ARCC Sermons

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April 3rd

The Bible reading today is in Judges chapters 10, 11, & 12.

Today we read some of the most terrible words that anyone could ever hear...especially from God...Quote“...you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more.” (God to Israel...His treasured ones.)...you...not someone else...but you, my “prince with God”...you have forsaken me...you have renounced me...you have turned your back on me...Oh, Jacob’s children...you, sons and daughters of promise...you have deserted me...you, my treasured ones, have forgotten and abandoned our covenant...our promise to remain faithful, to you and to you alone, until in death we are parted. You have chosen to serve other gods...who are not God at all...Baal is not God...Asherah is not God...Molech is not God...but you worship them...you love them...but don't you remember...?...we pledged our love to each other... forever...and now you have other loves besides me...

Oh, friends, I hear God the Father say to me...”How could you...be so careless with our relationship...I've been nothing but faithful to you and our promise...but just as Hosea’s heart was broken by his wife’s unfaithfulness, my heart is broken over your unfaithfulness to Me...”

“I love you...” and that will never change...” therefore”...”I will save you no more...”

Wow...Those are indeed terrible words...”I'll save you no more”.

The Philistines and the Ammonites were imposing their cruel will upon the Israelites...for eighteen years...still Israel continued to serve their gods.

What was it going to take? HARD WORDS! Simple words, few words, but hard words.

Words that stung, words that burned, words that convicted, words that pronounced GUILT & SENTENCE.

“I'll save you no more.”...And what did God’s people do? The same thing that His disciples do today...from their contrite and broken spirits, they said...unto the Lord, “We have sinned. Do to us what seems to be good to you...only please deliver us this day.” And God did just that.

Did you hear it? At the end of themselves...Admission...Submission...and Petition.

That is what “God’s word” brings about in the heart of His chosen ones. Praise His Name. Jesus is the way...He is also the word...so His powerful word to us is the way to Him and the “way back” to Him. Thank You, Jesus.

And before you finish today’s text, you will be shown why God warns His people not to make vows that arent God given...they come back to haunt us...

Enjoy the rest of the story

Have a good day

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April 2nd

The Bible reading for today is in Judges chapters 8 & 9.

The reading begins with a discouraging picture painted by the men of Ephraim...a “self-centered” picture.

They were jealous of the heroic recognition given to Gideon in his leading the 300 to routing the huge Midianite army. Instead of being thankful for the victory over their oppressors, they were selfishly negative and judgmental toward their deliverer. They wanted more recognition for themselves.

Let us remember that the Tabernacle was set up in the city of Shiloh in the province of “Ephraim”. These men lived every day close to the House of God. And yet, they were behaving self-centered rather than God-centered.

Immediately, I think that the men of Ephraim should be reproved for such an ungodly response toward Gideon. And then I remember occasions when I have coveted the praise given to others. And I don't just live near the house of God, by the Holy Spirit in me, I am the house of God. There’s no excuse friends for seeking our own glory...anytime. Lord help us!

Continuing in the text...Gideon...from hero to zero!

The scripture says that Gideon led his men to pursue the fleeing Midianite army. He fought and his men fought until the battle was won. That is Godly persistence. This part of Gideon’s heroic profile reminds me of the greatest Warrior who fought until the battle was won...Jesus...on the cross...”

It is finished”...the battle to win my salvation was fought until victory over sin, Satan, and death was won for me...for us...for all who believe the deliverer, the Lord our God...JESUS CHRIST!

Continuing in the text, the leaders and the people of Israel recognized Gideon’s skill and prowess as a courageous deliverer. So they tried to persuade him to be their king.

Gideon replied, “No..I will not rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” Gideon understood that it was not his place to take the throne over Israel. Only God could be Sovereign over Israel.

As followers of Christ, His disciples, we are often offered the “throne” of our lives. Too many times we accept and begin to rule over our own lives like a god. And then the Holy Spirit within us leads us back to the truth...Jesus...Jesus is Lord...Jesus is King...Jesus rules on the throne of His kingdom of which we are a part.

