Well, good morning.
It's good to see all of you this morning.
We're beginning a new series,
a series through the book of Judges.
This will take us in June, July, August,
and then a couple of weeks in September.
I would encourage every one of you
to pick up one of these.
This is a study guide,
and there'll be one of these for each month
as we move our way through.
My guess is that most of us are unfamiliar
with the book of Judges,
and there's probably a number of reasons for that.
One is that Judges is kind of a depressing book.
And, you know, it starts well,
but it doesn't take long.
You get into chapter 2,
and then all of a sudden, darkness.
All of a sudden, moral collapse.
All of a sudden, you find a people
who have turned their back on the Lord,
and from that chapter on to the end of the book,
it doesn't get better.
It just gets worse.
So you're like,
Andrew, what are you doing?
What are you thinking?
Going through the book of Judges, of all things.
The reason we're going through the book of Judges
is because of this theme right here.
It's a study of faithfulness and failure.
We come to the book of Judges
not because we want to feel good, necessarily.
We come to the book of Judges
because it's in the process of learning
and discovering who God is
in spite of who we are.
We see his faithfulness.
We see his promise-keeping power.
We see the things that he has promised
hundreds of years before
and that in spite,
in spite of the rebellion
and wickedness and foolishness
and moral depravity
and moral collapse of his people,
God's character stands.
His faithfulness continues
in spite of the people.
And for anyone in this room
who really has an understanding
of who they are
and can appreciate
that in the backdrop of your life
and maybe even in the present day,
there are things that you will not even share
with your best friends.
There are skeletons in the closet.
There are things that you will never bring out
to the forefront
because of maybe you're embarrassed,
maybe you're ashamed.
And the testimony of the book of Judges
is God not only knows,
but God is faithful.
So we come to a book
that highlights the character of God.
We come to a book
where the darkness settles in
and it's almost suffocating
so that we get to the end of this book
and we wonder,
I'm going to have to be very selective
and I'm trying to figure out already,
how in the world
are we going to go through
chapters 17 through 21?
Because there are parts of this book
that are not PG, okay?
They're not the kinds of stories
that you're going to read necessarily
to a mixed audience.
But time and time again,
we're going to see the wonder
of God's faithfulness
in spite of a wicked people.
And because of the backdrop
of this book,
it's not really a book
that we're going to read much.
It's not going to be
like on the top 10 list
of the books
that you're going to memorize
or the kinds of books
that you're going to study.
And that's why it's so important
to engage.
We're going to engage this book.
There are places in this book
and there are people in this book
that you have probably never heard of.
And in order to really appreciate
the profile and the story
of what God's doing
and especially come to the place
of recognizing the wonder
of who God is,
you want to engage.
You want to do that extra work
for yourself
to kind of get in the flow
of this study
and to appreciate it to the max.
And so this is for devotional reading.
This is for your own
personal edification.
For those of you
who are part of a Connect group,
I understand that today's Connect group
was phenomenal.
And so thank you, Chad,
for leading that today.
There are going to be
several young men
who will be doing this
the next 12 weeks.
And I would encourage you
to do the work yourself
but also to be part
of a Connect group
to continue to fill out,
fill out in your own heart and mind
the wonder of God.
God.
We're spotlighting
the faithfulness,
the nature,
the character of God.
He,
he's on display.
And we're going to see him
against the backdrop
of a very dark world
and the darker things get,
the brighter God gets.
That's the testimony
of the book of Judges.
So I would encourage you
to turn with me
if you would.
In the book of Judges,
we're going to,
it's on page 200
if you're using the Pew Bible.
And we're going to kind of
be working between
a couple of different books.
The book of Judges
and the book of Joshua
kind of sets the stage,
the introduction
to what we see in Judges.
We kind of lean to
lay the groundwork
so we can really appreciate
what's taking place here.
We can understand
the depravity
that is taking place
and spotlighting again
the glory,
the wonder
of who God is.
And so in Joshua chapter 24,
we come to these closing words
of Joshua,
kind of the parting words
as it were,
as he's issuing a statement
to his people,
to the nation of Israel
and he wants to call them
to something.
