pride where we say, 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.440 I can't. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:40.660 What we really mean is that if I were to tell them the truth, 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:42.559 then they just might not like me anymore. 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.380 What about this one? 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:50.600 Ever said, 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:54.039 I just cannot give 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:58.600 a minimum of a tenth of my income to Christian ministry. 00:24:59.140 --> 00:24:59.920 I just can't do that. 00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.900 You don't understand my situation. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.660 I just can't do that. 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.940 And yet God commands it. 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:08.320 He says, in fact, 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:10.400 that we rob him when we don't. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:14.320 God is the one who's made clear promises 00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:20.019 to give us everything we need. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:25.480 He cares for us more than the sparrows. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:32.220 When we say we can't, 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.539 we mean I won't 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:38.160 because I don't trust that he will. 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.700 What about this one? 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:48.279 I can't resist doing this thing 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.860 even though I know it's wrong. 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:54.279 I think we need to understand, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:56.339 we're going to see it very soon here in a moment 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:57.679 in this text, 00:25:57.819 --> 00:26:00.059 that sin has addictive power 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.639 over our lives. 00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:03.199 It is true 00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:05.519 that we may not be able to resist 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.199 the temptation 00:26:06.199 --> 00:26:08.679 through our own sheer willpower, 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:11.960 but then again, 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:14.560 Israel was not meant to take the promised land 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:16.299 under their own sheer willpower. 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:20.240 We can, however, get help. 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.400 We can admit our problem. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.580 We can humble ourselves. 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:24.240 We can cry out to God for mercy 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:27.240 and we can seek transformation through him 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.740 and become accountable to others. 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:31.220 1 Corinthians 10 tells me 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:35.099 that God always provides a way out. 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:39.500 No sin is inevitable. 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:42.420 No sin is irresistible. 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:46.800 And if we don't resist, 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:51.220 it's likely we would simply rather keep on sinning 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:54.740 and excusing it with a, 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.500 I can't. 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.940 When what God says here, 00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:03.700 it's actually, I won't. 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.060 I refuse. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:12.159 Now, already 00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:14.879 in this book, 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:18.119 we are introduced to one of the major tensions, 00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:21.079 one of the major tensions 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:22.759 of the book of Judges, 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:24.319 which goes right through. 00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:26.819 God is holy. 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.179 God is just. 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.259 He cannot tolerate 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.539 or live with 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.279 or bless 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.700 evil sin 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.819 in any way whatsoever. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:37.679 And God is also loving 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:39.000 and he is faithful 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.419 and he cannot tolerate 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.859 the loss of people 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:43.819 he has committed himself to. 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.839 So what does he do? 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.500 What does he do 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.779 with these sinful people 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:52.099 that he cannot tolerate 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.200 but he's committed to? 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:55.879 And this is a tremendous 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:58.179 and almost seemingly 00:27:58.179 --> 00:28:00.359 irresolvable tension 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.759 in the book of Judges. 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:04.799 Will God finally give up? 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.599 on his people. 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.119 Right? 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.079 I've had enough. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.579 Covenant reversal. 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.339 Rip it up. 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.319 Done with you. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.839 Or will he finally give in 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.419 to his people? 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.139 Oh, whatever. 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.639 You know, 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.639 kid nags you. 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:17.460 No, no, no, no, no. 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.960 Oh, whatever. 00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:18.419 Yes. 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.960 Is God just going to do that? 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:24.779 And the tension here 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:26.759 is only resolved 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:28.439 outside of the book of Judges 00:28:28.439 --> 00:28:29.319 centuries later. 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:32.339 God takes decisive action 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:34.419 to resolve it in himself. 00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.740 He takes the tension, 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:37.559 resolves it in himself 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:39.220 with the crucifixion 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.899 of his son, 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.779 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.740 Our sin was credited to Jesus. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:47.200 Jesus takes our sin 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:49.059 so that his righteous life 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.919 might be credited to us. 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:54.060 God's anger was poured out 00:28:54.060 --> 00:28:54.660 on Jesus. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:55.920 Jesus satisfies 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:57.960 both justice 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.440 because sin was punished 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.980 and loving faithfulness 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:02.160 since God is now able 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.759 to live 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:04.080 and accept us 00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:05.700 on the merits 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.720 of the Lord Jesus 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.519 alone. 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:10.700 And so the cross of Christ 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.579 is the only way 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:14.319 the tension of Judges 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.259 can possibly be resolved. 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:18.639 Without the good news 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.720 of Jesus Christ, 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:21.420 we will always 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:23.200 either be complacent 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.119 with our sin 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.779 and take his mercy 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.440 for granted 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:28.819 or we will live 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.839 under the burden 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.740 of guilt, 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.940 shame and fear 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:35.039 because we don't know 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:36.440 that his mercy covers it. 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.879 We will go 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.539 on one of those 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.359 two directions. 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.859 Either liberalism 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.539 and license 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:43.879 and go, 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.980 well, God's in the business 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.559 of forgiveness. 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.680 That's his job 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.759 so keep on sitting 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:49.619 and give him a job to do. 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:53.339 Or burden of guilt 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:55.139 that God could not possibly 00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:56.139 ever forgive 00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:57.200 a sinner like me. 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.879 With the good news 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.480 of the gospel, 00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:03.539 we are able to live 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.119 forgiven, 00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:06.000 obedient lives 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.379 despite also living 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:07.960 sinful, 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:09.280 disobedient lives. 00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:10.840 You see, 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.740 the cross is where 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.840 we find the freedom 00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:14.200 to accept ourselves 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.300 without being proud 00:30:15.300 --> 00:30:18.660 and to challenge ourselves 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.760 without being crushed. 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.760 God resolves the tension 00:30:23.760 --> 00:30:24.520 in the death 00:30:24.520 --> 00:30:25.040 and resurrection 00:30:25.040 --> 00:30:25.800 of Jesus 00:30:25.800 --> 00:30:27.760 and it is the power 00:30:27.760 --> 00:30:29.180 and the motivation 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.400 to fully commit 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:32.640 ourselves to God. 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:32.700 God. 00:30:34.280 --> 00:30:35.120 You see, 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.940 Israel's failure 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.580 to obey, 00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:38.460 our failure 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.200 to obey 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:40.759 is a failure 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.820 to remember. 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.320 Our God 00:30:44.320 --> 00:30:45.440 is the God 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:46.660 who rescues. 00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.940 He's the one 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:51.060 who brought them 00:30:51.060 --> 00:30:52.540 out of slavery, 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:54.600 out of Egypt. 00:30:55.060 --> 00:30:56.420 He is the God 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.980 who remains faithful 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.580 to them 00:30:58.580 --> 00:30:59.280 right through 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.839 the wilderness 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:02.819 and he said, 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.859 I will never 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.899 break my covenant 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.539 with you. 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:10.220 And so the core issue 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:12.639 of our won't, 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:14.700 of our disobedience 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.619 is essentially 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.319 a failure 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:17.000 to remember 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:18.259 who he is 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:20.519 and who he has 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.559 made us 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.139 to be 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.839 in him. 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:26.359 And the reverse 00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:27.299 is also true. 00:31:28.659 --> 00:31:29.839 As long as we 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.299 remember 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.199 who he is 00:31:31.199 --> 00:31:31.720 and what he's 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.399 done for us 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.279 in the Lord Jesus, 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:35.959 as much as that 00:31:35.959 --> 00:31:37.000 becomes the defining 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.740 vision of our lives, 00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:40.759 we will serve him 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.119 wholeheartedly, 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:42.959 radically 00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:43.779 and joyfully. 