We have a problem. Our problem is ourselves and our own propensity to do whatever it is we want to do. We don't think about the long-term consequences of our small choices, but those small choices keep piling up, one on top of another, until we are buried by them. Then the small, seemingly innocuous, choices become a very big problem for us. But like Pastor Bill says, “if you have a king who tells you what to do, problem solved!” You aren't bound to your own desires when you have a king!

Israel doing whatever they want to do left them subject to invaders and conquerors. Pastor Bill said that even today doing whatever you want to do will leave you in a miserable dead-end life. But we have an escape! We have been given a King and not just any king. He is the King of Kings. Because we have a king our lives don't belong to us. We can't just do whatever we want to. Our lives belong to Jesus and when we submit to him and his plans for our lives, we end up with abundant life!

Samson did some pretty great things for God and for the nation of Israel, and yet his story is a sad one. The choices you make in this life will decide if your story is one of victory, or if you, too, will end up with a sad story like Samson's. Samson continually responded to the siren call of pride and lust and was eventually defeated by it. What is the siren call in your life? What sin calls you back, again and again, asking you to indulge just one more time? Runaway as far as you can and into the arms of Jesus.

God has done everything he can to set you up for success. He died for you, rose from the dead, and invited you to do the same and to live with him! He has washed you clean and made it possible for you to be a vessel of honor in his kingdom. But as Pastor Bill will point out today, all of that comes with a choice. It comes with daily choices, actually, to act as a golden goblet or to be more like a dixie cup! Your choices matter! Choose today to be the golden goblet. Follow Jesus and pursue holiness!

Pastor Bill tells us today that even though our salvation is secured by the sacrifice of Jesus, what we do with it does have an eternal effect. When we cleanse ourselves from the sins that try to trip us up and hold us back, when we pursue holiness, when we pursue Jesus, we set ourselves up to be a vessel of honor. You're saved by the blood of the Lamb, now what are you going to do with it? Will you passionately pursue holiness? Will you follow the King with single-minded purpose and enthusiasm?

The walk of faith isn't an easy one and God knows how frightening it can be! He knows you're afraid to tell your coworkers that the answer to every problem is to surrender their life to Jesus. He knows it makes you nervous to go downtown and bring food and clothes to the homeless. He knows the walk he's called us to is one of faith and not sight. But Pastor Bill tells us today he also knows the right moment to speak to your heart. He knows exactly how to encourage you because he knows you!

It's often our own insecurities that get in the way of God's plan. He gives us directions and we start to ask questions. Moses did it when God sent him to free the Israelites. In our story today, Gideon will do the same thing. Pastor Bill tells us that God does care about our questions, but that there's a time for questions and there's a time for action. When it comes to the school of faith, it's time for action. There's a dying world out there and they don't have time for our questions to get the way. Time to Go!

Pastor Bill asks a tough question today! How would you respond if Jesus came to you and said, “The Lord is with you, you mighty woman or man of valor!” Do you feel like a mighty person of valor? I think deep down even the people we see as courageous or valiant don't feel that way. Are you willing to let God tell you who you are? Gideon wasn't a mighty man of valor when the angel of the Lord told him that he was, but he allowed himself to be defined by God's word instead of his own ideas.

Pastor Bill brings a simple but profound message today; use your gift! Each of us has been given gifts by the Spirit of God. It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, young or old, or what color your skin is. You have a gift. And each gift has been given so that we will use them. The church needs your gift! The people around you need your gift! Stop waiting for permission and start using them to build up and encourage the church and to call the world to follow Jesus!

Pastor Bill reminds us today that God has a purpose in everything, even the enemy in your life. Do you have an enemy? Maybe it's your boss that doesn't treat you fairly or a parent who never speaks a kind word. Maybe it's a teenage son or daughter who is rebelling against you. All of these things and so many more can all be used by God to draw you to himself. When things go well we forget. But when the world starts pressing in, we run to him. We cry out to him. And he is ready to deliver us!