He's learned something
for himself.
He wants the nation
to enjoy the benefits
of what he himself
has experienced.
The nature of God
has settled on his heart
and he wants to commend that
to the nation
so they don't forget it.
They don't miss it.
They don't lose it.
So in Joshua chapter 24
verses 14 and 15,
he says this,
Now therefore fear the Lord
and serve him in sincerity
and in faithfulness.
Put away the gods
that your fathers served
beyond the river
and in Egypt
and serve the Lord.
Choose this day
whom you will serve.
But as for me
and my house,
we will serve the Lord.
Joshua understood
a couple things
about the nature of God.
As he ministered
to the nation,
as he helped to lead them
into the promised land,
this land of conquest,
there were two things
that were front and center
on Joshua's mind.
First, fear the Lord.
What does it mean
to fear the Lord?
Does it mean to cower?
Does it mean to tremble?
Yes, it does.
But it means something more.
It means that you have
such an understanding
of the nature of God
that there is this reverence
in your heart.
There is this understanding
about who God is.
and it begins to shape
your perspective.
It helps to put you
in your place.
It helps you to appreciate
the wonder of his presence
in spite of who you are.
And so Joshua wants this nation
at the very front end
of his departure
and turning it over
to this nation,
fear the Lord.
Know who God is.
And that fear
will turn to service.
Fear the Lord
and serve him.
This is the word
for obedience.
It's the word
for slavery.
It's the word
for bondage.
It's the word
for reverence
that turns into
devotion
and obedience
to him.
So,
to fear the Lord
and serve him.
Orient your heart
towards him.
Devote your life
in obedience
in every way.
And throughout
the book of Judges
this will be the issue.
This will be the ongoing issue
that the nation
will struggle with
all the time.
It's about service.
Service,
worship,
devotion to God.
We see that
right out of the gate
in chapter 2 of Judges
beginning in verse 11.
It says this.
This is kind of
the commentary.
Right out of the gate
of the people
of the nation
it says this.
And the people of Israel
did what was evil
in the sight of the Lord
and served
the Baals.
They abandoned the Lord
the God of their fathers
who had brought them
out of the land of Egypt.
They went after other gods
from among the gods
of the peoples
who were around them
and they bowed down
to them
and they provoked
the Lord to anger.
They abandoned the Lord
and they served
the Baals
and the Ashtra.
You see,
the book of Judges
is first
a book
of worship.
It's not a book
just of stories.
It's a book
of worship.
And because it's
a book of worship
it is a book
of service.
Your service
to God
that shows up
in obedience to Him
devotion to Him
and
coupling
your heart
in devotion
to Him
and you might even say
bondage to Him
so that you serve
His purposes.
He is the master
and you are
the slave
in that respect.
You have determined
in your heart
in your life
that you will do
what God says
because you fear Him.
And so this
book of Judges
is meant to call us
to that kind
of life.
And Joshua
commends this kind
of life
because he's experienced
the benefits
of this life
and he wants to
commend that life
to the nation.
He wants them
to enjoy the benefits
of what God
has to give
through fear
and through service
of Him.
There's a leadership
decision that needs
to happen.
And we're going to
talk a little bit
about the leaders
that God has
had placed over
this nation
and the benefit
of those leaders.
But those leaders
were just
representatives.
Moses as a leader
and Joshua
as a leader
they weren't to
call attention
to themselves
they were to
call their attention
to the leadership
of God.
That God was
preeminently
the leader
of the people.
He was the one
who was responsible
for carrying
the people
into the promised land.
He was the promise maker
and he was the promise keeper.
It was a choice
of leadership.
Every one of us
in this room
have a choice
to make.
Choose you this day
whom you will serve.
Joshua would say
as for me
in my house
we will serve
the Lord.
Will we follow
in his steps?
Will we enjoy
the benefits
of Joshua's example
his leadership?
Well the World Economic
Forum's future
of Jobs Report
in 2025
kind of identifies
some of the key features
of the leaders
that this culture
this world
would seek to have.
