God's Deliverance: Reflecting on Faith and Service
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Green Pines Baptist Church! As we gear up for Vacation Bible School (VBS) and other community service activities, it's a joy to gather and worship together. This week, we are preparing for VBS with activities like the Children's Yard Olympics. Additionally, our church is participating in North Carolina Serve Week, where we will engage in various community service projects such as appreciation dinners, popsicle giveaways, and building ramps for those in need.
Our worship today is rooted in the understanding that God has been calling us to Himself throughout our lives. We read from Hebrews 12:28-29, which reminds us to offer acceptable worship with reverence and awe because our God is a consuming fire. This sets the stage for our study in the book of Judges, specifically chapter 5, which is a song of deliverance by Deborah and Barak.
The book of Judges reveals a recurring cycle of Israel's disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Each judge, despite their flaws, points to the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ. This cycle mirrors our own lives, where we often stray from God but are continually called back by His mercy and grace.
We also discussed the importance of remembering our salvation as a transformative event that should be relived and celebrated. Just as traumatic events can leave lasting impressions, so should the memory of our salvation. This is why we partake in communion, to remember and relive the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5 is a contemplation of God's deliverance. It highlights how God works through events, the consequences of our choices, the mixed responses of God's people, and the ultimate victory through unlikely heroes like Jael. This song serves as a reminder that God is always at work, even in the most unexpected ways.
As we conclude, we are reminded to pray for the advancement of God's kingdom and to live out our faith in tangible ways. We also pray for our community and our youth who are embarking on mission trips to serve others.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Sovereignty in Life Events: Reflect on how God has been at work through the course of events in your life. Even when things don't go according to our plans, God's wisdom and sovereignty are at play, guiding us towards His purpose. Recognize that every moment, even the challenging ones, are part of His divine plan. [42:09]
2. Consequences of Choices: The sad state of affairs in Israel was a result of their choices to follow other gods. Similarly, our lives can reflect the consequences of our choices. It's crucial to remember where we were before knowing Christ and how our decisions impact our spiritual state. This reflection helps us appreciate God's deliverance even more. [45:29]
3. Mixed Responses Among God's People: There will always be a mixed bag of responses among God's people. Some will be faithful, while others may be preoccupied or indifferent. This reality calls us to examine our own commitment and to seek out those who genuinely represent God's work. [52:24]
4. Contemplating God's Servant in Salvation: The story of Jael and Sisera's mother contrasts the unlikely hero with the oppressor. This serves as a reminder to contemplate God's methods and servants in our salvation. Just as Jael was used in an unexpected way, Jesus Christ, the ultimate servant, brought salvation through His sacrifice. [57:15]
5. Praying for God's Kingdom: The ultimate goal of our contemplation and worship is to pray for the advancement of God's kingdom. This involves asking God to crush the spiritual forces that oppose Him and to bring His kingdom into our lives and communities. Our prayers and actions should align with this divine mission. [01:03:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:34] - VBS Preparations and Yard Olympics
[08:58] - North Carolina Serve Week
[10:22] - Call to Worship and Hebrews 12:28-29
[11:51] - Introduction to Judges 5
[29:43] - The Cycle of Disobedience and Deliverance
[31:05] - Reliving Salvation
[33:18] - The Importance of Remembrance
[34:15] - The Song of Deborah and Barak
[42:09] - God's Sovereignty in Life Events
[45:29] - Consequences of Choices
[52:24] - Mixed Responses Among God's People
[57:15] - Contemplating God's Servant in Salvation
[01:03:10] - Praying for God's Kingdom
[01:07:04] - Communion
[01:18:10] - Prayers for the Community and Youth Mission Trip
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 12:28-29
- Judges 5
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 12:28-29 say about the nature of our worship and God's character?
2. In Judges 5, what are some of the key events and characters mentioned in Deborah and Barak's song of deliverance?
3. How does the sermon describe the cycle of disobedience and deliverance in the book of Judges? [29:43]
4. What are some of the community service activities mentioned in the sermon that the church is participating in? [08:58]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God being a "consuming fire" in Hebrews 12:29 influence our understanding of acceptable worship?
