Celebrating Helpers: The Power of Service and Leadership
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we celebrate Missionary of the Month Sunday, and our focus is on Becky, a dedicated missionary and a cherished member of our church family. Becky has been serving in Nepal for over ten years, working with young people in a region plagued by human trafficking. Her mission is to help these young individuals find their identity and purpose in Christ. We are committed to supporting her through our prayers and financial gifts, especially today, as all cash offerings will be sent to her as an extra gift.
As we gather today, we also reflect on the significance of Labor Day, a holiday that honors the contributions of workers. This theme of recognizing and valuing helpers ties into our study of Judges chapters 4 and 5, where we see God using women like Deborah and Jael to deliver Israel from oppression. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, exemplifies the gifts and leadership that God can bestow upon helpers. She was not just a helper in the traditional sense but a leader who guided Barak and the Israelites to victory.
Deborah's story reminds us that helpers are not to be underestimated or demeaned. They possess unique gifts and can lead, push, and be incredibly useful in God's plan. Jael, another woman in the story, played a crucial role by defeating Sisera, the commander of the enemy army, demonstrating that helpers can be instrumental in achieving God's purposes.
As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded to honor and appreciate the helpers in our lives. Whether they are women, men, or children, their contributions are invaluable. We are also called to recognize Jesus as the ultimate helper, whose sacrifice on the cross was the most eternally significant act of help ever given. As we prepare for communion, let us remember and thank Jesus for His unparalleled help and strive to be like Him in our daily lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Value of Helpers: Helpers are often undervalued and overlooked, but their contributions are essential in God's plan. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, exemplifies how helpers can possess significant gifts and play crucial roles in leadership and decision-making. We should recognize and honor the helpers around us, understanding that their roles are vital and God-given. [40:09]
2. Helpers Can Lead: Deborah's leadership in guiding Barak and the Israelites to victory shows that helpers can also be leaders. This challenges the traditional view that helpers are merely supporters. God can use anyone, regardless of gender, to lead and accomplish His purposes. We should be open to the ways God might use helpers to lead us. [44:18]
3. The Push of a Helper: Sometimes, leaders need a push from helpers to fulfill their God-given roles. Deborah's encouragement to Barak demonstrates that helpers can motivate and support leaders to take action. This dynamic is crucial in both spiritual and everyday contexts, reminding us that helpers can be catalysts for significant change. [48:47]
4. The Usefulness of Helpers: Jael's decisive action in defeating Sisera highlights that helpers can be incredibly useful and instrumental in God's plan. Her story teaches us not to underestimate the impact of seemingly small or menial tasks. Every act of help, no matter how small, can have significant consequences in God's kingdom. [52:20]
5. Honoring Helpers: Helpers should be praised and appreciated for their contributions. Jael was honored in the song of Deborah and Barak, and we are called to do the same for the helpers in our lives. This includes recognizing the ultimate help given by Jesus, whose sacrifice on the cross was the most profound act of help in history. [55:23]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:29] - Introduction to Missionary of the Month
[23:12] - Greeting Becky in Nepal
[23:48] - Importance of Becky's Ministry
[24:44] - Prayer for Becky
[25:54] - Celebrating 100 Years of Our Church
[27:19] - Understanding Labor Day
[28:47] - The Value of Helpers
[30:09] - Introduction to Judges 4 and 5
[31:46] - The Story of Deborah
[32:55] - The Cruelty Israel Faced
[34:16] - Deborah's Leadership
[35:29] - Crying Out for Help
[37:04] - The Role of Women in Scripture
[38:33] - The Significance of Helpers
[40:09] - Deborah's Gifts and Leadership
[44:18] - Deborah's Battle Plans
[48:47] - The Push from Deborah
[50:48] - Jael's Decisive Action
[52:20] - The Usefulness of Helpers
[55:23] - Honoring Helpers
[56:26] - Jesus as the Ultimate Helper
[58:09] - Communion and Reflection
[01:00:22] - Taking Next Steps
[01:06:46] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Judges 4:1-24
- Judges 5:1-31
### Observation Questions
1. What roles did Deborah fulfill according to Judges 4:4? How did these roles contribute to her leadership? [40:09]
2. How did Jael defeat Sisera, and what was the significance of her actions? [51:18]
3. What was Barak's response to Deborah's command from God, and how did Deborah support him? [46:46]
4. How does Judges 5:6-8 describe the conditions in Israel before Deborah's leadership? [34:16]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Deborah's leadership in Judges 4 and 5 teach us about the potential roles of helpers in God's plan? [44:18]
2. How does the story of Jael challenge traditional views of what it means to be a helper? [52:20]
3. In what ways did Deborah's encouragement and support influence Barak's actions and the outcome of the battle? [48:47]
4. How does the song in Judges 5 help us understand the significance of the events in Judges 4? [31:46]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when someone underestimated your abilities. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Deborah's example? [40:09]
2. Identify a person in your life who has been a significant helper. How can you honor and appreciate them this week? [55:23]
3. Have you ever needed a push to fulfill a task or role? How can you be a supportive "Deborah" to someone in your life who might need encouragement? [48:47]
4. Think about a seemingly small or menial task you have done recently. How can you view it as significant in God's plan, similar to Jael's actions? [52:20]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of recognizing and valuing helpers in your daily life, both at home and in your community? [55:23]
6. In what ways can you strive to be more like Jesus, the ultimate helper, in your interactions with others? [56:26]
7. As we prepare for communion, how can you specifically thank Jesus for His unparalleled help and sacrifice in your life? [58:46]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Essential Role of Helpers
Helpers are often undervalued and overlooked, but their contributions are essential in God's plan. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, exemplifies how helpers can possess significant gifts and play crucial roles in leadership and decision-making. We should recognize and honor the helpers around us, understanding that their roles are vital and God-given. [40:09]
Bible Passage: "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a helper in your life who has made a significant impact. How can you show appreciation and honor to them today?