And they identified
that the top
leadership quality
was someone
who had
analytical thinking ability
who was a strategic planner
who was somebody
who could bring it
and carry others
along with him.
Then it lists things
like resilience
and flexibility
agility
leadership
and social influence.
You look around
and perhaps
you would even be familiar
with other kinds
of leadership qualities
that our world embraces.
The kinds of things
like strength
and confidence
assertiveness
does not back down.
The kind of person
with tenacity
who's a polished orator
and of course
those things
have their benefits
in terms of leadership
but the kinds of leadership
that God calls us to
are entirely different.
The kinds of leadership
that are marked
by humility.
God opposes
the proud.
He gives grace
to the humble.
What kind of
leader is humble?
Well,
God's kind of leader
is humble
and Joshua
needed humility
and he also needed
to understand
the significance
of dependence
on the Lord
and this mark
a mark of service
to others.
How does a leader
serve?
Well,
Jesus set the example
didn't he?
Because the Lord Jesus
came not to be served
but to serve
and to give his life
a ransom for many.
That's the quality
of godly leadership
that Jesus
illustrated
and commends.
So we're looking at
we're looking at
this nation
that enjoyed
the benefits
of godly leadership
but it wasn't
the kind of leadership
that the world
models or celebrates.
It's the kind of leadership
that God celebrates.
Are you choosing
to fear the Lord?
Are you choosing
to serve him?
And as we work
our way through
the book of Judges
we're going to see
the benefits
of what happens
when Israel
the nation
chooses God.
They choose
to serve him.
Choose you this day
whom you will serve
as for me
and my house
will serve the Lord.
So in the opening
this opening message
I want to just
draw out for us
several different
characteristics
the kinds of
characteristics
that will mark
those who choose
to serve the Lord.
And the benefits
are obvious
as we look back
on the life
of Moses
and the life
of Joshua.
In Judges chapter 1
verse 1
we get to learn
from the godly leaders
that God has set
over us.
When we choose
to serve the Lord
we're learning
from the examples
of those leaders
that God has placed
over us.
And in Judges chapter 1
verse 1
calls attention
to that.
It says,
These opening verses
call attention
to the incredible nature
of Joshua's ministry.
How prominent it was.
How useful it was.
And here we have
a death of a leader
Joshua
that many of you
are probably familiar with.
Joshua of course
was instrumental
in securing
this new land
this promised land
for the people.
And God had stated
going all the way
back to Abraham
that the people
the nation
would have a land.
And so this promise
keeping God
maintained those promise
through the generations
through 400 years
a promise was made.
and through Joshua
that promise
was secured.
God remembered
that promise
even though Jacob
and his 12 sons
and family
made their way
to Egypt
you remember.
And they stayed there
for 400 years
and while the Pharaoh
and the leaders
who were there
forgot Joseph
and forgot
what God had done
through his leadership
God had not forgotten.
God had not forgotten
his promise
he had not forgotten
his people.
So God raises up
Moses right
and Moses leads
the people
out of Egypt
and he leads them
into the wilderness
he leads them
to Mount Sinai
and he reestablishes
a promise
a covenant
with his people
this covenant
relationship.
See God had not
forgotten his people
even though 400 years
have gone by.
And they wander
in the wilderness
for 40 years.
And Moses dies
he has to depart
but he turns over
the reins
to Joshua
and all of that
is emblematic
of helping us
understand
that the work
of God
is not dependent
on leaders
themselves
but on God
working through leaders.
What a joy.
What an encouragement.
That God works
through leaders
independently
of their charisma
independently
of what they bring
to the table.
That's the testimony
of Moses
and Joshua
who both
expressed
their inadequacy
who both
brought that
to the table
and said
God you can't
use me
but God says
no I've got
something to prove
in using you.
I'm proving
myself
through you
and so God
uses Joshua.
And we see
this statement
in Joshua
chapter 1
verses 1 and 2.
