Recognizing the Power and Value of Helpers
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we took a moment to acknowledge and pray for Becky, one of our dedicated missionaries in Nepal, who is deeply involved in combating sex trafficking and helping young women discover their purpose in the Lord. We also discussed the significance of Labor Day, a holiday often misunderstood, and used it as a segue to highlight the value of helpers in our lives.
Our main focus was on Judges chapters 4 and 5, where we explored the story of Deborah and Jael, two women whom God used mightily to deliver Israel from oppression. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, was a wise and discerning leader who used her gifts to guide Israel. She summoned Barak and laid out God's battle plan, showing that a helper can indeed lead. Despite Barak's initial hesitation, Deborah's boldness and faith pushed him to act, demonstrating that a helper can also push others towards their God-given responsibilities.
Jael, another key figure, showed that a helper is useful in unexpected ways. She used her resources—a tent peg and a hammer—to defeat Sisera, the commander of the enemy army, fulfilling God's plan. This act of bravery and resourcefulness underscores that helpers are not to be underestimated.
We also discussed the often-overlooked contributions of helpers in our lives and how they should be praised and appreciated. Helpers have varied gifts, can lead, push, and are incredibly useful in God's plan. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that God Himself is our ultimate helper, providing salvation through Jesus Christ.
As we prepare for communion, let's remember to thank Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice, which goes beyond mere help to offer eternal salvation. Let's also take a moment to thank the helpers in our lives, recognizing their invaluable contributions.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Value of Helpers: Helpers are often overlooked and undervalued, but they play crucial roles in God's plan. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, used her gifts to lead Israel, showing that helpers can possess significant spiritual and leadership gifts. Recognize and appreciate the varied gifts of the helpers around you. [46:45]
2. Helpers Can Lead: Deborah's leadership in summoning Barak and laying out God's battle plan demonstrates that helpers can take on significant leadership roles. This challenges the traditional view that helpers are merely supportive and highlights their potential to lead effectively. [48:30]
3. Helpers Can Push: Deborah's encouragement and willingness to accompany Barak into battle pushed him to fulfill his God-given role. Sometimes, leaders need a push from helpers to step into their responsibilities. This dynamic shows the importance of mutual support and encouragement in fulfilling God's plans. [52:48]
4. Helpers Are Useful: Jael's resourcefulness in using a tent peg to defeat Sisera illustrates that helpers can be incredibly useful in unexpected ways. God can use anyone, regardless of their resources, to accomplish His purposes. This encourages us to use whatever we have for God's glory. [56:28]
5. Helpers Should Be Praised: Both Deborah and Jael were praised for their roles in delivering Israel. This reminds us to appreciate and thank the helpers in our lives. Whether it's a family member, a friend, or a colleague, acknowledging their contributions can uplift and encourage them. [59:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:25] - Introduction to Becky's Ministry
[29:35] - Prayer for Becky
[30:37] - Introduction to Labor Day
[31:30] - First Sundays Revival
[32:32] - Understanding Labor Day
[33:10] - History of Labor Day
[34:07] - The Value of Helpers
[35:02] - Introduction to Judges 4 and 5
[35:51] - Israel's Oppression
[36:43] - Deborah and Barak
[37:31] - The Role of Women in Judges
[39:07] - Israel's Desperation
[39:53] - God Sends a Helper
[40:42] - Deborah's Leadership
[46:45] - The Gifts of Helpers
[48:30] - Helpers Can Lead
[52:48] - Helpers Can Push
[56:28] - Helpers Are Useful
[59:54] - Helpers Should Be Praised
[01:01:21] - Communion and Thanksgiving
[01:10:21] - Final Announcements and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Judges 4:1-24
- Judges 5:1-31
### Observation Questions
1. What roles did Deborah fulfill in Israel according to Judges 4:4-5? How did she use her gifts? [43:29]
2. How did Jael defeat Sisera, and what resources did she use? [54:48]
3. What was Barak's initial reaction to Deborah's command from God, and how did Deborah respond? [50:44]
4. How does Judges 5:7 describe the state of Israel before Deborah arose as a leader? [38:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Deborah's leadership role as a prophetess and judge tell us about the potential of helpers in God's plan? [43:29]
2. How does Jael's unexpected act of bravery challenge our perceptions of who can be used by God? [54:48]
3. In what ways did Deborah push Barak to fulfill his God-given responsibilities, and what does this teach us about the role of encouragement in leadership? [52:48]
4. How does the story of Deborah and Jael redefine the traditional view of helpers as merely supportive roles? [48:30]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the helpers in your life. How can you better recognize and appreciate their varied gifts? Can you think of a specific person to thank this week? [59:54]
2. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed a push to fulfill your responsibilities? How did that encouragement impact you, and how can you be that encourager for someone else? [52:48]
3. Deborah used her gifts to lead and guide Israel. What gifts do you have that you might be underutilizing? How can you start using them more effectively for God's glory? [46:45]
4. Jael used what she had at her disposal to accomplish God's plan. What resources or talents do you have that you can use in unexpected ways to serve God? [56:28]
5. Think about a time when you felt undervalued in a role of service. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Deborah and Jael's stories to change your perspective? [48:30]
6. How can you actively support and uplift the helpers in your community, whether at church, work, or home? What specific actions can you take this week to show your appreciation? [59:54]
7. As we prepare for communion, how can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice and the helpers He has placed in your life? [01:01:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Unseen Value of Helpers
Helpers are often overlooked and undervalued, but they play crucial roles in God's plan. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, used her gifts to lead Israel, showing that helpers can possess significant spiritual and leadership gifts. Recognize and appreciate the varied gifts of the helpers around you. [46:45]
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a person in your life who often goes unnoticed but plays a crucial role. How can you show appreciation for their contributions today?