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.480 And Israel 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.659 failed to do this 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:51.559 and the consequences 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.399 were clear 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.000 and they were 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.720 catastrophic. 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.840 The idols 00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:56.900 of Canaan 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:58.340 would ensnare 00:31:58.340 --> 00:31:58.620 them. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.580 Have a look 00:31:59.580 --> 00:32:00.780 in chapter 2, 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:02.200 Judges 2 verse 3. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.300 This is God's 00:32:04.300 --> 00:32:04.840 pronouncement 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.440 on his people. 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.960 I will not 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.860 drive them 00:32:07.860 --> 00:32:09.180 out before you. 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:12.220 They will 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.300 become traps 00:32:13.300 --> 00:32:13.980 for you 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.800 and their gods 00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.519 will become 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.880 snares to you. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.660 Oh, 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:23.720 what a tragedy. 00:32:24.600 --> 00:32:25.300 I have 00:32:25.300 --> 00:32:26.680 rescued you 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.940 from slavery 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:30.120 and now 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.640 you have 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.240 chosen 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.980 slavery. 00:32:36.040 --> 00:32:37.220 It's a great 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:38.120 description here 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.100 of what idolatry 00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:39.740 is and what 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.740 idolatry does. 00:32:41.620 --> 00:32:42.160 Idolatry, 00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:42.840 according to the 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.100 Bible, 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.980 is taking a good 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:45.100 aspect of creation. 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.220 It could be 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.580 marriage, 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.759 days on the beach, 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.160 business, 00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:48.720 family, 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.240 money, 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.200 and turning 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:50.620 it into 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.259 the ultimate 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.980 source of 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.759 our security, 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.519 our comfort, 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.319 our identity, 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.160 our power. 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.799 And these 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.420 idols 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.819 are what 00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.380 are called 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:01.279 thorns. 00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:03.180 When you 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.980 make something 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:05.160 good into 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.160 the ultimate, 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.559 it will 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.819 make you 00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:11.759 miserable. 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:19.960 it will 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.460 make you 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:20.859 miserable. 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.759 I've got a 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.460 splinter at the 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.019 moment in the 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.519 bottom of my 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:25.200 foot and I've 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.740 been trying to 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.379 get it out for 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:26.859 some time, 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.279 which is very 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.980 difficult to do 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.359 when it's at the 00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:28.660 bottom of your 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:29.440 foot and you 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.099 can't quite get 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.440 there. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.259 And I really 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:32.779 don't want anyone 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.180 else to play 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:33.480 with it. 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.359 That's what a 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.579 thorn does and 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:40.480 every moment I 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:40.860 know it's 00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:42.440 there and 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.180 it makes life 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:43.620 miserable. 00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.759 If our 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.559 children are 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.360 our idols, 00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:48.480 when their 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.079 lives are 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.440 troubled, 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.480 we lose our 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.880 joy. 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.220 And even 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.319 when their 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.160 lives might 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.120 become troubled, 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.140 which in fact is 00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:56.860 all the time, 00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:58.920 we will worry 00:33:58.920 --> 00:33:59.880 and we will 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.660 lose our 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.120 joy. 00:34:02.360 --> 00:34:03.140 Idols are 00:34:03.140 --> 00:34:03.680 snares, 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.420 they trap us, 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.420 they blind us, 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.519 they enslave us, 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:07.460 and it gets to the 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.119 point where we 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.320 just have to have 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.460 it. 00:34:09.620 --> 00:34:10.420 We cannot say 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.140 no to it, 00:34:11.200 --> 00:34:11.880 become addicted 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.380 to it. 00:34:12.700 --> 00:34:13.440 And this is why 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.480 so many people 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.880 work so hard 00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:16.500 and they 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.620 sacrifice their 00:34:17.620 --> 00:34:18.160 family, 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.160 their friendships, 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:20.100 their health at 00:34:20.100 --> 00:34:20.860 the altar of a 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.980 career or give 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.640 themselves to 00:34:22.640 --> 00:34:23.500 certain relationships 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.160 that are so 00:34:24.160 --> 00:34:24.700 destructive. 