After the death
of Moses
the servant
of the Lord
the Lord said
to Joshua
the son of Nun
Moses' assistant
Moses my servant
is dead
now therefore
arise
go over this Jordan
you and all this people
into the land
that I'm giving to you
are giving to them
to the people
of Israel.
And there's something
striking to notice here.
As we begin
this study
that Moses
has passed
from the scene
and we're gonna
get to Judges
and we're gonna see
where we saw
in verse 1
Joshua
has departed
from the scene.
And the significance
of this is that
perhaps the
greatest
Old Testament
leaders
that we
can put our
finger on
and draw attention
to
were useful
because God
chose
to make them
useful.
And the strategy
that we're gonna see
as we work our way
through here
is
continuing to draw
attention
to what
Joshua
wants us
to understand
today.
Fear God
and serve him.
Choose you
this day
whom you will
serve.
People
are faced
with a dilemma.
Joshua
has departed
from the scene
and so
another leader
is gone
and there
is no clear
leader to take
their place
and so what
do they do?
We find in Judges
chapter 1
verse 1
after the death
of Joshua
the people
of Israel
inquire to the
Lord
who shall
go up for
us against
the Canaanites
to fight
against them.
They're beginning
the right way.
They recognize
that leadership
needs to be
sanctioned by
the Lord
but
this was
a transition
period
that God
had raised
up Joshua
but there
was no one
really
at this time
to take
his place
but God
again is
conditioning
his people
that continue
to look
to him
for leadership
but
we find
in Judges
chapter 3
verse 9
the people
of Israel
cried out
to the Lord
the Lord
raises up
a deliverer
for the people
of Israel
who saved
them
Otnael
the son
of Kenaz
Caleb's
younger brother
and this
will become
the pattern
they look
to the Lord
and then
they rebel
they pray
to the Lord
God raises
up another
deliverer
then they
life is going
well
they turn
away
and they
move away
from God
God brings
judgment
then they
cry to the
Lord again
the faithfulness
of God
to work
through
his people
to work
through
his leaders
see
leadership
is sought
because there
is a leadership
vacuum
here
the book
will continue
to repeat
this refrain
that we find
in Judges
chapter 17
verse 6
in those days
there was no
king in Israel
everyone did
what was right
in his own
eyes
where there
may not have
been a physical
king in Israel
but there was
a king
because the
Lord was
king
and that's
the point
of Judges
the point
of Judges
is God
wants to
continue
to draw
attention
to himself
as the
preeminent
leader of his
people
but they
couldn't get
it
so they go
through this
cycle
of sin
and then
looking to
God
and sinning
again
over and
over again
this becomes
this tragic
cycle
in a statement
that God
has given
he's given
this clear
testimony
of himself
to his
people
fear him
and serve
him
and then
you'll enjoy
the benefits
of his
leadership
in your
life
so God
God is
calling
and encouraging
his people
to choose
him
he does
that by
drawing
their
attention
to
learning
from
God's
leaders
and then
we find
in Joshua
1
1-9
that we're
also to
look to
God's
word
learn
from
God's
leaders
but also
look
to
God's
word
Joshua
is raised
up as a
leader
and we
find these
instructions
here in
Joshua
1
again
after the
death
of Moses
the servant
of the
Lord
the Lord
said to
Joshua
the son
of Nun
Moses
assistant
Moses
my servant
is dead
now therefore
arise
go over
this Jordan
you and all
the people
into the land
that I'm giving
to them
to the people
of Israel
these marching
orders
these marching
instructions
I just wonder
how was Joshua
feeling
in this moment
this leader
Moses
this massive
leader
who's led
the people
out of Egypt
through the wilderness
and now it's
Joshua's turn
but he's
died
and not only
does Joshua
have to lead
these people
through a
wilderness
but now he has
to lead them
directly into
combat
he has to
lead them
directly into
opposition
directly into
the heart
of the
strongholds
people who
are tall and
great
fortified
cities
if the
task wasn't
difficult
before
imagine
imagine how
intimidated
how afraid
Joshua
must have