Day 2: Helpers Can Lead
Deborah's leadership in summoning Barak and laying out God's battle plan demonstrates that helpers can take on significant leadership roles. This challenges the traditional view that helpers are merely supportive and highlights their potential to lead effectively. [48:30]
"And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been hesitant to lead. How can you step into a leadership role, even if it feels like you are just a helper?
Day 3: Helpers Can Push
Deborah's encouragement and willingness to accompany Barak into battle pushed him to fulfill his God-given role. Sometimes, leaders need a push from helpers to step into their responsibilities. This dynamic shows the importance of mutual support and encouragement in fulfilling God's plans. [52:48]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone who needs encouragement to step into their God-given role. How can you offer them the support they need today?
Day 4: Helpers Are Useful
Jael's resourcefulness in using a tent peg to defeat Sisera illustrates that helpers can be incredibly useful in unexpected ways. God can use anyone, regardless of their resources, to accomplish His purposes. This encourages us to use whatever we have for God's glory. [56:28]
"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: What resources or skills do you have that you might be underestimating? How can you use them for God's glory today?
Day 5: Helpers Should Be Praised
Both Deborah and Jael were praised for their roles in delivering Israel. This reminds us to appreciate and thank the helpers in our lives. Whether it's a family member, a friend, or a colleague, acknowledging their contributions can uplift and encourage them. [59:54]
"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 life that you have not thanked recently? Take a moment today to express your gratitude to them.
Quotes
1. "Discovering their purpose in the Lord not in anything or anyone else is exactly what we want to be about and so we want to spend a moment to pray for Becky her ministry and also just to remind you to pray for Becky this month and this is like an extra special month because it's literally September 1st so she gets the most prayer out of any of our missionaries of the month." [28:25] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God, we just preemptively want to say we realize what we read is more true than what we think or feel. And so help us to receive it as the truth that it is. Jesus, help us to remove whatever filters we have to receive what you have. And God, we want to listen to you. Thank you for this time that we have together this morning." [30:37] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "For 20 years they've had this kind of cruel existence. How cruel? Well, let's look at the song in chapter 5. Look what it says. It says, In other words, travel was restricted. They really couldn't go anywhere. Verse 7 says, If you've got the New King James Version, it actually says, Think of quiet marketplaces. Think of, you know, no community games. Think of, you know, no gatherings, no parades or signs of life." [38:21] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Deborah recognized the significance of how God was using her. In the song that she wrote in the next chapter, here's what she said. It says in verse one, the song they then sang Deborah and Barak, the son of Abinoam on that day, that the leaders took the lead. That was her and Barak. You know, for years, the pervasive teaching in the church has been that helpers were less than. But that wasn't true in Jewish culture. It wasn't true in the Bible. It wasn't true in Jesus' ministry. And it shouldn't be true in the church, in your home, or in your heart, or in your mind." [49:06] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God will gift and use whomever he wills to accomplish his purposes and to lead his people where he wants them to go. And so in that instance, you need to realize that a helper can push. They can push. Did you notice how it phrased, how they moved forward with this plan? It said 10,000 men went up at his, Barak's, heels, and Deborah went up with him. Barak had been afraid to take this action, and Deborah pushed Barak, committed to go with him. And we see Barak doing what he was supposed to do because Deborah pushed him." [52:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You know, if you did what Jael did here in this text today, you know what would happen to you, right? You would go to Jael. Had to happen. All right, you need to know another point about a helper. A helper is useful. Jael is the second woman introduced and used in our text today, and she isn't just used to set out doilies. She's used to kill the commander of one of the region's most powerful armies, and she did it on purpose. She was asked for a glass of water. What did she give him? A warm glass of milk, put him to bed, and then put a tent peg through his head." [55:49] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Helpers often get overlooked and are underappreciated, not just the women, but all helpers. And so kind of my final point for you today is a helper should be praised. A helper has gifts, a helper can lead, a helper can push, a helper is useful, and a helper should be praised. And other than the application I've kind of talked to you about as we've gone throughout this text, I have one takeaway action item for you today on Labor Day weekend. Just one big thought for you to consider today, something simple you can do. Find a helper, and thank them." [59:54] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I want you to think of the gospel. Hebrews chapter 13 tells us that the Lord is our helper. Multiple Psalms tell us that He is our helper, where we may try our best and fail. Ultimately, our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. So let's turn our attention to Him and thank Him. God, we come to You and thank You that, As we talk about the strength, impact, and power of helpers, we have to look no further than you and what you did by help seems like a small word to describe what you've done." [01:01:21] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Thank you for the helpers you've put in our lives. But God, I pray that you'd use us to be like Deborah, to be like Jael, to be like you. Help us to be helpful, to be helpers to the people around us. But we're mostly thankful for Jesus, for what he has done in laying down his life for us so that we can be saved. And so as we begin to turn our attention towards communion, this moment where we want to thank you, thank you. Thank you for laying down your life that again has been so much more than helpful, eternal, salvation." [01:02:18] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "As you go, we have Becky to think about with our missionary of the month. As you give, you know, just thankful for your consistency in giving, because that allows us to every month support missionaries like Becky and so much more. But then even on days like this, we have to be thankful for your consistency in giving, where we especially love on her. Thank you for giving here at PBC. And love to see you at First Sundays tonight. Come and worship with us, pray, and ask God to come and bring revival to Western Latin." [01:10:21] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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