“Meeting God in the Text” Judges 6 Bible Study 02/05/17

This morning we will cover Judges 6 in its entirety. It is a highly significant chapter in Judges because it reveals how gracious the Lord is in preparing His people for deliverance. While 1:1-3:6 highlights the failure of a second generation to obey the Lord, 3:7-16:31 places the spotlight on the long-suffering of the Lord in extending salvation to an undeserving people. Additionally, although Judges 6 records the call of Gideon, He is not the main character. Rather, the main character is the long-suffering, promise-keeping Lord. Let’s meet Him in the text!

I. The cycle continues (1-6)

-rebellion of Israel
-oppression by Midian
-cry for help

II. A prophet’s explanation (7-10)

-rehearsal of grace
-repetition of demand
-interpretation of circumstances

III. The promise of the Lord’s presence (11-24)

-unexpected omission
-Gideon: “hacker”
-addressed by an angel
-Gideon’s protest
-the promise repeated
-a request answered by fire
-Gideon’s awe and the Lord’s peace

IV. A demand for idol-removal (25-32)

-“back yard” Baal
-compliance in the night
-perverted indignation
-Joash’s defense and challenge

V. A case of condescending assurance (33-40)

-clothing of Gideon
-assembling for conflict
-Gideon and the fleece
-looking ahead: Midian defeated (Judges 7)

VI. So what?

-In light of the Lord’s long-suffering toward you, obey His voice and rely on His adequacy.
-Stand in awe of the strange strategy of the Lord. He doesn’t act on the basis of our focus groups or expectations.
-What Baals need banishment from your back yard?
-Cease blaming the Lord for the self-inflicted consequences of disobedience.
-“Forfeited mercies are followed by more mercies. Whatever foolishness of the past we blush at, yet we are encouraged that God’s kindness continues, for His mercies are new every morning.” (S. Charnock)
-Treasure the greatness of grace and the privilege of intimacy with the Infinite!

“The consequences of unfaithfulness to a faithful God” Judges 2:1-5 Bible Study 01/29/17

Judges 2 records an assembly called by God to address Israel’s disobedience. They had been commanded by the Lord to drive out the wicked peoples of the land and to destroy the pagan worship sites and idols. Part of God’s covenant was to give them this land where they would worship Him alone, and they would be His people. This ancient story has significant implications for believers today. God’s past and present faithfulness provides powerful fuel for an obedient future. However, His faithfulness does not mean believers are immune to dreadful consequences for disobedience.

I. The Setting (1)

-Bochim
-Means “Weepers”
-Significance of the angel of the Lord coming from Gilgal

II. The History Review (Ch 1:1-36)

-The book of Judges is a sad book that serves as both a warning and reminder to God’s people
-God gave them this land to serve only Him
-they were to clear out the land of all wicked, idol-worshiping practices
-they did not fully clear them out and they made covenants with the peoples

III. God’s restatement of His actions and faithfulness (1-2)

-I brought you up …
-I will NEVER break my covenant with you

IV. God’s restatement of their actions and unfaithfulness (2)

-you shall make no covenant … you shall break down their altars …
-you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done?

V. The Results (3-5)

-they shall become thorns in your sides
-their gods shall be a snare to you

VI. So What?

-Although God remains faithful to His people, disobedience by God’s people will still bring dreadful consequences
-remember God’s faithfulness toward you (Christ’s blood, His intercession, His sealing of you by the Holy Spirit, His empathy toward your weakness)
-remember the consequences of disobedience (many instances in Scripture, including the NT; you may have examples in your life of shameful results of your sin)
-1 John 2:1 “I am writing to you so that you may not sin … if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father”

“The Regathering of Israel” – Ezekiel 37

“Blind Man’s Cry” Mark 10:46-52 Bible Study 01/15/17

This morning we turn our attention to the final healing miracle recorded in Mark’s gospel. It is also the only healing miracle in Mark which includes the proper name of the one healed. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem and His divinely-appointed cross, we see His care for the individual and, specifically, the marginalized individual.

I. Look at the Setting

-final healing miracle recorded in Mark
-more than one blind man in this story (review Mark 8-10)
-from Jericho to Jerusalem (Mark 10:45)

II. Observe the Blind Beggar

-Bartimaeus: “Son of Honor”
-sitting by the roadside
-heard that it was Jesus

III. Hear the Blind Beggar’s Cry and the Crowd’s Response

-Son of David
-mercy
-the crowd’s rebuke
-the cry continues

IV. Notice that Jesus Stops and Speaks

-call him
-throwing off his cloak
-the question and response
-your faith has saved you
-immediately…recovered…followed him on the way

V. So What?

-The blind see when they come to Jesus and cry for mercy.
-In what ways do I presently promote or hinder gospel advancement?
-“Jesus will never be a reality to you until He becomes a necessity for you.” (A. Begg)
-“…Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me….” (D. Towner)
-“Pass me not, O Gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry; While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.” (F. Crosby)

“A Shake-Up at Shechem” Joshua 24:1-28 Bible Study 01/08/17

Joshua 24 records the third and final assembly of God’s people in Joshua 22-24. This assembly occurred at Shechem, the place where God made the promise of a land to Abraham some 600 years earlier (Gen. 12:6-7). Joshua used this meaningful location as the backdrop for a covenant renewal of God’s people, who now possessed the land promised to their “father” Abraham. This ancient story has significant implications for believers today. God’s past and present faithfulness provides powerful fuel for an obedient future.

I. The Setting (1)

-Shechem
-repetition of “summoned”
-“…before God

II. The History Review (2-13)

-review of covenant history with emphasis on God’s activity (“I” 18 times)
-amazing grace: they “served other gods”
-unhurried pace: “made his offspring many”
-power, protection and provision

III. The Call for Commitment (14-24)

-logical: “Now therefore…” (Rom. 12:1-2)
-exclusive: “serve” (18 times in Josh. 24)
-Yahweh or two sets of pagan gods
-cautious: “You are not able…”

IV. The Covenant Renewed (25-28)

-implied sacrifice: covenant=”to cut”
-written record
-a stone witness

V. So What?

-Because the Lord relates to you graciously and faithfully, serve Him gladly and exclusively.
-“Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I come…Let Thy goodness, Like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee…” (R. Robinson)

“High Fidelity” Joshua 22:1-8 Bible Study 01/01/17

On this first Sunday of a new year, we turn our attention to the closing portion of the book of Joshua. Here, we see reminders of the Lord’s faithfulness to His people as well as a challenge for His people to respond in faithful obedience to Him.

I. Overview of Joshua

-entering the land (1-4)
-taking the land (5-12)
-possessing the land (13-21)
-retaining the land (22-24)

II. An emphatic reminder of the Lord’s fidelity (21:43-45)

III. An emphatic call for the faithfulness of the Lord’s people (22:1-8)

-focus of chapters 22-24: “summoned”
-context for 22:1-8: 1:12-18
-commendation for obedience (22:1-4)
-exhortation for ongoing fidelity (22:5-6)
-instruction regarding generosity (22:6-8)

IV. So what?

-Because the Lord’s faithfulness to His own is unwavering, respond to Him with complete submission.
-Regularly rehearse the faithfulness of the Lord with yourself and with others.
-“God must be chiefly eyed in our praises, yet instruments must not be altogether overlooked.” (M. Henry)
-Ponder your passion for faithfulness to the Lord.
-“A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill: Oh, may it all my powers engage, To do my Master’s will. (C. Wesley)