The Midianite war was over. Gideon had made great decisions on the battlefield...split-second decisions that translated into victories. But now, Gideon at home in Ophra...Gideon the farmer and no longer the general...Gideon makes one poor judgment after another.

He would seek to accumulate a fortune for his service...to live over and above those he served. Bad call. He would create an imitation “High Priest” garment...the “Ephod” vest. And he would display it in his city.

I want to believe that Gideon was only using the display to remind Israelites to seek the Lord. I want to believe that Gideon never intended to compete with the Tabernacle in Shiloh. But scripture says that the Ephod display became a stumbling block to many on their spiritual journey.

Lesson: Even just an inch away from God’s word...God’s ways...God’s will...will always lead to trouble for the believer and his friends.

Praise God...we have something...we have someone who is far better than a golden ephod to inspire our worship of the God of our salvation...JESUS!

Have a great day

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April 1st

The Bible reading today is in Judges chapters 6 and 7.

Yesterday I enjoyed the story of God, Deborah, and ‘Bear Ak defeating Jabin of Canaan and his cruel army commander, Sisera, who harassed, tortured, and killed many Israelites for twenty years.

Sisera got his...(reminding me of another story in scripture about a hammer and a nail that delivered ME from the cruel master of sin and death)...Israel saw God at work one more time...and I searched my own heart one more time.

God disciplined His chosen ones for twenty years. That seems like a very long time, but God knew what it would take to turn His rebellious children back to Him...and NOTHING was more important to God than that. Bringing...THEM...Back...to a close fellowship with God...back to true abundant living...back to the joy of a clear conscience...back to a peace way down in their hearts that would bring true contentment...and back to a faith set upon God for everything.

And after God broke and softened their hard hearts...they cried out to God for His deliverance...and just like the merciful God that He is, God worked a perfect work of deliverance for them. How? Deborah and Barak!

Deborah believed God...Barak struggled to believe God’s word. But Deborah inspired ‘Barak. He sensed God’s presence with Deborah. So he said...”I'll go down to meet Sisera and his 900 chariots of warriors...if you will go with me.”

Deborah agreed. She reproved Commander Barak. She stepped out...alone it seems... believing that God would do what He said He would do. And a great victory was given to them by God. Deborah wrote and sang a song about the victory...giving all the glory and the credit to God.

“Lord, we want to believe You like Deborah...and when we struggle, may we follow a Spirit-filled bro or sister to a deeper love and faith in You...like ‘Barak.”

Now to another one of my favorites...a great story...in today’s text...about God and another farmer...Gideon.

God had given covenant-breaking Israel over to the overpowering Midianites for seven years. The Midianites would sweep down to steal the crop harvests and steal the fruit right off of the Israeli vines. The Midianites were so cruel, that the Israelites had to leave their homes on the plains and in the valleys and make their homes in the caves of the surrounding mountains. Hard times to be sure.

But God was working His plan. He was going to use Gideon. My question is “Couldn't the Lord choose a less reluctant servant for this mission”. Like Moses, Gideon gave Jesus one excuse after another for why he couldn't or shouldn't be God’s man to deliver Israel from the Midianites.

“You say that God is with us...wow...why then has all of this happened to us?”

“God may have been with our fathers...bringing them out of Egypt, but where has He been for us? Why has He forsaken us?”

“Go now in the power that you have...and save Israel from the Midianites...I will be with you...and you will strike down Midian as though they were one man.”

Then like fresh oil being added to an almost empty lamp, the reluctant farmer with doubts and fears about much...believed God’s word lifted a torch and took up his sword for the battle to come.

He had 32,000 men against 128,000 Midian soldiers. God then whittled Gideon’s army down to 10,000 and eventually down to 300. 300 + God!

God gave Gideon a strategy...something about clay pots and torches and 300 trumpets. Guess who won? “For the Lord and Gideon” was the battle cry of the 300!

By the way, Gideon met Jesus in this story...what looked more like an angel at first, Gideon recognized the Lord. “Oh to see You at work in and around our lives Lord Jesus...just like Gideon...and that You would infuse us with faith and courage to do battle right alongside You.”