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.820 Because a good 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.519 thing has become 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.039 the ultimate. 00:34:32.140 --> 00:34:33.019 The more we 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:34.059 pursue half-hearted 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:35.160 discipleship, the 00:34:35.160 --> 00:34:36.840 more ensnared we 00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:38.080 become, the more 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:39.259 miserable we 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:41.239 become, the more 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:42.619 unstable we 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.079 become. 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.659 That's what I 00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.199 think it means 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:45.019 when James says 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.599 a double-minded 00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:46.599 person is 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.739 unstable in all 00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:48.299 that they do. 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.719 They've got a 00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:49.239 foot in both 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:49.699 camps. 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.960 Verses 4 and 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:56.519 5 I think is 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:56.880 helpful. 00:34:57.779 --> 00:34:58.539 We see less of 00:34:58.539 --> 00:35:00.219 it as judges 00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:01.199 progress, but the 00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:01.860 people hear the 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:02.739 word of God and 00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:04.519 they weep, they 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:06.279 weep and they 00:35:06.279 --> 00:35:07.400 offer sacrifices. 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.019 There's a picture 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:09.760 here of genuine 00:35:09.760 --> 00:35:10.539 repentance. 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:12.960 Tragically, 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.440 repentance 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.980 decreases as the 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:17.079 storyline progresses. 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.400 Heed that as a 00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.220 warning, friends. 00:35:19.760 --> 00:35:20.539 As the storyline 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.380 progresses, 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.599 repentance 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.360 decreases. 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:27.660 Our response to 00:35:27.660 --> 00:35:28.500 God's accusing 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.660 word here should be 00:35:29.660 --> 00:35:30.780 more than wet 00:35:30.780 --> 00:35:31.360 eyes. 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:33.800 It is good to 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:35.039 remove to tears, 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.460 but it is much 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:37.079 better to be 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:38.720 moved to 00:35:38.720 --> 00:35:39.240 repentance. 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:41.920 Judges shows us 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.700 that spiritual 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.840 decline is 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:45.440 inevitable for 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:47.360 everyone and 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.400 spiritual renewal 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:49.240 then becomes the 00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:51.039 continual need for 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:51.660 everyone. 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.180 Decline is 00:35:53.180 --> 00:35:54.579 inevitable, renewal 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:56.440 is a continual need. 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:57.579 God wants to 00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:58.820 produce in us 00:35:58.820 --> 00:35:59.940 good grief. 00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:01.800 Good grief. 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:04.240 Joel 2 00:36:04.240 --> 00:36:04.940 verses 12 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.580 to 13, 00:36:05.700 --> 00:36:06.420 return to me 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:06.960 with all of 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.620 your heart, 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:09.519 with fasting 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.980 and weeping 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.100 and mourning 00:36:12.100 --> 00:36:13.660 and tear open 00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:14.519 your heart, 00:36:15.100 --> 00:36:16.400 not your 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:16.780 garments. 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:22.360 can I 00:36:22.360 --> 00:36:22.880 plead with 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:23.380 you to tear 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.980 open your 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.180 heart in 00:36:25.180 --> 00:36:25.620 the coming 00:36:25.620 --> 00:36:26.519 weeks as we 00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.420 study judges, 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:29.040 repent of 00:36:29.040 --> 00:36:29.820 half-hearted 00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:30.780 discipleship. 00:36:31.640 --> 00:36:31.840 To be 00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:32.460 disciple of 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:33.100 Jesus means 00:36:33.100 --> 00:36:33.600 we are under 00:36:33.600 --> 00:36:34.380 his discipline. 00:36:34.720 --> 00:36:35.200 Search your 00:36:35.200 --> 00:36:35.880 heart and ask 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.340 whether he's 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:36.840 committed to 00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:37.600 following God 00:36:37.600 --> 00:36:38.580 rather than 00:36:38.580 --> 00:36:39.140 the idols of 00:36:39.140 --> 00:36:39.780 our society 00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:40.140 and our 00:36:40.140 --> 00:36:40.480 neighbours. 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.120 Are there 00:36:43.120 --> 00:36:44.040 any sins that 00:36:44.040 --> 00:36:44.519 you're particularly 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.380 struggling with at 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:45.920 the moment? 00:36:46.780 --> 00:36:47.320 How are you 00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:47.900 going at the 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.120 moment, 00:36:48.200 --> 00:36:49.040 avoiding sexual 00:36:49.040 --> 00:36:49.620 immorality? 