If Judges chapters 17-18 are about Israel's idolatry, chapters 19-21 are about its immorality and societal decay. The text before us shows us just how corrupt God's chosen people have become by telling one of the most gruesome stories in the entire Bible. But before we become too quickly repulsed by the actions of the men in the text, let us examine our own lives, lest we allow the same root sins to fester in our hearts. Then, as we see the absolute horror of sin, let us turn to Christ and His cross, our only hope of salvation.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

The theological decay of Judges 17 didn't stop with Micah and his home, but had also infected even an entire tribe of Israel! In the text before us we'll see how the tribe of Dan apostatized from the true worship of Yahweh, and as we consider their fall, may we be reminded of the danger our churches constantly face. If we grow proud and lazy--confident in our own strength and security--we may someday find that we too have fallen away from the true faith that is found in Christ.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

For the Church of the Lord Jesus, hostility and opposition from the unbelieving world is always a possibility. However, a greater threat to the saints is that of compromise with the culture, idolatry, and even falling away or apostasy. In this text, we see that Israel's main threat comes, not from the pagan nations, but from her own unbelief and faithlessness. Through this passage, let us be reminded of the ever-present danger of apostasy, and may we humbly submit to the Lordship of Christ.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

In Romans 15:1-7 we get a picture of what it looks like when a church is gripped by the gospel.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

Times have always been difficult for Christians. From the time of Paul to our own day, Christians have always been outsiders and persecuted in some way. However, God has given the gift of discipleship to His church and following the pattern of faithful Christians before us enable us to persevere through difficult times.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

The last days are not off in the future. According to the Bible, we are living in the last days and have been for the past 2000 years. God desires that His people are prepared to face the world in which they live. Therefore, we receive in this passage a sobering reminder about the reality of humanity and the dangers to the church from both without and within. We are wise to examine ourselves against the descriptions in this passage so that we might live faithfully in these last days.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

The Corinthians thought they had arrived. Their pride and self-confidence led to divisions in the Church. Paul's answer was to humble them with the truths of God's intention in the Gospel. Likewise, we who claim to be Christians should apply this text to our own lives and be humbled by what God has done and why he has done it.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

WE come to the end of Samson's story. The one-might man now blind and chained, led around by a child. A sad ending to a promising deliverer. Yer in his tragedy lies hope -- God will accomplish all of His saving purposes. despite the failure of Israel and its leaders. And so it is that in Samson's captivity and death that we get a glimpse of a greater redemption for God's people to be accomplished in the future.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

The opportunity is everywhere. Whether it is the movies we watch, the music we listen to, or the company we keep, if we do not maintain a close watch on our lives each compromise will bring us one step closer to disaster. That is what we see in the episode of Samson before us today: the strongest man undone by compromise and an unchecked appetite for pleasure. May we be found wise and attentive to the warnings found in this passage.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/

Easter is about conflict, it's about war, and ultimately it's about victory. In the text before us, we have a vivid reminder of this reality. Samson's fight with the Philistines might look like personal vendettas, but what we really see is the conflict between God and His enemies. It's a call for God's people to engage in battle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. And it points us to the victory won for us by Christ Jesus on the cross.

Christ's Fellowship Church of Lawton is a Reformed Baptist Church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. https://cfclawton.org/