Many people might be tempted to overlook Judges 3:31. One verse about an obscure man with very few details? Why bother? God, however, does not waste words, and every verse of Scripture is intended for the benefit of His people, and so we come to this brief story about a man from nowhere who accomplishes salvation for Israel in a surprising way. As we examine the text we say that this one man who fought in the place of the nation actually tells us a lot about God's grace towards us in Christ.

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

Yet again Israel sins and experiences the misery of foreign oppression. Yet again God shows compassion for His wayward people by raising up a deliverer. But whereas we might expect another warrior like Othniel, God instead sends the unexpected Ehud. In the passage before us we are reminded that God often saves His people in surprising ways, and often His strength is revealed through the things we consider weak. So as we study, Ehud, may we also see the surprising way God saved His people thought the greater Judge, Jesus.

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

Many people read the book of Judges as a collection of stories describing Israel's extraordinary heroes, but that is only partially true. The book of Judges actually displays the sinful misery of Israel and God's grace in sending saviors. The judges may have been the means of Israel's deliverance, but Yahweh was the source — he is the tue Her. And as we see in Judges 3:1-11, the story of Othniel is ultimately the story of God's love towards a rebellious people through Christ Jesus.

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

In this text, we see the cosmic plan on redemption or "Covenant of Redemption." We learn the Father sent Jesus into this world and that Jesus obeys perfectly. The life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are no accident. Jesus dies at the directive of His Father. This message caused great division in Jesus' day and it still does in our day.

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

In this sermon we encounter Jesus' fourth I AM statement. Jesus claims to be the true leader and ultimate shepherd of God's people in this text. His goodness is revealed not in word only, but in incredible action. He will lay down his life for the sheep. This text contains profound doctrine. Both election and particular redemption are clearly taught in this text.

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

This text is about salvation. In this sermon on John 10:7-10 Jesus uses a word picture here in His third "I Am" statement. He states that He is the "door" of the sheep. Only those who enter through Jesus Christ find salvation and eternal life. Have you entered through the door?

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

Who has the right to lead God's people? Only the True Shepherd of Israel. Jesus paints a vivid picture of false and true shepherds in this picture. We are challenged to ask ourselves who we are following in this world. Who is our shepherd? The Lord is my shepherd... Is he yours.

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

Judges chapter 2 dives deeper into Israel's sin, showing the theological problem behind the nation's failure: the next generation of Israelites don't know God! This failure to love and obey exposes the people to wrath, but Israel's God is still gracious, as He provides a series of saviors, or judges, to deliver them from their oppressors. But these judges cant free the people from their biggest problem -- their sin-sickened hearts. Ultimately, the cycle of Judges points forward to a Savior who can end the downward spiral of sin and death.

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

The word "revival" gets thrown around a lot in evangelical circles. We are always looking for revival. But what is it? If we looked at many modern examples of what is often called revival we would be tempted to say it's some kind of religious experience accompanied in many cases with excessive emotions. Is that genuine revival? In our passage, we see that Israel also had a religious experience, complete with tears and sacrifices, but that doesn't necessarily mean a revival occurred. We would do well to pay attention to their pseudo-repentance lest we deceive ourselves as well.

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

If you are like many Bible readers, Judges chapter one probably doesn't hold much interest for you with its long list of hard to pronounce names and difficult-to-pronounce names and difficult-to-understand narratives. But this divinely-inspired introduction to the book actually teaches us to be sober-minded as we see Israel's strong start after the death of Joshua to her quick descent into compromise and apostasy. The serious Christian would do well to take heed lest we too fall.

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