felt
in this
case
so God
confirms
his promise
to Joshua
we see that
in Joshua
1.3
in Joshua
1.5
it says
God says
every place
the sole
of your foot
will tread
upon
I have given
to you
just as I
promised
to Moses
no man
shall be able
to stand
before you
all the days
of your life
just as I
was with
Moses
so I
will be
with you
I will
not leave
you or
forsake
you
so be
strong
and be
courageous
can you
imagine
God giving
that kind
of promise
to you
every place
that the
sole of
your foot
treads
I have
given
to you
just
obey
just do
what I've
said
the
the victory
is secure
because I'm
the one
who brings
the victory
so trust
me
do what
I say
and you
will enjoy
the success
that I
have
promised
to give
no man
shall be
able to
stand
before you
all the
days
of your
life
wow
what a
promise
but Joshua
was rightly
afraid
and so we
find this
repeated pattern
in chapter
one verses
seven to
nine
see if you
can follow
the the
pattern here
only be
strong and
very courageous
be careful
to do
according to
all the
law
that Moses
my servant
commanded you
do not
turn from
it
to the
right
hand
or to
the
left
that you
may have
good
success
wherever
you
go
this
book
of the
law
shall
not
depart
from
your
mouth
but you
shall
meditate
on it
day and
night
so that
you
may be
careful
to do
according
to all
that is
written
in it
for
then
you
will
make
your
way
prosperous
and
then
you
will
have
good
success
!
what a
comforting
word
what a
word
for us
how often
has God
given us
very
specific
very clear
instructions
and so
often
what stands
in the
way
is a
fear
so often
what stands
in the
way
is feelings
of inadequacy
so often
what stands
in the
way
is our
own
trembling
and worry
about what
people will
say
and whether
or not
it will be
meaningful
but the
word of
the Lord
to Joshua
was be
strong
and courageous
and do
what I've
said
because
it doesn't
depend
on success
doesn't depend
on us
success
depends
on the
Lord
and
God wants
to direct
Joshua's
attention
right to
the center
and that's
why he
says
this book
of the
law
shall not
depart
from your
mouth
let the
word of
God
prevail
in your
life
let it
carry
you
let it
direct
you
let it
organize
your
thoughts
and steady
the direction
of your
life
and when it
does
you will
enjoy
the benefits
of the
success
of God's
plans
unfolding
and by the
way
those plans
that God
performs
don't always
look successful
to us
do they
Jesus
hanging on a
cross
did not look
like a
successful plan
to the people
of Israel
in the first
century
but it
could have
been more
successful
God's
plan for
the apostle
Paul
in his
imprisonment
in his
repeated
persecution
being flogged
being whipped
being shipwrecked
that did not
look like success
in the eyes
of a watching
world
but it was
success
because God
used
Paul's
obedience
to open
the door
of the
gospel
in the midst
of great
suffering
and opposition
so you learn
from God's
leaders
and you learn
to look
to God's
word
that's how
we come
to fear
him
that's how
we come
to serve
him
third
we need
to recognize
that we
live under
God's
design
and this
may be
one of my
favorites
live under
God's
design
God had
not given
immediate
leadership
in the book
of Judges
they don't
exist
at least in
terms of
a preeminent
leader
that there
wasn't a
standout
person
there
wasn't
another
Moses
like
figure
or a
Joshua
like
figure
but God
had not
left them
without
instructions
he had
not left
them
without
a
design
first
the design
that God
gave
was
his own
appointed
leaders
we find
in Deuteronomy
chapter 16
verse 18
it says
this
this is
Moses
speaking
you shall
appoint
judges
and officers
in all
your towns
that the
Lord your
God
is giving
according
to your
tribes
and they
shall judge
the people
with righteous
judgment
God
had instituted
judges
who were
local leaders
those
who would
be among
the people
those who
would know
the word
of God
and those
who would
commend
that word
and resolve
issues
and resolve
disputes
and help
carry the
burdens
of the people
God
had raised
up
this kind
of instruction
for leaders
who would
be among
the people
themselves
not just
away
in
Jerusalem
or
those
leaders