Have a great day

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March 31st

The Bible reading today is in Judges chapters 3,4,5.

Today’s reading begins with a list of Canaanite peoples who were still living in the promised land.

God never intended to drive out all the Canaanites at one time. Scripture tells us that God intended to do it “slowly”...using each tribe to drive out those that remained after the provincial kings of Canaan had been defeated and killed.

We know of two reasons from scripture why God left Canaanites in the land. One from yesterday’s reading and the second from today’s.

First, God used the Canaanite people to “test” His own. The word “test” in this text means “to prove”...to prove who was legitimate and who was not..it’s the picture of the refiner’s fire..the ore would be fired to great heat and the ore would melt...was it “golden” or not...the fire and the heat would answer that question.

God would use the Canaanites to prove to the new nation that they had not arrived yet. There was a lot of spiritual growing up that needed to be done. God would use the “Canaanite factor” in the promised land to prove which of His treasured ones would follow Him and which ones would be turned away from the Lord by the Canaanite culture and religious practices.

In 1 Corinthians 11, we learn that God tested the members of the Corinthian church so that the church would recognize the genuine believers from the fake ones...and deal appropriately.

One more thought on God’s testing of His people.

Ever noticed how God didn't just instantly change every area of our lives when we first got saved? Yes...Why?...so that He could “prove and improve” us at such a “pace”, that we, who are a bit slow as the Rabbi’s talmadim...disciples, we would come to understand that doing “new life” was first and foremost, doing it with the Lord.

So God used the remaining Canaanite presence to “test and prove” His congregation...proving just who was completely His and just who was not.

But there was another reason for God leaving Canaanites in the land after the initial campaign. Israel needed to “learn war”!

God wanted His people to be “warriors”. And the presence of these dangerous neighbors would give God His opportunity to train all of Israel to fight.

“God” placed Israel in this hostile environment. He knew with Egypt on one side and Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece on the other, His kids would have to fight to survive...not on their own but with God.

I like what David Guzik says...” No one likes the tests and struggles against temptations and sin, but the battle is good for us. “Remember...The symbol of Christianity is a cross, not a feather bed.”

So God began to test His “promised land people” and teach them war...spiritual and military war. God would use His judges to be their professors and their delivers.

Now...Jumping to the end of chapter 3. A short story of one of my favorite “God made” leaders. A man named Shamgar an Israeli farmer who saved Israel from the 5 Lords of the Philistines. By starting where he was...With what he had...To do what he could do...

We’re going to enjoy the rest of the story.

Have a great day.

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March 30th

The bible reading for today is in Judges chapters 1,2.

The title of this book is indeed fitting. It speaks of “God made leaders” that God would use in the life of Israel as they “did life” on “mission” in the land of promise...”God made leaders”...unique?... perhaps. But certainly not altogether exceptional people...some good examples...some not so good.

We will see God calling them...We will see God engaging them...and we will see God empowering them...the ready and the reluctant...men and women...for selfless, heroic kingdom service...not for their resumes but for the purposes and glory of God.

We will be reading of God’s activity over a 350-year span. Believers will stumble and fall to temptation. Believers, not just the young ones, will stop trusting God for a season.

Then God will discipline and test His children...God will raise up and deploy His judges...God will use them to deliver Israel from the consequences of their breaking covenant with God and to restore spiritual life within the tribes of the new nation...at least for a while.

Some have described this book of the Bible as a tragic sequel to Joshua...from victory to defeat. I can concede that thinking...to a degree.

But I hope you will see with me through our reading...our God at work...our God fulfilling His prophecies...our God further testing and preparing a nation to fulfill His plans...and our God teaching and inspiring even us, on this side of the cross of Christ, to a greater faith than ever before.

To the text...God gave the tribes a work to do. That reminds me of the work that God has assigned the church to do...to be witnesses of Christ...and making disciples from here to the ends of the earth.

Our reading tells us that most of the tribes failed to do the work that they were commanded to do...for fear or compromise or spiritual coldness. What’s our excuse? God forgive me.