### Day 2: Helpers Can Lead
Deborah's leadership in guiding Barak and the Israelites to victory shows that helpers can also be leaders. This challenges the traditional view that helpers are merely supporters. God can use anyone, regardless of gender, to lead and accomplish His purposes. We should be open to the ways God might use helpers to lead us. [44:18]
Bible Passage: "And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when someone you considered a helper took on a leadership role. How did their leadership impact you, and how can you encourage others to step into leadership roles?
### Day 3: The Push of a Helper
Sometimes, leaders need a push from helpers to fulfill their God-given roles. Deborah's encouragement to Barak demonstrates that helpers can motivate and support leaders to take action. This dynamic is crucial in both spiritual and everyday contexts, reminding us that helpers can be catalysts for significant change. [48:47]
Bible Passage: "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a leader in your life who might need encouragement. How can you offer them the support and motivation they need to fulfill their role?
### Day 4: The Usefulness of Helpers
Jael's decisive action in defeating Sisera highlights that helpers can be incredibly useful and instrumental in God's plan. Her story teaches us not to underestimate the impact of seemingly small or menial tasks. Every act of help, no matter how small, can have significant consequences in God's kingdom. [52:20]
Bible Passage: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a small task or act of service you can do today. How can you perform it with the mindset that it is significant in God's eyes?
### Day 5: Honoring Helpers
Helpers should be praised and appreciated for their contributions. Jael was honored in the song of Deborah and Barak, and we are called to do the same for the helpers in our lives. This includes recognizing the ultimate help given by Jesus, whose sacrifice on the cross was the most profound act of help in history. [55:23]
Bible Passage: "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching." (1 Timothy 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Who is a helper in your community or church that you can honor today? What specific action can you take to show them your appreciation and respect?
Quotes
1. "The reason that's important, I think, is, well, every young person needs to know that, but then also, that part of the world particularly is kind of the center of human trafficking. And so, I think that ministry to young people, letting them know they have a purpose in Christ and an identity in Christ beyond whatever that may say about them or even draw them into is of critical importance." [23:48] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We just confess before we even read it together, that we know it's true. We know it's more true than our feelings and our thoughts, and we know it's more true than what others have to say. So help us to receive it as the truth, and help us to remove filters that might keep us from seeing it that way." [25:54] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Hard times create strong men. Strong men create easy times. Easy times create weak men. And weak men create hard times. And I think for the most part, that's true. These comfortable times in Israel had led to their bondage and to weak men like Barak who were unwilling to do, or nervous at least, to do what God had said." [47:46] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God will gift and use whomever he wills to lead his people where he wants them to go. So in that instance, realize that a helper can push. Did you notice how it phrased, they moved forward with this plan? It says that 10,000 men went up at his, Barak's, heels and Deborah went up with him. Barak had been afraid to do this. Deborah pushed him and committed to go with him." [48:47] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Ladies, sometimes we need a push. Not off a cliff, but sometimes we need a push, a nudge, a prayer, and an encouragement to be reminded of who God called us all to be, to follow, the Lord. Is there a leader in your life that needs a loving, I'll go with you, push?" [50:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jael is the second woman introduced and used in our text today. And she isn't used to set out doilies for Sisera. She's used to kill the commander of one of the region's most powerful armies, and she did it on purpose. Did you notice what he asked her for? He said, can I have a drink of water, and what'd she give him? A warm glass of milk and put him to bed so she could put a tent peg through his head." [52:20] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Helpers often get overlooked and are underappreciated. The women helpers and all helpers. Here's my final thought for you as a woman, is that a helper should be praised. Jael was praised and remembered forever. A helper has gifts, can lead, can push, is useful, and should be praised." [55:23] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Think of this, Scripture tells us in Hebrews chapter 13 that the Lord is my helper, whom shall I fear. God labels Jesus, Scripture labels Jesus our helper. And would you argue that the help He offers to us is to be little, demeaned, or small? That was the most helpful thing that's ever happened in eternity. Was how He laid down His life for you and for me." [56:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Help us to be like You. I pray, God, that You would help us to recognize and honor the helpers around us. To see them not as little helpers, but as Your good gifts. And help us to be like You. I pray for anyone here who has never realized that help in their life that Jesus offers. The eternity shaking, identity changing, the offer of the free gift of salvation." [58:09] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We love it when people come to know God, when they find some freedom and discover purpose and make a difference. And my question to you before you go is, has God led you to take any kind of next step today? You can take a next step even where you are. We'll put a QR code right here on the screen and if you'll click that, use that QR code, go to the website, you can see all the next steps there that you can take." [01:00:22] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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