who would
be over
the nation
but leaders
who would
be among
the people
themselves
that was
God's
design
and we
see how
that works
out in
Exodus
chapter
18
again
this is
Moses
who
moreover
look
for able
men
from all
the people
men who
fear God
who are
trustworthy
who hate
a bribe
those men
of character
and place
such men
over the
people
as chiefs
of thousands
of hundreds
of fifties
and tens
and let them
judge the
people at
all times
every great
matter they
shall bring
to you
but any
small matter
they shall
decide among
themselves
so it will
be easier
for you
and they
will bear
the burdens
with you
God has
graciously
given local
leaders
during this
time
he recognizes
the challenge
of leading
God's people
and carrying
burdens
and understanding
the things
that are going
on among them
and resolving
those disputes
and helping
to lead them
in a very
present way
God has
given
those leaders
they will bear
the burdens
of the people
they will be
men of character
I'm giving
them to you
as a gift
to express
my heart
second
they were
also
God raised
up spiritual
leaders
we see that
also in
Deuteronomy
chapter 17
verses 8
to 12
and I'm just
going to
paraphrase
this for us
this is
God's
instruction
if there is
a case
that is
too hard
for you
then go
up to the
place
that the
Lord
will choose
and come
to the
priest
and to
the judge
who is
there
and they
will declare
to you
the decision
if this
is too
hard for
you
to settle
between
the two
of you
and it's
too hard
to settle
with a
judge
then go
up to
the place
of worship
go to
the place
where the
judges
and the
priests
are there
and they
can help
again
to lead
the people
they can
help you
work through
these issues
these spiritual
leaders
again
were a
blessing
from the
Lord
a gift
from God
and third
God
entrusted
the people
with the
word
the word
of God
itself
we find
that in
Deuteronomy
chapter 4
verses 1
and 2
it says
and now
O Israel
listen
to the
statutes
and the
rules
that I
am teaching
you
and do
them
that you
may live
and go
in
and take
possession
of the
land
that the
Lord
the God
of your
fathers
is giving
you
shall
not
add
to my
word
that I
command
you
nor
take
from
it
that you
may
keep
the
commandments
of the
Lord
your God
that I
command
you
may
not
have
a
Joshua
figure
to lead
you
may
not
have
a
Moses
figure
to lead
you
but you
have
something
better
you
have
the
local
leadership
structure
that I
have
entrusted
to you
you
have
the
priests
who are
there
to help
arbitrate
through
these
difficult
decisions
and most
importantly
you have
the word
of God
the word
of God
who
help
provide
guidance
and
understanding
as you
are moving
through
the life
that you're
living
trust
the architecture
trust
the design
that God
has set
in place
they were
not left
without
leadership
God
cared
enough
for them
to give
them
this design
for leadership
next
not just
learn
from God's
leaders
and look
to God's
word
and not
just to
live
under
God's
design
but
to lament
when God
is forgotten
lament
when God
is forgotten
we're going to
see through
the book
of Judges
this moral
collapse
we're going to
see a people
who fail
to obey
the word
of God
fail to
serve the
Lord
as God
has called
them to
serve him
so that by
the time
we get
just to
the second
chapter
Judges
chapter 2
verse 6
says this
when Joshua
dismissed the
people
the people
of Israel
went
each to
his
inheritance
to take
possession
of the
land
and the
people
served
the Lord
all the
days
of
Joshua
and all
the days
of the
elders
who
outlived
Joshua
who had
seen
all the
great work
that the
Lord
had done
for Israel
great news
right
they're
moving
in the
right
direction
and then
a couple
of
verses
later
we find
this
beginning
in verse
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
and the
people
of Israel
did what
was evil
in the
sight of
the Lord
and they
served
the Baals
and they
abandoned
the Lord
the God
of their
fathers
who had
brought
them out
of the
land
of Egypt
they
went
after
other
gods
from
among
the
gods
of the
peoples
who were
around
them
and they
bowed
down
to
them
and they
provoked
the Lord
to anger
they abandoned
the Lord
