September 19, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 1
This teaching from Judges 1 begins with a brief overview of Genesis and Exodus, the conquest of Canaan and the failure of the Hebrews to possess the land. In the book of Judges, we see cycles of sin and enslavement, followed by cries for help, followed by God's deliverance. Then, the cycle repeats. Just as the Hebrews faced literal Canaanites, so we face our own Canaanites, thieves that want to creep back in to enslave and destroy. Join Pastor Lloyd's teaching on these cycles of sin and rescue which contain modern-day lessons for us all.
Incomplete Victory - Part 2
September 26, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 2:1—3:6
The Bible says that the fool learns the hard way; the wise person looks ahead and learns from other' experiences. This is also why we turn to the scriptures. In Judges, we see that there is no king and, "everyone did what was right in their own eyes." In the second chapter of Judges, the Angel of the Lord appears to remind the people of their covenant with God. Will they learn the hard way or chose the path of the wise?
Deliverers Great and Small
October 3, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 3:1—5:11
As we read the book of Judges, we see a theme emerging: if we forget who we are, we will get gobbled up by the "gods" of the culture. God's purpose in placing us where we are is so we can have an influence. They were at war and so are we, spiritually, individually and as a congregation. As Israel failed to conquer the enemies around her, they cried out for deliverance and God answered. Join this study as Pastor Lloyd reveals four of those deliverers in this segment of the study of Judges.
Song of Deliverance
October 10, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 5
Beginning with a quick overview of the previous chapters, Pastor Lloyd reminds us that the events of the book of Judges are a picture of our walk by faith as we are also at odds with a hostile culture. These battles of the Old Testament are written for our example today. This message beginning in Judges Chapter five, examines the Song of Deliverance of Deborah and Barak.
Lessons from an Unlikely Hero (Gideon) - Part 1
October 17, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 6
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children," we read in Proverbs. Here in Judges chapter six, Pastor Lloyd reminds us that in this time in Israel's history, the inheritance or spiritual legacy that God wanted passed to future generations is tragically at risk. As the children of Israel cry out to the Lord, God sends a most unlikely hero named Gideon. In the face of his own fear and against much opposition, learn how God raises up timid Gideon to defeat a fearsome enemy.
Lessons from an Unlikely Hero (Gideon) - Part 2
October 31, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 7
It takes only one generation to lose perspective about the things of God. We see this in the book of Judges. In this segment, we continue to study a very unlikely hero named Gideon, who fights a powerful enemy and wins against all odds. Follow along in this study and unwrap the lessons God has for you through His servant, Gideon.
Lessons from an Unlikely Hero (Gideon) - Part 3
November 7, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 8
"Raw, honest, and straight-forward," is how Pastor Lloyd describes the book of Judges. The cycle of sin, repentance and salvation is on full display here. Against five-to-one odds, Gideon leads the Israelites into battle against a fearsome enemy but God gives complete victory. As we learn about Gideon's battles and victories, we learn to face “our” internal battles as we confront enemies and demons of our own.
The Rise and Fall of an Evil Leader
November 14, 2021 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 9
Forty years of peace followed Gideon's victory over the enemy. Following Gideon's death, the people return to their worship of Baal. In this ninth chapter of Judges, Pastor Lloyd continues his teaching about a son of Gideon, Abimelech, who ruthlessly massacres his brothers and takes the throne. As the people fall further and further away from God, their leadership likewise reflects it. Full of lessons for today, our study continues as we look at what happens when bad leaders lead.
A Man Called Jephthah
January 28, 1996 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 10—12
The spiral downward continues in our study of the book of Judges. The people are drifting, going back to the culture of the Canaanites and the worship of Baal. God brings three "unknowns" to keep peace after Abimilech. As we study, we may notice that something is conspicuously absent during this time in Israel's history; the priests have taken a back seat, failing to educate the people in the word of God. Join Pastor Lloyd for this fascinating study that parallels today's post-truth culture.
The Rise of Mighty Samson
January 9, 2022 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 13—14
This book shows the step-by-step decline of a nation with lessons for today. Now, we look at the last of the judges, Samson. This is the longest oppression the Israelites have ever faced, forty years under the Philistines. The people have fallen so far, they no longer even cry out for a deliverer. They have given up, letting the oppression continue. Join Pastor Lloyd for fascinating insights from Samson whom God used in spite of his failures.
The Fall of Mighty Samson
January 16, 2022 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 15—16
Samson's heroic rise was flawed by self-interest; he was a loner and this came back to bite him. Pastor Lloyd calls this the Samson Complex. We see his flaws and wonder why God would choose him. When Samson is betrayed by his wife's father, he seeks personal revenge. The Philistines in turn seek revenge against Samson, setting the stage for today's study on the tragic fall of Samson.
Do It Yourself Religion
January 23, 2022 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 17—18
These final chapters of Judges reveal the personal and spiritual condition of the people of this time. Repeatedly in Judges, we read, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." We see similarities in our culture today, casting off all restraint from truth, creating one's own reality, narcissism. We see that the people have drifted from God and so has their leadership. Personal faith is at an all-time low. This is where we begin our study in Judges chapters seventeen and eighteen.
The Outcome of Do It Yourself Religion
January 30, 2022 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • Judges 19—21
These final three chapters reveal the heart of the people and their compromise with their enemies which ultimately leads to their fall. Without the truth, we will find ourselves accommodating the world and its ways. Decline sets in just as it did in the days of the Judges, resulting in deep sadness and moral collapse. We see this glaring truth in Judges nineteen in the story of a Levite's concubine.
