every fall since becoming the pastor at 6th Avenue, i've shared messages as a part of an Old Testament series. we've studied:
- Nehemiah
- The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
- Joseph
- Moses and the Exodus
- Joshua
this fall, we're continuing from that previous progression into the book of Judges. the Judges arrived individually throughout Israel's history with the same annointing or purpose: to lead Israel back to God.
Israel had this up and down spiritual, and resulting national, history. at one time they're all following after God with all their heart, keeping His law for living well in community together--then, before you know it, they're all chasing after idols and pursuing the very things that were contrary to God's law.
enter the Judge--divinely raised up by God to bring the heart of God's people back to an awareness and submission to God's will. some were willing, others needed time to accept that role.
the point was, without that Judge, it wasn't long before the people settled back into selfish and shameful practices.
we are so like Israel...
left to ourselves, we settle into selfish, even shameful practices. we need leadership--His divinely appointed leadership within our lives.
enter the Spirit--Jesus says to his disciples, "It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you...But when he comes, He will guide you into all truth." ( from John 16:7, 13). The Spirit is given by our Savior to continue to be God's divine and guiding presence in our lives so we will not fall back into selfish practices, but continue in knowing and following God's will.
the Judges were people, filled with their own imperfections and faults--yet the Spirit of God is perfect, ever-present, able to intercede, as well as intervene in our behalf so that we are truly "blessed in the heavenly realms with every Spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).
we invite you to join us any Sunday morning (9:30) this fall for our journey into understanding and applying the lessons of the Judges--for more information, visit us on the web at Visit6th.com
