First Irving Sermons

Main Idea. When God’s people reject their King’s rule, moral chaos rules and the weak have no refuge.

Question. How do people live when they reject God as their king?

1. The Depths of Depravity (19:1–21:24)

A. Corruption in Gibeah (19:1–30)

B. Civil War in Israel (20:1–25)

C. Condemnation of Benjamin (20:26–48)

D. Compromise in Benjamin’s Restoration (21:1–24)

2. The Desperation for a King (21:25)

Deut 17:14–20. 14 “When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’ 15 you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 16 Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ 17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold. 18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, 20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

What does life look like under the good and kingly rule of Jesus Christ?

Justice is assured for all

Women are honored and protected

Men are called to sacrificial protection

Forgiveness flows to all

Main Idea. God crushes the mighty through the humiliation of his servant.

1. The donkey-slayer becomes a donkey (1–21)

Three specific sins that lead Samson into slavery:

1. Pride (1–3)

2. Pleasure (1, 4–19)

3. Presumption (20)

Spurgeon said, see what sin will do. That shaved man made slave is the picture of many who were the once avowed servants of God and were valiant for the truth of God. They have lost the locks of their dedication and are led captive by the devil at his will. They cannot see as they used to see; darkness shuts out all joy. For they do not work for God as they used to, for they are slaving for people. How the mighty have fallen?

2. But the donkey becomes God’s deliverer (22–31)

2 Responses.

1. No matter your past or present, if you cry out to God, He will deliver you.

2. Your life isn’t defined by shame, but moving forward it must be marked by weakness and dependence.

2 Takeaways.

1. God is strong for undeserving people.

2. God is relentless in keeping his people.

Main Idea. God continues to grant His great deliverance by the hand of a flawed servant.

Four moving parts to this narrative:

1. The Cycle of Revenge (1–8)

2. The Compromise of God’s People (9–13)

3. The Conquering of God’s Spirit (14–17)

4. The Cry of God’s Servant (18–20)

Takeaways.

God works through broken people.

God wins through weakness.

God wants to provide life to the thirsty.

Main Idea. The Lord works through even bitter circumstances to bring about sweet deliverance for His people.

Sermon Question. How did God work through Samson to begin the deliverance of His people?

4 ways God begins deliverance…

1. A Bride for His Purpose (1–4)

2. Strength by His Spirit (5–9)

“If that roaring lion that goes about seeking whom he may devour finds us alone among the vineyards of the Philistines, where is our hope? Not in our heels… not in our weapons… but in the Spirit of God, by whom we can do all things. There is a stronger lion in us than that against us.” (Spurgeon)

3. Conflict of His Design (10–18)

4. Judgment by His Power (19–20)

Takeaways.

The Spirit Who Strengthens

The Sovereignty of God Is Not a License to Sin

There is Sweetness in Suffering

The Sharing of Sweetness with Others

Main Idea. God graciously begins our deliverance by providing his own Deliverer.

Sermon Question. How does God bring hope to the helpless?

1. God’s Provides a Savior (1–7)

Two Observations.

God’s redemptive plan unfolds through miraculous births.

God works before we even ask.

2. God Receives a Sacrifice (8–25)

Two Responses.

Manoah trembles before God’s holiness (22).

His wife reasons with gospel clarity (23).

Takeaways.

Trust God’s Word.

Treasure Christ’s Presence.

Take Refuge in Christ’s Sacrifice.

Main Idea: Unchecked pride among God’s people will produce devastating results.

1. The Dangerous Pride of Ephraim (vv. 1-3)

Examination:

a. Do you enjoy finding faults in others?

b. Do you care more about your public sins than your private sins?

c. Do you struggle with saying no?

2. The Devastating Fall of Ephraim (vv. 4-6)

Observations:

a. Pride makes us look more like the world than God’s people.

b. Pride cannot remain hidden.

3. God’s People Left Restless (vv. 7-15)

Main Idea: We suffer misery when we forsake the Lord to do what’s right in our own eyes.