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:50.840 What about 00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.280 gossip, 00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:51.940 slander, 00:36:52.160 --> 00:36:52.680 incessant 00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:53.300 criticism? 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.320 Are your 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:56.200 words building 00:36:56.200 --> 00:36:56.560 up? 00:36:56.600 --> 00:36:56.820 Are they 00:36:56.820 --> 00:36:57.700 tearing down? 00:36:58.220 --> 00:36:58.640 Are you 00:36:58.640 --> 00:36:59.120 acknowledging 00:36:59.120 --> 00:36:59.700 error, 00:37:00.060 --> 00:37:00.380 seeking 00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:01.080 reconciliation? 00:37:01.760 --> 00:37:02.160 Are you 00:37:02.160 --> 00:37:02.740 confessing 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:03.140 sin? 00:37:03.240 --> 00:37:03.519 Are you 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.240 seeing sin 00:37:04.240 --> 00:37:04.680 in others 00:37:04.680 --> 00:37:05.240 more readily 00:37:05.240 --> 00:37:06.200 than you see 00:37:06.200 --> 00:37:06.480 it in 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.019 yourself? 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:07.620 Do you 00:37:07.620 --> 00:37:08.340 get angry 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.380 or depressed 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:09.920 when someone 00:37:09.920 --> 00:37:10.560 points out a 00:37:10.560 --> 00:37:11.340 flaw to you? 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:12.840 Has your 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:13.440 commitment to 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:13.920 church, 00:37:14.180 --> 00:37:15.120 to your 00:37:15.120 --> 00:37:15.900 church family 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:16.619 wavered so 00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:17.079 now it's 00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:17.500 three out 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:17.860 of four 00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:18.280 or two 00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:18.599 out of 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:18.800 four 00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:19.119 or one 00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:19.420 out of 00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:19.760 four? 00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:24.300 Have you 00:37:24.300 --> 00:37:25.119 just decided 00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:27.380 for the 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.019 first time 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.720 in a while 00:37:28.720 --> 00:37:30.200 just not to 00:37:30.200 --> 00:37:30.860 join up to a 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.519 community group 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.099 this time? 00:37:35.180 --> 00:37:35.740 What's your 00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:36.680 prayer life like 00:37:36.680 --> 00:37:37.300 right now? 00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:39.700 What have you 00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:40.240 been mostly 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:41.200 praying for? 00:37:41.199 --> 00:37:44.239 God help me 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:44.819 do this. 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.219 God provide 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:46.779 for that. 00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:47.639 Do you 00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:47.859 have a 00:37:47.859 --> 00:37:48.699 global picture 00:37:48.699 --> 00:37:49.939 in God's 00:37:49.939 --> 00:37:50.539 glory, 00:37:51.399 --> 00:37:52.000 surrendering, 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:52.659 confession? 00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:53.899 What has God 00:37:53.899 --> 00:37:54.439 been teaching 00:37:54.439 --> 00:37:54.839 you through 00:37:54.839 --> 00:37:55.379 his word 00:37:55.379 --> 00:37:55.659 lately? 00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:56.259 Have you 00:37:56.259 --> 00:37:57.199 felt your 00:37:57.199 --> 00:37:58.579 passion stirred 00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:59.679 in personal 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:00.359 or corporate 00:38:00.359 --> 00:38:01.239 worship lately? 00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:03.039 Or is it 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:04.179 just criticism? 00:38:04.179 --> 00:38:04.319 criticism? 00:38:04.320 --> 00:38:11.760 I don't 00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:12.220 give a rip 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:12.480 whether you 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:12.780 can sing 00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:13.300 the songs. 00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:15.240 Are you 00:38:15.240 --> 00:38:15.700 trying? 00:38:23.620 --> 00:38:24.140 Have you 00:38:24.140 --> 00:38:24.620 been able to 00:38:24.620 --> 00:38:25.500 control spending 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.580 and your 00:38:26.580 --> 00:38:27.260 saving habits? 00:38:27.260 --> 00:38:27.720 Have you been 00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.240 able to control 00:38:28.240 --> 00:38:28.600 both your 00:38:28.600 --> 00:38:29.180 spending habits 00:38:29.180 --> 00:38:29.620 and your 00:38:29.620 --> 00:38:30.260 saving habits 00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:32.820 so that you 00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:33.340 become more 00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:33.740 generous? 00:38:33.739 --> 00:38:34.559 are there 00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:35.159 areas of 00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:35.659 your life 00:38:35.659 --> 00:38:36.079 where you 00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:36.779 have made 00:38:36.779 --> 00:38:38.119 big decisions 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:39.500 but haven't 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:40.539 consulted God 00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:41.000 or mature 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.659 Christians for 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.119 wisdom and 00:38:42.119 --> 00:38:42.699 God's will? 00:38:43.659 --> 00:38:44.039 Are you 00:38:44.039 --> 00:38:44.759 making decisions 00:38:44.759 --> 00:38:46.239 for relationship 00:38:46.239 --> 00:38:46.939 with Jesus 00:38:46.939 --> 00:38:47.939 or making 00:38:47.939 --> 00:38:49.199 decisions against 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:50.799 relationship with 00:38:50.799 --> 00:38:51.179 Jesus? 00:38:52.659 --> 00:38:54.500 Maybe you 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:55.439 haven't rejected 00:38:55.439 --> 00:38:58.000 him but you 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.779 haven't fully 00:38:58.779 --> 00:38:59.739 surrendered to 00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:00.619 him either. 00:39:01.659 --> 00:39:02.399 Tear open 00:39:02.399 --> 00:39:03.219 your hearts 00:39:03.219 --> 00:39:03.899 to God 00:39:03.899 --> 00:39:05.259 with weeping 00:39:05.259 --> 00:39:05.919 and mourning 00:39:05.919 --> 00:39:06.739 and repentance. 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:06.979 our sins. 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.359 Thank you. 00:39:11.399 --> 00:39:11.639 Missing 00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:11.979 and 00:39:11.979 --> 00:39:12.639 glory 00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:13.079 and 00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:13.859 going 00:39:13.859 --> 00:39:14.239 to be 00:39:14.239 --> 00:39:14.959 to be 00:39:14.959 --> 00:39:15.579 ourselves 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:16.599 unknown AH 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:16.819 here. 00:39:17.159 --> 00:39:17.579 If 00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.000 you're 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:18.619 figuring out 00:39:18.619 --> 00:39:19.599 everything