CCF Weekly Services Podcast

Barak is given a tough reputation as the fourth judge of Israel. While he was initially afraid, his reasons for trusting God were founded upon His Word. And for that reason, scripture remembers Him honorably.

1. A Prophet is a spokesman for God. Any effective teaching of God's Word is the gift of Prophecy.

2. Faith means trust with reason. The reasons we have to trust God and what we trust Him to do are recorded in His Word.

3. Courage isn't being fearless. It's being scared and doing the right thing anyway.

Jesus' healing of the Ten Lepers gives us an object lesson about thankfulness. Regardless of the number of those who actually got it, the one who recognized the good thing they had gained more than their health as a result.

1. Thankfulness is recognizing the good things you have.

2. Signs follow those who believe, not the other way around.

3. Thankfulness is the perspective every Christian can have towards everything in life.

Shamgar was not a native Israelite, but was a disciple of Ehud that accomplished incredible things for the nation of Israel. From his testimony we see the impact faithful discipleship makes on a generation.

1. Every disciple is a believer, but not all believers are disciples.

2. God can do more with people that show up with what they have than those waiting until they're qualified.

3. The responsibility of every disciple is to make more disciples.

Hosea's call to Israel echoes the same word God has spoken to us from the beginning. Repent. Turn back to Him. The alternatives aren't pleasant.

1. Idolatry is when we treat something that isn't God as if it is.

2. Repentance is more about who you turn to than whatever you're turning from.

3. God's discipline is preferable to being left to manage our own lives apart from Him

Ehud was a handicapped member of the Tribe of Benjamin who stood out in his generation as someone willing to be used by God in his weakness to prove exactly how strong God is.

1. The reason God seems far away from us is because we keep moving.

2. God is more limited by our strengths than our weaknesses.

3. God is more willing to use people that know they need Him than people who don't.

Hosea's prophecy continues with a series of historical references to the disaster that false prophets have and are continuing to bring on their nation. Israel fell into the same trap many still do today. When this life is a higher priority than the next, we begin to make decisions that may benefit this life, but cost us everything where it matters most.

1. Our Emotions are good servants, but poor masters if they become an alternative to truth.

2. We set ourselves up for spiritual disaster if we make this life a higher priority than the next.

3. Idols are man made speculation about the gods. Revelation is when God actually tells us what He's like.

The first judge of Israel is raised up in response to a Mesopotamian king oppressing Israel for 8 years. As a result of the godly example of Caleb, his descendant Othniel was raised up as the first judge and living proof of the difference God makes in someone's life.

1. Freedom of choice isn't freedom from consequence.

2. A Godly example to the next generation won't be wasted.

3. Apart from God, we can't accomplish anything.

The example of Daniel's friends shows a Christian attitude towards a corrupt government as well as a proper attitude towards persecution.

1. Persecution shouldn't be a surprise to any follower of Christ.

2. The only answer to evil people is to make sure you're not one of them.

3. God never promised us freedom from trouble. He has promised to be with us through that trouble.

Paul continues his letter to Thessalonica reminding them of his example, his teachings, and his love for them as fellow believers. While he couldn't be with them in person, his hope was that they continue to grow in their relationship with God like He taught and showed them.

1. Deeds speak louder than words.

2. Love should be the priority of every believer.

3. Your respect for God will be reflected by your respect for His Word.

The book of Judges is outlined with the transition from the death of Joshua and his disciples into the state of anarchy we know as the time of the Judges. What made Joshua's generation one that honored the Lord is the same thing that made every season a judge was raised up a time of blessing. One person was willing to honor God and He used that faithfulness to bless them and their entire generation.

1. No matter how much God uses someone, they won't be around forever.

2. Never assume that because you know people that know and love God, that means you know and love God too.

3. Be the kind of person who does the right thing, even if you do so alone.