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1. The misery of idolatry (10:6-16)

- Idols chosen and cherished

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Apply:

1. There is no spiritual neutrality when we choose to walk in sin.

2. Understand the difference between godly grief and worldly grief.

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2. The misery of self-sufficiency (10:17-11:28)

- The call of Jephthah

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Apply:

1. Beware of self-sufficiency which always leads to misery.

2. Confess the ways in which you seek the Lord only when you need something from him.

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3. The misery of biblical infidelity (11:29-40)

- The vow of Jephthah

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Apply:

1. Beware of sin that can be carried out with seemingly spiritual motives.

2. Study to know God's word, not merely basic concepts and a few proof texts.

Sermon Question: What happens when we reject God’s rule and crown our own king?

Main Idea: When we reject God's rule and crown a false king, we invite God's judgment.

1. The Rise of a False King (1–6)

Application.

We need to examine our hearts in two ways.

What false kings are we tempted to crown?

What ways do we seek our own glory?

Beware of pragmatism dressed up as wisdom.

2. The Warning of a Faithful Voice (7–21)

Three Lessons:

Don’t ignore God’s gracious warnings.

Beware of charisma over character.

Speak the truth, even when it costs you.

3. The Fall Under God’s Judgment (22–57)

Takeaways.

Every Heart Chooses A King.

God’s Justice Is Never Idle.

God Works Through History to Bring Us to Christ.

Main Point. Victory turns into pride when we lose sight of the God who gave it.

Driving Question: What happens to our hearts when we forget that victory comes from God?

1. Our Pride Resists God’s Glory (1–21)

Two Faces of Pride in Gideon:

1. People Pleasing Pride (1–3)

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” – Prov 29:25

2. Controlling Pride (4–21)

2. Our Success Can Lead to Self-Glory (22–27)

3. Our Hearts Are Prone to Forget (28–35)

“Take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt – Deut. 6:12

Sinclair Ferguson: “The key to Christian growth is not trying harder, but remembering better— who Christ is and what He’s done.”

REMEMBER THE LORD.

Remember His Cross and Resurrection

“Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19)

Remember His Faithfulness

“He remembers His covenant forever” (Ps. 105:8)

Remember His Word

“He will bring to your remembrance all I have said” (John 14:26)

Remember His Mercy

“Forget not all His benefits.” (Ps. 103:2)

Remember His Return

“Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:5)

Remember Your Identity in Him

“You were ransomed… with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:18–19)

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead” – 2 Tim 2:8

Takeaways from Judges 6–8.

God meets us in our weakness—He doesn’t wait for strength; He supplies it.

Obedience starts at home—Tear down the idols closest to your heart, even when it’s risky.

Victory belongs to the Lord—God uses weakness to magnify His power and glory.

Success often tempts us toward self-reliance—Beware when victory gives birth to vanity.

Even good things become idols—when Christ is no longer the object of our faith.

Spiritual forgetfulness is real—So remember the Lord daily, not just in crisis.

God’s mercy doesn’t depend on perfect faith—but on His perfect faithfulness.

Jesus is the King we’ve always needed—He rules not with pride, but with mercy and grace.

Main Point. God saves by His power alone, not our strength, so that all the glory is His.

Driving Question: Why does God lead us into weakness before He acts?

1. God Weakens Us to Display His Strength (1–8)

2. God Reassures Us to Strengthen Our Faith (9–15a)

Two Observations.

A. God’s compassionate reassurance.

B. Gideon’s response.

How does God reassure us of his promises today?

Through Christ – (Heb. 1:1–2).

Through His Word and Spirit – (2 Tim. 3:16; John 15:26).

Through the Ordinances – (1 Cor. 11:26).

Through His Church – (1 Thess 5:11; Heb 10:25).

3. God Delivers Us to Receive All Glory (15b–25)

Takeaways.

God saves by His power—not ours.

God delights to use weakness—not strength.

God alone deserves the glory—not man.