Choosing God Over Thorn Bushes in Leadership

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church! Today, we delved into Judges chapter 9, focusing on the parable of the trees and the thorn bush, as told by Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon. This parable serves as a cautionary tale about the choices we make in leadership and the consequences of settling for less than God's best. The Israelites, after Gideon's downfall, sought a king rather than a godly judge, and they chose Abimelech, a man who epitomized the thorn bush—promising much but delivering pain and destruction.

We explored how the thorn bush, or bramble, represents anything in our lives that we allow to lead us but ultimately harms us. This could be a person, habit, addiction, or any idol that takes the place of God. The thorn bush over-promises and under-delivers, takes us further than we want to go, and costs us more than we want to pay. Abimelech's story is a vivid illustration of these truths. He manipulated his way into power, eliminated his rivals, and led the people of Shechem into ruin.

Despite the bleakness of Judges 9, God's grace shines through. After Abimelech's death, the people returned to their homes, symbolizing a return to God's intended path for them. This return set the stage for godly leadership under Judges Tola and Jair, who led Israel for many years.

Today, we are called to examine our lives and identify the thorn bushes we have settled for. God offers us something far better—Himself. He over-delivers in grace, blessing, and faithfulness. Jesus invites us to follow Him, promising that we will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. Let us not settle for the thorn bush but choose to follow Jesus, experiencing the freedom and abundant life He offers.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Danger of Over-Promising and Under-Delivering: The thorn bush, like Abimelech, promises much but delivers pain and destruction. Anything that takes the place of God in our lives will ultimately disappoint us. We must be vigilant about what we allow to lead us, ensuring it aligns with God's will. [38:31]

2. The Consequences of Following the Wrong Leader: Settling for a thorn bush will take us further than we ever wanted to go. Abimelech's rise to power led to the murder of his brothers and the eventual destruction of Shechem. Similarly, when we follow the wrong things, they choke out the good in our lives and lead us down destructive paths. [44:31]

3. The High Cost of Settling for Less: Choosing a thorn bush will cost us more than we intended to pay. The people of Shechem thought they were gaining a beneficial leader in Abimelech, but it led to their ruin. Likewise, anything that takes God's place in our lives will demand more from us than we are willing to give. [46:01]

4. God's Grace in Our Brokenness: Even in the midst of our poor choices, God's grace is evident. After Abimelech's death, the people returned to their homes, symbolizing a return to God's path. God uses our brokenness to set us straight and lead us back to Him. [50:51]

5. The Invitation to Follow Jesus: Jesus offers us something far better than any thorn bush. He invites us to follow Him, promising that we will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. Let us not settle for less but choose to follow Jesus, experiencing the freedom and abundant life He offers. [54:04]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[26:11] - Introduction to the Thorn Bush
[27:52] - Moving to Virginia and Leaving the Thorn Bush
[29:17] - Israel's Search for a King
[30:41] - The Parable of the Trees
[32:05] - The Olive Tree, Fig Tree, and Vine
[33:14] - The Bramble's Response
[34:27] - The Danger of Settling for a Thorn Bush
[35:02] - The Consequences of Following the Wrong Leader
[36:56] - Abimelech's Rise to Power
[38:31] - Over-Promising and Under-Delivering
[44:31] - The High Cost of Settling for Less
[46:01] - Hidden Fees and Unexpected Costs
[47:39] - The Downfall of Abimelech
[50:51] - God's Grace in Our Brokenness
[54:04] - The Invitation to Follow Jesus
[56:36] - Prayer and Commitment
[57:24] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[58:01] - Prayer Requests and Communion
[59:04] - Baptism and Next Steps
[01:07:27] - Celebrating Baptism
[01:08:27] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Judges 9:7-15 (The Parable of the Trees)
2. John 8:12 (Jesus as the Light of the World)
3. James 1:14-15 (The Progression of Temptation and Sin)

#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the trees, what reasons do the olive tree, fig tree, and vine give for not wanting to be king over the trees? (Judges 9:7-15)
2. How does the bramble (thorn bush) respond to the trees' request for leadership, and what does it promise? (Judges 9:15)
3. According to the sermon, what are some characteristics of a "thorn bush" in our lives? [35:41]
4. What does Jesus promise to those who follow Him in John 8:12?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the trees in Jotham's parable ultimately settled for the bramble as their leader? What does this suggest about their priorities or desperation? (Judges 9:7-15)
2. How does the story of Abimelech illustrate the dangers of following a "thorn bush" leader? [44:31]
3. In what ways does the thorn bush over-promise and under-deliver, according to the sermon? [38:31]
4. How does the progression of temptation and sin described in James 1:14-15 relate to the concept of settling for a thorn bush in our lives?