and served
the Baals
and the
Ashtera
you notice
the way
that the
author
of Judges
draws this
right out
into the
open
he repeats
it for
effect
for emphasis
he wants
you to
recognize
how far
and how
immediately
and how
totally
the people
had abandoned
God
notice all the
ways he
describes it
it says
they did
not know
the Lord
they did
what was
evil
they served
the Baals
they abandoned
the Lord
they went
after other
gods
they provoked
the Lord
verse 12
they abandoned
the Lord
verse 13
they served
the Baals
verse 13
their moral
decline
is described
in terms
that are
total
and seemingly
immediate
because the
posture of their
heart
was moving
in that
direction
and what
we're going
to find
through our
time in
Judges
is that
everyone
did what
was right
in their
own eyes
everyone
did what
was right
in their
own eyes
you see
what's
incredible
and surprising
maybe even
shocking
about the
book of
Judges
is that
in the
midst
of this
depravity
in the
midst
of
their
rebellion
they are
doing
exactly
what they
think
is right
not what
is wrong
and that's
our problem
too
the apostle
Paul describes
it this way
in Romans
chapter 3
verse 10
when he says
this
as it
is written
none
is righteous
no not
one
no one
understands
no one
seeks for
God
all have
turned aside
together
they have
become
worthless
no one
does good
not
even
one
who is he
talking about
he's talking
about you
he's talking
about me
everyone
of us
in this
room
apart
from God
when we
do what is
right in our
own eyes
we move
this direction
we move
in a way
that is not
just opposed
to God
but we have
become hostile
towards God
and it describes
we are enemies
of God
there's none
who does
right
no not
one
here's the
grace
the grace
of this
is
judges
does not
end
in chapter 2
and things
will get worse
as you continue
to move
your way
through
the book
but God
remains
faithful
God
remains
present
God
remains
with
his people
he does
not
abandon
them
let that
settle in
the encouragement
of judges
is that
regardless
of what you
have
in your
rear view
mirror
whatever
you have
in your
past
whatever
skeletons
are in
your
closet
whatever
things
that you
are ashamed
of
whatever
things
that are
there
that you
wouldn't
even
speak
to your
best
friends
God
knows
and God
will not
abandon
you
God
continues
to invite
you
1st John
1 9
that if
you confess
your sin
he is
faithful
and just
to forgive
your sin
and to
cleanse you
from all
unrighteousness
that
is our
God
and that
is a
testimony
of the
book
of
Judges
your
God
regardless
of your
history
and your
failures
extends to
you
this blessing
of forgiveness
but it has to
happen
through confession
of your sin
repentance
and turning away
and turning your
heart to God
that's the offer
that's the wonder
of the book
of Judges
so we
have a
God
who
encourages
us to
learn
from our
leaders
or learn
from
godly
leaders
to look
to God's
word
to live
under God's
design
to lament
when we
have done
what is wrong
when God
is forgotten
and finally
to love
God's
sufficient
word
love
God's
sufficient
word
and so
God's
word
to Joshua
have not
a command
you
be strong
and have
a good
courage
he says
this book
of the law
shall not
depart
from your
mouth
Joshua
but you
shall
meditate
on it
day and
night
and then
you will
make your
way
prosperous
and then
you will
have good
success
but guess
what
that was
not just
an old
testament
old covenant
kind of
promise
or word
that the
word applies
to us
today
2nd
Timothy
chapter 3
verses 16
and 17
notice
the wonder
the beauty
of this
word
all scripture
is breathed
out by God
and is profitable
for teaching
for reproof
for correction
and training
for righteousness
that the man
of God
may be
complete
equipped
for every
good work
and I want
to just draw
attention briefly
to a couple
of things
first I want
you to see
the comprehensive
nature
of the word
of God
all
scripture
is breathed
out
by God
all of it
and the
significance
of this
God
breathed
word
this
breathed
out
word
it's only
used
in this
place
in all
the Bible
but it
reminds us
of what
God
did
this first
breathing
that God
did
back in
Genesis
chapter 2
verse 7
where we