2. What lessons can we learn from the mixed responses of the tribes in Judges 5 when called to action? [52:24]
3. How does the story of Jael in Judges 5 serve as a reminder of God's unexpected methods and servants in our salvation? [57:15]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of remembering and reliving our salvation? [33:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's sovereignty in your life events. How did it shape your faith? [42:09]
2. Think about a choice you made that had significant consequences. How did it impact your spiritual journey, and what did you learn from it? [45:29]
3. In what ways can you ensure that your response to God's call is faithful and not indifferent or preoccupied? [52:24]
4. How can you actively remember and celebrate your salvation in your daily life, similar to how the sermon describes reliving traumatic events? [33:18]
5. What specific actions can you take to pray for the advancement of God's kingdom in your community and personal life? [01:03:10]
6. Identify one community service project mentioned in the sermon that you can participate in. How will you get involved? [08:58]
7. How can you support and encourage the youth in your church who are embarking on mission trips or other service activities? [01:18:10]
Devotional
### Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Life Events
Reflect on how God has been at work through the course of events in your life. Even when things don't go according to our plans, God's wisdom and sovereignty are at play, guiding us towards His purpose. Recognize that every moment, even the challenging ones, are part of His divine plan. This understanding can bring peace and assurance, knowing that God is in control and has a purpose for everything we experience.
In the book of Judges, we see how God used various judges to deliver Israel despite their flaws and the people's disobedience. This cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance shows God's persistent involvement in the lives of His people. Similarly, in our lives, God is continually working, even in ways we may not immediately recognize. Trusting in His sovereignty allows us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and understand that He is weaving a greater story for His glory and our good. [42:09]
Bible Passage: "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a recent challenging event in your life. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, guiding you towards His purpose?
### Day 2: Consequences of Choices
The sad state of affairs in Israel was a result of their choices to follow other gods. Similarly, our lives can reflect the consequences of our choices. It's crucial to remember where we were before knowing Christ and how our decisions impact our spiritual state. This reflection helps us appreciate God's deliverance even more.
In Judges, Israel's repeated disobedience led to oppression by their enemies. However, each time they repented, God raised a judge to deliver them. This pattern highlights the importance of our choices and their spiritual consequences. By reflecting on our past decisions and their outcomes, we can better understand the depth of God's mercy and grace in our lives. It also encourages us to make choices that align with His will, knowing that our actions have significant spiritual implications. [45:29]
Bible Passage: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a choice you made recently. How did it impact your spiritual state, and what can you learn from it to make better choices in the future?
### Day 3: Mixed Responses Among God's People
There will always be a mixed bag of responses among God's people. Some will be faithful, while others may be preoccupied or indifferent. This reality calls us to examine our own commitment and to seek out those who genuinely represent God's work.
In the story of Deborah and Barak, we see varied responses from the tribes of Israel. Some eagerly joined the battle, while others stayed behind. This diversity in response is a reminder that not everyone will be equally committed to God's work. It challenges us to evaluate our own level of commitment and to surround ourselves with those who are genuinely pursuing God's purposes. By doing so, we can be encouraged and strengthened in our faith journey. [52:24]
Bible Passage: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current level of commitment to God's work. Are there areas where you have been indifferent or preoccupied? How can you become more actively involved in His mission?
### Day 4: Contemplating God's Servant in Salvation
The story of Jael and Sisera's mother contrasts the unlikely hero with the oppressor. This serves as a reminder to contemplate God's methods and servants in our salvation. Just as Jael was used in an unexpected way, Jesus Christ, the ultimate servant, brought salvation through His sacrifice.
In Judges 5, Jael, an unlikely hero, played a crucial role in Israel's deliverance by defeating Sisera. This unexpected turn of events points to the greater deliverance brought by Jesus Christ, who came as a humble servant to save humanity. Reflecting on these stories helps us appreciate the diverse ways God works through individuals to accomplish His purposes. It also encourages us to see ourselves as potential instruments of His grace, regardless of our background or circumstances. [57:15]
Bible Passage: "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when God used an unlikely person or situation to bring about His purposes in your life. How does this change your perspective on how God can use you?