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there any "thorn bushes" you have allowed to lead you? What are they, and how have they over-promised and under-delivered? [35:41]
2. The sermon mentioned that following a thorn bush can take you further than you ever wanted to go. Can you think of a time when a poor choice led you down a path you didn't intend to follow? How did you find your way back? [43:01]
3. What are some practical steps you can take to identify and remove thorn bushes from your life? Consider specific actions or changes you need to make. [52:31]
4. Jesus invites us to follow Him and promises that we will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. How can you more intentionally follow Jesus this week? What specific changes can you make to ensure He is the leader of your life? [54:04]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of returning to God's intended path. Is there an area in your life where you need to return to God's way? What steps will you take to do this? [50:51]
6. How can you support others in your small group or community who might be struggling with their own thorn bushes? What role can you play in helping them find freedom and abundant life in Jesus? [58:01]
7. Reflect on the grace of God in your own brokenness. How has God used your past mistakes to set you straight and lead you back to Him? How can you share this testimony to encourage others? [49:15]

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Over-Promising and Under-Delivering
The thorn bush, like Abimelech, represents anything in our lives that promises much but delivers pain and destruction. These can be people, habits, addictions, or idols that take the place of God. They over-promise and under-deliver, leading us further away from God's will and causing more harm than good. Abimelech manipulated his way into power, eliminated his rivals, and led the people of Shechem into ruin. This serves as a cautionary tale for us to be vigilant about what we allow to lead us, ensuring it aligns with God's will. [38:31]

Jeremiah 17:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.'"

Reflection: What are the "thorn bushes" in your life that promise much but deliver pain and destruction? How can you begin to replace them with God's promises today?

Day 2: The Consequences of Following the Wrong Leader
Settling for a thorn bush will take us further than we ever wanted to go. Abimelech's rise to power led to the murder of his brothers and the eventual destruction of Shechem. Similarly, when we follow the wrong things, they choke out the good in our lives and lead us down destructive paths. This teaches us the importance of discerning who or what we follow, ensuring it aligns with God's will and leads us towards His purpose for our lives. [44:31]

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."

Reflection: Think of a time when you followed the wrong leader or influence. What were the consequences, and how can you ensure you follow God's guidance in the future?

Day 3: The High Cost of Settling for Less
Choosing a thorn bush will cost us more than we intended to pay. The people of Shechem thought they were gaining a beneficial leader in Abimelech, but it led to their ruin. Likewise, anything that takes God's place in our lives will demand more from us than we are willing to give. This highlights the importance of not settling for less than God's best for us, as the cost of doing so is often greater than we anticipate. [46:01]

Luke 14:28-30 (ESV): "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have settled for less than God's best? What steps can you take to align this area with God's will?

Day 4: God's Grace in Our Brokenness
Even in the midst of our poor choices, God's grace is evident. After Abimelech's death, the people returned to their homes, symbolizing a return to God's path. God uses our brokenness to set us straight and lead us back to Him. This reminds us that no matter how far we stray, God's grace is always available to bring us back to His intended path. [50:51]

Joel 2:25-26 (ESV): "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in your brokenness. How can you extend that same grace to others in your life?

Day 5: The Invitation to Follow Jesus
Jesus offers us something far better than any thorn bush. He invites us to follow Him, promising that we will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. Let us not settle for less but choose to follow Jesus, experiencing the freedom and abundant life He offers. This is a call to examine our lives and make the conscious decision to follow Jesus, trusting in His promises and guidance. [54:04]

John 8:12 (ESV): "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to fully commit to following Jesus? What practical steps can you take today to make that commitment?

