Deliverance on SermonAudio

This Sunday we begin working through the midway point in the book Judges. This transition begins in our passage this week, and stretches on into Jephthah's view in the coming weeks. The continuing reminder is that we need a king, and none of these judges have been the deliverer the people ultimately need: the king they need is Christ. But this point in the book also reminds us that although bad leaders are not good, an even worse state is the mob rule of the ungoverned. Abimelech showed how bad a truly evil ruler can be, but the worse state actually comes later: "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (21:25) It is good for God's people to pray for godly authorities.

This class examines 1 Peter 3:18-22 to clarify the theological meaning of baptism, distinguishing it from physical water immersion and identifying it as the Holy Spirit's work of uniting believers with Christ. Peter is pointing to a parallel between the salvation provided through the flood of Noah and the believer's deliverance by means of identification with Jesus. The central argument asserts that this spiritual baptism saves by means of Christ's resurrection, which transfers the believer from the old creation into the new creation headed by the ascended Christ.

1. Deliverance! 2. Deliverance by redemption 3. The corresponding call to repentance

If you'll remember… last week we… we left off with Gideon… standing at the edge of a battle… that he could never win… by his own strength. The Midianites… the Amalekites… and the people of the east… had crossed the Jordan… and filled the Jezreel Valley. And the Spirit of the LORD covered Gideon. He sounded the trumpet. And men from several tribes rallied to him. But not long after that… the doubt started to weigh in. And Gideon asked God for reassurance through a sign. He put out a fleece—not once… but twice. And when he did…God patiently answered. And we talked about… the difference between honest weakness… and making signs a substitute… for obeying a clear command. And right here… after God answers Gideon's request for a sign… just when Gideon might expect God to strengthen his army… the LORD begins sending soldiers home. Folks… sending soldiers home… wasn't how military commanders… would expect to prepare for war. But it was DEFINITELY… how God prepared His people to know… who He was… and who would bring the victory!

A. Pray the saints are filled with the knowledge of His will B. Pray the saints are strengthened with all His might C. Pray that the saints are thankful for their deliverance

What do the promises God made throughout the Old Testament have to do with Jesus Christ? In Acts 13, the Apostle Paul answers that question by taking his hearers on a journey through the history of Israel, showing how God's promises—from Abraham to David—were all pointing to the coming of a Savior. Preaching in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, Paul declares that Jesus is the promised Deliverer, whose death and resurrection accomplished what the law of Moses could never do: the actual forgiveness of sins. Along the way, we see the remarkable consistency of God's purpose, the faithfulness of His promises, and the central place of Jesus Christ throughout all of Scripture. Join us for a study of Acts 13 and a closer look at the good news of what God has accomplished through His Son.

This sermon examines the transitional narrative in Exodus 4, focusing on the theological tension of God hardening Pharaoh's heart and the enigmatic episode of Zipporah circumcising her son. The preacher distinguishes between God's prescriptive will, which commands righteousness, and His decretive will, which sovereignly permits sin for the purpose of demonstrating divine power and glory, using the analogy of the potter and clay to explain human responsibility within divine sovereignty. The text further explores the 'bridegroom of blood' incident as a typological picture of the gospel, where Zipporah's act of shedding blood to save Moses prefigures Christ's substitutionary death that rescues believers from judgment. The sermon concludes by encouraging fathers to maintain spiritual order in their households and calls the congregation to bow low in worship, acknowledging that God has visited His people, seen their affliction, and provided a deliverer through Jesus Christ.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) ~~~~~ Lord's Day afternoon service at Milward House Pilgrim Home with some 20 residents and several staff. ~~~~~ *1/ Who Jesus is speaking to - Believers, Abrahams seed. 2/ What he is speaking of - freedom. 3/ How freedom is found.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon explores the theological concept of true freedom as presented in John 8, arguing that genuine liberty is not merely a social or political state but a spiritual deliverance from sin, condemnation, and error. By drawing a parallel to the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, the message emphasizes that only the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb, can break the bondage of sin. The text distinguishes between nominal belief and authentic discipleship, urging listeners to examine whether their faith is rooted in personal trust in Christ rather than religious heritage or self-righteousness. Freedom is found through continuing in God's Word, knowing the truth, and relying on the Son who has redeemed His people. The sermon concludes with the assurance that those whom the Son sets free are truly free to serve God, having been purchased by His grace.