find
the Lord
God
formed
the man
of the
dust
from the
ground
and breathed
into his
nostrils
the breath
of life
and the man
became a
living creature
God breathed
that's the power
of the word
the divine
word of God
that breathes
physical life
into Adam
is the same
word that God
breathes to
allow us to
enjoy spiritual
life with him
he's breathed
out his
word
and it's a
life giving
word that he
offers all
of us
and we have
access to
in the
scripture
we have the
breathed out
powerful living
word of God
at our
fingertips
you can enjoy
the blessing
the benefits
of this
breathed out
divine word
this powerful
word of God
it's in
it's in our
hands
it's sufficient
it's God's
word
it's true
we find it's
authoritative
but not just
the nature
of the word
of God
I want you to
see the
comprehensive
promise
just briefly
the comprehensive
promise
of the word
of God
that comes
to us
in this
verse 2
all scripture
is breathed
out by God
it's profitable
for teaching
for reproof
for correction
for instruction
and training
and righteousness
that the man
of God
may be
complete
equipped
for every
good
work
every
good
work
that's what
the word
of God
does
it addresses
us
in every
place
every sphere
of life
it not only
addresses
those things
but it
equips us
and prepares
us
it completes
us
and it
equips us
for every
good
work
so I often
ask myself
this question
and maybe
you would ask
yourself this
question too
okay
if the word
of God
the scripture
has
in it
the life
giving power
of God
and if
bringing my
heart
and my life
to the word
of God
helps to teach
me and instruct
me and reprove
me and correct
me so that
I am
complete
there's a
picture of
wholeness
there's a
picture of
fullness
there's a
picture there
of that
completeness
so that
so that I
can be
prepared for
every good
work
if that is
true
then why
do I feel
so inadequate
why do I
feel
so often
that the
work that
God has
for me
is beyond
me
why do
I feel
so often
that
that the
the path
of obedience
and the
the call
that he's
given to
me is
harder than
I'm able
to do
it shouldn't
be that
way
if the
word of
God completes
us
what it
means is
that
and I'm
prepared
for every
good work
it means
that the
word of
God
will
equip
me
and help
me to
accomplish
every work
that God
has for
me to
do
every
command
that God
has given
to you
through his
word
he has
empowered
through his
Holy Spirit
for you to
do
can you imagine
how unstoppable
you are
how unstoppable
we are
if we embrace
the promise
of that command
that the
the Moses
syndrome
that keeps us
feeling inadequate
when we
couple that
with the
the all-powerful
working of
God
and we
let him
do his
work
in and
through us
and we
encourage
instead of
cowering
like I
am so
inclined to
do
to cower
to be
afraid
to be
intimidated
to say
no because
I'm worried
about the
criticism
or the
opposition
I might
get
if I
press in
and obey
the Lord
what might
God do
through our
lives
what might
God accomplish
what might
you be able
to see
God do
in and
through you
if you
bend your
heart
to not just
fear him
but to
serve him
to choose
this day
whom you
will serve
and as
Joshua says
as for me
and my house
we will
serve the
Lord
and I
trust that
will be our
expression
as well
and the
promise that
God gave
to Joshua
that I
will be
with you
wherever
you go
is the
exact same
promise that
God applies
to the
church
when he
says
I'm with
you always
even to
the end
of the
age
that's
our God
will we
trust him
with the
word that
he's given
and the
power of
his spirit
working
through
to see
him
accomplishing
his power
not because
of us
but through
because
of him
his leadership
in our
lives
oh may
God help
us
let's pray
Lord thank you
for the power
of your word
help us
oh God
to tether
our hearts
to the word
of God
to anchor
ourselves
in the truth
of your promise
that you've
been so
faithful
time and
time again
to carry
out
Lord may
we do it
even in
spite of
our own
feelings of
inadequacy
and may
we see
your power
at work
in spite
of us
thank you
for your
promise keeping
power
help us
to walk
in it
in Jesus
name
amen
God bless
you
have a great
week
Thank you.