Book of Judges--old and irrelevant for the 21the Century Christian?

I like to share with you this morning's sermon which is still relevant in 21th Century.

Synopsis:

1) Peace, abundance, blessings
2) Complacency, lukewarm reception to the 'hand that feed' the people, leading to a generation that turn away from God, a nation that is illiterate in understanding what God has done for them
3) Pain, and suffering resulting from self flagellation and still not able to comprehend the Truth
4) Cry out to the Lord
5) Lord hears the cry of his people and send a deliver/ Judge.
( modified and adapted from Steve Harms sermon)

Rephrase it

Cycle of the book of Judges essentially deals with :
A) Sin: Israel disobey the First Decalogue ( Exodus 20:1-17)
B) I AM judgement/Servitude: Nation loses its freedom to their enemies
C) Supplication: Israel cries out to God for help
D) Salvation: Israel is delivered and temporary peace

Relevant expansion on Book of Judges:

FAITH: Each generation must walk that path on their own--- FAITH. A generation grew up and not know who God is (Judge2:10-11) Does it sound like 21 Century America? How did we come to this condition when Christians are marginalized by society. I suggest to you that as Christians we have failed because of our disobedience to the First Decalogue/Decalogues. I am not going to argue from a Dispensationalist or Theonomic Reformed view or any views. Suffice to say I lean towards the view that the Law of Christ fulfilled the Law o fMoses. The point I want to make is that Christians are marginalized because we have not equipped our 'ambassadors' be they high schools or university students, or members of Church Body, with the proper equipment to defend their faith. How can we expect NOT to LOSE our 'ambassadors' when they are confronted with questions like: Do you really believe in Jesus -- son of the Virgin Mary. That He was resurrected. Please dont bring up the 'God of the GAP.' We are not conversant enough to defend the onslaught of unbelievers who question us about I AM, on salvation history and lives by an ethic that believes in oneself ( Oprah for example in her : New, new, age:--- The Secret) or some other god--materalistic wealth, sex, science. Against such odds men like Gideon, Barak ( no relation to Barak Hussein Obama) these heroes of faith tremble, but by faith-- grounded in the Lord, they overcome their fear and prevail.
     As Christians we must equip ourselves so that we can like Apostle Paul in his dialogue in Act 17 articulate in an Irenic evidential, coherent manner persuade them of the truth of the gospel. The benefits are two fold:  As Christians we are able to show that our worldview is indeed the BEST explanation, thereby reinforcing our believe on solid ground and not be lost by false ideas.  Second, their hearts will be pricked and let the Holy Spirit do His work.

SIN: " The only thing needed for evil to win is for good men to do nothing,"
Here we see nation's leadership failure much like ours. In the name of inclusivness and tolerance, Christmas is discriminated (Christophobia). In education we have what is commonly mistaken as 'Separation between church and state.' Justice Black stated that the First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. Constitutional scholars disagree because Black incorporated OUT OF CONTEXT Thomas Jefferson's 'wall of separation.' Essentially, at every level of government where this nation was founded on Christian principles is now showing Christians the door, if not barring them from entering.

Punishment: We are losing our liberty, our First Principle where our Founders build this Nation on. Universal Health Care. As Christians who can say NO to that. Where in the Constitution can you show me that mandate Universal Health Care. Second, since when does Uncle Sam tell me that I have no choice but to buy health care otherwise I will be fined and libel to be jail? It is like telling us we must trade in our car/clunker to get another car. Third, and most telling, these same people who make all these rules are not bound by them like you and I !!!!

Supplication: Currently, we are about to cry out to our Lord for deliverance. And when we cry out to our Lord, are these cries 'crocodiles tears?' That is to say we claim we have sinned yet we appoint a leader without turning to God for guidance?

Deliverer!!!!!!!!!!
Most comforting of all is Our Lord is in Control. We have been given gifts, if only we use them.


Your thoughts ?



Blessings



Eric