The True King Reigns: The Book of Judges (series)
Lament for Women and the Nation
October 11, 2020 • Tony Shen
Judges 21 | The True King Reigns, Part 19 | 10/11/2020 | Pastor Tony Shen. Our sermon series in the Book of Judges concludes with the tragic decision-making of the elders of Israel trying to make up for their earlier disastrous decisions to go to war against their fellow tribe of Benjamin. The conclusion of the book is a lament for the nation of Israel and especially its women. Yet God is still sovereign, He is ever gracious, and He has sent His Son to atone for the sins of whoever believes in Him.
No Hope for the Foolish
October 4, 2020 • Atlas Hardy
Judges 20:18-48 | The True King Reigns, Part 18 | 10/4/2020. The nation of Israel mobilizes against one its own tribes, Benjamin, leading to a civil war that wipes out nearly the entire tribe. What can we learn from such a grievous turn of events?
Consider It, Take Counsel, Speak Up!
September 27, 2020 • Brian Criscuolo
Judges 20:1-17 | The True King Reigns, Part 17 | 9/27/2020 | Brian Criscuolo. In Judges 20, Brian unpacks the sin committed to the Levite's wife from chapter 19, the counsel given in response to that sin, and the action taken up against the tribe of Benjamin.
No Rest for the Wicked
September 20, 2020 • Matt Jones
Judges chapter 19 | The True King Reigns, Part 16 | 9/20/2020 | Pastor Matt Jones. In Judges 19, we come to a disturbing story of dark sin and degradation of a woman. How does understanding the difference between prescription and description help us understand this narrative? What lessons can we apply to today's depraved conditions: our own personal state, and that of our society and economy?
The Origins of Dan
September 13, 2020 • Tony Shen
Judges chapter 18 | The True King Reigns, Part 15 | 9/13/2020 | Pastor Tony Shen. Concluding the narrative begun in chapter 17, we come to understand the origins of the infamous pagan worship center Dan. What lessons can we learn from this ungodly history? Hold fast the gospel of Jesus Christ. Study and learn the word of God. Pass along this knowledge to future generations. Pray for God's grace and mercy on all.
Pursuing a Righteousness Apart from God
September 6, 2020 • Travis Anderson
Judges chapter 17 | The True King Reigns, Part 14 | 9/6/2020 | Travis Anderson. "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes." Israel's abandonment of God is embodied in the narrative of the pagan idolater Micah. Refusal to obey God leads to moral and religious collapse. What can we learn for ourselves and our society today?
Judges 17-21 Scripture Read
August 30, 2020 • Tony Shen
Judges 17-21 | The True King Reigns | 8/30/2020 | Pastor Tony Shen. Our sermon series on the Book of Judges continues with a public reading of Judges chapters 17-21. Pastor Tony provides a historical context of the period of the Judges and a structural overview of the Book of Judges. Chapters 17-21 contain two epilogues that show the degeneration of the nation of Israel into Canaanization: idolatry, apostasy, and moral decrepitude. It is a dark and disturbing time. Where, then, can our hope be found? In the true deliverer and judge, Jesus the Messiah.
Samson Part 3: Is Anyone Worthy? (God's Test of Faithfulness)
August 23, 2020 • Brian Criscuolo
Judges Chapter 16 | The True King Reigns, Part 13 | 8/23/2020 | Brian Criscuolo. 1 John 2:16 speaks of the sins of "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life." Concluding the narrative of Samson in part 3 of 3, we learn he has given himself over to the lust of the eyes. Many of us have. Who can deliver us? Is anyone worthy?
Samson Part 2: Samson and the Sovereign King
August 16, 2020 • Anthony Sims
Judges Chapters 14 and 15 | The True King Reigns, Part 12 | 8/16/2020. In part 2 of 3 on the narrative of Samson in Judges, we learn that Israel's leadership is way off course, they're down in the depths of idolatry, and Samson is the prime example of their selfishness. Samson commits all manner of sin, particularly sexual sin. Is this God's will being done? How can an all-powerful, completely holy God accomplish His plans through humankind's sinfulness?
Samson Part 1: Dedicated to the LORD
August 9, 2020 • Tony Shen
Judges chapter 13 | The True King Reigns, Part 11 | 8/9/2020. In part 1 of 3 sermons on the narrative of Samson in Judges 13-16, we learn how Samson was divinely conceived, divinely dedicated to God's purpose, and divinely empowered and blessed. (Spoiler alert: would his life history follow this godly beginning? No. Is God still gracious to him? Yes.)
What Does God Require?
July 26, 2020 • Brian Criscuolo
Judges chapter 11 | The True King Reigns, Part 9 | 7/26/2020 | Brian Criscuolo. Jephthah is the latest in the continuing downward spiral of both the nation of Israel and the judge-deliverers whom God, out of mere mercy, appoints to save the nation. What can we learn from Jephthah's selfishness and his tragic vow leading to his daughter's demise?
Mercy: Illuminating the Darkness of Judges
July 19, 2020 • Ryan Richards
Judges chapter 10 | The True King Reigns, Part 8 | 7/19/2020 | Ryan Richards. In Judges, the people of Israel repeatedly do what is evil in the sight of the LORD and worship false gods. In chapter 10, their apostasy is complete. God is grieved, but He is still merciful. There is no "cancel culture" with God.
My Father Is the True King
July 12, 2020 • Tony Shen
Judges chapter 9 | The True King Reigns, Part 7 | 7/12/2020 | Pastor Tony Shen. Gideon named his son Abimelech, or "my father is king." Abimelech turns out to be murderous and tyrannical. Who is the better Son who can truly claim, "My Father is the true King"?
Judges 9-16 Scripture Read
July 5, 2020 • Atlas Hardy
Judges 9-16 | The True King Reigns | 7/5/2020. We restart the sermon series in the Book of Judges with a public reading of Judges chapters 9-16. Our pastor provides an overview of Judges and wraps up with a presentation of the good news that Jesus, the stronger and ultimate deliverer, has died for our sins on the cross.