The tribes were to proceed to drive out the defeated people of Canaan...completely! That was Their God-given job. The tribe of Judah led the campaign with faith in God and a partnership with the tribe of Simeon. And oh the victories that God gave to them...one after another...including “Adoni Bezek”...King over 70 kings and provinces that would have joined him in defeat. Incredible victories for Judah.

And by the way...what an “evidence” of God at work when Simeon left his work to aid Judah and Judah keeping his promise to help Simeon drive out those defeated Canaanites that were still in his province.

The evidence of “God’s covenant love” toward His people grew exponentially in and through the mountains of victory for Judah and Simeon.

And then something happened. Victory was defeated by fear. They failed to trust God’s message...the message that He gave to them through Joshua.

Judah had driven out the Canaanites of the hill country...But...they couldn't drive out the people of the plains...Why? Chariots? Not the basic reason...NO Faith in God...They failed to trust God’s word to the tribes through Joshua...in Joshua 17.

Bear with my license to read the story how I believe it should have played out...Joshua says: “You are numerous and have great power...“O do we? Who says? God says!...well that settles it...the fight’s on then...” “you will drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and are very strong.”

“Oh, I remember now what our fathers told us of how God took out the whole chariot army of Egypt for them...yes...the fight is on...you have a sword speer and chariots but we have the power of the living God of Israel with us.” “Let us take the fight to them, men! CHARGE!

God had given Judah and all of the tribes of Israel more than enough evidence of His power and His faithfulness to keep His word to their benefit.

Sounds like my life friends. How many times does God have to tell me and show me that He can be trusted in every situation of life for my benefit? Apparently, at least one more time.

In chapter two of our reading, Jesus shows up and says to Israel, “I will never break my covenant with you...even though you fail to obey my voice...I will test you...”

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your faithfulness to me, even when I've failed to obey your voice. I'm also grateful for Your tests that lead me back to You when I stray.

Looking forward to the rest of this story

Have a great day

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March 29th

The Bible reading for today finishes up the book Joshua...chapters 22,23,24.

Israeli soldiers from the eastern lands...tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh...kept their promise to help their brothers secure the western territory for their families.

Joshua and all of Israel praised God and praised them for being faithful “promise keepers”. Quote: “Today we know that God is in our midst because you didn't break your word to us.”

Oh, friends, this reminds me just how important covenant relationships are. When I am a faithful “promise keeper” to my wife and family...it helps them to know that God is near...when I am a faithful “promise keeper” to my church family, they will praise God and know that He is in their midst.

Covenant meant “commitment”...God to Israel...Israel to God...and Israel to each other. Covenant also meant cut/blood...sacrifice.

The eastern tribes had their land secured. But they were “covenant committed” to their brothers...to help them...even at great cost or sacrifice if need be.

What a picture of Jesus...and His covenant commitment...His sacrifice...on the cross for us, His little brothers and sisters in the faith. Thank You, Jesus!

Continuing in the text...

The three eastern tribes built an altar on the bank of the Jordan. It was not for offerings or separate community celebrations and worship apart from the Tabernacle in Shiloh. The eastern people of Israel named the altar, “Witness”. It stood as a witness to the forever promise and commitment to follow the Lord right along “with” the rest of the tribes in the promised land, even though they were separated by the Jordan River.

When someone becomes a Covenant member of the Alamo Ranch Community Church, the elders, for the church, give the new members a special coin. The coin is only valuable as a “Witness”. It reminds us of God’s commitment to us...our commitment to Him...and our commitment to each other. In God’s family, we are a family of “promise keepers”... to the glory of God ...and to the support of each other in Christ.

Continuing in the text...Joshua seems to give two farewell messages in our reading. ..one at Shiloh, when the Tabernacle was pitched there...and another at Schehem...north of Shiloh about 15 miles.

In both prophetic occasions, Joshua addressed leaders and the congregation of Israel as a whole. God would lead Israel through these spiritual leaders of the congregation. By and large, the people knew this.