Quotes

1. "In Scripture and in life, any time a group of people go in search of a king rather than searching for God, they're going to be in trouble. And the person that they elevate in Judges 9 is a man named Abimelech. And if you were here last week, you know who this is. What some preachers and theologians call, in the book of Judges, the anti-judge. That's not a good, like, thing to be known for." [29:17] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You know, we all have choices as to who or what we will follow. Every day we make a choice moment by moment of what's going to drive our decision-making. What's interesting is that the tree, that, you know, the trees going and seeing these other three options in the parable, they're all mentioned throughout the Old Testament, those other three. As either representing Israel herself or representing or being examples of the fruitfulness that God would provide to Israel if they would follow him. But there's always the option of following the bramble, the sticker burr, the thorn bush." [35:02] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Don't settle for a thorn bush. It always over promises and under delivers. Abimelech whispered to his hometown people, pick me, pick me to lead you rather than these others. I'm of your own flesh and blood. He is implying, insinuating to them that they would personally benefit by having somebody that was like them lead them, that they would reap rewards if he, if, if only they would make him king, that it would be better for them. Lofty claims. You'll see that he has either no attention intentions or no ability to fulfill." [38:31] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Don't settle for a thorn bush because it'll take you further than you ever wanted to go. Every time, it'll take you further than you wanted to go. The people in Shechem gave Abimelech 70 pieces of silver from the coffers of their false god. We're unsure if they knew exactly what he intended to do with that money, but he immediately hires men to do it. And he does. And he uses those men to use that money and his power to eliminate anybody else that could claim leadership in his stead. Removed all challengers." [43:01] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Don't settle for a thorn bush because it'll cost you more than you wanted to pay. You know, they thought that they had chosen a king that would help them, would be advantageous to them. It looked good, sounded good, and in their eyes it was good. But the risk was high to everyone. It seemed like only a win, but it just might burn everybody up. And that's what this trap will always do. Any time I've allowed something that in the moment seemed good or at least harmless to rule over me, it's always cost me more than I intended in the beginning." [46:01] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You know, as a kid growing up in deep east Texas, after we ran through one of those fields full of sticker burrs. I'm talking about this this morning as I was telling her about this illustration. And the first thing she said was, it took forever to get the sticker burrs out of your socks. And it's true. You sit on your front porch and you just like one by one pull these sticker burrs out of your socks. And as you did, you poke your fingers again as you, you know, to get these sticker burrs out of your socks. You're yelping all along the way. Leaving them there was not an option. was worse. Leaving them there meant it went in the washing machine. It got mixed up with everything. Leaving them there meant that it might stay on your legs for a while and it would actually scrape you up the rest of the day. And so you would do the temporary pain, temporarily painful thing so that you could experience the freedom. Don't settle for and leave the thorn bush in your life." [52:31] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Don't settle for the thorn bush. Maybe you have a specific thing in mind that is your thorn bush. Something you've gone to over and over again because of its fruit, because of its flower, because of its smell. Something that constantly sticks you. You know it always under delivers. You know it always takes you further than you want to go. And it always costs you more than you want to pay." [50:51] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Be careful what you put in a position of leadership in your life. Anything but the rightful leader in your life is likely over-promising and definitely under-delivering. You got anything in your life that consistently under-delivers on what it promises to do for you? A substance, a relationship, a shopping addiction, some kind of temporary pleasure that seems like it's going to deliver what you need, but even after the fact, you know every time it under-delivers. Don't settle for a thorn bush. It might look good, but you know it'll hurt you." [41:30] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You know, too often in our lives, when we settle for the thorn bush, it starts to choke out the other good things that could be the leaders or point us on the path that God has for us. You know, sticker burrs aren't just a menace in the feet of young children. If they, grow wild in a field, they will choke out the good grasses there too. The things you want to grow there. And before long, you'll have a field full of sticker burrs. The thorn bush likewise will take you further than you ever wanted to go. You probably know this. The problem is we still go there." [43:01] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "You know, as a kid growing up in deep east Texas, after we ran through one of those fields full of sticker burrs. I'm talking about this this morning as I was telling her about this illustration. And the first thing she said was, it took forever to get the sticker burrs out of your socks. And it's true. You sit on your front porch and you just like one by one pull these sticker burrs out of your socks. And as you did, you poke your fingers again as you, you know, to get these sticker burrs out of your socks. You're yelping all along the way. Leaving them there was not an option. was worse. Leaving them there meant it went in the washing machine. It got mixed up with everything. Leaving them there meant that it might stay on your legs for a while and it would actually scrape you up the rest of the day. And so you would do the temporary pain, temporarily painful thing so that you could experience the freedom. Don't settle for and leave the thorn bush in your life." [52:31] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?