### Day 5: Praying for God's Kingdom
The ultimate goal of our contemplation and worship is to pray for the advancement of God's kingdom. This involves asking God to crush the spiritual forces that oppose Him and to bring His kingdom into our lives and communities. Our prayers and actions should align with this divine mission.
As we reflect on the deliverance stories in Judges, we are reminded of the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for God's kingdom to advance. Praying for God's kingdom means seeking His will in every aspect of our lives and actively participating in His mission. It calls us to be vigilant in prayer, asking God to overcome the forces of darkness and to establish His reign in our hearts, homes, and communities. [01:03:10]
Bible Passage: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in advancing God's kingdom today? What specific prayers and actions can you take to align with His mission?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You may think, well, I'm here because I made a point of being here. Yes, you did. Thank you. But even beyond that, you're here because God is calling you. He is calling you. He is calling us to worship Him. And His call has been going out to you your entire life. And it's good for us to be in a place where we can read tangibly, very directly, God's call, and us respond to Him in worship." [10:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Each one of these stories of salvation points to Jesus Christ and salvation. Each one of these judges, though flawed, points to Jesus Christ. And we see ourselves in this cycle. We can look back at our own life and see how we have often walked with God and walked away from God. Yet God still calls us to himself and we see God's mercy, his quick to forgive that is throughout this passage." [30:20] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our salvation is one such traumatic event that should be constantly relived and relived. And our heart and our mind when we wake up in the still moments of our day to intentionally go back to consider how has God worked in my life? And I think that is the intent of what we'll be doing at the end of our service and our communion where Jesus says, do this in remembrance of me to constantly go back." [32:34] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "There are some things that you should never get over. There are some things that should constantly be in our mind. Our salvation is one such traumatic event that should be constantly relived and relived. And our heart and our mind when we wake up in the still moments of our day to intentionally go back to consider how has God worked in my life?" [32:34] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Of all the things you sing about, can you not sing about a Savior? Of all the silly songs this world produces, can we not sing about our salvation, of what God has done? Even as we do with all our heart and soul, with the power of the Holy Spirit, we're fighting a battle. May enemies perish, oh Lord. But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might. And the land had rest for 40 years. I look forward to that day. A rest without end." [01:04:24] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It is really helpful for us to remember where our lives were at apart from God. In fact, when we talk about having a testimony, we talk about those three parts. Give a description of your life before you came to know Christ. Second, what brought you to the point of knowing Christ? Third, what's the difference Christ is making? And in all of these, it's always good to remember where do we come from? What is our state apart from God? What type of choices do we make? What kind of consequences do we live in? This is part of contemplating salvation." [45:53] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There will always be a confrontation of wisdom with our wisdom of God's wisdom with our wisdom. But at the end, when we look back on our life, you'll see that God is at work through the course of events. So Deborah is writing this song letting the people know all the details God has been at work through it all." [43:06] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "To understand that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. I take these prayers and say, may your enemies perish. Say, God, may Satan perish. May the demons perish. May the spiritual forces at work that's corrupting our society, God, may it perish in your time. And as I preach God's kingdom, and as I show God's kingdom, as I experience and live out God's kingdom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God advances." [01:03:10] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we take part of the Lord's Supper, you know what we're doing? We're contemplating God's servant in our salvation. When we consider the bread that is broken for us, do we see the body of Jesus broken and whipped and pierced, hung upon our cross? When we talk about the cup, which is his blood shed for us, do we see the blood in our mind's eye? Do we contemplate God's method of salvation, how he is used as servant in our life?" [01:02:08] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There will be a violent end to all those forces that line itself against Jesus. Contemplate that. There will be a violent end. All forces that raise itself against Jesus. And those forces are at work in our mind. They're at work around us. They're working through the people. And anyone who gives themselves to these forces. See, God teaches us now to say, to understand that we are engaged in a spiritual, battle, but our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. So be strong in the Lord and the power of his might." [01:00:13] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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