But Joshua was pressing two truths...

1. How important it would be for the elders themselves to guard their own spiritual hearts and lives before the Lord.

And...2. How important it would be for the congregation to be courageous themselves in finishing what had been started in establishing the new nation in the promised land.

Why two farewell messages?

Maybe God had more to say through His faithful servant...like...Dear friends....“Choose you this day whom you will serve....And as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Ive enjoyed reading Joshua with you...but there is much more to the story...meet you there

Have a great day

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March 28th

The Bible reading today is in Joshua 19,20,21.

We finish reading about the land allotment to the tribes and families within each tribe in these chapters today.

But before you yawn and close your Bible, listen to these verses...“Thus the Lord gave all the land that He promised to Israel’s fathers years ago.”

In other words, God kept His promise for 500+ years. Doesn't that merit our confidence in Him today?

He was faithful to His treasured ones. Are we not His treasured ones in Christ? Then He must keep on keeping His word to us. Not a word failed of which He spoke. All came to pass! Most of Israel believed Him then. We must believe Him now!

“And God gave them rest throughout the promised land...and no enemy rose up against them...God delivered all the land into Israel’s hands.”

This is where the Israelite nation quit commemorating Passover as though they were equipped to travel. Now they will eat the Passover reclining at rest as described in John 13...” the disciple that Jesus loved reclined at the Passover table at Jesus’ side.”

All came to pass...God keeps His promises...God gives abundant life...God gives rest in the land... but especially God gives rest in the heart of those who believe Him.

Oh, friends if we are inclined to forget the rest that God delivered unto us...remember...all of this was and is a foreshadowing of God’s promises made and kept in and through Christ.

I love the way Alan Redpath put it...“In the light of the cross of Christ is it not true that the enemy has no right to dwell in the land? Is it not true that Satan’s claim to your life was taken from him at Calvary? Is it not true that sin has no right to a foothold in the life of the child of God? Is it not true that Satan has no power in the presence of Omnipotence?

Is it not true that by virtue of His blood and resurrection, Jesus Christ is pledged to destroy the enemy utterly? Is it not true that in the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit there is strength for every temptation, grace for every trial, and power to overcome every difficulty?

The answers are yes yes yes And overwhelmingly YES...not just because we want it to be, but because an eternally faithful, truthful, and ever righteous God says so!!!

Friends enjoy the rest if the story...

Have a great day

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March 27

Today’s Bible reading is in Joshua chapters 16,17,18.

In the middle of the process to divide the land, Joshua must find a more permanent place for the Tabernacle.

For forty years the tent of meeting was set up and torn down and moved over and over...in the direction of the cloud of God...as the priests and Levites served in that occupation.

For all of those years, the Tabernacle was staked down right in the middle of the Israeli camp...denoting: Community and Covenant, Worship, Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, Atonement, Cleansing, Purification, Prayer, Sinfulness, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Scapegoat, Fellowship with God.

The Tabernacle and its positioning in the camp was a constant reminder to the nation, as well as a clear declaration to all of the sojourners in the wilderness, that Israel was a “God-centered” community.

But now, Judah, Ephraim, and Rueben...3 of the 4 squadron/tribe protectors of the Tabernacle while in the wilderness...they were leaving to possess their parts of the promised land.

So Joshua chose a place for her permanent location...and called it Shiloh...the name Jacob used to refer to the coming Messiah in his Genesis 49 prophetic record shortly before he died.

Inside the lot of Ephraim just next to the lot of Benjamin....closer to the “heart” of the country than Jerusalem was...that tent which sanctified the whole of the camp, would now be the glory of Israel at the center of her new land...to stay here for the next 300 years.

And according to Deuteronomy 12:11, ...” it was God who would choose this place for the dwelling of His name...there to bring one’s burnt offerings and sacrifices...tithes and special gifts and all the choice possessions that have been devoted to the Lord.”

So most assuredly God made known His choice of Shiloh to Joshua.

“Oh Lord...may we come “to expect” to hear from You on matters most important to us as this was to Israel.

Now one more revelation from our text for this podcast.

Joshua and the seven tribes who were still encamped at Jericho, made some haste to move the Tabernacle Shiloh. It would be a special occasion for all...a reunion and a celebration at the same time for all 12 tribes.

But once the Tabernacle was set, Joshua spoke most sternly to the 7 tribes who had not yet moved from the great camp to the lands that had been apportioned by God unto them.

They apparently did not share God’s primary conviction for actually possessing the land. It had been promised to Israel for more than just a space for a new nation. That new nation would cradle the hopes and anticipation of the Messiah to come...JESUS!

Therefore the beginning of the life and work of that new nation must include pushing back the darkness of false gods and any number of evil practices...including child molestation, child slavery, and firey child sacrifices to the little “g” gods of Canaan.

Joshua spoke some hard words to the seven irresponsible tribes...words like slothful, sluggards, selfish, disobedient, and dilatory...as close to calling them cowards without saying. All of which were meant to stir them to repentance and new resolve to go “on in” to the land to possess it as God delivered it.

And did they? Well, that’s the rest of the story...Enjoy!

Have a great day.

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March 26th

The Bible reading for today is in Joshua chapters 12-15.

The reading begins with the counting of all the kings and their people that Moses and Joshua defeated...those on the eastern side of the Jordan and those on the western side of that river...33 kings and their provinces in all...two by Moses in a 2-year span and 31 by Joshua in seven years.

The reading for us is a bit tedious because we are not inheriting any of that land. But for the Israelites, the list meant everything...this was their portion from God...they had anticipated this for a long time. This was the land of God’s promise to them. When they read this list to their children, every ear was attentive to names and stories of the battles fought and won for the land.

This list meant that all of this land belonged to Israel...by the grace of God! Praise was given to God for His victories now given to His treasured ones.

We read of an interesting conversation between Joshua and God. “God calls Joshua old...yet there is much land to be possessed.”

The part that interests me the most is...that even though God knew that Joshua was advanced in years, He still told him about another job that needed to be done.

That conversation begs the question for me: “As Christians, sons, and daughters of the promise...the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ...Can we be “too old” to be used by God...? Can we be “too old” to serve God? Can we be “too old” to participate in the building of Christ’s church...for the sake of the gospel...and the salvation of sinners around the world?

NO! There are not any age limitations in God’s kingdom workforce. AND...There IS still much to do!

When we get to Joshua chapter 14 we read another one of my favorite stories...it’s about God and a man with an unusual name. CALEB was his name. In some languages, Caleb means “dog”. In other languages, Caleb means “all heart”.

Put them together and we get the picture...a dog follows his master...come dirt, mud, and mire for many a weary mile...as the master rides his horse and the dog runs close by...even getting clipped by a hoof from time to time that wounds him...the dog stays close to his master.

That’s “all heart”...and that’s Caleb to his master...never half-hearted ...always a wholehearted servant of his God...come what may. Nothing “lukewarm” about Caleb...he either had a holy heat about him that gave courage to others...or he had the spirit of refreshing that gave energy all around for obeying God.

Joshua and Eleazar were dividing up the land by tribes. Judah would be first. And Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, shows up with a bold request of Joshua. “You know the words that God spoke to Moses concerning me...in Kadesh Barnea

“Moses said that because you “wholly followed” the Lord... ”the land upon which your feet have trodden will be your inheritance and your children's’ forever.”

And it was so.

Caleb was another foreshadowing of Jesus found in our old testaments...revealing our earthly ministering Jesus. Caleb too walked not ahead of the Lord. He walked with the Lord...Like Jesus, his way was not according to his initiative...he was an “all hearted” follower...” he only spoke as the Lord spoke, he only worked as the Lord worked, and he only walked where his Lord walked...Sounds like Jesus in John 5:19.

Wow, Caleb did that for his family...for his nation...Jesus did that for you and me...all the way through the cross...all the way through the burial, the resurrection, his ascension, and one day his coming again.

I appreciate the man with the unusual name...especially because he reminds me of Jesus my Lord!

Have a great day